martthebass

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)

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.

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.

Went through 3 5'ers on the way to a Ray5. Picked mine up a few weeks back and couldn't be happier. It's single H with a RW board. I'd agree it's a little less snappy than my single H maple necked Ray4 (played acoustically - so not subject to comparisons over the alnico vs ceramic pups) but it's marginal. I prefer the RW board - it's softer to play, well figured and as noted above, doesn't get grubby like the oiled/waxed maple ones. Weight wise I'd say it's about the same as the DJ5 I had - 10lb and balances ok; it feels less of a handful than the G&L L2500 (US) it replaced. Comfortable on a long(ish) gig. The best feature to me for the bass is the neck profile - very easy to play, slim front to back but the strings aren't too close together for me (like a few Spector 5's I tried - don't know if they are all like that?), or too far apart (like the DJ5 - for me that is!). That price looks pretty good new, though you'd probably pick up a good-excellent one off here for £750?

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='386656' date='Jan 20 2009, 08:09 PM']LOL mate. Not asking much, are you?! I'm still right, though [/quote] Pah - Call yerself a teacher I'm going to have to come around to yours Rich so you can 'educate' me in all things Statii. Thing is until the credit crunch goes away, us poor engineers are going to have to settle for '2nd best'.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='385430' date='Jan 19 2009, 09:26 PM']Again, I have to agree with your point in some areas, Mart. But in my view, from the Rays I've played (apart from one), yes. A Status is worth 50-60% more even when it's a used model. Well, an S2, anyway.[/quote] If we're using figures the engineer in me demands a break down of the 60% into quantifiable attributes/parameters. Accuracy to +/- 2 d.p. will be acceptable

[quote name='Huge Hands' post='385136' date='Jan 19 2009, 04:39 PM']+1 from me. Still haven't fully got the hang of it on most of our songs (only backing vocals!)[/quote] +1 again. Master backing vocals and move forward. I've never had a problem with backing vocals but lead vocals - hmmmmm. Never understood why, but some songs I can lead vocal on (e.g Teenage Kicks), but other similar songs (e.g. Anarchy in the UK) my timing goes T*** up.

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='384369' date='Jan 18 2009, 09:15 PM']Go for an older Status SII or a new S2-Classic & you're in another ballpark altogether. As for the SmartBass, they're pretty good, but it depends on how much you're willing to spend on options. You're better off going just a little higher in price and getting a bolt-on S2-Classic. Once you've played one of these, you'll never look at a MM again! Rich.[/quote] Don't disagree Rich. My only point was the pricing. A good Ray4 would come in at what £600ish wheras I'd expect to pay best part of £900 - 1000 for a similar nick S2 or Stealth? Like many things does the price difference equate to 50-60% 'better' in the case of the Status. If money isn't an issue go Status but it's all down to personal preference, I like the sound of both and couldn't call one better than the other (tho I do like graphite necks). If I had the cash I'd have one of each