Duarte

The newer highway ones do have badass IIs factory fitted. The older ones however don't. I just fitted a badass I (not II) on my P bass nad the improvement is incredible, however only after filing slots. Without the slots there was no difference except a high action. Slots were very easy to file, I just left the strings to make tiny indents and the it took 5 minutes with a small file. Now it seems so much easier to play and harmonics ring like there is no tomorrow...I can even get harmonics that I couldn't get before. The badass I also looks much better than the II, less intrusive and more 'classy'. Fixes on with 3 screws that line up no problem.

ernie ball forum, go there and post the serial numbers in the serial nu bers thread. Ernie ball customer service will tell you anything you want to know about it.

The electronics (other than the 3EQ addition) have not changed since their introduction. The same circuit is used and the same pickup. Music Man has better quality control and far superior craftsmanship now than it did in the 70s...I really don't understand this G string issue, or the 'not cutting in the mix' issue. I don't have this G string issue, and I play in a metal/rock band, a soul/funk band and in the huge musical bands (2 pianos, horn section, sometimes 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, whole cast of vocalists...and me and my stingray) The 'cut' is probably the main trait of the stingray, that's it's thing, it cuts in every situation. The pickup produces masses of mids, maybe that's why people like the sound of the 2EQ better...because they have not scooped all the mids out. But, as metallica would say: 'mids are for pussies!' No, metallica, mids are our friend.

Ever heard mick karn's incredible fretless tone? He used a wal I think...other than that I have no idea what they are about.

For punk...you honestly want a P. Passive doesn't mean it 'sounds crap', a crisp active tone would certainly sound crap (for punk) Check out the bass solo (played on a P) in this... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250[/url] Seriously...check it out!! Awesome.

All I can say is...if you want a bass like a Ray but with none of the quirks...get a bongo. Simply incredible in every aspect. However, neither of my Rays have the quirks. But I would prefer 2EQ to 3EQs...there is just something about them.

Go on the ernie ball forum and talk about the G string...I dare you.

It has a very unique sound that definitely is fat, but also 'twangy' like other fender designed guitars. There is LOTS of treble, which comes out in the mix which I think could make people think it sounds thin. But, if the bass player for pendulum uses one it's fat enough for me...

They are all of top quality. The difference in woods is a big factor on the price but generally the sonic differences are minimal, they are P basses and sound like P basses. I have a 1990 Jap P with basswod body and US pickups and let me tell you...it is the best sounding P I've heard. Maybe the difference is in the pickups , so it is not woods you should avoid but pickups. Having said that, I doubt the jap pickups can be as bad as the mexican ones. They are more expensive now as fender has raised their prices in 2009, after raising them in 2007. Also, you get the export and nonexport models. export ones intended for us and are relatively easy to get hold of and generally cheaper. Non export ones are the more fancy and interesting models, including the premium ones - they can get very expensive and are usually only availabe through a private import or ebay. Find a used one, I havn't noticed their rarity, but maybe that's because I own one.

I've had only a few in my 5 years playing. 1st: Encore P bass, loved it, sold it to a mate for £50 to fund... 2nd: MIM fretless jazz. I really didn't know what fretless really meant in terms of sound, or what a jazz bass was good for but I loved it too. prettiest bass ever in 'agave blue' 3rd: I had an obsession with 5 strings at some point, so I bought a dean 5er that I still do not know the name of...just said 'dean' on its oddly shaped headstock. Great sounding bass other than the B which was horrific. Very clean active sound, but it made me want something simpler, so I sold it (for double what I payed) to buy... 4th: MIJ P bass. Have it still, it's a p bass. Super cool, love it. 5th: MM stingray 4. Love it love it love it love it. Sparkly and orange, funkiest monster in the universe. 6th: I really had the whole MM thing going on so I bsold my jazz to buy a fretless ray. This is the nicest bass I have ever played...so effortless and you can literally feel the quality in your hands. Natural with incredible birdseye neck. That leaves me with the P, and 2 rays. I want a bongo 5HH, 4H and a G&L JB-2. Then I'm set for basses.