danhkr

I use Piranha cables. Not so well known but italian cable and neutrik plugs and very good value (aprox £15 for a 3m). I've tried them against Van Damme's own made-up leads and the ridiculously expensive 'Monster' cables and they sound as good. I stay clear of planet waves, I find them a bit gimmicky as a company. They're expensive and I hate those enclosed plastic plugs that you can't repair.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1155075' date='Mar 9 2011, 11:16 AM']I'm sure I ordered around the same time as you, which is even more confusing. I guess waiting all this time, then being told I may have to wait a further few months is a bit demoralising. I hope you enjoy it once you get it. The only worry I have is living with the thinner neck, since I'm so used to my chunky ray neck.[/quote] The Sterling neck is one of the all-time best bass guitar necks IMO. In fact it's what a Jazz neck [i]should[/i] be! I'd be very surprised if you're disappointed with it even if you usually prefer bigger necks. Yes it is frustrating waiting for an order to arrive, but at least at the end of it you can pretty-much say EBMM have made that guitar for you. With a bit of luck I'll get my Big Al next week, can't wait

The Jaguar isn't in Fender's most recent UK price list, so discontinued or not, they're certainly not bringing them in at the minute. They only really bring jap stuff in if an equivalent isn't made in mexico and they seem to start out reasonably priced before rocketing up and then eventually get discontinued. I believe it happened with the aerodyne stuff as well, although they're bringing those back in again.

A 70's 'style' mn precision, blonde with black guard which I was given. It was noodling about on this that got me into playing. It was possibly some sort of warmoth/mighty mite combination with a dimarzio model p pickup. It's actually one of the best sounding and playing precisions I've ever played and really regret selling it. Had a great Sid Vicious vibe to it as well.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='1147143' date='Mar 2 2011, 02:22 PM']Thats the thing, i never WANTED to sell it!! I'd somehow convinced myself that a permenant move to 5 strings would be a good idea so was selling it to fund my 5 string GAS!! In real terms i only neeeeeed one 5 string dont i?? i now have one and its wearing a brand new set of Nordy Big Splits!! Should be more than good enough now [/quote] Done the right thing, I think you may have regretted selling it....any advice for settings, or particular ones you like?

Have any of you DR users compared them to Elixirs? I'd be interested to know how they compare.

[quote name='73Jazz' post='1139081' date='Feb 23 2011, 08:13 PM']yes they improved. i played on a bass 2 years ago, which had elixirs on it..i hated them. The coating was some kind of dim/grey and the strings seemd to be some kind of adhesive. 1 month ago i had some really good strings on a bass i played, i was surprised, they were really good and i didn`t know them..the bass owner told me that these were elixirs. If i remember right..the first ones were called polyweb and the newr ones nanoweb..[/quote] Correct. In fact they still do polyweb as an option on their acoustic guitar strings, but all electric (guitar and bass) strings are now exclusively nanoweb which is a thinner less obvious coating that's just as effective, if not more so. Although this change was a lot longer than 3 months ago, so I suspect if what PaulWarning says is right, they may have improved them since they've been nanoweb.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1146929' date='Mar 2 2011, 11:35 AM']Sure did. I still want a 5 string version as well, but Ive gone for a Big Al 4 SSS, White, Rosewood board, Tort plate. Its been 4 months so Im sure its due soon.[/quote] Must be. Worth the wait though I'm sure. White/rw/tort is a classic combination as well. If I'm honest, I don't usually go for stuff with tonnes of settings, but I love EBMM but wanted something totally different in sound and appearance to the Sterling. Also l love the look of the big al even though people I know have described it as everything from 'cool as ****' to 'hideous'! [quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='1146967' date='Mar 2 2011, 12:15 PM']Big Al's are Amazing!! I think mine will be removed from the for sale section soon!! [/quote] Amazed you wanted shut of it so soon after getting it!

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='1145647' date='Mar 1 2011, 12:56 PM']Flats aren't expensive. Status Hotwires are only £ 13.99 and are very very very good. (Jeez I should be on a commission from Status ) It's a myth that only the £30+ brands so often machinated about on here are the only worth while ones to get.[/quote] That's fair enough, but from a manufacturer or factory point of view, they'll either use the cheapest set they make themselves or source the cheapest set externally. Flats are unlikely to fall into either of these categories. I also think that members of BC are usually pretty serious players, so whilst maybe a quarter of [i]us[/i] use flats, it's highly debatable whether that many do overall. Like I said, most players change the factory strings to their own preferred gauge/brand anyway, so manufacturers probably believe it's impossible to please everyone, so they might as well just string em up with whatever works out cheapest for them.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='1146858' date='Mar 2 2011, 10:39 AM']No probs! Glad there are more daring enough to give this unusual bass a try What colour/spec have you gone for?[/quote] It's a Big Al 4 SSS, black/tort/rosewood (exactly like the one on the MM site). Not that I've chosen the colour, it's just what was available at the right price, but I like it anyway. Love the sterling neck and general MM build, but wanted something totally different from the usual MM humbucker. Did you decide to still go for one??

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='1036527' date='Nov 25 2010, 03:55 PM']I did however my experience with them in the past hasn't been favourable, plus I don't have the full amount to pay ASAP. Just got off the phone with the ever helpful Darren at The Bass Merchant and I've put my deposit down for : Big Al 4 string White finish Black pickguard Rosewood fretboard Triple singe coil pickups Should arrive in febuary. Can't wait.[/quote] Have you got it yet? Interested to see what what you think and what settings people are favouring on the Big Al as there are so many available. I should have mine by the middle of this month - can't wait Also big thanks to Musicman20 for his excellent review, certainly helped clarify a few things.

Flats are expensive and guitar companies will (usually) stick on a basic cheap set knowing (a) they'll probably get changed for the buyers preferred gauge/brand anyway and (b ) saving even a few pence on each set saves them a fortune in the long-run. I understand the frustrations of flats users, but I use 50-110 roundwounds and no bass comes with them either.

Whilst we're at it, is it the back switch position on a H sterling that 'is most like' a standard stingray pickup?

[quote name='Me And My Bass' post='1142281' date='Feb 26 2011, 12:46 PM']There is a MM SUB for sale just now for £340 or so....great USA built MM bass[/quote] Yeah a sub is a lot of bass for the money. If I could get hold of one shipped for a bit closer to £300, I don't think anything else would would come close. MIM Fenders are an option but they seem to have shot up in price. Thanks for all the input.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1142246' date='Feb 26 2011, 12:16 PM']bit more info on what sort of spec your after would be good..[/quote] Thats kind of the point though. Normally I go for MM/Fender types, so I'd say that's probably priority, but like I say, I'm interested in suggestions as sometimes having something different as a spare/backup can give you other options.

I'm thinking about getting get a spare (backup) bass and was wondering if you were doing the same with a budget of around £300, what you would suggest? I'm preferably looking at second hand to maximise the value for money, so any suggestions/ideas etc would be most appreciated. Thanks

The MB stuff is surprisingly good for the price tag. The vintage channel is more like a distortion/overdrive and it can be blended with the clean (modern) channel. Valve pre-amp, good selection of tones = lot of amp for the money. Like anything made to a budget though; push em too hard and you'll encounter faults.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1136105' date='Feb 21 2011, 08:00 PM']Originals bands yes, Functions/Covers no.[/quote] +1

[quote name='RhysP' post='1113321' date='Feb 3 2011, 12:33 AM']I stopped using DR strings years ago as I got fed up with returning duff sets. Bass, electric guitar & acoustic guitar sets were all the same. Gamlins in Cardiff stopped stocking DR strings because of the amount of sets they were having brought back.[/quote] Thinking about it, could be something to do with the fact that unlike most other brands, DR are handmade. I suppose if, for whatever reason, that makes them better, it could also mean more margin for error.

Can't really comment on the Roto swing bass because they're stainless and all stainless strings feel rough and clanky to me. I have been using their Rotobass nickels though and they're really nice. Much smoother and as good as ernies in my opinion but almost half the price.

They're good solid basses, always have been. They can be a bit heavy and uninspiring at times, but the lack of 60's stuff and the prices they fetchs mean 70's gear has now become sought-after, obtainable vintage. I think the styling has also come back into fashion. Also the re-issue market can have a big effect. I remember seeing a natural 75 jazz in a shop a few years ago for £899, 2 months later Fender had a USA 75 reissue out at £1500! After that prices of original 70's stuff started to rise in accordance.

The advantage of using two (8ohm) cabs is that you'll be running the amp at 4ohms which means you'll get the full 575 watts of power out of the amp. Using just one (8ohm) cab will reduce the power somewhat, although as AndyMartin says, it'll still be loud enough for most 'usual' gigs. Really the issue is down to whether you think the extra power and headroom is worth the expense and the lugging around of an extra cab.

[quote name='Russ' post='1088401' date='Jan 13 2011, 06:16 PM']Plus Ashdown have finally come out with a 6x10"! [/quote] Yeah, I've had one for a while and it's a really good cab. A lot cheaper than going for separate 4x10 and 2x10 too.

[quote name='luckman67' post='1079741' date='Jan 6 2011, 12:41 PM']Are the bodies on the Squier CV the same thickness as the Fender MIM.[/quote] More or less. I've not noticed any huge difference.