JD1

I've just been asked by a venue to see my MU card (a month in advance of the gig) to confirm I've got public liability insurance.

NS5CR was the forerunner to the Euro LX5 I believe. Made in the Czech Republic as well, but I think the spec might be different. The NS5CR I had was solid flame maple - not sure but does the Euro just have a figured top? Also I'm sure mine was a 34" scale. Pre-amp may be different too - Tone-pump versus Aguilar maybe? Either way, mine had a very hot output.

Often I find bass controls are voiced too low IMHO - e.g. on the Stingray. Also I've tried a couple of sweepable mid pre-amps (not Ibanez mind you) and I found the band width was too narrow. OK if you were cutting, but if boosting it was too honky. I know Wal's seem popular, but I couldn't get a good sound out of the circuit when I tried one. I've had a Spector, Status and a Sandberg all of which had nice voicing. Also Overwaters have a nice EQ - not too drastic. I'm currently waiting for an Audere for my Fender Marcus V, so will see what that's like.

Supported the Cutting Crew at Newcastle Riverside yonks ago - drank their Stella backstage. Also supported Robert Plant a few years ago when he did a Priory of Briony thing at Whitley Bay. However, I take my hat off to the guy who supported Whigfield. That's going to take some beating.

I tend to generally boost the mids althouh maybe a slight cut around 800Hz to remove "boxiness" from the sound. I cut the really low frequencies and I find a boost around 5K is good for scratchy finger noise. Tone is a never ending quest mate! Even when I've had an amp, cab, bass and eq set up I've loved, eventually I start looking for a change.

I agree - never seen the point of bulky combos. Head and cab way to go - especially if light weight neo's. Not sure I agree with argh about sound of SWR though. As always, personal preference and playing style etc. but I did a gig recently with a hired SWR SM500 and a 4 ohm Goliath 4x10. SWR one of the few brands I haven't used before and I was well impressed. Really suited my playing style. So much so I'm seriously considering changing rigs. Is the Black Beauty a 15" driver? If so I guess choice depends on speaker preference. 2X10 Redhead for me.

Been using a 1210. Impressed. Not as hi fi as my EA cabs but punchy and loud. Also one less trip to the car at the end of the night. Been standing it vertically and it means I'm getting the 10 pointing more or less at me.

I'm sure Alain Caron slaps an F Bass with 2 P PUPS but bridge PUP maybe not as close to the bridge as that one.

+1 BigRed. A good luthier should be able to steer you through the maze of options - tone woods (and their different properties), figured tops, different finishes, scale length, neck configuration, pick ups and pick up configurations, pre-amps, hardware, string spacing, neck dimensions etc etc. The options available are staggering. You therefore need to do as much research as you can in terms of what you really want - sound, appearance, playability (and not least your budget) to help them build you want you want.

Yep. Ready Freddie. There was an article and transcription in one of the bass magazines I seem to recall.

Cheers. Really interesting this. Just bought one of these a few weeks back and I'm really pleased with it. Took the bloody pick up cover off though - like trying to eat a sweet with the paper on. I agree with the comments about the neck radius - very comfortable and really nice to play. The stuff about the bridge is interesting. The cynic in me thought Fender were just pinching pennies by not putting a Badass on but it seems I was wrong. Jury is out on the pre-amp. I'm OK with the treble voicing I think - not too sizzly and in keeping with the bass really. However, I find 40hz a bit rumbly. I didn't think I would ever be totally happy with the scratch plate, but its growing on me.