Musicman20

I sense from the recent Glasto threads that some of the BC members are a little...dare I say....jealous, of some of the success. Like them or not, Mumford know how to pen a a catchy tune. No one cares what bass/amp they play, they appeal to a lot of people, although more so the 16-25 bracket I imagine, (especially students). I for one would jump at the chance to play with them. Folk/whatever it is music isn't cool, so they've done pretty well...

To be fair, I don't think we can criticise a band that has been going for this long, providing many generations with a 'rock n roll dream'. I don't really listen to the Stones much, but I have a lot of time and respect for them. Ageing rockers? Oh yes, but anyone critising needs to assess what they will be doing at 69/70. Most likely, sat at home commenting on other bands and playing in local bars, (that's if you are lucky!). There will be a time in 10-15 years when the legends won't exist anymore. We won't have big classic bands anymore, just thousands of small NME bands who capture audiences for one album then disappear. That's happened in my lifetime, and I'm only 32. The only 'big' bands who might be going are bands such as REM, Coldplay, Muse, and big pop acts. I'd hesitate to add Kings of Leon into that list as they don't qualify. They were pretty damn brilliant at first but I don't think they will reach that stage. Good on the Stones for still being alive, still rocking out, and still captivating a huge audience. I hope I can be as lucky when I'm their age.

[quote name='AKAK' timestamp='1372198822' post='2122907'] Out of all of these the most impressive was the Ampeg, absolute stunning clarity and warmth worked amazing with a passive Jazz. Then the GK, very bright but with a bottom end, overall very nice. Didn't like the Markbass gear no matter what I tried to turn or how many times i played them, i also felt that the natural 'tone' of the bass was swallowed up by the Markbass 'tone'. [/quote] I'd say what you are hearing is in fact the character of the amps with the GK and Ampeg. The 'flat' sound of the Markbass is basically your bass with a little bit of warmth. The Ampeg and the GK ADD their own voice, but the Markbass leaves the bass as it is. If you want your bass to sound like your bass, the Markbass would be the way to go, all filters off and 12 on the EQ. I wouldn't personally go for a modern Ampeg; you are better off buying a different amp and adding a Tech 21 VT Bass pedal which will emulate the SVT tone. Tecamps sound different again, but much closer to Markbass than the GK and Ampeg. The modern 1U Puma 500/900 sound more like a Markbass F500, eg very very quick, precise, with a little warmth added in. Again, its your bass tone it pushes. It won't make an average bass sound amazing, just like Markbass. I'd try the following: TC Elec RH750 Genz Benz Streamliner 900/Shuttle 9.2/Shuttlemax 9.2 Gallien MB500 / 800 and the Fusion variety of them. The Genz Shuttle 6.2 and 9.2 will get close to the Tecamp Puma 1 U 500 and 900 but without the higher cost. Plus, Genz service is brilliant.

[quote name='jazzmanb' timestamp='1372258713' post='2123514'] I think the Jazz is the female to the Precisions male. [/quote] This makes sense. The Jazz is much more 'feminine'. The Stingray is the drunk guy who everyone invites to parties who inevitably is the centre of attention.

I've often been tempted by a boutique 5 string Jazz, (well, a 4 string would do as well) but I always seem to back off when I give it some thought. When GuitarGuitar first stocked Sadowsky, I tried a few Metros, and as well made as they are, they don't really have anything over a Fender, (4 string variant). The pre-amp was decent, but it just didn't have the bite of a normal US Fender J. It sounded very polished, very clean, and lacked the warmer and aggressive bite of the Fender Jazz. I really don't think you need a pre-amp with a P bass. The Fender American Standard 5 I played was very nice for the money, so unless you must have a certain boutique top or bizarre colour, the Fender P is what I'd go for. I've not played the Fender Jazz 5, although I hear they are pretty good. If I get another J or P, it'll be a Fender, even if I go for a 5 string.

Yeah, Leo got it right. The P is great, the J is great. Then the Stingray came along and made it even better.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1372243459' post='2123206'] The best-playing Fender I've ever owned says "Mike Lull" on the headstock. The second-best Fender I've ever owned says "Alleva Coppolo" on the headstock. [/quote] Nothing will detract from how good those Fender-esque basses are, especially in terms or weight and quality, but the headstocks?

I don't think they have an official outlet here, which is insane. We go crazy over US amps, but then our close European market offers something and we don't bother. The Bass Merchant used to be a big Tecamp dealer. The thing with Tecamp, as with Glock, they are extremely well made and quality is no issue, so the price can be a little higher. I once had an M212 cabinet that I should NEVER have sold...it was stunning.

What a beauty! I love those Classics.

Oh, I can answer this! I can highly recommend both, although I personally had three at one point (RS212, 2 x RS210). I sold the RS212 as I like the very compact RS210, and it has a little more treble and snap. BUT, that RS212 is much more thick and pushes more 'air', so it would be great for the Rick and the matching amp. If you just want one small cab for gigging, the RS210 or 212 are hard to beat especially considering the tweeter is so musical.

Pete - we have the same yearning for the Musicman signature tone...I've often tried either A) giving up and just keeping what I've got or B ) looking at fairly exotic but 'same old Leo design' Jazz 5ers. I come back to the Musicman basses....every time. Yes, a cutom builder can get very close with similar pups/positions/EQ...but, and this is the big but, only a Musicman sounds like a Musicman. Even the Sandberg basses with the H in the right place sound different....cleaner, more modern, less growl and punch. It's cool to have variety though, I agree, but everytime I hear a Ray, I hear the tone I wanted from when I was 11/12 years old listening to lots of different genre's yet still have that Musicman tone. Incredibly distinctive. It's quite easy to mimic a 60s/70s Jazz tone...but I've yet to hear anything sound like a Ray. It is, in my opinion, the best bass tone. Closely followed by a P bass, and then the Jazz.

Excellent quality. Just not my thing. I don't see any issues with normal parallel frets.

Wow, what a great price. You can't get some high end 1x12 cabs for that price!!!!!

Personally I think £0 to £20 is a fair jump. £2 an advert would be fairer. Not saying BC doesn't deserve the cash, I just think people aren't as willing to sell now. The £20 has to be considered first.

...normal Ray 5's as well. Which dealers are doing them for £1300?

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1371551193' post='2115286'] New or secondhand price , Gareth ? Which way are they going ? [/quote] New, and up! Have a check on guitarguitar, etc.

Just noticed again yesterday how the prices have changed on these, more than likely a sign of the times.

I'd like to use Bass Gear in the new future.

[quote name='bjelkeman' timestamp='1371423860' post='2113857'] Will see if them have any Be Exotics in and then grab some pictures. [/quote] Sorry I meant Xotics as in the brand. Still interested in the Jabbas though

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1371380486' post='2113090'] They look great to me..... as do the X-otics as Super J type variations. Would like to get closer to one.. deffo. [/quote] The Xotics look fabulous.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1371333546' post='2112770'] How else would it be done? [/quote] Haha, no idea...never had to do it/probably couldn't be bothered. Isn't it the same if you just use the can for a bit?

Is it wise to run that through an amp?! Personally I wouldn't bother breaking a cab in. It's not massively necessary. Hope it's ok!!!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1371312773' post='2112494'] We have ridiculously similar tastes in our gear dont we [/quote] Ay!!!

I'd like to know more about the Jabba Classic 5 basses