martthebass

[quote name='artisan' post='699348' date='Jan 3 2010, 11:41 AM']thanks for the offer,i must say i'm very tempted but i really need the cash to pay my visa card off after my recent purchase.
cheers[/quote]

Thank god for that, I only have a bass to trade no money to spend.

Great bass - good luck with the sale.

Strangely enough WD40 didn't seem to do much good on my Streamlines FB (or a fretless Status neck I used to have) - still a bit grey and streaky in places. Not 'manky' as such but the 'stain' just seems to get into the phenolic resin somehow. I'm sure I'd be able to improve it using WD40 in combination with a mild abrasive (0000 as above) but not sure if this would open up a can of worms.

Nice position to be in. Couple of comments:

1. Every 2 years or so I convince myself that Ricky's look cool and I should buy one. Fortunately 10 minutes or so in Electro playing one (or a decent copy) usually cures that. Definately an acquired taste both sound and playability wise. I could probably learn to like the former but the latter.....

2. You've got a nice collection of Fenders already - what do you expect the 2 potential additions to do that you can't already do?

If I was in the same position as you I'd probably look to spend on a single bass that was a bit different and special. If you like the Fender vibe, an offering from Sandberg or Lakland (or maybe a second hand Sadowsky Metro) might be worth looking at.

Really like the look of thisbut must stop buying or trading basses....

[quote name='The Burpster' post='694123' date='Dec 27 2009, 09:40 AM']I think you may find that if you play a Status Streamline, you may struggle to want to play anything else afterwards!

[/quote]

Completely agree with this - particularly in a gigging situation.

[quote name='M-Bass-M' post='692458' date='Dec 23 2009, 05:25 PM']Thanks for all the great comments.

A headless bass definitely appeals to me, but given my limited experience with other basses and the role that I want my new bass to play, I think I'd much rather stick to a headed bass this time around.

Next time, perhaps!

Cheers

Mark[/quote]

Before you make your final decision I'd try and get hold of one to try it out. The pros and cons have been put well above. I go back and forth between a headless Status and a Ray for gigs. Yes I find I need to 'adjust' for headless (the 2 frets thing) which takes about 5 minutes but as long as I'm not swapping mid gig that aint an issue.

Last night I went to a jam night and at the last minute I ended up taking my Status instead of the Ray. There were no other bassists in the house so I ended up playing pretty continuously for 3 hours. By the end of the night I was glad I'd made the switch.

I can't think of a role that a headless bass couldn't perform that a headed one could (unless you intend to take the guitarists eye out ), the only reason to go headed is if you want something that looks more conventional. This I understand as for some gigs I 'have' to use a Stingray......

Thinking about using my (rarely used) fretless at a jamnight tonite. Yes, I'll probably get plenty of 'pretentious t*at' comments (it's a rock night) but I just like the feel. I'd love to be able to play by ear but usually can't get enough definition from 'house' stacks/environments to do it accurately. Generally I end up focussed on the side dots like a cheetah on a wilderbeest.....

Cracking bass Nick......unfortunately my Ray only has but 4 strings. Do you think he'd notice?

So need something light, balances well and can out Ray a Ray? Sounds like a Status Streamline to me WH, love mine so much I'm going to be cremated with it (hopefully in the distant future)......

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='690630' date='Dec 21 2009, 01:50 PM']Nice thought, though I think the Ray is significantly larger than the Sterling as well. [/quote]

Think you're right WH, strangely tho, I didn't find any difference (by that I mean the size didn't seem to register when playing) when I moved from a 90's Ray4 to a 2004 Sterling and then back to a 2005 Ray4. The Sterling was about 1/2 pound heavier than my 2005 Ray4 as well - go figure.

Damn, my Stingray would have gone for this..............unfortunately it's 5oz too heavy

Had a 5 string one of these earlier this year.......lovely bass, very versatile and a great playable neck. Needed a fretless and so off it went, damn wifey's '3 basses only' rule.

Another one where I'm glad you're at least 4 hours drive from me or the Ray may have been 'leaving the building'.....

[quote name='TPJ' post='687222' date='Dec 17 2009, 12:23 PM']

Me neither. These basses look lovely but I don't think I could let my 'Ray go.[/quote]

+ the 1

I'm glad you are about 4 hours drive away otherwise I'd have been sorely tempted by this. I see meself letting my Ray go for a Jazz a like at some point in the future.

Based on the above I think I'd go Rosewood. I personally wouldn't defret a maple or phenolic board......

You can see the config on the piccie in this thread Dom:

[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=66085&st=0&p=646554&#entry646554"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=...mp;#entry646554[/url]

Soap bars? Some Overwater specialist will probably have a better idea about the pickup type than me.

I've had fretless basses with Rosewood (MIA Jazz), Phenolic (Fender-Status Jazz thing) and Ebony (my current Overwater). Out of the 3 my preference is ebony. Rosewood for me was nice and mwwahhhy but could struggle with definition at the dusty end. The phenolic was too bright and clattery (even with flats). I find ebony gives a good balance of the 2, though it may be a bit bright for some tastes on rounds (I always use flats so can't comment on this). Also I just love the feel of ebony when playing, silky smoot and warm - well worth paying the price for a piece thats even blacker than the blackest black pudding (where even the white bits are black).

Chris...........if you ever even contemplate selling this I suggest you be taken outside and shot. Great bass, now where will I find a Feb 63 Jazz?

Px'd a mint JV series (large Fender logo) 57 reissue P bass against a US 1982 Jazz (Sienna Sunburst) in MusicGround Donny back in the late 80's. Well I guess we were all young and daft.....

Used to tune my P bass down to Eb to cover Lizzy numbers - not an option? Sounded fine on my 2004 model.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='665581' date='Nov 25 2009, 08:45 PM']That's an interesting viewpoint, James. Why is that so different from the MusicMan finish change between headstock and neck, which on my Stingray 5 is satin to bare wood? Admittedly on my Stingray piezo, there's no divider as such, as the neck has been refinished in satin lacquer.[/quote]

It's the price you pay for the body finished headstock Rich. My SLO Ray5 with body coloured HS was the same as the Ray34 in this respect.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='665587' date='Nov 25 2009, 08:50 PM']Ah, thanks for that Sam - I'd forgotten the 5 has the ceramic magnets like a Sterling. I was wondering why the sound was so different to the piezo Ray![/quote]

I found my old Ray5 a lot smoother than the Ray4, and considering the ceramic/alnico thing, than the Sterling.

Nice bass Rich - my favourite 5er.

Corvette: With the ash body it is light, but I found mine tended to be a bit neck heavy because of this. The neck profile was thicker (front to back) than the Jazz it replaced but width-wise was ok. The sound was nice and growly but not refined - but if you're into 'heavier' stuff it suits that well. In the end the neck dive and 'un-finished' look did it for me and it went to the bay.

G&L L2000: As said above the neck is a bit thick for some (1.75" at the nut like an old precision) - I think there are a couple of profile options on the US models tho - one thinner than the other. I personally found the tonal options (on my L2500) amazing but bewildering.

Ray 4: Does what it says on the tin. Less tonal options than the 2 above (assuming you go for the active 'vette) but growls as well as a Wick IMHO. I find the neck profile ok (1.625" at the nut like a new precision), slim (front to back) and fast with the oil finish. If you want a jazz type neck go for the Sterling. Buy one used and you shouldn't lose much if you change your mind.

Oh.....and if you decide to go for the 'vette, do not buy new, good used actives should be easy to come by for <£400.

[quote name='cd_david' post='662399' date='Nov 23 2009, 09:34 AM']Its funny how most people want flexibility in an instrument.

I have had and still got basses with 2 pickups, blend pots and eq on, yet i set one sound and leave it at that, ALWAYS.
My main gigging basses are an overwater 4 and musicman. I can get the sound i want with both these basses and never touch the controls. I don't think i could see a need to change them.

I think that's why I'm satisfied with one pickup on a stingray, if i can get my sound with a bass that's all i need.[/quote]

Pretty much ditto. My main gigging basses are a Status 2PuP and a single H Ray4. Only changes I make onstage are to the eqs to dial out boom/add in sizzle as the case may be. Tend to play around a bit more with the Overwater tho - guess that's because its F'less and I find the ability to blend the pups essential to get the 'right' sound for the song.

Sorry to hear about the neck probs. Tried a Status Streamline? - certainly got me thru a 'frozen shoulder/neck' issue I had earlier this year. Good luck.