machinehead

i think im trying to say, try both guitars lol! sorry, ive confused myself [/quote] haha Tell me about it. Good mix of experiences and opinions. Thanks again everyone. I think the advice that jumps out at me, and I would agree, is to try before you buy and that's exactly what I'll do in the next few weeks. Only trouble is, it'll be in two different shops as no one shop stocks them both. Interesting process though. I'm looking forward to my own "bass day" Frank

I know a lot of people love the Skyline Laklands. Any that I've played have been lovely players. (A bit heavier than I'd like. Even my SX jazz was lighter) The value of a bass is very subjective and varies for every player. Sometimes the name alone adds massively to the price as we all know. Place of manufacture is often pushed as a big pricing factor, perhaps best of all by Fender. Nothing wrong with that.. They're just two of many marketing strategies. Someone a few posts back said that Cort make these Laklands. I knew that and it got me thinking about a gorgeous Cort GB94 on sale here (maybe sold?) which is a beautiful guitar and for a fraction of the price of a Lakland. I really had to resist buying that one or face SHMBO. I guess Lakland add apparent value by setting them up in the US but I'm quite sure that they could get them set up equally well in the factory for a fraction of the cost of shipping to the US, paying US wages etc. So there it is, selling price has only a loose relationship to cost of manufacture. A big factor for a lot of us is the resale value and in that respect, Lakland seem to do well. If you want a Lakland and you percieve the price to be worth it, you'll pay the price. If not, you'll just spend your money elsewhere. Maybe the latest price increase for UK buyers has pushed the price (for some of us) over the threshold of percieved price versus value? Frank.

Thanks very much for the responses guys. It seems there is more love for the Stingray than the G&L. I just noticed a Musicman Sub for sale locally. I might try that as a way into Stingray ownership without massive outlay. Would this give a similar sound to a "real" Stingray? Are the electronics and pickup the same? Thanks again. Frank.

I've never been struck by any Stingray I've tried until yesterday... I tried a new 2EQ and I was very impressed by everything about this bass. It felt unbreakable and really well put together, flawless finish, lovely blue body colour and a tight focussed sound. (I find describing a sound very difficult, it's the best I can muster) I almost got the credit card out there and then. But then I took my own advice which I've tried to keep to for nearly 40 years. Always wait for two weeks and then, if you still want to buy something, go ahead. Avoid rash decisions. (I haven't always kept to this advice and made some horrible and expensive mistakes) Anyway, I got thinking about the price and it seems cheap at £999 for a brand new Stingray. Am I right?? (They have a black one at the same price BTW, PM me if you're interested. They are an online shop but don't update their website with current stock.) Then I got to thinking about alternatives and remembered a member here saying that after years of playing Stingrays he now prefers the G&L L2000. I think he said it did everything the Stingray did and more. And at around half the price! I've liked all three G&Ls I tried in recent years. So, I'm asking about the price and how the two instruments compare for sound, quality, playability etc. I've done the search on the subjects but I would appreciate anyones experience and opinions. Thanks. Frank.

[quote name='karlfer' post='747986' date='Feb 17 2010, 07:47 AM']I was torn between one of these and the Lakland Daryl Jones. Tried a few of both. Nothing really varied on the Laklands unlike the Fenders. I also found the Japanese reissues to be considerably weightier. Ended up with Lake Placid Blue, matching headstock, rosewood board and pearl inlays on my beautiful Lakky. Plays like a dream.[/quote] The Lakland are undoubtedly lovely basses but all three I looked at weighed between 1 and 2 lbs more than my US 75 reissue jazz? Work that one out. And I weigh using fishermans scales which are reasonably accurate - unlike the method of holding the bass while standing on the bathroom scales. I love the smaller body size on the Laklands. Frank

I love the sound of my US 75 reissue jazz and the neck is just perfect. Really high build quality too. Reasonable weight. Recommended. Frank

For a room of 100 people, even double that, I would say you'll have no problem with the 1212L. Frank.

The US 75 reissue jazz is a very good price. Not a lot more than I paid for my used one. A real bargain for someone. Frank.

Hi Mark, Isn't Jesso selling a couple of Markbass 2 x 10 cabs near you. A good price and way superior to anything you're looking at IMO. Frank.

I have a Tokai jazz in sunburst. It's lovely to play and a great growly sound. I'd go for it. Frank.

There was also a shop in Dublin selling them. I'm not sure if they still do. Should be easy to find on google. I haven't got time to google it just now. Sorry. Frank.

I have a 75 style jazz - ash body, maple neck and fretboard. A little heavy at 10lbs 4 oz -ish. Really nice bass. Hardware is OK, pick ups are brilliant if you like buckets of middy growl. Block inlay neck looks lovely. As far as I can tell, you can't go wrong at the price. Frank.

I tried one out when I was thinking of buying for small pub gigs. Not loud enough on its own IMO and that was the only real reason I wasn't hooked. The sound is superbly clear. Maybe with the extension cab it would be OK but I have no experience of this. Frank.

[quote name='Linus27' post='663316' date='Nov 23 2009, 11:15 PM']Well, today I ordered my passive Warwick Corvette Standard in Ash. I went for passive as I am not a big fan of active basses and if the passive is dull, then I always could upgrade to active at a later date. I am getting it brand new from Andertons and they price matched the Bass Centre at £598 which is a bloody good price. Its going to take 2 weeks according to Warwick in Germany but Andertons said this is more like 4 weeks as they are made to order. So I guess its quite nice that some clever German chap is crafting me my own bass. I hope he picks a nice piece of wood. Anyway, I'll keep you all updated on how it goes but I really am very excited.[/quote] Congratulations. I think you'll love it. Frank. PS. I'm sending you a PM.

[quote name='pantherairsoft' post='646206' date='Nov 5 2009, 01:22 PM']This thread has got me really excited about the Midget and compact style cabs... As soon as my Markbass 6 x 10 goes I think my shopping list for markbass Traveler cabs may be a think off the past![/quote] As much as I like the Markbass traveller cabs, and I've had three of them, my Compact is superior in every way. You can't go wrong. Frank.

[quote name='wayneyboy' post='638538' date='Oct 27 2009, 09:54 PM']i have just got a markbass 2x10 cab and a travelor 1x15- not had chance to try out yet due to the neighbours but looking forward to trying them out. Not sure if one cab will be enough for a small gig.[/quote] Either one of those cabs would be loud enough for small pub gigs. I've owned them both but eventually I bought a second 2 x 10 and used them as a stack, both cabs on their sides. Powered by a LMII. Great sound and very loud as a pair. Frank.

Regarding weight... My Streamer stage 2 = 9lbs 1 oz. My USA '75 Jazz = 9lbs 5 oz. My Spector CRFM 5 = 10lbs 3 oz, but it a 5 string and all maple. The balance is perfect though so the weight is not very noticeable. So the lightest is the Warwick. EDIT. I have another ash/maple jazz and it weighs 10lbs 4 oz.

That is just beautiful. I'm being drawn to buying an Oly white Fender jazz. Lovely colour. Frank.

[quote name='Bay Splayer' post='633486' date='Oct 22 2009, 03:13 PM']i bet alex is too [/quote] Snigger.................

I have the MB combo CMD121P which I assume would be similar to the 12" cab. It's plenty loud on it's own for smaller pub gigs and easily keeps up with the drummer. For rehearsals it's really handy to carry, and loud. The sound is middy and a litle honky to my ears but not altogether in a bad way. It can sound quite rich and warm too. I think a pair of these cabs would make a fine portable and loud rig. One snag is the price, around £500 each; for that money I think a Barefaced midget ( or a pair)has got to be a better and safer bet. Lighter too. I use a Barefaced Compact powered by LMII and it is really something. I intend to write a review after a few more gigs but I can say now that I'm very impressed with the Barefaced cabs. Hope this helps in some small way. Frank.

Even my earlier Compact weighs only 31 lbs as opposed to the published 32 lbs. I weighed mine on a set of reasonably accurate fishing scales. Frank.

[quote name='alexclaber' post='628981' date='Oct 17 2009, 07:38 PM']Any amp worth buying will be able to handle the power in the UK without a so-called conditioner. In fact if you use a high power amp a 'conditioner' is likely to cause a bottle-neck in the supply due to insufficient current capacity, thus causing worse performance and no better protection than if you plugged into a cheap surge-protected 4-way extension lead. Alex[/quote] I have to agree with Alex here. The UK power supply is very clean and stable and any decent amp will be fine. Frank.

You only pass this way once. If you know you'll love it, just go for it. If you want to sell then yes, you'll have a smaller market but someone, somewhere will buy it eventually. Sounds like you won't be selling though....