martthebass

I've played and owned MMs from all eras, can't really say that any era stood out as best. The pre-EBs were differently voiced in my estimation, as I started off on a 1990 one I just found the Pre EB different, not better though others opinions vary. One of the best I played was a 30th anniversary, lovely smooth sound and impeccable build quality. My current Starry Night PDN 2016 comes pretty close though and I prefer the ebony board. So in brief, my opinion, as voiced by some above, is that there isn't a golden era but there are great, good and mediocre examples from each decade.

That's just obsessive that is lol

Not my favourite Rick (hated my briefly owned 4004Cii) but that is a crazy price. Don't think I'll be selling my 4003 anytime soon if that's the current situation.

Very nice Nick, nicest colour on a Rick by far.....I am a bit biased though.

I felt this way when I went into my current band. I went in initially as a medium term dep but signed on after a couple of months. I was concerned getting 40 numbers under my belt, I prioritised the ones with the most well known/distinctive bass lines and made sure the remaining would pass audience scrutiny. It was a good 15 gigs or so before all the numbers were at a standard I was fully happy with. Honestly, no one but me noticed.

More familiar with the earlier 'large Fender' JVs, but on the basis of the pics, on passing glance, this looks correct. Need to look 'under the hood' to be sure though. The headstock looks right and it doesn't look messed about.

Maybe my expectations were too high for a £1800 bass? Fit and finish was inferior to any EBMM I’ve had and I’m far from a fanboy. I still have a 4003 which feels better than the 4004 did.

Ditto, but I put that down to me playing finger style rather than with a pick. Like you, band never complained though.

I've only had one bass made from Agathis, it appeared to have the structural properties of Wensleydale. Don't think I'll have another one. I love Stingrays; played at home on an IPad - awesome sound. But, always struggled with the on stage sound - however wandering out front on the wireless always confirms it's great in the mix. Never worked it out.

Tried a 4004 (a Cii if I'm not mistaken). Was somewhat disappointed with the bass overall - it certainly felt 'cheap' compared to the price tag. Also the sound was far too dark, I gathered that the pot values don't do it any favours but I decided not to change anything and pass it on to someone who would appreciate it better.

When that's happened to me I've declined the change as the planning issue is on the part of the other person/people irrespective of whether it is their fault or not.

I should have added ' unless it was by mutual consent with the other party' to be fair. Other than that though, looking at some the reasons you suggest I would consider it unprofessional or at least bad planning/organisation on the part of the dep.

Good review LeftyP. I was seriously looking at the non-hollow version of this when I was looking at a backup for my Mustang. I ended up not partaking as I was concerned over comments on neck dive. In many respects I prefer a heavy bass to a neck divey one as the latter puts a strain on my left shoulder which is the first to grumble. Ironically the back up bass I ended up getting, which I'd expected to be ok, had some neck dive..........more fool me.

As said above - This. Any 'professional' would never cancel on the basis of a 'better offer' if they had committed to a dep gig.

Sounds like that guy really knew what he was talking about Yep, nothing divides opinion like a 4003. On the action side, I found mine quite easy to sort (not as easy as a MM or Fender but not difficult) and once set I haven't had to touch it for 5 years (and counting).

Probably a bit late now but I but Schaller S types for both my Mustangs and noticed that the screws were going to cause some problems if I screwed them in without some drilling/fettling. On this basis I decided against it and decided to go the 'Grolsch Top' route on both (stuck the Schallers on my Musicmen instead). 2 years on with one of the Mustangs and it's never moved despite about a 100 gigs.

We play a place like that. Second time we played it we made an effort to chat and joke with the door men. At load out time, they nicely held the doors and made a nice hole in the crowd, even helped with some of the lifting.

Just don't get bored too quickly as I've got to pay for a neck respray on a Sterling (with Mr Shuker) and would have to sell a Rickenbacker (not an easy task these days lol).

Well jealous Dan........let me know if you get bored with it (but you won't).

What’s the tension like on them Si.....I prefer low to medium, never got on with high tension flats.

Thanks guys 😁

I've had my current Mustangs for quite a while now but I'm the sort that prefers old to new strings so they are still wearing strings that are 12-18 months old (the ones they came with). I've got a gig this weekend where, for various reasons, I'm restricted to one bass; as both are the vintage bridge style (not BBOT) and strung through body only, could somebody recommend me a string set that are long enough but not too long in case I need to do a change on the fly. Thanks in advance.....

After a few years on a Stingray 5 (ceramic pup era) I briefly had a Basic KT with Delanos. I have to agree with Andruca that they sounded very dull and lifeless in comparison.

Love a bit of Rezillos......ahhh to be back in that era.

Not exactly HM but Alan Lancaster didn't do too bad with his.