grayn

[quote name='spacey' timestamp='1385493049' post='2288969'] Never thought of any bass as an "investment" I can think of far better things to invest in. My basses are instruments that I saved up and bought because I liked them, gig money and months in without beer and nights out to buy each one. Nothing snobbish or protective, but something in life cost and if you want them you are far better going without for a while than wasting money on overpriced copies, especially ones that cost £500 and come out of the box like a carriage clock thrown from the Eiffel tower. [/quote] LOL, I rest my case.

I think the comment of a Rockingbetter only being worth £150, is just nonsense, spouted by someone trying to protect their investment.

[quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1385251334' post='2286215'] Look for a (used) EBMM Sterling (not "sterling ray" or "sterling by musicman" but the real thing) with hb/sc/sc switch. Neck is thinner then that of a ray and it sounds really good with lots of punch. Edit: like such! [/quote] I owned a USA EBMM Sterling and agree, it's a very slim and fast. Then I got a USA EBMM Stingray (3EQ) and found the two have quite a different tone. The Sterling's is far more edgy and aggressive. The Stingray's is thicker and to my ears, more useable, in a variety of styles. Sandbergs are very good quality and different again from a MM. Got to try 'em, I guess.

Just to confirm, the Gryphon did come in at under a grand. Such good value IMO, that I couldn't resist another.

+1 on the Epi Rumblekat. Put some flatwounds on and it's a real 60s dream. BTW, the Jack Cassady is more 70s. I reckon.

The Modern Player Jag bass is excellent value for money, IMO.

Congrats, it looks really cool. Love to hear a demo.

I have 2 Gordon-Smith Gryphon basses, made this year.

Fancied a Musicman Big Al for ages but they only seem to come up, just after I've just blown my cash on something else.

Back in early 80s, it was an SD Curlee. The neck totally failed and went all wobbly. And it wasn't much od a bass, anyway. Fortunately the shop gave me a full refund and I found a S/H Wal, going very cheap by today's standards.

Well done, thats a very tasty looking bass.

I agree with the German, preowned theme but have to say, those asian Corvettes, are very nice and very giggable basses.

Very cool looking bass. Congrats, look forward to hearing more.

I think it's an active-passive thing too. Ps have a familiar, straight down the line, thump. Rays have more edge and can sound a little aggressive. It's Ray or J, for me.

I recently sold some gear, in order to buy a new EBMM Stingray, I'd seen. Then, last minute I spotted a pre-owned model, going for half price. It was stunning and sold itself to me, in less than a minute. But what really blew me away, was that with plenty of cash left, I looked around at other basses and picked up a Warwick Thumb BO4. For some reason I'd dismissed Warwicks, for years. Thought they were ugly. I loved it playing at the dealers but when I got it home and put it through my own gear, I was really blown away by it's sound and especially the playability. What a neck. I'm even starting to love the looks.

Got an itch for a Warwick Dolphin Pro 1.

The Thumb Bolt-on-4 is known for it's dark, well defined tone and lovely, low-mid-growl. The organic and ergonomic body shape and neck are made from a beautifully, dark grained Ovangkol, with an even darker, Wenge fingerboard, which is made even more beautiful by the lack of markers, between it's 24, medium, bell-brass frets. The 2, active, MEC, J-style pickups, in combination with the bass's woods, create some inspiring tones, that sparkle with dark harmonics. The tone is clear yet very earthy. You could say, the Warwick's looks and tone truly reflect each other. The active electronics are controlled by rotary knobs, for volume, panning, treble and bass. No middle control, it's true but with this bass's gorgeous, natural mid-tones, why would you want to mess with them? I'm not really a fan of black hardware on a bass but Warwick's black, 2-piece bridge, security locks, tuners and (ad)Just-a-Nut 3, are not only extremely functional but blend with the bass's dark, good looks, quite well. As you may expect from a German made bass, the BO4 is very well designed and crafted. The neck has a deep(ish) profile and is incredibly comfortable to play. The profile and immaculate fretboard just make you want to play in an accurate and precise manner. Yet also encourages sonic exploration and self expression. This particular bass was made in 2008 and remains in immaculate condition. When I bought it, I also tried out an English made, Overwater Inspiration Std. Deluxe 4. Both basses are small bodied, with high quality construction and parts. The Overwater's tone was crystal clear and even, with great harmonic range. But it was the earthier tone and organic looks of the Warwick that sold it to me. This bass comes with a user kit, that comes in what can only be described as a very professional folder, made of rucksack type material. It looks like something you might get with a high end car. With pockets for the beeswax, needed in the early years of the bass's life, strings, an impressive trussrod tool, a cleaning cloth and the sizeable manual and certificate. Never seen this before, even with more expensive instruments. Overall then, this is a high quality instrument. The small body in no way hinders tone but does make the neck seem to stick out further, than on larger bodied basses. You soon adapt and it becomes as natural as any other bass. I didn't used to like to look of Warwicks but now I'm really appreciating the look, feel and sound of this most musical of basses.

[quote name='megallica' timestamp='1378487453' post='2201116'] Isn't that the same as a P bass? [/quote] Yes, you are right but I wasn't just referring to the nut's width, when I was talking aboiut the bass's neck, compared to a J's or P's. On reflection though, it is nearer the P but slightly comfier, to my hands. Then again, that depends on which P we're talking about.

[quote name='megallica' timestamp='1378394426' post='2199648'] Very nice, is it a 40mm nut width? [/quote] Probably nearer 42mm.

Gota pic up

[quote name='Freddy Le Cragg' timestamp='1378324262' post='2198727'] I have long been tempted by MM's but neither of my local dealers carry them How do they compare with Jazz basses ie neck shape weight sound etc? [/quote] They are quite a different bass, to a jazz. Stingrays do tend to vary in weight, I've found. This one is a little heavier than a jazz, but not by much. It's neck is somewhere between a J and P. Very solid, very playable. Having a single humbucking pickup, as opposed to the 2 single coil pickups on a jazz, gives the MM bass a thicker, yet still quite focused, sound. Plenty of body in the tone and it sits well in a band mix. Hope that helps.

Sorry, I can't seem to add a photo?

Having recently acquired a gorgeous USA Sterling, I have been very happy. Someone said to me, "Welcome to the addiction". Wise words, as it turns out. I was just visiting my local guitar store, which until recently, had a great guitar selection but a miniscule bass section. I walked in and was told they now stocked MM basses. Wow! Well, I had to try out a 2013 Sterling (mine being 10 years old), which had the slimmest of necks. Fantastic bass but it was the natural, ash bodied Stingray, that really got my juices flowing. So I quickly sold some guitar (6-string variety) gear. Then I checked out a true gold Stingray, which again, was very tasty. Finally I found this 2001, honeyburst 'Ray. It's in top condition, looks quite lovely and just has that sound. Quite a bit different from the Sterling. Great, low, solid action and a comfy neck. What a buy. Long live the addiction.

Congrats on a very cool bass. I'm a big fan of Mr Sheehan and Niacin. That's one macho bass.

My mate had one of those, in the early 70s. It was dreadful then, I don't suppose it'll have improved with time.