martthebass

[quote name='alanbass1' post='801843' date='Apr 10 2010, 03:04 PM']I have had a number of quests for a five string and recently concluded it was not a case of 'need' but more one of 'want'. I prefer playing 4 string but have a 5'er as well and it's one of those things that every so often I take out to a gig for a change.[/quote] I've had 4, 5 string basses go through the MTB household. As with you I think it was a case of want not need. The only other reason I had was to get familiar with a 5 because on occassion that's all that might be on offer at an open mic night. Now exclusively on 4s (and can't say I miss the 'B') but might consider a fretless 5 in the future...... To the OP tho, I've had an L2500, a DJ5, a Sandberg Basic 5 and a Ray5, to me from a sound and playability point of view the Ray5 was my definite favourite. It took the offer of a Status Streamline to tempt it from my hands.

[quote name='RhysP' post='796485' date='Apr 5 2010, 12:49 PM']I've seen a few people mention this in various "sh*te song" threads. I'm assuming it's the f***ing dreadful Mavericks thing that is being referred to & not the Van Halen song of the same name?[/quote] You are indeed correct..........................'lets see you swayin'

Dance the night away...........yes I really do have to play it...........honest.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='791829' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:07 PM']There are two Overwater perceptions in the for sale forum hovering about the £600 mark and no-ones buying - so who would buy a 'copy' at £800. Thru neck one went on evilBay at 'only' £900 recently (2.5k new) Not sure what I'm trying to say here. BB[/quote] I take that as part and parcel of the 'custom' build scenario. I know that Perceptions (unless they have been 'specified' by a buyer) aren't customs in the true sense but I've always felt that small builder's output always loses a little more % wise when sold on second hand (cf. the RRP) than similarly priced Musicmans or Fenders. I guess there are exceptions (Status maybe?). One of the Perceptions you refer to above (ie my old Deluxe F'less) had an RRP of about £1600, but I've seen them go new from dealers at about the £950-1000 mark. I bought this bass last year used and sold on at about the same so once the 'new loss' has gone they hold value just fine.

Great guy to deal with - easy transaction considering I made the logistics more difficult than they should have been! Also, because my 14 year old cantankerous border collie was whinging and watching MP's every move as if he was a terrorist I didn't even get chance to make him a cuppa Yorkshire tea - I owe you one Rich. Enjoy the overwater!!!

[quote name='farmer61' post='793197' date='Apr 1 2010, 12:34 PM']IMO second hand American, quality and price all rolled up in one!!!![/quote] +1. You should pick up a decent S1 MIA Jazz for around £5-600 off this very forum if you wait a little while. I don't think there's any major difference sonically or build quality wise to MIJ but it should be easy to move on and you won't lose money on it should you fall out of love. MIM - I've found vary a bit more so unless you want to restrict your spend to £3-350.....

My 2006 (and the 2005 it replaced) were bang on the 41.3mm (same as a 'modern' Fender P AFAIK - certainly felt that way against the 2004 S1 I had)). My older 1990 felt a little thicker than this but that might just be the vagaries of time interfering with my memory.....

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='792071' date='Mar 31 2010, 03:57 PM']Somewhere between frets 6 and 9 on the G (on pretty much every Stingray I've ever played), somewhere around fret 4 on the E if you're really unlucky. Often they're not really noticable until you plug in an effect that relies on sustain to do its job (octavers, harmonisers, envelope following effects too to some extent) and then suddenly they're the most annoying things in the universe.[/quote] Noticed a nasty one on a Sterling I once tried (5th on the G) but nothing significant on my current Ray or the one that it replaced. If you need (near) perfection then it has to be graphite! Anyway, back to the topic, I tried that Ray in Electro - not the best one I tried IMHO but with a bit of tweaking and if it could be brought dopwn to £700-750, then......

My God, Sterling's invented the ASAT bass.......

Firstly no comments about the looks - it's a personal thing, you're considering one so you must like it. IMHO, comparing 4H to 4H. Pros: Vast array of sounds, well balanced, nice properly finished neck, reasonable weight Cons: Complicated (knob wise - I found it took some fiddling with), stupid headstock design that inevitably gets wacked, doesn't have the 'personaility' of a stingray (that's a personal; thing I guess)