machinehead

[quote name='maldy' timestamp='1469724461' post='3100691'] I sent mine back too. I really wanted to love this bass and there was lots I did love, but overall I struggled with the quality of it. Firstly the set up was very poor the more I think about it. For a bass near a grand that's not good enough. But there was something that felt this was thrown together. However, I was starting to really like it and I really did love the concept of it, when the whole control plate came out when I pulled my lead out! So it went straight back. Bizarrely, I'm contemplating ordering another one. I think it's the flea affect, or the vintage jazz vibe, or most people saying theirs is amazing! :-s [/quote] I really like the features on the Flea jazz but honestly, the number of faulty ones is quite shocking and is putting me off. And it's not all minor niggles either. I'm glad for everyone who got a good one and with a light weight though. Frank.

I'm enjoying this thread. It's a great insight into not only consumer behaviour, but also human behaviour in general. And the gratitude of the OP for all the freely offered advice is heartwarming. Lovely to behold. Frank.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469659341' post='3100198'] You can't possible guarantee what a bass would sell for second hand so you need to stop with that. You also need to stop with accusations of time wasting. This is getting nasty and I will not tolerate this. Nor will I tolerate questions about my age. If people can't be civil....well, there's the door. [/quote] It [i]was[/i] a civil question! What age are you? I won't tolerate people not tolerating my civil questions. Frank.

It just so happens that my beater bass is my Musicman USA SUB and it's not my favourite bass. I prefer my Jazz, Precision or Jaguar but.. if the SUB was my favourite I'd play it on any gig, even though it's very roadworn. As it is, the SUB gets used mainly on gigs where damage is more likely. It's a great bass really and to be honest, lately I've started to enjoy it a little more. Frank.

Beautiful. It's a joy to see such attention to detail. I hope you enjoy it. Frank.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469643336' post='3100019'] If you think that's what's happening then I don't know what to tell you. So for a third time, and i'm getting frsutrated having to make this point three times: I was asking what people thought of that bass. You have yet to explain why that's a problem. [/quote] What age are you? Just as a matter of interest. Frank.

I have the best bass in the world. I'll sell it to you for £5.99. Free P&P. Frank.

[quote name='R.I.P.' timestamp='1469501629' post='3098815'] I agree with StingrayPete to. After I modded my Ray34 (post# 4) I really noticed no change in playability or weight either. Keep that beautiful bass the way it is [/quote] That's interesting. I was thinking about adding contours to mine (USA SUB) to reduce the weight. Maybe it's not worth the effort? Frank.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1469469675' post='3098591'] I own a few of both, don't notice it during a gig tbh. [/quote] I agree with this. My US SUB is perfectly comfortable to gig. Frank.

[quote name='bagsieblue' timestamp='1466004101' post='3072762'] Bought a Pre Amp off Frank, Great item at a a great price - Frank was very patient while I dithered over options at the beginning of my search for a new pre. Frank supplied lots of useful help and advice. Would happily deal with again. Thanks again Frank [/quote] Thanks for the feedback Martyn. I'm only too happy to be able to help and I'm glad that it worked out well for you. Frank.

Still on-topic I think... I'm thinking about doing this to my USA SUB, not because I have a big problem with the slab body but more to reduce the weight. I'm not sure how much the weight would be reduced by contours but I'll work that out before I start. I did a few calculations once to see how rebuilding my AER amp two in lighter plywood would reduce the weight and the result was that it wasn't worth the effort and expense as it was minimal. A pity because I absolutely love everything else about this amp but find the weight is getting too much as my years on the planet increase. Adding contours to a US SUB though is a bit different as I'd do it myself and do a respray from cans. I'm not really bothered about the value because it's not worth as much as a Classic Stingray. Still, it's a superb bass and a very economical entry to Musicman. Any thoughts on the SUB contour modifications welcomed. Frank.

[quote name='rhcp128' timestamp='1469057614' post='3095507'] Because the sound from the output sounds like both pickups have the tone rolled of, even if one tone is fully open and one is rolled off (all lows and no highs, both volumes at 100%) [/quote] Ah. I stand corrected. Apologies. Frank.

[quote name='rhcp128' timestamp='1469056069' post='3095502'] Doesn't seem to work like this on mine. If I turn both volumes to 100%, then each individual tone pot will affect the tone of both pick ups if turned down... [/quote] How do you know that it's effecting the tone of both pickups? Think about it. Frank.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1469041487' post='3095350'] Not sure he'd want me publishing his off the record views... so I wont unless I ask him If I see he has said it in print, I'll link it tho.. [/quote] Thanks. It would be interesting to know. Frank.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1468967257' post='3094835'] How would you transfer a personalised plate to another vehicle? - Sounds like there could be a lot of long winded paperwork involved. [/quote] It's simple and costs £80. Frank.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1468875116' post='3094008'] Understandable............ but this conversation with the designer is a only a few months old and he has only just relased his new amp so he would have access the latest power stages. I'll check with him but my feelings about class D extend to the TH500, which is why I sold it. And I am definitely a fan of Aguilar. [/quote] Who is this designer JTUK? Spill the beans. Frank.

[quote name='Danuman' timestamp='1468879696' post='3094067'] Consider me a believer. Unfortunately, my Eden WTX 500 fails just short of making it work. However, that one's not a powerful amp by any standards, so my guess is one of these days there's going to be an amp that's going to hit the trade-off just right in order to sway popular opinion. Or not. I guess we'll have to see. [/quote] The EBS Reidmar 750 seems to me to be more ballsy than other class D amps I've owned. It has big swingers actually. Frank.

[quote name='mikeycrikey' timestamp='1468867051' post='3093924'] Without wishing to derail the OPs thread, what reservations to people have with class D amps. Assuming that it's nothing to do do with the weight and portability off the class D what other issues do you have with solid state or valve amps [/quote] I would add to the other replies that I think some class D with SMPS amps really only display their weakness at high volume. At reasonable volumes, especially with the more recent crop, sound every bit as good as another class of amp. In my opinion of course and I'm always right. Frank.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1468851839' post='3093763'] I'm surprised, reading all of this, that Sir Macca ever got anywhere at all. A Precision is all there is in the Bass World..? I'm only a drummer, so I wouldn't know, of course, but I still say 'Poppycock', so there. You really are a funny old lot, sometimes. [/quote] Haha. You are right of course. Almost any bass will get an acceptable sound but over the years the Precision has been most the pleasing to my ears when I've heard one in a band. Mind you, a good player is far more important than a good bass guitar in my opinion. Frank.

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1468849572' post='3093740'] Did you try an S1 jazz at all? I play mine with the parallel/series switch engaged and it does give it some oomph. [/quote] I haven't Kev but there's a series/parallel switch on my US Jaguar and it sounds massive!! I'd imagine it would be the cheapest and a very effective mod for a Jazz bass thought too. I might try it on mine. Frank.

Thanks JTUK. That's a very comprehensive answer. I think I agree with all your points. For years every time I heard a bass sound that I liked and that seemed to fit with the band, it was a Precision. Not that other basses were bad but, even before I knew what bass was being used, when I liked it it was usually a Precision. I have a 2008 P. It's a great bass but has hardly been played. The same with my 51RI. I love them both but somehow I've gravitated to the feel of a Jazz bass. Last year I bought an American Standard Jaguar. This has a P & J pickup and switches between them rather than two volumes or blend knobs. It has a Jazz neck. I use it 90% on the P pickup and adjust the volume and tone to suit. So really, I'm back to "One tone to rule them all", although in my case it's not an actual Precision. One thing I have noticed though is that a Jazz neck pickup sounds a little deeper than a Precision which sounds slightly more middy. That's not that noticable when the band's at full tilt so it matters very little to me. Maybe if you're recording it would matter more? Frank.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1468767173' post='3093182'] On the face of it maybe... but I've lost count of the number of times when a band has mentioned how good it was to have a foundation to play on..and when I ask what their bass player is using, I'm not surprised at the answers..or the problem. [/quote] What were the answers.. and the problem? Frank.