Musicman20

In my experience of going into 5 string territory (it took me a LONG time to make the jump as I wanted to get the right bass) it is always best to try them out, but realise also that your hands and muscle memory will adjust once you've had it, no matter what the spacing/scale. A few things I found out are below, but this is just what I found: 35" scale = better B? FALSE. Any well constucted 5 string bass can have a good B string. It ISN'T just about the B...its about balance. I tried 6 or more Lakland 35" Skyline basses and not only did I start disliking the B, I disliked the high weight and the poor QC for a pretty expensive bass. I also found the D and G strings didn't have the presence to match the huge B tone. Fender - good at 5 string basses? I tried a normal passive American Precision the other day, and it was a 5 string. Lovely bass, and well worth the money. The B blended nicely with the other strings. It wasn't perfect, but its good for what it is! Fender Deluxe (2010 ish onward) 5 string basses? Never played one, sorry, but the aesthestics are great. It's great that there is a passive/active switch but I'm not sure I'd bond with the pre-amp and noiseless pups. I need to try one. Musicman 5 string basses. I'm biased, because I LOVE the Musicman Stingray and I have since I first saw one back when I was learning. I always said to myself 'if I get a 5 string it'll be a Ray 5'. I spent about 18 months faffing with Laklands, trying all sorts of basses, trying to find the 'one'. What did I go back to? Musicman Stingray 5, and I ordered a HS. It is beautiful, lightweight, well made, great pre-amp, fantastic electronics, great spacing (I can almost slap on it now...getting there) and a timeless tone. There is a reason why these basses are almost an industry standard 5 string, (more so in the 90s). This led me to love the Musicman 5 string package, and now I have 3 with another on the way. Musicman designed it as a totally new bass, not just a Stingray with an extra string. Those pickups are great for a well balanced tone, and a nice tight punchy B string. Made in the USA, great after service, good quality hardshell case. They used to be about £1400 so if you shop around you could get a bargain. If you are really daring, try a Bongo. Its all quite a personal thing...you need to bond with it.

?! Weirdest end to a topic ever.

Guitar guitar? I've had similar experiences with them.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1355333064' post='1897111'] It's a Fullerton RI. Fender were at the top of their game around this time, and that's why they command good money. Yep, the price is on the high side but if someone wants one, they'll pay it. [/quote] Agreed. Just because we are very strict on slightly higher prices on basschat, doesn't mean the rest of the bass/guitar buying world is. I don't think the saying 'its worth what someone will pay for it' applies to a quality instrument. Its worth whatever the seller WANTS it to be worth, and if people can't stretch to it, they don't get it! Simple as.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1355268120' post='1896283'] That's interesting - what makes you prefer the Baer Ml112 over the Vanderkley? I really need to use lightweight gear but I haven't heard either. How does the Baer 112 sound? Frank. [/quote] Ah. Only going on tone profile reviews I'm afraid and what Baer state is their tone goal with the ML112.

[quote name='LawrenceH' timestamp='1355265234' post='1896233'] So that's recommendations for 2 cabs weighing about 90lb total, for someone asking if they could get a 1 cab solution weighing under 30lb?! A typical neo 212 weighs under 60lb and is plenty by lots of people's standards...([i]edit:[/i] not disputing the tonal qualities of the aggies which a lot of people really like) Personally I could get by gigging with a mid-level 112 for a lot of indoor scenarios, but if you wanted the 'biggest' 112 sound you could get in a reasonable lightweight form and had the watts to drive them, then the BF Big Baby, Vanderkley 112MNT or even Kappalite-loaded BFM Jack 112 have the best output potential IMO. The choice depends a lot on preferred voicing for me - where you want the volume has a big impact. [/quote] It was just a suggestion. Personally I'd prefer the Baer ML112 over your suggestions but only from a tone point of view, although the Vanderkley might tick the boxes. The Gallien Neo 112-II would be a good well priced solution.

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1355255971' post='1896084'] Even a Barefaced Midget? [/quote] Well, I have no experience of that cabinet, and it might hold up enough mid range to give you enough volume. Personally, it wouldn't be my choice. I'd go for an Aguilar DB112 x 2. Its a tried an tested amazing tone. Not light...45lbs each, but worth it.

Hi all Free wardrobe! Works absolutely fine, just needs the screws tightening up. Free for pickup in NE1 (Newcastle centre). Full address provided on PM. Its lightweight to move, just needs a van as its large. If I get no response I'll skip it next week. PM for info. Cheers Gareth

[quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1355253606' post='1896033'] Ideally I'd find a single sub-30lb 112 that I could gig without PA support. Don't even know if that's possible but that's the aim. [/quote] Hate to say it, but unless you pickup a Baer ML112 or a Thunderchild 112 you are going to struggle...a lot. Even with those it still won't throw that much volume.

I saw Rancid in Newcastle but on their own tour. It was fantastic and so was the atmosphere.

I don't like the new Classifieds section, sorry There are some players who buy stuff to sell on here for no charge, and make profit, so yeah, a donation should be required. Subscription to sell might be a bit harder to run...depends.

The recent review of the latest DJ5 states that the pups aren't even in the correct Jazz place (60s or 70s) so that might be why Dave....or the 35 inch scale. Yours was a looker though.

If the right colour Modulus came up with the LP pup I'd buy it!

Love em. No exciting bass lines though.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1355147415' post='1894577'] Re Lakland I meant the overall bass which are very ray like and very nice too, probably something I'd concider swapping to if I lost the ray love, that or a Modulus funk5. [/quote] Trust me I wouldn't put Lakland Skyline anywhere near the latest 08- Fenders and virtually all EBMM basses. They are made to a much lower budget by Cort and then overpriced.

James is a talented lad. Google Dallas Green (Alexisonfire) who does his own acoustic material...then you can see where he nicked his style from (minus the electronic stuff). Moaning emo kid...that's what he sounds like. Works hard?! Oh it must be very hard to be famous and do a few 12 hour days singing for a bit (enjoying himself). Gimme a break!!!

Flea is one hell of a bassist (and encouraged me to try playing 90% with my fingers even in faster songs). I'd go as far to say he is probably MY biggest bass influence along with Matt Freeman from Rancid, (both players took the bass to the front of the mix and made it more interesting than the guitars). But, he still sounds better to me on Ray or the Modulus. Perhaps the Alembic. He sounds great on a Jazz because its Flea, but it doesn't sound as good, IMO. I've only tweaked one of my Ray necks (I currently have 5 Musicman basses) in the past 10 years or more if owning various types of them. It took 20 seconds to put it right. My ex Jazz took longer and it chewed up part of the scratch plate because its not as accessible as the Musicman wheel, (2009 Jazz, long gone!).

The P is great, the J is great (but not as comfy IMO) then the Ray steals the show. Perfect thumb anchor, massive tone, stunning ergonomics. I love Fender basses but an EBMM to me is the pinnacle for my tastes, and I've played a fair few much more expensive instruments (including Sadowsky's which seem very bland and expensive for what they charge).

The normal size is better, IMO. It's small enough!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1355084350' post='1893887'] Your situation is desirable. Thankfully, i will never have kids. Whether i am in a relationship or not, i intend to live in a nice place, surrounded by my basses (and other instruments). [/quote] Me too! Haha.

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1355084350' post='1893887'] Your situation is desirable. Thankfully, i will never have kids. Whether i am in a relationship or not, i intend to live in a nice place, surrounded by my basses (and other instruments). [/quote] Me too! Haha.

[quote name='ianhowardbass' timestamp='1355077010' post='1893748'] Gotta say that the build of Musicman is so much better than Fender. I've got an SR5 and 2 American Fender basses, and the Stingray is amazing. [/quote] I'd go as far to say EBMM are miles ahead.

I have no children and I don't intend to have any. It's a modern world and I find a lot of people in my scenario. Luckily my partner thinks the same as me, so no one is missing out. We just want an awesome dog and some amazing holidays. I don't want to buy a house yet because I need to decide where exactly I want to live for the next 5 years. We've had a bad year for money but its turning around now. My priorities are my career and music in general. Yes, I spend a lot on basses but im careful and I haggle. Others prioritise children, some prioritise partying and having a good time (I'm jealous!). I'd keep your P type bass and save for a Thumb

The other point to note is that most bassists in the UK probably don't spend much time on here, if at all. We are, in my mind, in a bit of a bubble when it comes to trends and prices. I don't refer to eBay prices because eBay is a joke with everything!