Musicman20

Thanks all. I realie the two i've referred two are different, but I was just wanting to point in that direction. I think the idea of the P90s appeal as I really seem to get on with single coils on guitars. It would be nice to have a contrast to my Tele, but ultimately, that Casino idea seems great. I need to get to a big guitar shop and try a few out. I am not the best guitarist so I am always daunted by this, in contrast to going in and turning a bass up and playing loudly with no issue.

...and if we are discussing weight, then every 5 string Lakland I have tried has been ridiculously heavy. I may have been unlucky, but I have tried 5-6 at least over the past 3 years. In contrast my MIA P and, and even my Stingray 5 HS, are very light. Bizarre!

Do you want a normal 34" scale? If so, discount the Lakland. Do you want standard frets? If so, discount the Dingwall. Do you want a pretty normal, but very boutique passive P bass? I'd opt for the Lull, or get a custom one built. Do you want a normal passive 5 string, tradtional sounding/looking P bass? Fender American Standard 5.

[quote name='Old Horse Murphy' timestamp='1364464679' post='2026759'] Life's too short Alan. If you want a Jazz get a Jazz and enjoy it [/quote] This. Its a relatively inexpensive hobby, compared to say a car enthusiast who will spend £1000s on a new car, for it then to blow its turbo on its first outing, to then cost another £1000 for the parts and labour, (this happened to my close friend). Said close friend still won't pony up for a new Gibson Thunderbird even though he has wanted one for 16+ years since we were kids. That £1000 turbo wasted cash could have been spent on a new bass which would, yes, lose a little money, but an instrument is nowhere near as high maintenance and won't be scrap in 5-10 years. Bass/Guitar/instrument collecting is a good hobby for me. I enjoy playing and I enjoy collecting. I could be wasting it on all sorts of rubbish, but I'd prefer new gear. Get the Jazz, keep the other two. The new American Standards are, IMO, VERY good value for money with the current rebate, (under £1000 for a top spec Fender with a brilliant hardcase).

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1364420992' post='2026390'] If you're heading to Bass Direct, check out the new G&L M series: [/quote] Cheers, would love to but a round trip would be quite expensive from up here

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1364408541' post='2026128'] If you are even considering a USA NS2 or Euro Spector and you are comparing it with your experiences of a Warwick Bolt-On $$ Streamer then that is akin to comparing a Custom Shop Fender 'Jazz' to a MIJ 'Precision'! In fact I struggled to find a comparison that bore a more stark contrast. If you are looking at a NT Euro/NS Spector then it needs to be stacked alongside a NT Streamer. In fact you are just in Newcastle, I'm about 10 mile from you, pop down and try one of my Streamers before you try a Spector then it would be a better/fair comparison. I'm not trying to dissuade you from Spector (I've owned USA NS2 and Euro 4 & 5 strings) but I think you need to compare apples with apples before reaching a decision like that. [/quote] Ay! I should take you up on that sometime! Thanks for the info.

Lets not be hasty with weight/size. The Fender P 5 I played a few months ago was extremely light for a normal American Standard Precision. I would be guessing at 9lbs. They all vary.

Fender P 5, plus add an Aguilar TH pedal, or a P-retro. Done.Those P5s are fantastic, and not just for the money!

[quote name='skychaserhigh' timestamp='1364387051' post='2025693'] The construction of those TC cabs worries me. I mean , what type of wood bends to make rounded corners like those ?? [/quote] The cabs are rock solid. Nicely designed especially considering the size/weight/tone/volume/price.

[quote name='gafbass02' timestamp='1364378683' post='2025535'] Charic nails it pretty well there. I've owned a range of markbass, bergantino and barefaced cabs and gigged lots with TC cabs. I'm the odd one out on that I'd rate the barefaced the least out of all them, apart from their portability, and i found that despite the protestations to the contrary, the compact sounded exactly like an old school 1x15 and midget T exactly like a small 1x12, but the midget took fx well. The Bergantinos are in a different league to the others, Just phenomenal in every way, best bass gear I've bought. I like the sound of markbass cabs but not the projection which isnt great at filling a room with solid low end, or excessive cone excursion. Which to be fair doesn't seem to hurt them. I owned a traveller 102p among others and for most jobs it was a great solution. Out of all those mentioned I'd suggest the TC rs212 as having seemed the best value for money as a gigging all rounder, you can then add another or an rs210 later if needed. Great form factor, power and punch, tonal versatility etc. just expect it to get shabby quickly unless cased. It's worth mentioning I used a range of amps with the cabs mentioned, little mark 2, orange terror, shuttle 3, shuttle 6, MoMark, Promethean, crate etc spring to mind. I also did indoor/outdoor/big/small/mic'd/backline only gigs with them over a period of time, so I'm speaking from first hand gigging experience of it helps. [/quote] 100% agree on the Berg/TC comments. The TC RS cabs are fantastic. The RS210 is my personal favourite 2x10 for the size/price/tone. The Bergs have an amazing build quality. They have just released a new CN212, which I think is going to be a BIG hit. 48lbs 2x12, 700W, with what has been described as a typical Berg quality tone, with a slight low mid bump, (similar to the Aguilar DB and TC RS cabinets). Jim really does know how to design an exceptional cabinet that still appeals to those who may like a more tradtional tone.

I tried a Streamer when the Bass Merchant was open. As it was an ex-demo, they let me have a few days with it to see if I liked it. It wasn't really my thing, but I think it was because it was a $$...the pickups seemed very dark sounding compared to the Spector I recently tried and the Musican H pups. Nice bass, well made, one of the German made Streamers. Just not my thing, although I do like some of Warwicks basses. The Spector just seemed easier to play. It puts certain things into perspective. Fender's seem relatively good value when compared to a Spector Euro which are £1600+ now without a case. Same with a new Stingray. I imagine the Spector bodyshape and woods factor in to the higher costs.

Thanks all. Yes, I am not expecting absolute mind blowing quality, and as many realise, I am a stickler for quality, but if the USA bolt on models are as good as the Euro 4 LX I tried today, I think I'd be impressed. However, I assume the bolt on NS4 I am looking at is probably higher quality, and has a different pre-amp. Would it be fair to say the bolt on USA versions will be a little less smooth in tone?

What a weird coincidence. The local music store to my work had a nice new Spector Euro 4 LX, (in fact two!). This was the dual humbucker version with the coil tap. The bass needed a setup, but I can hear the Spector growl! Very cutting and precise tone. The back pickup is fantastic. I worked out you could coil tap, and having both pups on (what I can only presume) single coils with the treble quite high sounded fantastic. Solo'ing the back bridge pup sounded tight, middy, and aggressive. I like it! Easy to play, nice neck profile, very well designed body. For the amount, I was shocked they don't provide a gig bag, but...I guess thats just how things are. Fit and finish was immaculate. I also tried a Ric 4003, and it changed my view on how they play. Apart from the big chrome metal cover over the pickup, it was a nice bass to play, although I could get used to the cover being left on. Everything sounded very 'Beatles' and retro, and I didn't have the amp gain setup right after the Spector, but a very very pretty bass. Quite an easy neck profile. Both these basses confirmed to me that its time to try out something new on my next instrument.

[quote name='charic' timestamp='1364300667' post='2024504'] Have you considered Overwater / Shuker / Sei / ACG? Or are we avoiding custom options? [/quote] To be honest, as much as I like Shuker and ACG, I don't want to try the custom route. I am not sure why!

Morning all My current lineup of basses is fantastic. However, I feel like I need to vary my collection a little for the next one. I have been spending time on guitar recently, purely because I can’t find a guitarist who plays the style that I like. I am not the best guitarist, but I know what sounds good. I was thinking of investing in more guitar gear, but my amp/cab/pedal setup is perfect, and the only addition I’d like is another Telecaster, large bodied ‘Casino’ style Epiphone/higher end Gibson, or a Strat. At the moment, I don’t think I need to, as bass is still ‘my’ instrument. Looking at my basses, it is all Musicman and Fender. Nothing wrong with that at all, but maybe I need to branch out a little, style and tone wise. I do have a hankering for another Fender P bass, but until I find one that I really get on with, I won’t be bothering. Strangely enough, I’ve started to take notice of Spector basses. Can anyone give me any information on what to expect from all the different series of basses? They have a lot of different models and pickups... I am assuming from what I have seen that Spector basses have an incredibly high level of quality. There is currently a stunning collection at Bass Direct, with the USA models not been that much more than a new higher model Musicman. Advice would be great. Yes, I am after something very aggressive, modern, and different to what I normally use, (although the Bongo is pretty damn modern).

I use the spare room. Congrats!

Shame....I'm shocked they didn't do much with the new store. Times are indeed hard.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1364173843' post='2022874'] Yeah I'm with you on this, Gareth - my SR5 natural was £995 new, ten years ago. The pound is very low against the dollar at the moment (1.49 last time I looked - when I was thinking of buying a nice late 80s Stingray from a shop in USA). If this continues, it will put prices of US made musical equipment up even more. [/quote] Yes, and it applies across the board. It IS worrying. At a time when other products are dropping prices and making less profit, just to shift units, musical instruments, etc, are increasing prices. For instance, I was born into the Nintendo generation, having the first proper Nintendo 8 bit console back in the late 80s, (approx!). This casual hobby has stayed with me, and the video game market has grown to even have huge adverts on prime time television. The gaming industry is one that seems to stay, no matter what the economy thinks. However, Nintendo released a new console in late 2012, and it hasn't shifted the units expected. This is probably due to the fact they need more games for it, and the simple fact that people cannot afford to splash out. Less than 6 months ago, it was £300+. The games were about £40+. Now? Game prices are dropping to £30 or less, and the console bundle I just bought used to be £350.00, and was only £199.99. £150.00 OFF the original price for a brand new console. Just saved myself a lot of money, and it worked, as the lower price means I'm now tied to buying games for it. THIS drives sales. I've no idea how the instrument market works, but I've seen some trade pricing sheets for various bass amp manufacturers, and if they drop some of the prices, more people will bite. But, I agree, £1300 for a new Ray H seems reasonable considering they used to be £1000 without a case over 10 years ago. I imagine they can't afford to keep them at that price though. I expect Fenders to go up soon as well. On the other hand, Gallien amps have come DOWN in price, yet they make them ALL in the USA, instead of their previous overseas factory. Weird. I do wish we had a large manufacturer of basses over here in the UK, so we could pay less!

New normal Rays are about £1400+ now. I guess when I bought my Stingray natural 3 EQ over ten years ago for £1000, I now have that figure stuck in my head. After that amount of time, of course they go up.

[quote name='ebenezer' timestamp='1364144150' post='2022424'] yes, look to be nice cabs . .with the 7oz magnet wattage will be around 250 to 300 imo 11oz and 4 to 500watts might have been good(barefaced 12s) i have ht112er and happy with muscular tone with good midrange although on heavy side 44lbs . . might swap 12s for kappalites . [/quote] 700 for the 212.

[quote name='Paul_1991' timestamp='1364146781' post='2022480'] Totally agree with the above and thanks for the replies. Guitar Village had one in a sale at £1599 with a retail at around £2500. Bass Gallery also have one for around £2100. Guitar Village got back to me and said even though their sale had finished, they would still sell it to me at the sale price. I mean, seems a good price for a bass of that standard, it's new and cheaper than the Classis MM series. I'll mull it over. Paul [/quote] I was gonna pick up the Natural Classic but couldn't bring myself to spend £1600 plus in the end, without playing it.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1364148505' post='2022522'] My first bass, still my main bass, looks a bit different these days, but came from an Argos catalogue. Sad times if they don't have any anymore..... [/quote] Like the Descendents sticker!

I've see the GK MB500 for £400 new!!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1363985167' post='2020690'] I know, its not just the Ray connections I feel drawn to modulus in their own right but not got any love for a status [/quote] + 1