sammybee

I've been on a voyage with Drum Machines since the late 1980's & owned most of the popular ones (as well as more esotoric ones). I acquired an Akai MPC in about 2004 and have consistently used since it for the workflow. It's a sample based drum machine, so the sound never dates and the Akai is very intuitive, musical and flexible. It's also a fully fledged sequencer & is my weapon of choice for live use. When at home, writing or noodling on guitar or bass I tend to turn to Logic's drummer for instant results. Nothing beats a real drummer though!

I'm basing it on owning an 808 ( an original TR-808 from the 1980's) many moons ago. The reason people use/buy them, is primarily for the big kick drum. It's massive and completely swamps everything else. Buying an 808 and turning down the kick drum, would be like buying a Porsche and driving everywhere at 20 mph They are great machines though, but only for a certain niche style of house/hip hop music.

I'd play it on a keyboard Great song choice though!

Akai MPC 2000xl SE. 808 Clones are 'one trick ponies' - they are so bass heavy, there's no room for the bass line !

Drugs!

Was advised by my accountant many years ago about buying "stuff" (applies to basses). If you can afford it, want it - then buy it and enjoy it, But it's not an true investment..

After chopping and changing my basses for years, I realised, that I had three really nice instruments that probably couldn't be bettered. Would rather spend the energy on playing/practicing/improving.

I'm now down to three basses, a strat and an electro acoustic 3/4 (for the inner Ed Sheeran). Totally content with what I have, no GAS, no desire for any more

SBL isn't for me (prefer face to face lessons), but if it works for you, great, and it's great for Scott that he can make a crust from this & reach so many bass players across the world. Why do people always want to knock others that make a success of something?

From Norfolk? Or the Fens?

Is it my eyesight? or can some Basschatters not count ?

Agree with this, UPS via Interparcel. They will insure (or they did the last time I shipped something) musical stuff.

I bought a MM 5'er as an Xmas present to myself. It has a couple of very minor flaws (see my review in the review section here), but on balance I am really happy with it. You should be able to get one for much less than £500 leaving you with some change. Mine was £383 I think from Thomann

I'm happier jamming with others, without an audience - or recording. For me, the learning is about the journey rather than the destination.

I've never had the balls to play bass or guitar live - I'm too much of a perfectionist and happy just playing for myself. But I'm particularly proud of my daughter who played her first gig in a pub at the age of 9 (just before xmas). She played bass and 6 string in the same gig. Proud dad. https://youtu.be/ikq0479EkM4

Does that mean you can buy the preamp separately (arguably the best bit of the bass) for a mere £50? This could be very interesting!

I bought this at a very decent price (£383) from Thomann to dip my toe into the water with a 5 string after exclusively playing 4 strings for about a decade. It arrived quickly, and the bass looks stunning out of the box. The tobacco sunburst is a really stunning finish with the maple neck (10/10 for looks). I had read that these had a reputation for being quite heavy, so I was pleasantly surprised that mine was a very manageable weight (a shade under 10lbs). She balances nicely on the strap - either sitting or standing. Action was low from the box, but intonation was slightly out when you get up to the dusty end of the fretboard (nothing that a quick tweak wont fix). Being used to rather slender Jazz necks, I was surprised how comfortable I found the Sire to be when playing & very quick to adapt to. Overall the bass felt very comfortable and familiar to play unplugged - which was a relief for my first five string. The tuners and bridge (both top and through loading possible) do a good job - but we'll have to see about the longevity of the finish. On to the pre-amp and electrics. WOW, just wow - this thing has power. 18v preamp, with a master tone, 3 band eq and sweepable mids. You can get a real variety of tones from this bass. Even small adjustments make a big difference. I understand that all the sire V7's have the same preamp, so you will get the same if you go for the 4 string. Sound wise, I can't fault the electrics, but the knobs are built to a price point and there is a couple millimetre gap between the bottom of the knob and the body - which is a bit disappointing. Overall, I would say - as others have, this is a good bass 'for the money'. When I get my American Vintage RI 75 Jazz out alongside (or I recall my Jap MM signature Jazz), they cannot compete with the quality or fit and finish. The pre-amp is awesome sounding though, and you get a very playable bass for not much ££. For me, I'll keep it for awhile, but if I decide to stick with 5ers I'll be saving my pennies for a Sadowsky or a USA Fender Marcus Miller 5. UPDATE. I've been playing this for about a month now, and while it is really comfortable and I enjoy playing it, I know that 5 strings are not for me (nothing to do with the SIre - I just prefer 4s). The small niggles I mentioned before, I've learned to live with. As a lifelong gear snob, I never thought I would see the day I'd own a Korean bass - but this Sire is staying in my rack.

When I first bought my Stingray, it took me a long time to 'gel' with it, having only played Jazz basses. I'd say for the first year I would have sold it if anybody had made me a serious offer - I was that unimpressed with it. Fast foward a few years and now I'm in love with the playability, the build quality and the sound. Try and stick with it.

I second this, managed to score a 61 key mk2 for £40 off a facebook group - brilliant controller

If there was one lesson, look at this video from Devon Bradshaw - don't worry about the notes, just listen to what he has to say about space and feel - the 'kotch'.

No experience with the Orange Crush, but I used to do the same thing with my Ampeg combo. Used to run my Akai MPC 2000xl through it. It used to bang hard!

I think my local shop know what they are up against (internet sellers), hence they will go the extra mile to give excellent service and get the sale.

I've also got no excuse not to use the local shop (PMT Northampton), they price match anything on the web & if they don't have it in stock, they'll get it for me. For my last 2 (largish) ticket items, they price matched the first & gave me interest free credit, and for the second, they were a hundred quid cheaper than anyone on the internet.