martthebass

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='659841' date='Nov 20 2009, 07:09 AM']I don't know the new range, especially the BO models very well but do they have the active/passive, push/pull pot on the volume control? If so, try giving it a push/pull just to ensure it isn't in passive mode whereby the tone controls do nowt!

Oh and a big +1 to what 'tnit' ^ said.[/quote]

Yup you're right WH. Pull for active on the vol IIRC.

Oh and I found the Thru neck a lot more mellow and contolable than the BO.

[quote name='chardbass' post='657885' date='Nov 18 2009, 10:29 AM']Duran Duran were a big influence on me in the mid to late 80s despite me being a rock fan.
Learning to play Rio was a bit of a musical epiphany and a stepping stone to 'ghost notes' etc.

Bless 'em.[/quote]

Ditto,

spent 4 solid hours nailing Rio.

Lived in Brum in the early 80's - it was against the law not to like DD

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='657161' date='Nov 17 2009, 04:24 PM']You do all seem to have the older ones. Uncles i tried a load of them i wouldn't know a good one from a bad one, unless there really is a big difference it tone.
I think if i do go the MM route it might have to be a Sterling By MM, for cost mainly.[/quote]

I've only gone back as far as 1990 with Ray's - ownership. But apart from some nice birdseye maple necks on that age I can't say I've found much difference sound or construction wise to my current 2005. Maybe it's the general 'older is better' perception. Also while some pre EBMM's I've played have been sublime some have been complete dogs.

As per usual - try a few and make your own mind up.

Also good condition used EB Rays still seem to be going for £6-650.

I swapped out my DJ5 for a SR5. There were a few things I didn't like about the DJ5 - I also didn't like the overall 'darkness' of the sound, though I understand many do as it's supposed to be representative of that '60's/70's vibe.

Regarding Rays, I didn't find much difference in the sound between my old 2EQ Ray4 (1990) and my current 3EQ Ray4 (2005) - the newer one is a little brighter when flat but it doesn't take any effort to get the sound of the 2EQ and I like having the mid as it is very useful in a live situation.

I couldn't get on with the Sterling (had a 2004 single H) - it was a helluva lot brighter than any of the Rays I've owned and I couldn't tame it.

All of the Ray4's I've had have had weak G to a greater or lesser extent. I've found it fairly curable with heavier gauge strings (45's) and ajusting the pup.

I'd have to agree with all the above. Can't think of anything less than £400 that would touch the VMJ.

I haven't had a chance to play one of the Indonesian MM's yet. The comments are that the quality is good and not far off the US SLO made MM's.

Personally, I would try and find the extra £100 or so to buy the US MM Sterling, if for the only reason that much of the depreciation has been taken out of it and if you decide to sell on you shouldn't lose anything/much.

If you could go for a Ray - you open up your options a bit as these tend to come up a bit more frequently. I'd go into a shop and try one out - the neck isn't as intimidating as you might think. I was a Fender Jazz player for years and find my 2005 Ray neck profile to be fine, yes it's a little thicker at the nut but it's slim front to back and the oil finish makes it nice and fast.

Walk away from the bass Rich, I repeat, walk away from the bass.

Seriuosly, this is very nice, I'm so pleased it's a cash sale only because I have none.

First one - wouldn't touch. Overpriced

Third one, nice but £499?

Last one - nice but I reckon you could walk into a shop and get one for that(ish) with some negotiation.

Second one all the way for me if I could get it for £6-650.

M,

I think balance is also a contributing factor. I had a Ray5 at 10.5lb that balanced great so didn't feel too bad for a little un like me. On the other hand I had a DJ5 at the same weight that sempt neck heavy and I couldn't get on with it. Also we are all different with weight tolerance, I sold my Sandberg basic 5 (which was about 9.5-10lb and felt quite light to me) to 'Beneath it all' who subsequently found it too heavy and sold it on.

Looking at what you play (Rays 9 to 9.5lb?) I'd have thought you should be ok to that weight just make sure they don't neck dive which 5er's can be more prone to due to more tuners/wood. Might be worth talking to Shuker/Overwater who could take your weight requirements into account (for info my Overwater 4 is only just over 7lbs so it can be done on a standard sized bass - as opposed to my girly Streamline)

Nice stuff there Nick. That's one of the nicest Fender necks I think I've ever seen.

I find meself strangely attracted to the SG, this is a bad sign.

Until I Joined this site I stuck with the same MM Ray for 15 years (tho I did add a backup Mex Jazz during that time). I think I've bought/sold probably 15 basses since joining Bassworld.....

This place has been a bad influence on me.

Used a H/H Musician head with a 15" cab for many years. Sounded great (unless you knocked it and the spring reverb clanged) - totally indestructible.

Good score. Best I've done on a Mex Jazz was £230 but that was about 3/4 years back. Think the best new is about £450 now?

[quote name='AndyTravis' post='650947' date='Nov 10 2009, 07:16 PM']I'm not skint, but i feel awful for having this amazing bass sat around...
And my Fender Addiction is a problem.[/quote]

I was referring to prospective buyers not sellers

All I would say is, having been a MM guy, going to Warwick and then coming back to MM is.........try a few stood up for more than half an hour before you buy. The small body/long neck combo isn't for everyone. I couldn't get on with the balance with either my ash Corvette or Thumb BO4 for that reason. Loved the sound but got bad cramp/shoulder ache if I was playing longer sets, which was strange because both were about a pound lighter than my Ray4.

Damn there's some good stuff on at low prices at the mo.

We must all be skint.....

[quote name='Kendo' post='649205' date='Nov 8 2009, 10:08 PM']I can really believe that it must seem very strange and where do you put the tuner!

how is your streamline - they look pretty![/quote]

To be honest once new strings are bedded in it doesn't need tuning so fortunately I haven't had to worry about where to put the tuner

The Streamline....well how can I put it? If I could only own one bass it would be this one. The looks are an acquired taste tho, I like it but opinions differ.

[quote name='Kendo' post='649089' date='Nov 8 2009, 08:20 PM']much clearer but I'm none the wiser over which one I would want !
I guess I will have to find a big shop and play withs lots of different types.....[/quote]

If it's any help K. When I was hunting for a Status I was dead against headless. Thought it would be fiddly, string type limiting etc. However I wanted a Streamline and these only come in headless. I've got to admit I'm a convert for the reasons I've given above. One thing I would advise tho, is if you manage to find one to try out, play it standing with a strap and give it at least 30 minutes. Why? - well it took me that amount of time to get used to the lack of head - it's weird how the headless throws your positioning off initially.

Some nice blues licks there mi friend.....was searching for some inspiration.

[quote name='hubrad' post='647684' date='Nov 6 2009, 09:29 PM']Hi Beedster,
On Ebay at the mo there's a lined fretless Overwater if you do sell the Ric. Never played a better fretless for my tastes!
Looks like a shop so they may even be up for offers.

EDIT: here it was.. ended a few mins ago! Been on twice mind..
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OVERWATER-STD-PLUS-PERCEPTION-FRETLESS-FOUR-STRING-BASS_W0QQitemZ330373484722QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item4cebcb50b2"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/OVERWATER-STD-PLUS-P...=item4cebcb50b2[/url][/quote]

Yup,

beginning to appreciate not letting mine go after the excellent sound I got out of it last night.

Don't get me wrong Chris, I hanker after a Ray Fretless meself to go with its fretted sister but, the OW does sound a lot better. It does mellow (Talk talk) and nasal (Karn) with ease. The pre is very simple too - just like a 3 band Ray if you keep the pups flat.

On the headed vs headless front.

Pro's: Balance is excellent, less likely to hit cymbols/mike stands/guitarists on stage, tuning is quicker and easier (and more stable?), string changes are much quicker

Cons: More hassle if you don't use double ball strings (?), that 80's look.

OTPJ's suggestion of an S2 as a great all rounder is on the money, but if you are looking more Eagles/Jazz then I wouldn't rule out a good Sandberg/Lakland (Skyline)/Fender Jazz bass, you'll get a used one at the bottom end of your budget and a new one at the top end.

Regarding Musicman - I love em, but I'd try before you buy, not everyone likes the sound of a single H Ray4 or Ray5.

My first MIA Jazz was one of these with the one piece white scratch plate - I bought it used in about 1986/7 so it was probably a 1983/4ish? It was in a nice sienna burst IIRC. It was nothing special but other than being cosmetically challenged (IMHO) vs a 2 piece MIA I'd say the quality was about the same. The tuners on mine were open backed like yours.

Think I'm better on lined and prefer it that way but currently have unlined with side dots because the deal was good.

[quote name='stingrayfan' post='647133' date='Nov 6 2009, 12:16 PM']In anticipation of this arriving, I found myself drawn to listen to old Level 42 tracks.

But now it's here, I don't feel the need to be a slapper; it's got a great fingerstyle tone.[/quote]

Yup, I always feel guilty because I own a Status but can't slap for toffee, having said that, slap impresses me for about 2 minutes then I get bored with it. Agree the fingerstyle tone is great tho on these 2 band Statii.

I'm nowhere near as big a bass whore as you Rich, but I daren't post someting similar to this in cse the Missus saw it..