martthebass

Only got experience with Skylines I'm afraid, but my 2p:

Had a DJ5 briefly, Rich (Out to play Jazz) played it and loved it but I found it heavy (over 10lb) and hated the 35" and string spacing - but I can't blame Lakland for that.

The BG I had was sorry to say heavy, unbalanced and not well finished - sorry to be a heretic but it wasn't a patch on my 2004 MIA Precision.

A few months back I played a good 5-6 Lakky Skylines in Electro (Doncaster), they all appear to have gone now, however I was amazed by the level of weight difference - particularly on the DJ5's (anywhere from 8.5 to 11lbs). The best of the bunch was a nice sounding JO4 that I would have had in front of any of the MIA Fender Jazzes I've had in the past.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='463297' date='Apr 15 2009, 06:48 PM']That'll be left over stock from last year, probably. I paid £840 for a sunburst Am.Std. Precision last June. The newer stuff will be significantly higher, I'd imagine.[/quote]

Rich, you're going to have to build an extension for all these 'extra' basses soon

How's the OLP? Give me first dibs when/if you get bored with it - I'm missing my SR5 (tho the Stremline helps make up for the loss)

I've had a few MM's in my time and generally find room for one in my 'armoury'. There are differences between the ones I've had but its generally been limited to weight and neck dead spots. In terms of weight the current Ray 4 (2005) I have is spot on average (9.25lbs) but the Sterling 4 (2004) it replaced was a bit on the heavy side at nearly 10. Again the Ray4 I currently have (and a Ray5 I've just sold) is pretty free of dead spots wheras there were more noticeable ones on the 1990 2EQ Ray4 and the afforementioned Sterling (both cured to an extent with decent string selection and a bit of a rod tweak).

In terms of quality I think the recent MM's I've had were as good as the 1990 one (a period considered by many to be pretty good for MM production), fit, finish and playability being in good order - my 2005 Ray4 also has a nicer (to me) and faster neck profile. If I compare my Ray with the MIA (2004) P bass I have it feels a more 'expensive' instrument - sorry I can't come up with a better adjective. I'd agree with Rich that with all mass produced instruments it's a 'try before you buy' situation but I have less hesitation buying a MM blind than a Fender (except maybe MIJ) or even Lakland Skyline.

[quote name='Jobiebass' post='462336' date='Apr 14 2009, 05:55 PM']My gear MASSIVELY outweighs how good I am.[/quote]

You could donate the FBass to me then JB

Know what you mean tho. My band's on a sabatical at the mo so why the hell do I have 3 decent quality 4 stringers sat around the house playing along to the bloody IPod?

Have any of you guys got to the point where you think your bass gear is better than you are (or even worse - could be)?

Don't get me wrong I love to play on a really nice bass but when you go to the odd jam night and someone plays the hell out of a £100 bass does it make you feel like leaving your £1000 baby in the gig bag and hacking about on the 'house bass'?

[quote name='neilb' post='454859' date='Apr 5 2009, 07:46 PM']No, it will be an 8 ohm speaker, the addition of an external cab (8 ohm) will give the min 4 ohm.[/quote]

If this is like my old 715 SMC (and it looks like it is) there wasn't an extension speaker output (tho you could run the amp into another '- i.e. not the internal' speaker) The internal IIRC speaker was a 4 Ohm unit.

No problem Nige.

Got a feeling that a 5 string fretless might be the answer to my continual bass switching (the 3rd bass that is) from a 5 string to a 4 string fretless and back again etc.

I only have experience with Status necks. Both mine have been very gloss. I assume (hopefully correctly) that the satin finish is like normal satin finished wood necks (i.e. like the S1 MIA Fenders or Musicman before they went to oil finish). Sorry, not much help......I'll shut up now.

Definately like this.....................unfortuanately the only trade fodder I have is a MIA P bass.

C'est la vie

[quote name='SJA' post='459238' date='Apr 10 2009, 01:05 PM']another idea for solving the problem- put a Status graphite replacement neck on it.[/quote]


Good call, I had a MIM fretless Jazz with a dead spot on the G at 5th (pretty poor place to have it). A status graphite neck (also Fretless) cured the problem completely - expensive fix tho......I was lucky and got a second hand one for £165 inc. Hipshot ultralites

Sorry to hijack Alex's thread.

To the 2 Q's above.

I play thumb squarely on the back of the neck so the recess feels ok to me. If you were a 'thumb over the top' player I could see a bit of 'adjustment ' would be in order.

The neck stays pretty much put but to me seems happier at 45 degrees and above. FM, there is no risk - you'll love it! At the 'local Jam' last night I can honestly say I have never had as many positive comments on the sound (or looks) of any bass I have ever used there.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='456483' date='Apr 7 2009, 03:10 PM']I can't leave this hanging for weeks so if I have no joy on BC in a short while, I'll stick this on eBay and I'll split any profit made with Josh.[/quote]

Great to see that the spirit of Basschat ain't dead.

Like you two I'm starting to be won over by this little bass. I'm finding that i have to play with the strap a bit to get the best balance. Maybe because I'm a shortarse I find if I get this wrong, despite it's lightness it sort of pivots on my left shoulder and puts all of its 7lbs there which can be a bit taxing. Get the strap right tho and it really is like wearing nothing at all.

I've actually found some quite 'non-Status' sounds in there which should work for some of the stuff I use a Precision on. The master volume is neck left on mine, maybe the position change is because of the S/P mods on yours Alex? Mine gets its first airing with me tonite at the local Jam, I'm interested to see what the punters make of it - can I get away with Punk on this bass - we'll see.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='456067' date='Apr 7 2009, 08:03 AM']That is a seriously nice looking Ray - [i]Must resist... Must resist...[/i][/quote]

Go on Rich, you know you want it......

Cheers Rich,

hope the cheque clears (just kidding )

One of the best................thanks for the Streamline Rich.

Bump for a great bass. I'm missing my SR5 already (sob), might have to nail an extra string on my SR4.

The SR5 (2002) which I've recently let go (sniff) had ceramics and the Sterling pre. As Rich above says, it was much less 'in your face' than the SR4 (that I still have - 3eq), duller sounding but with plenty of depth. The Sterling 4 I had was much brighter than the SR5 and apparently it has the same pups (albeit smaller ;0). Go figure.

Don't know how much I can help u if you say all the sounds are crap. With my 3eq ray I set flat on bass mid and treb and make small tweaks from there-starting with boosting or cutting the mid first. Good luck.

John, I've used them on my MN Ray4. When I got the bass, the FB was a bit grubby but not excessive. All of the 'greyness' came out with a combination of the wipes and harsh rub down with a microfibre cloth. I use one wipe on the FB and the back of the neck every couple of months to keep it looking good.

I wouldn't worry about lacquer - I don't think there's any on there to come off - its just oil/wax.

[quote name='martthebass' post='452637' date='Apr 2 2009, 06:25 PM']Mine should be arriving courtesy of Rich in the next couple of days.....my back can't wait[/quote]

Well after an hour of noodling on this pocket rocket all I can say is 'yes - it is all they say it is'.

Don't care that it looks strange, I've already christened it 'Ned' (after the Ned Flanders quote 'feels like I'm wearing nothing at all').

[quote name='loweringthetone' post='451969' date='Apr 1 2009, 09:26 PM']Mart has a great black on black P bass see[url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=44448&hl=SR4"]P bass[/url] that may still be for sale Hes a great guy to deal with.[/quote]

Thanks for the great endorsement Colin .
This bass may come up in the near future (to release some cash ).

Nice Jag, but unfortunately after splurging on Rich's Status the next purchase will be a bit 'cheaper'

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' post='452166' date='Apr 2 2009, 09:47 AM']Thanks, guys!
Noodling like mad- because it lets me![/quote]

Mine should be arriving courtesy of Rich in the next couple of days.....my back can't wait

[quote name='Josh' post='450821' date='Mar 31 2009, 07:49 PM']I wonder what is the percentage of bassists who play Status who aren't Mark King clones or in a Level 42 tribute?.[/quote]

Don't like Mark King and don't have the talent to be in a L42 tribute band.

Mine will play a combination of 60/70's Rock/Pop and 80's/90's Indie.

I don't get precious about brands - what's the point. It'd be boring if we all liked the same things. Anyhow what do I know, I buy M&S jeans instead of Levis because they last longer

Having (just about) acquired the quirky looking Streamline from Rich I can understand some of the comments in this thread.
Like many I am swayed by looks, but I can honestly say I don't give a toss about fashion (e.g. I have never owned a Black Ric 4003 and never will). I'm buying the SLine because it's light, sounds great, balances well and is built well. For bands that I (may) play in that find it's looks sort of meh then I'm quite happy to drag out the Ray4 or MIA P (but my shoulder won't be).