martthebass

Interesting comments regarding the weights and potential effects on sound. I've not yet owned a Ray less than about 9.5lbs (I'd love the 8.2lb one!) but I've definitely found that the body wood does make a difference to the sound - certainly in the case of my 30th compared to the poplar 3eq it replaced.

Bit more depth in the bass on the 2eq - but kind of expected that based on your eq settings. I usually put a touch of bass on my 3eq and roll off the treble slightly - In a live situation I adjust mids as required to fit the mix (ie scoop if necessary!) 3eq generally sounds a bit clearer/hifi - thats always been my experience.

Try for a us s1 p bass. I've tried a few (and owned one) and they've all been around the 8.5lbs mark.

[quote name='witterth' post='770797' date='Mar 10 2010, 07:04 PM']so.. do you think older,EBMM's, late 80s early 90s hold more value? 2 eq models that is ? (just asking) [/quote] Never noticed much difference in value between 2 and 3 EQ - other than the initial new price. I sold a 1990 2EQ (with birdseye neck) for about £600 back in 2006 - which would probably make maybe £800 now. In terms of holding value, if you bought a 1990 for £800 and didn't abuse the hell out of it then you could expect back at least what you paid in a years time. However if you bought a 2005 for £650 now I'd expect a similar result Late 80's early 90's are considered to be a good period (woods, bigger 'mute' bridge, satin lacquer neck) but from a sound/playability IMHO not really different to a new model. Again it comes down to whether you would like some of the features of the earlier basses. As said above MM's to me seem to have been made to very consistent quality levels since the mid 80's, certainly my current 2006 Ray is quite possibly the nicest put together bass I think I've ever played.

[quote name='witterth' post='770745' date='Mar 10 2010, 06:28 PM']I think you'd have to be VERY lucky to get a stingray for less than £700, Pete....dont you think? (unless it was one that went "oink" then plugged in!! mind you the stingray detractors think they all go oink/squwark tone wise.......whadda they know, probably all got Fender precisions (J for joke) (BTW by"oink" I meant a "pig" or; "rubbish" one) eerr Ive not helped much again have I?[/quote] They do seem to have crept up in price recently, maybe it's a £/$ thing but it doesn't seem to be affecting US Fenders as much (seen 2008/9 P's and J's going for £600 or less recently). I generally thought of a good 2000+ era Ray being around £600 up, that seems to have gone to £700-750 up.

I've had a few Rays in my time and have yet to play a bad one. Build quality is pretty consistent and excellent, choice of 2 or 3 band EQ is something of personal preference, try both and see what suits. I'm personally in the 3EQ camp because I find control of the mid useful in a live gig situation. PuP wise, single H is great, if you can find a double H or an HS this adds versatility to the sound, again personally I'm a single H man because the 'core' sound suits me and I don't like having too many knobs to play with (oooeer missis). Neck finish, I like both, the oil finish is silky smooth and very playable but can get a bit grimy if you don't wipe it down every few gigs. Mine is currently of the gloss variety which I like but some find a little stickier. On standard models the neck woods are now generally less figured than they were in the 80/90's - it makes no difference to the sound whatsoever, purely an aesthetic thing, having said that my last standard 2005 Ray had a nice flame to it so i guess there is still some variation. Pre EB, or EB, lot's of controversy on this. Again I've played both and personally prefer EB because the pre-EB's I've played have generally been a bit on the heavy side (even compared to my Mahogany bodied 30th) and the neck profiles on the 'thick side. The neck profile on 1990 - present day Rays that I've played have all been a sort of modern Precision type - nice and slim front to back and not too wide. If you want less width (i.e. Jazz type) the Sterling is the one to go for.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='769430' date='Mar 9 2010, 04:57 PM']I've been on the quest you're on several times. I've lost count of how many Fenders (and other brands) I've bought and sold in the last few years. And my conclusion? There's nothing like a Status. You can buy a cheaper new Fender or a hideously expensive "vintage" one at any time, but my advice is that if you've got a good Status that you like, hang onto it for grim death. There's really nothing like them. Of course, it's all down to personal preference, but now having done it and owned most other basses (a lot of Fenders included!), I wouldn't trade my Status basses for anything. [/quote] How long before my 2007 Status is Vintage Rich? I'm just waiting for the Graphite to mature 'just so' so that it plays like butter and sounds like velvet.........

[quote name='Linus27' post='769599' date='Mar 9 2010, 07:28 PM']Anyone know where the cheapest place is to buy a 2EQ Musicman Stingray? My usual store, Andertons has them at stupid prices at around £1500. GAK seems to be the cheapest so far at £1199. Anyone know anywhere else that might have them cheaper?[/quote] How much!!!!! I'd happily sell someone my 30th Anni Ray for that.......don't think it'll happen somehow.

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='769196' date='Mar 9 2010, 01:28 PM']As the basses get older, it'll become more apparent which vintages were the best. This is partly the case already. So just because it's an old Fender, it doesn't mean it's a good Fender (as has already been mentioned). And then we also have non-US Fenders, which also have their own vintages. I think this means that their pedigree will remain fairly wide ranging in terms of their value, so at the end of the day you'd have to figure out which ones will be worth more in future. I mean, how much will an early Fender be worth in, say, 30 years? 50 years...?[/quote] I think 'Vintage' is highly related to perception and fashion also. And changes verrrrry quickly. 4 years ago I sold my 1990 Ray (in good nick) for a touch under £600, I've noticed people looking for £900+ for this age now. I wouldn't expect much more than that for my 30th Ray which is both better made and sounds superior (IMHO). At the end of the day sometimes you have to accept that you are buying a 'perception' (not an Overwater one) albeit a perception that has transferable value.

Think I came over a bit 'aggressive' in my earlier post when I read it back (don't you hate the way the English language doesn't always convey your intended meaning especially when you speak Yorkshire like what I do). Sorry for that PH. At the end of the day, if bass no longer has any draw for you or you have no use for it (new band, project, pulling the ladies/guys as the case may be - trying to be modern non-sexist there) then it's time to 'off it' and get into something more deserving of your time/aspirations. As many have already said, we all have days when it doesn't appeal but when days turn to weeks and then months.......

I too keep finding meself attracted to owning a pre 1975 Fender Jazz. Don't know why; my current 3 basses are good examples of their genre and do their jobs well. Also, I once went through Music Ground (Doncasters) extensive stock of [exclusively] sunburst 70's Ps and Js when looking for a US Fender back around 1987 and couldn't find a decent example which sort of put me off a bit. The oldest Fender I've owned was a 1982 Jazz that wasn't all that (wasn't as good as the JV Precision it replaced TBH but I had to have a US made one ) and was quickly dispatched to fund a (brand new) 1990 Stingray that was superior in just about every way. Maybe the attraction is 'free ownership', 'nostalgia' or 'Street Cred' (as discussed above), I don't know.......all I do know is that I need to get out of this phase before I do something silly like sell my perfectly good basses to fund a potential 'dog'.

[quote name='Musicman69' post='767945' date='Mar 8 2010, 01:38 PM']Thanks for that. Its an early 90s alright, I wonder where EB would tell me to shove it if I looked for a refinish [/quote] Don't think I'd bother going on the forum.... Might be worth trying a direct contact tho.......but based on the age etc?

I've not had this personally happen to me, though a 'colleague' had an early 90's Stingray that did the same as this about 3-4 years from new. Apparently it was put down to a paint defect. As I recall it ended up as a refinish though I think EB may have picked up all/some of the tab.

Personally I think being a bassist has to have some sort of 'goal'. I'm close to being between bands at the moment and find I'm not playing so much because I don't have anything to learn for tomorrow's gig or rehearsal. To me playing is as much about social interaction as music, if I was stuck in a bedroom wacking out the same old songs.....well that's just a bit sad and if that's where you are with bass that you should sell up and pack it in -I know I would. For me I won't sell up (though I may move some equipment on) and I would look for a new outlet/challenge - I've always fancied mandolin for instance. The fact that you have posted on here means (despite your protestations) you are 'semi-open' to a solution. If not, move on to something else and don't waste anyone's time navel gazing ;-)

Nice to see that another OW will be making it's way to the peoples republic of South Yorkshire. Congrats.