fretmeister

[quote name='owen' timestamp='1433950555' post='2795374'] Sell both. If you want more dirt then put something in front of the Demeter. If the Demeter ever dies then borrow something to cover the downtime. It is not as if the Demeter is a flaky piece of kit. [/quote] Mmmmmm If they both sold at sensible money that would fund a very nice power amp for use with my Ampeg preamp. Mmmm indeed.

I don't need to sell but I'm also trying to cut down on the stuff that doesn't get used much. I'm trying (badly) to be a player rather than a collector of shiny things.

[i]This is not a sale thread (and anyway I have paid my subs).[/i] My current amp collection is a Demeter head, a Genz Streamliner 900 and a Shuttle 9.2 and a Roland Bass Cube 30. The Demeter and the Roland get loads of use. The 2 Genz amps haven't got a look in since I got the Demeter. They are both brilliant but I don't need 2 spare gig-capable amps so one of them must go. But the question is - which one? The Shuttle 9.2 is super clean and with the right settings does a great impression of a Trace Elliot (always liked that sound) The Streamliner 900 has a distinctive tone and despite it not being as versatile as the Shuttle does seem to sit in the mix better for old rock, Motown etc. Used they seem to sell at about the same money, so that's not an issue. I just can't decide which one to sell. I'm aware I might not be able to replace them if I ever change my mind. When I use either Genz it's generally as a power amp for an Ampeg preamp I have, or just for a bit of variety. But I still only ever take the Demeter out. Any thoughts?

All my basses are different and need different strap lengths. So the ones I play most have their own straps. The ones that I play rarely don't. Edit - I'm a big fan of Neotech Mega Bass Straps. Really comfy and great with a heavy bass.

The full name of the company is "Sterling by Musicman" No doubt who has ultimate control there!

Nope. Sterling Sub is the newer far east built ones. The MM Sub was a USA built one in plain colours with a slab body. These ones are highly prized. All the same company, but different price points / factories.

The BB model appeals to me too. The neck (from the specs - I've never played one) seems to be in the same sort of area as a Stingray 5, but added to some chunky single coils. I like that idea!

I agree, it's a brilliantly put together instrument. Easy to play, and mine is lightweight - for a ray anyway. The only thing making it less than perfect was the electronics. I find it amusing that only EBMM disciples have such a reaction to modifications. No other brand has acolytes like that.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1433621894' post='2792635'] Glad you're enjoying it. Fretmeister, you sound like an experienced player but I have to say that the only people I have come across who can't make a Stingray 5 sound like a bass and cant avoid a clanky sound are either extremely heavy handed or have extremely limited technique and ability. This is rather like the car driver who has previously only driven a Corsa trying a Ferrari and leaving the road - no doubt they would argue the car's faulty ............ The other myth in this thread which needs correcting concerns the Musicman forum - the only people banned from it have been the result of them behaving like t*ats - modifying basses is no problem (though not that many find the need with a Musicman) - just don't ask for advice on so doing on a manufacturers forum if you want sensible answers. I recall Steve Pearce had a Stingray 5 with an EMG pick up he used on Madonna recordings amongst others - so the mod is well documented - similarly Guy Pratt has improved a 64 Jazz with EMG pick ups. Would be interested how you get on. Especially with the multi pick up mod. [/quote] 25 years playing. Not heavy handed. Hundreds of gigs played in everything from jazz to metal to classical orchestra and musical theatre. Band member at the local educational trust. But by all means keep trying to find a reason why I'm wrong and you are right.

Rehearsed this morning. A variety of tunes with various sized ensembles. It sits much better in the mix than the stock pickup. I only used a little Roland Cube this morning (lots of room changes) and even with a limited amp the difference was obvious and very welcome. The B string was always good on this bass, but it's clearer and the fundamental is stronger. Very happy!

I saw that on the site. I was quite tempted myself!

Played it more. Very happy with it. Ok - it doesn't get as cutting as a Ray anymore. But that cutting sound was the only thing wrong for might current use of the bass. I have an orchestra rehearsal tomorrow morning so I'll give it a proper run then.

Just installed it. Very nice! I need to set the pickup height but for tonight I'm happy it's in and working. Sounds deeper than the stock pickup, less of the metallic clank - sounds more like a bass!

[quote name='FuNkShUi' timestamp='1433421891' post='2790939'] I think its more about offending the Musicman Forum for modding a Stingray... I may be wrong! [/quote] Yup! The Musicman forum ban people for things like modding MM instruments!

The EMG MM5CS has just arrived from the USA. I decided to get a duplicate scratch plate so I can load them up differently. I might even start installing it this evening. Stage 1 is just the MM5CS with a simple volume and tone. Then I'll see how that goes for a few rehearsals before deciding on future additions.

I think I read a review of the sig model that said it was a proper old fashioned chunky neck. Which is basically why I didn't buy one!

[quote name='merello' timestamp='1433353069' post='2790415'] Buy a Fender Roger Waters Tribute Bass. [/quote] This. Then change the pickup.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1309189378' post='1284302'] [/quote] Oh man that's awesome!

I'd really want that output to be going to a dedicated Sub-Woofer, well away from my beloved Bergs!

TRS is TIP, RING, SLEEVE If you look at a stereo jack plug it has a TIP then a black bit then a silver RING and then another black bit and then the silver SLEEVE. The TIP and RING deal with different parts of the output from the pedal so if you wire up a stereo socket properly you can route the TIP signal to a different place from the RING signal.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1430150851' post='2758415'] Royal foggin' blood watch out. Runs parallel. Octave up "guitar" signal into small stone and Flyrig5. Other "bass" channel is TLC, VMT, Wah. Trinity reverb will be replaced with a TC Ditto looper later this week. Ownage. [/quote] Does the Octave up signal still get combined and into a bass amp, or do you run a guitar amp as well? What's the Taurus like? I have a MicroPog but it sounds a bit artificial to me.

[quote name='FretNoMore' timestamp='1432964551' post='2786596'] Nice, very nice ... I'm curious about the Mic Mechanic though, do you use it with bass or is it for vocals? [/quote] Just vocals - it's a brilliant little thing and if it's on my board I don't forget it, and it's powered from the Gigrig system underneath. That "TONE" control on it cures an awful lot of problems with crap PA systems and deaf engineers!

This is all good news. I'm in the mood to purge unused pedals and amps so with a bit of luck I can raise the dosh.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1433315855' post='2789910'] I have to say, though, as a fretless player for nearly 30 years, I don't play with 'fretless effects', I just play bass. It is surprising how many of the tricks you are describing can sound derivative. I guess it's how and where you use them. [/quote] This. I like my fretless because of it's basic sound. Deep and plummy and it sits in the mix wonderfully. Overuse of slides and vibrato is grating to me. And I have no idea why so many fretless players seem to insist on layering a metric sh*t-ton of chorus on it, hiding the lovely natural sound of the instrument.

[quote name='miles'tone' timestamp='1433322994' post='2790018'] No way it will cost Thomann £10 to post some strings, therefore they most probably receive £35-36 for each set. I wonder if they are just selling them at cost that way? [/quote] No! - because it costs them more than £10 to post a large and heavy pedal or a sub 199 Euro speaker cab! The shipping fee is standard across all orders under 199 Euro. So a 25kg item that costs under 199 Euro is still only £10. Any "savings" or "extra income" on a £10 shipping fee on a packet of strings is offset against the loss incurred on shipping a much heavier item for the same price.