The LP-Saga:
- LPB-1/Special: early version TB Plus soapies and passive, later version TB Plus soapies and active with Bartolini TCT,
- LPB-2/Deluxe: througout its life span Bartolini pups and TCT electronics.
- LPB-3/Standard: early version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers and active Bartolini TCT electronics, later version TB Plus guitar size humbuckers, but passive.
So your Deluxe had original Bart pups and TCT electronics.
Meshell was pictured with the regular Deluxe (and it is what she plays in that Mellencamp vid of that Van the Man song), but actually she had a prototype that was passive and had custom pups emulating - a bit - a more Jazz Bass sound, might have been single coils.
And I now tell you a secret, never revealed before: Rob in his book of books pictures that passive prototype of hers (it reached ze Kölleckshün in convoluted vvvays) and mistakenly claims it to be the regular off-the-rack Deluxe. It is not. I only saw that when it was already printed and rather than break the poor guy's heart, I kept the secret forever hidden in my bosom.
As we shall continue to do here, my brethren,
and not unsettle the sensitive Dutchman.
So get your rare 1st edition Gibson Bass Book now
***, only original with that lil' mistake!
***This part of this public statement sponsored by Proper Propaganda Media B.V., CEO: Rob van den Broek.