martthebass

[quote name='alexharvay' post='436116' date='Mar 16 2009, 02:16 PM']Keep it, I love my one of these. The best bass I have owned.[/quote]

I know...it's one of those things I know I'd regret. It's just I hate leaving basses in the corner gathering dust. A Jazz would get more 'work' at the mo.

PMs replied to - still available at the mo....

Thought I'd have one last crack at a trade. If no takers I guess it's fates way of telling me to keep it.

I think MM's can inspire the same degree of 'love-hate' comments as Rics and Warwicks. It's easy to generalise. Certainly if you don't like the 'Ray' sound don't go near one. A few comments tho, IMHO:

1. They are generally well made. I think at the pricing point they outstrip MIA Fenders and quite a few other 'mass produced' basses.
2. I don't get this 2EQ vs 3EQ thing. I've had both and TBH I found very little difference, I'd agree they were slightly different, but I'd be hard pushed to say one as better than the other. I for one find the Mid EQ to be useful in a gig situation.
3. While Rays have a generic sound I think they do vary. My 3EQ 2005 maple FB SR4 sounds far more hifi and in your face than my RW necked SR5 which is quite mellow. The SR5 strangely enough doesn't sound that much different to the DJ5 I sold last year (but completely different to the G&L L2500 that it replaced).
4. I agree they can be amp sensitive. I hated the Ray sound thru my old Trace Elliot, but both mine sound great thru my MarkBass set up.
5. The 'Weak G'. I think this varies. My old 1990 didn't have it, a 2004 Sterling I had did a bit, my 2005 had it until I lowered the G. The SR5 doesn't have it. Go figure.

I think the thin-middy sound is 'Stingray'. But I've found playing with the eq will help (esp the mid). I don't get the punch bit tho - mine has it in spades, I tend to use the bass where the Precision can get lost because it's indistinct (muddled acoustics etc).

Back to page 1....

PMs replied to. Stil looking for trade offer.

Cheers, M

Cheers Nick, as you know I love this Precision. I even prefer it to a 1982 JV bass I once owned. Still, wood and wires, wood and wires. I'm off to a blues open mic night with it in a few minutes - you never know I might come to my senses.

I know, I know.................

Always said I'd never part with this as it's so light and playable. It's in very good nick - a few tiny nicks in the headstock and a few hardly noticeable lacquer scratches that won't show on photos. In the original Fender HSC.

Would prefer a MIA Jazz with S1 say 2004 onwards in similar condition, but will entertain options - but needs to be sub 9 pounds just in case the long gigs return.

Seen a few MIA Fenders straight out of the box. Sometimes looked like a guy's wiped bogies all over them. Gross I know.........sorry. Guess they clean up all right tho.

Get a Lakky or a MM - they always look clean out of the box;)

Played one for half an hour in Electro Doncaster. Thought it was as ugly as sin, but played and sounded nice.

Your cheapest option would probably be to sell the sub and buy a SR5.

The next cheapest would be a Status neck but if you don'tlike painted necks.......

Yes, 'cooking doesn't get tougher than this!!!'

(Sorry Rich)

Suprised this hasn't gone yet Geoff - the 'industry standard' 5er at a sensible price. Things must be tough. I had to part with a G&L L2500 AND some cash to pick up one of these a few months back. No, I don't regret it. Good luck with the sale.

[quote name='Chelios' post='419191' date='Feb 25 2009, 12:43 PM']Rellly nice man, i have a 5 string, Only thing is, looking at the pictures, it looks like, between the strap button and bridge there is a a crack in the wood or a white mark?[/quote]

Just looks like a prominent glue line in the 2 piece body join?

Every time I see one of these hybrids it makes me want to find £420 to 'convert' mine.

I've had a few MM's over the years - now just have the 2, a SR5 and a SR4.

The first Ray4 I had (owned from new 1990) was a White 2EQ with the old style bridge - sold it beacuse I thought I wanted to get into Warwick - tsk.

Then moved onto a Black 2004 Sterling, didn't really get on with this - so I moved it on fairly quickly and it now sits with Kaiu with Elliot Minor.

Couldn't live without an MM for long so the Warwicks went and the red 2005 SR4 came in, still have this and use it on jam nights when I need to cut through.

The most recent addition is a blue SR5 (2002) with matching headstock. Still getting used to this as I'm not really a 5 string guy but enjoying it so far.

Now don't get me wrong (warning - a ramble is on the cards here), I try to be objective but I must point out I own 2 MMs and zero Statii at this time.
Last night I had the pleasure of playing a nice Status at a Jam night - sorry don't know which model but it felt expensive and was one of the thru neck type.

On first impressions I would have swapped both my MM's for it because it was so light and far less cumbersom than the MMs. It could do just about any sound I could have asked for and the action was much better than I can get on a Ray. It also balanced much better than my SR5. However as I played I found a few things didn't quite work for me; first, because of it's headless nature I kept going for 7th rather than 5th - tho I guess this would be cured if I played a headed one, secondly, it didn't seem to have a characteristic sound of it's own. Ok a Ray is less versatile but it's always a Ray - I'm not sure what the Status was.

Having said all that one day I'd love to own one - but I've a feeling I'll do it because of the weight rather than the sound.

Oh and back to the pre EB thing. No I don't get it either I'll stick with my 2002 and 2005 versions thanks.

Not owned a Streamer but have played a Stage 1 often at Jam nights. In comparison to a Vette (Ash - active) and a Thumb which I have owned I'd say the sound was fairly growly - maybe a little more middy than the Thumb and fairly similar to the Corvette. I'd personally go for the Stage 1 over a Vette but mainly for feel and balance rather than sound. The Stage 1 isn't too heavy but the Stage 2 (based on shop 'lifting') is a heavy mutha.

Love it.

'All my ex's live in Texas'..............yeehaaaw

They are pretty much the same size other than the contouring you've already mentioned. I use the same MM Hardshell case to house whichever of my IV or V is not in the gig bag.

Very nice.

Checks pockets............................never mind

And the Ray5 gains yet more ground in the Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='396021' date='Jan 31 2009, 11:04 AM']It is wierd though how Warwicks appear to have taken a bit of a beating when it comes to selling s/h?? Didn't that happen to MM Stingrays as well recently...[/quote]

Certainly is.
I was selling my Ray4 last year and dipped out when the price got 'silly', luckily I learned to love it again. Still, managed to get a good deal on a Ray5 to partner it so no wories.