Musicman20

God I love a good speaker tech chat

I spent 15 minutes with one of the Charcoal Frost Pz above during my lunch today. It’s safe to say I won’t be going ahead. Heavy, lots of swirling in the paint and a few minor scratches, a tiny crack in the paint near the neck joint, and a pretty ugly piece of wood for the neck itself. I also found it very uncomfortable to play. That is probably a setup issue though. The neck joint was good quality, and the pickup placement/string alignment was perfect. As it should be. I’m not sold on the new pups yet....but again I was probably too quiet on the amp to hear what it has to offer. I’m also confused as to what they coat the back of the neck with now. It doesn’t seem as easy to play as my 2009 version of the same bass. It seems to stick a little. Hmm. It just seemed very dry, but unlike the dryness of a Musicman neck, it wasn’t smooth and fast. I sometimes feel like the P and J I currently have are the cream of the crop. I’ve played loads of shoddy American Standards since. I’m probably spoilt by Musicman’s QC and attention to detail as well. Finding another P has been a long journey that still hasn’t ended. Its worth bearing in mind that as of Jan 2013, the Charcoal Frost Metallic and Candy Cola have been discontinued, so shortly all stock will go down to around £899 in the stores, (for a 2012 Fender....I presume the 2011’s will be even cheaper soon). Oh, and the new colours are.....de dahhhh! Mystic Red and Mystic Blue. Take a look on fender.co.uk. AWFUL. They look like the low end Squier colours. C’mon Fender, bring back the pastels!

If it was the P I'd have it!

Bongo 5 will get close to a Ray 5 tone and be cleaner and more modern. But, I agree, I love the Ray 5.

[quote name='nottswarwick' timestamp='1357071350' post='1917203'] Yes, he said on Facebook that it is ticking al the boxes for him at the moment, it's a regularly USA standard P5 [/quote] Interesting...considering he could use a £2.5k Dingwall or Fender for about £1.1k, the normal passive Fender holds its own.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1357070002' post='1917165'] I think mine was broken as it never sounded the same as Dave Swift's ;-). I do hanker after another, I've settled on P basses now. [/quote] New Year's GAS!

...and yeah, The Hives brought the energy.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1357065131' post='1917072'] Yeah, same as my old Fender P5. God, i wish i still had that lol. [/quote] Yours was one of the first on here! Loved it. I played one recently and was thoroughly impressed.

P bass or Ray. Love the Jazz tone but I think it's harder to stand out in the mix with both pups on full.

You should all try some of the Ernie Ball Flats. I use Group IIIs and they are medium tension, quite bright at first but that fades into that wonderful thuddy flat tone. I've use TIs and they are great...low tension. La Bella's would be you stiff for me as I like to be able to play very fast... On the demo the Rotos are my least favourite.

Was Jools bassist using a Fender P5 instead of the Dingwall Super P?

I've an idea. Start your own band with a cracking drummer and do the same to the guitarist on audition.

I'd stick with an 8x10 if I could fit one in a car.

Lots of gigs going on! Wish I was playing...

[quote name='leroydiamond' timestamp='1356975966' post='1915966'] Agreed. 210 not loud enough. Anyone tried the genz [color=#000000][font=Helvetica-Bold, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif][size=3][b]NEOX NX2 212T?.[/b][/size][/font][/color] [/quote] That would be my choice for a lightweight 4 ohm small-ish cab. I wouldn't have a one cab solution without a horn or a mid driver.

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1356967485' post='1915771'] Threads like this remind me why I dislike the weird view that you often get in forums. The bit up above about 5 s and 6s being woefully unfashionable made me giggle. Guess it depends on your own sense of self worth and your ability to know what's the right tool for the job. I come from a background that demands you be both an entertainer (functions most of my career) and a musician (taught in the brass band system and spent many years backing cabaret acts sight reading parts chucked at me 30mins before curtain up). In such situations you get used to the fact that you must entertain (that's why customers pay you) and it's also important to actually be a musician who can be relied upon to do a job. If I bring at least a 5 with me, it'll definitely go down to the occasional low D or C that the song demands. If I bring a 6 with me, I might make the higher up notes more fluently without bothering the dusty end of the fingerboard too much. Anyone I would choose to play with understands this. It's about tools for the job, not pointless jousting on internet forums about the why, wherefores and imponderables of one bass over another. I can't possibly split hairs on the importance of being both an entertainer and a musician. Everyone who I work with and have worked with knows this too. That's what we're there for. To not be an entertainer is not worth paying money to watch. To not be a musician renders you unqualified to be up there. For anyone not blessed with this understanding, I genuinely fail to comprehend how you might not know this. [/quote] I agree, but what about if it isn't work, and its fun or a hobby. Most bands I see just do it for the fact they love music, not to earn.

Seriously uncool. But I think the Bongo is cool, so what do I know?! Just rock it

I think the topic has got out of hand. We are in a current trend for everything 'vintage' and everyone is praising flat wounds! I've heard that string manufacturers are having to concentrate more on flats than they normally do due to the current trend for EVERYONE to have a P bass in sunburst/rosewood/tort with flats. I've got one so I'm just as guilty! Just look at how many bass manufacturers have started knocking out high end P basses. Js and Ps will always be popular, but I remember when the whole grunge movement was around and Fender basses weren't as popular. It's all a cycle. Fender don't care as Ps and Js will sell no matter what, but they must be selling very well at the moment. Me? I have the traditional basses, but if a band can't handle a Stingray 5, then they need to get a grip. It's almost classic in its aesthetics anyway!!! I won't stop owning and playing 4s, so I suppose I can be flexible. It's worth bearing in mind that I'd be more concerned about my appearance in a band over the gear. If its a band following a certain fashion or style, the player is probably more focused on compared to the instrument. Turn up in frumpy old loose jeans and scruffy t shirts and they might be judging you when you think it's the bass haha!

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1356910402' post='1915151'] Rendered irrelevant by the mid driver in the barefaced cab, which gives it about 4k more, especially so off axis. [/quote] Compact?!

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1356899630' post='1914980'] I think the Super12 would be more fitting with the GK MB500s sound, but the best person to ask is Alex himself. He really is excellent on the customer service front, and will recommend a product based on your needs, not his till receipts. Having had a Compact, I found it lacking it that aggressive bite that is needed for Bruce Foxton type tones, so I contacted him and he suggested the Midget - and he was right. So, bearing in mind ShergoldSnickers`s comments about the Super12, it sounds more the area you`re after. [/quote] I have to agree about the bite/aggression of the Compact. It may not be for the OP. Super 12? Also note, the new Genz NX2 2x12 is getting rave reviews and is now loaded with Faital drivers, and is about 48lbs! It will cover a lot if ground, and its £720! Bargain.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1356892845' post='1914839'] I was talking about Gary Moore. What part of that world could be described as "hobby"? Playing for money is an established part of the music world, or are Orchestras only supposed to just play for fun. [/quote] Wasn't specifically aimed at your post. Playing for money at a 'normal' is almost dead unless you are in great band. Most cover bands are now a waste of time unless you are the cream of the crop and get a decent wage from it. If you are compromising and only earning £60 a week from it, id rather play originals and get absolutely nothing, (not aimed at anyone's circs)! Playing when you are with an artist or when you are the artist, and its a real wage is totally different. It then ventures into fame.

[quote name='mbellishment' timestamp='1356893798' post='1914856'] Yeah, I think there's been some confussion... I certainly wouldn't be b!tching and moaning if I was getting paid for it... I'm talking about playing the local Head of Steam or whatever with a bunch of nobodies for the fun of being in a band! I'm also not talking about turning up with a neon yellow Warlock, with neck LEDs and Adam Bomb style pyrotechnics protruding from the headstock, while wearing my Ronald McDonald costume... I'm talking about a honey burst Stingray, which from a distance, to an untrained eye, under venue lighting, might as well be a tobacco burst Fender! [/quote] I'd just play it then. It's quite a traditional looking instrument

Oh if we are taking this into 'job' world, then yes, if you get told to play a certain bass, then do it. Same with any job. That can also takes the fun out of music and can ruin the whole ' hobby' side of things (I know a few people who felt like this even in their late 20s!). But, if you are set for a career in music that can happen.

I'm sure glad I don't play bass to make a living, judging by this thread.