martthebass

[quote name='Bass_In_Yer_Face' post='631607' date='Oct 20 2009, 06:12 PM']Anything by the mighty Mick Karn[/quote] If you don't mind picking it out note for note Anyone done tab for Mick's stuff?

+1 above on Talk Talk. Today and It's my life are fairly easy to cut your fretless teeth on. Also worth trying: Will you? - Hazel O'Connor (nice slow one to develop some 'feel') Black Velvet - Melissa Etheridge Love Cats - The Cure Badge - Cream Feel like making love - Bad Company

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='631260' date='Oct 20 2009, 12:22 PM']I'm always petrified of dinging unmarked basses and I really do see the appeal of having a RW one where the worry of dings would dissipate.[/quote] +1. I think some basses just don't 'age' well. Again I'll reference Status Graphite full graphite jobs, they look lovely new but not so good when scratched and dinged. Also my experience when selling 5-10 year old basses with dings is 'that looks knackered - I'll give you £50 for it' not 'they're very tastefully done scratches please take £1000'

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='631106' date='Oct 20 2009, 09:32 AM']As wood gets older & the instrument is played more, the sound does penetrate through it better. Same goes for varnish. It takes a time for the sound to permeate through. But that's my experience of classical instruments. Rich.[/quote] I'm just waiting for the Graphite to age in my Status.........................I'll get me coat

[quote name='FLoydElgar' post='627678' date='Oct 16 2009, 11:12 AM']Ahh put some pics up of yours be great to see your bass [/quote] Excuse the crap flash photography. Front - Claro Walnut with matching headstock Back - Spanish Cedar 3 piece maple neck with ebony unlined fretless board Build completed Sept 2008. Pickup combo and pre like the set you've spec'd. I know to keep costs down the standard finish is satin - but I think the woods on this would have benefitted from a Status-esque deep poly gloss (probably wouldn't have done much for the sound tho). The bass is very light - I guess about 7 lbs (about the same as my Streamline), but balances nicely.

That is very nice, makes my Walnut/Spanish cedar perception deluxe look plain in comparison. Is the finish the standard satin or the gloss upgrade?

[quote name='steve-soar' post='626275' date='Oct 14 2009, 06:43 PM']I'd get it to a reputable tech asap, let the original seller know what the problems are and tell them that they will be liable to pay for the repairs. Here's a brilliant resource for MusicMan basses, this may help if you can find out the year of the bass in the serial numbers section, then check the type of preamp. [url="http://www.musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0019.htm"]http://www.musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0019.htm[/url] Good luck Steve.[/quote] I agree with SS, sounds like there's something going on with the wiring/pre here. Without the battery you should get bugger all sound and with the battery you should get a healthy dollop of cut and boost on the bass/mid/treble knobs. Get a tech to have a look see.

Another +1 for Stingrays. For me it balances better than the Jag and has a more convincing 'active' sound. If you need more sound versatility try and snag an HS or HH Ray but they are fewer in number 2nd hand and more £.

Status Streamline (7lb) and Overwater Perception (probably about 7lb)

For my satin finished Overwater the recommendation is...................Pledge. Used the same on my Matt finished, now departed, Sandberg.

Had one of these, from the first month of production. The JV 57 had a single ply white scratchplate originally and was in 2 tone sunburst. Single piece neck - maple, I think with skunkstripe. Mine was a lovely bass which I regret selling, only gripes I had with it was the neck width (a bit wide for me at 1.75" - but historically accurate) and the pup which was a bit weak.

There was I nice green lined corvette fretless went on here a few weeks back for around £400. That was a 'custom' finish so I think it managed slightly above average. I've got an Overwater Perception with unlined ebony which I got lucky on as it came in at <£600. I think if you are prepared to wait a month or so something will crop up on here or the bay for your money. Regarding ebonol/ebony. I think the Squier VMJ FL has an ebnol board - felt alot like my old Status Graphite necked fretless. Nice feel, but to me doesn't have the 'warmth' of ebony. I could get the mwah but it didn't come as easily or naturally as on ebony or rosewood - a bit more clattery. Regarding durability If its like my old Status I wouldn't have thought there would be a problem but I always used flats.

They seem to have been around the £600-650 mark for good condition EB Ray4 for a while now unless I'm missing something. Don't think there are many takers for the bay stuff on BIN £900+ or suchlike.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='604195' date='Sep 21 2009, 06:51 AM']Every Ray ive played (owned 3, played 8 others) has had the weak G string disease!! whats that all about?[/quote] Having been the previous owner of this SR5 - no it didn't have the dreaded weak G disease. My SR4 does have a touch but not enough to cause grief on a gig - but fortunately no obvious deadspots (which my SR4 1990 did have). I wouldn't use one for recording - graphite all the way there Soundwise the SR5 was a lot 'mellower' than my SR4 even tho both were strung with Slinkies. I can see why B likes it - it had a very infectious sound, like him, I've tried Sados (NYC and Metros) and I preferred the SR5. As already said - 'horses for courses'.

JB, I think we all go through ebbs and flows of interest when you're a 'hobbyist'. I'm generally interested in 'old' music (was there anything made after 1982?). Having said that I still listen to some newer stuff - generally because my 2 kids ram it down my throat on Spotify or suchlike - very ocasionally find a bassline that grabs me (like Juicebox for instance). For me bass playing is a social thing, I still play with my trio but we're all mates also and go outto watch bands, have a drink etc - it's not just the music. Like anything, if you ain't having fun, put it away for a bit, but it sounds to me like the 'practicing with a few mates' thing isn't giving you what you're after at the mo and you need to get out and do something else. Do some jamnight stuff fo instance - never enough bassists about, always full of widdling guitarists for some reason. Don't get too introspective about your playing, I'm sure you're a lot better than you think you are. I've been playing too many years and I still get lost going past 12th and I've managed to survive somehow. There's a good jamnight in Rotherham town centre (Snafu) on a Tuesday night - you'd get a warm welcome, Cheers, MTB

Stuck in the Middle: For some reason I always want to go back to G in the D to A bridge part.................numpty.

Personally... I would go into a shop and try a few basses around the £500 to 800 mark. Choose the one you like best. Then....post in the items wanted section on this forum and see what turns up. I've done loads of trades/buys on here and no-one will look to pass on a duffer. You'll save a few quid and get some good advice in the process also. Your budget should easily pick up a GnL Tribute, Musicman Sub, Jap Jazz/Precision (possibly a US).......the list goes on. If you find you didn't like it then you would be able to movit on through BC without much of a hit.