Jabba_the_gut

Gutted. Just bought a SWR Workingpro combo and could have had this!

Have a bump for a great bit of kit

This really is quite an interesting discussion.

The issue ultimately comes downs to different people's interpretation of what is acceptable in the way of packaging for a bass. I have bought three basses of eBay - I collected one and had the other two posted. One was a cheapy and just had cardboard wrapped around it with some packing tape, no suprises that one of the machine heads had been snapped off by the time it arrived. With the other (mid priced) bass, I specifically asked the seller to ensure it was well packaged. They sent it in a reasonably well padded soft case with a little bit more bubble wrap around the neck. Now, if I was going to send a bass like that I would completely stuff the case with bubble wrap and cover it in fragile stickers. The softcase was not mentioned in the advert so this was a bonus, but the bass did suffer a couple of small knocks to the body (which was previously mint condition). So the seller has a different interpretation as to what 'well packaged' mean compared to me.

I think the only thing you can do is to agree in some detail with the seller as to what you would deem to be acceptable packaging before you bid. If you then win/buy the bass and it is shipped differently then you have a string position to make a case.

Just my thoughts.....

PM'd

I'm a great fan of the SUB basses and think that as a secondhand bass represent good value. I've got three SUB basses; a SUB4, SUB5 and a SUB Sterling. I'd agree with other folk regarding the original checkerplate scratchplates - they do look a bit naff in my opinion but can be changed as they are dimensionally the same as other Musicman basses. I personally like the finish and with a different scratchplate thinks they look quite good. Build quality is excellent - nice solid basses.

But the mainthing is the sound and feel. Soundwise all three basses are excellent for that 'Ray tone. I would say I prefer the SUB Sterling as a bass as it has three band eq and a slightly thinner neck but that is just personal preference.

The SUB basses seem to go for between £300 and £400 wich is still a good chunk less than the new 'Sterling' range (Am I the only person that finds it confusing to name a range of basses the same as a bass in your range?....)

I did also use to own a Vintage Stingray copy. Not a bad bass, the neck was nice but it just didn't sound like a 'Ray and if that tone is your main criteria I'd give each replica a thorough try.

Cheers

Count me in please. Cheers.

Bought a scratchplate for a MM Sterling off Dave - what a genuinely nice bloke! Great condition and really pleased with it. Many thanks again.

PM'd

Weekend bump!

Having a bit of a clearout of things I thought I'd use but haven't.....

I've got a pair of 5 string Tobias bass pickups that I bought of eBay a few years ago but never got round to using. I have checked the coil resistance and the pick-ups read 18.4k and 18.9k. I haven't tried them in a bass but have connected them to an amp to make sure they work.

Both pickups are in really good condition with very little marking. Dimensions are 105mm x 40 mm x 20mm

I have no idea which Tobias bass these came from. Looking for £30 the pair plus postage (is that reasonable?? - I'd never make it as a salesman...)



Cheers

[attachment=59410:DSC03188.JPG]

I've got both a SUB 4 and SUB 5 and I have to say that they are both great basses. The tone is superb, though the treble can be a bit harsh if turned up too much. Like many other comments on here, I just don't like the look of the 'Ray 5 due to the scratchplate. Easy enough to source a replacement scratchplate for the horrible looking checker-plate one on the SUB 4 but a bit more tricky for the SUB 5. Now that Ernie Ball do a 5 string Classic 'ray it should be possible to get a more tasteful replacement!!

I've also got a Vintage musicman copy which is nothing like the SUB 4 in my opinion. Sound wise it is poor in comparison despite the 3 band eq and the neck is a lot thinner (though I do quite like that!!). But the big difference is price - the Vintage would cost about £75 secondhand and a SUB 4 would be about £350...

I'm going to get rid of the Vintage very soon as it just doesn't get a look in since I bought the SUB basses.

Oh dear, someone is in for a nasty surprise when that gets delivered!!

You would hope that bidders would do a little research on what they are bidding on - you've only got to look at the lack of serial number and the shape to see it isn't a genuine Stingray or even and OLP...

Anyone know where I can get one of those Musicman decals from? Got an old MM copy worth about £50 that it looks like I could get more for...

[quote name='TheGreek' post='946371' date='Sep 5 2010, 05:13 PM']Got one of these the other day - swapped it for my 5 string Warwick Rockbass corvette - love the weight, set up, feel, low action - but the pick ups are absolutely POOO. Anybody know of a decent replacement for the EMG Selects that come as standard??[/quote]

I've got a Hohner B2A and the stock p-ups on that weren't great so I changed them to ones by Kent Armstrong about 10 years ago - much more like it and have wiring options for single coil/humbucker etc. Don't think they appeared as stock items on their website but might be worth trying to contact them through WD Music UK. www.wdmusic.co.uk

Cheers

[quote name='sshorepunk' post='941115' date='Aug 31 2010, 05:02 PM']Still available, buuuuuuuuuuuump[/quote]

That is a stunning looking bass - wish I had the spare cash!!

Bump

I've got a Stingray Sub which I think sounds great but I find the neck a bit chunky - prefer a jazz type neck. Does anyone know what the necks on these Sub Sterlings are like? Is this one still available??