ped

https://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/accessories-c2/string-muters-c63/musicman-stingray-4-string-mute-set-includes-springs-thumb-screws-m05502-p13442

You could probably install the old fashioned mutes on that bridge which would look pretty cool

I prefer to file down the groove in the saddle normally. I like an action so low that often it’s too high on the G with the saddle on the floor (especially on neck thru basses with ‘high mass’ bridges). Shims aren’t an option on those and with bolt on basses I don’t like the look of the fretboard not being parallel with the body along the section where it’s level with the body. On modern basses saddles are easy to replace and on a vintage one I buy new saddles to file. Although 99% of the time it’s an invisible mod. Also it’s more accurate as you can file slightly more than you need using abrasive cord and then use the saddles to perfect the action.

Ah time for a refund methinks!

1984 was the beginning of the Ernie Ball era. Not much changed initially. Everything you need to know is here http://www.musicmanbass.global

Absolutely - one of my fave rays was an OLP with a Status neck, it sounded amazing but I'm not really a 5 string player. However if you have the money and buy a pre EB ray you could probably play it and sell it years later for the same or more, making the bass free!! (That's my philosophy anyway)

If you can swing it I'd advice getting an older one (pre EB), simply because they retain their value really well. Frankly they sound pretty consistent, much more so than their Fender ancestors, but you know what people are like! They were also less confusing in those days. Wasn't everything?

https://www.andertons.co.uk/guitar-dept/electric-guitar-amps/practice-amps/boss-waza-air-bass-headphones

Boss WAZA-Air Bass is the best thing out there at the moment if budget is of no concern

Hi Amber, what’s your budget?

My comment was slightly tongue in cheek but as a professional bass enthusiast I do think there’s something to be said for having one of each - even from a ‘collector’ standpoint to demonstrate the evolution of the instrument. You can rehearse a quick 2hr show to bring the story to life through music and in depth technical analysis (tone woods and all) when you want party guests to leave. Also I’d like me you play a lot at home along with a vast selection of tracks then it’s great to have the holy trinity which will cover most eventualities. Then you’re free to go off script and buy something different but always have a good foundation of the classics to compare to. My own preferences change depending on my mood but currently I’m playing my stingray all the time - it just feels amazing and works in every context. It’s got the simple function and distinguishable ‘works in the mix’ poke of a P bass with the range and Hifi qualities of a jazz. And it looks amazeballs

Everyone needs at least a P, J and MM for starters

Weird that most people say flats feel slippery. I find them much more grippy than rounds, probably due to the fact that they’re smooth so there’s more contact like slick tyres. I like them on a P bass and mine’s always wearing them. They just bring out the grisly high mids and they feel really easy to play trills because if the grip, making them easy to ‘work’ Rounds on evrything else - I tried flats on my Stingray which sounded pretty nice but went back to rounds for the full range. If I had a second stingray I’d put flats on the other. On a jazz I don’t like them at all but I know some do!

Ah well at least you purchased on eBay, so you can easily get a refund. I'd recommend buying from Stringsdirect or similar in the future just to be sure - yes they might cost more but they do last forever, so a bit of man maths and you'd be silly not to

Think they look great and something I'd definitely buy if I was 'modding' a bass... although it looks like they don't cater for the 3+1 Stingray crowd unless you can request the set specially.

Here’s what you should see at the peg where the string first bends at 90 degrees into the post

I was going to recommend neoprene 'foam' as it compresses much less, glad it's sorted though

Beauty. Smith basses really are in a league of their own and have such a recognisable sound. Enjoy 😊

The UI is a little bit odd but it works fine when you learn what does what. I don’t use the virtual surround or anything and my use of the effects in the app is minimal so I actually rarely need to open it at all.

That or shielding (a lack thereof). Not uncommon but easy to fix or have a repairbloke sort for you. My G&Ls suffered from this (they're barely shielded at the factory, no idea why) and once everything was lined and shielded it's silent.

Awesome I’ve got some Alan Parsons and Supertramp (Paris ‘79) coming. Is there a ‘choice’ Queen concert? Looking at the Rock Montreal and Live Aid disk…

Just a thought - you can sometimes see the coating when you wind the string at the peg, where the windings get stretched.

I'll take a pic of mine later - they came direct from Elixir so it'll be interesting to compare. They changed the packaging to include the chrome sticker 'seal' to put off counterfeiters at some stage, and I thin fakes are more likely to be found in the old packaging:

I've been playing them for as long as I can remember and I've never 'seen' the coating - maybe some pictures show the older polyweb coating which IIRC was thicker. £27 sounds like a decent price rather than a total scam bargain, but I suppose time might tell if they last a advertised...

They look legit to me. How do they sound? I think they feel very slightly 'slicker' than uncoated rounds. I love them. How much of a bargain were they?