Musicman20

Amazing band.

The absolute worse cases are the cheaper Warwick ones. I don't understand how a manufacturer selling a bass for £2500 or more can't deal with a good case manufacturer (just like how Overwater and Shuker deal with Hiscox) to get a high end cases made with their logo on. It completes the package for me. Even if I don't use the hardcase much I want one or a very high end hybrid bag like the Sadowsky one.

Yep, more low mids compared to huge low bass with a P bass.

..and another thing, stick a set of old strings on the bass, or even try old flats, roll the treble back, bump the bass, it sounds HUGE. Nothing like the normal Ray tone that people expect.

Oh, to add to this. If you want the classic Musicman tone, I'd go for one with alnico pickups, (ANY Stingray 4) 2 or 3 band EQ, (the 2 band has more deep bass and snap, the 3 band allows more mid control...both sound VERY similar) H, HS or HH, (they traditional bridge H sounds identical, trust me). If you want a 5 string, all the latest (2008 ish onwards) Stingray 5's have alnico pups. If you want to spend a little more on a posh neck, and old features, slab body etc, get a Stingray Classic 4 or 5. FYI - The USA made Sterling is like a Stingray, smaller body, thinner neck (very quick neck), 3 band EQ only, ceramic magnet pups. The Sterling sounds MORE aggressive, more middy, very good at cutting the mix. The Bongo is another animal. A very cool bass. It took me a few years to get used to the shape then I bought two. The H model has the H in the normal Stingray place, the HS and HH don't....but they sound great...and a different take on the tradtional Musicman tone. The Big Al is a cool bass as well, more so the SSS version. Then you have the Reflex, Gamechanger, etc.

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1376002823' post='2168605'] Sorry - I always mix this up :-) My bad. CB [/quote] No worries man

Quick note, the HH and HS basses have the traditional bridge humbucker in exactly the same place as the H models, APART from the Bongo. Nothing sounds or feels like a Musicman. Nothing. Yes, if you want a quick sale I agree they lose money, but if you bide your time and find someone after that model they keep their value (in my experience). The prices have shot up, they aren't massively popular at the moment, but that will change as trends change. At the moment it's all 'oh I have a P bass in sunburst/rosewood/tort with flats and I've finally found my sound', yeah it sounds good but it's boring as hell.

I think getting a hardcase is essential for a bass over £1000. Anything over £2k and I'd expect something very high end and fancy. The best hard cases are the new Fender hardcases and the EBMM ones. The best soft cases are the Mono cases.

Nice basses. I'd love a Fiesta Red!

I'm quite glad I don't play music for a living and have to bow down to requests for a certain 'aesthetic of Fender'. I have two Fender's and they are great basses, but they aren't that exciting. If people can't think outside that bracket in 2013, then we are in trouble!! Custom P's/J's - I undertand when people want a 'superjazz' 5 string, with a quality pre-amp, etc. I've play a few decent 5 string Fender's, but they don't hold anything over a Stingray 5...at all. If you want a basic P or J bass, four string, and no fancy top, just fet a Fender. No point in spending £2000+ on that....

Prices on cabs = too high

Nice!!!

[quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1375881502' post='2166846'] im quite enjoying this thread, i tried a puma 900 a while ago and was impressed and would like to try more out. but i have to say i couldnt disagree with the above coment more. i have tried many markbass heads and cabs and cannot get a tone im happy with at all and more importantly none of the markbass rigs ever sounded like my bass. i have recorded my basses using many methods and markbass stuff colours it more than most amps i have ever tried. i do think the coloration is quite nice when played alone and can see why it appeals to certain kinds of players, but it aint for me. so each to their own i suppose:^) (iv been wanting to say that for ages) back to tecamp, i would love to see a uk distributor, especially one with a NW outlet. [/quote] The Markbass heads, especially the F1/F500 and LM2/3 are notoriously 'flat' compared to most amplifiers for bass. There is barely any colour; something that took me some getting used to. The cabs however, are different. They all have their own voicings. Most the Markbass cabs have a more pronounced midrange to cut through, (although not all of them). They sound very 'punchy'. A Markbass amp through something like a Bergantino (again, they have their own flavours, but more 'your bass' orientated) is a great sound, and its pretty much your bass. It's night and day when you compare to something like a highly voiced GK or Ampeg amp.

There is barely any difference with the tube in this amp. It is a tiny tube that is soldered to the board. Hardly worth putting it in the circuit. I'd stick with the LM2/3.... If you want a tubier sounding small amp, the Mesa Walkabout, Genz Streamliner or the Markbass TTE500 would be worth checking out.

These sounds amazing. Totally off topic...sorry. Get some pics of the basses up!

Literally can't believe it exists. I'm dying to see if and play it!!!! It's that weird.

Is my technique awful or does that session guys wrist look very 'off angle'?

Thanks. I'd love that gold 5er! How much are they normally? Any comments on how good they are yet?

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1375692578' post='2164224'] I should point out that the bass in question in the OP is on special offer at roughly 1/3 it's original list price, so it's hardly surprising (to me) that it doesn't come with a case. Besides both the appropriate gig bag and flight case options are listed with item codes on the product page for the bass. [/quote] I love those Star basses...where are the deals? Cheers

Those demo's don't even show the B properly...

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1375635249' post='2163705'] Could well be minimal packaging due to their Green Policy, they are the greenest manufacturer out there I believe... [/quote] I call it tight....I also dislike high end maunfacturers giving you a cheap gig bag with a £3000 bass. Ridiculous.

One of the tube experts on Talkbass has mentioned an issue with plate voltage and keeping to the original design. It'll be well over £1000 over here...may as well get an Orange.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=13013013224032 ???