martthebass

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='785239' date='Mar 24 2010, 10:14 PM']No problem, Mart - I'll be picking this one up at the weekend so I'll send you a full report when I've restrung/set it up. I have a line on a mint EB0 at the moment as well. If it's a nice one I'll hold it for you. It'll be cheap as chips, anyway. [/quote] Cheers Mate, that would help keep the Ray and Status dink free!

Nice score Rich. Let me know what the balance is like, I'm on the look out for a Jam Night 'beater' EBO or EB3 (that's if I don't have to change my LM250 to a LM2 to compete with the new drummer!).

Should have read this better - thought you were looking for a lightweight P bass. The problem can sometimes be balance also. I once had a Warwick Corvette Ash standard that weighed about 8lbs. Trouble is it had some neck dive and didn't feel as comfortable on a long gig as my current Stingray which is closer to 10lbs but has excellent balance. If you've got some cash the Status Streamline is about 7lbs and balances perfectly - I can go for hours with this one without any problem. With the 18V pre it can certainly shift some air compared to a P bass.

[quote name='The Burpster' post='781574' date='Mar 21 2010, 12:18 PM']Did you get the $$ to fill a specific need? If so the P wont fill those boots. P's do have a certain something that is hard to extract from other basses![/quote] +1 The $$ is more versatile but it won't do P like a P can. If you think the P will only be used for certain specific jobs why not pick up a cheaper 'Classic' Squier? I once moved onto a US S1 P bass for a while but found it lacking at some gigs through my MarkBass set up - just couldn't hear it in the mix at times. Ended up going back to a Ray. I loved the P bass at home when I could hear - nice and smooth and nailed 60's covers better than the Ray but what use is a bass that stays at home?

Think I'm with you on the Epi EBO Rich, I intend to pick one up soonish as a 'carry on' for Jam Nights (after upsetting a 'drunk' because I wouldn't let him use my MM at a Jam a few weeks back). Also wouldn't mind a Squier VMJ Fretless - though I don't know where I'd put it...

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.........