Musicman20

TC RS210. Small, light, punchy, nice tweeter, not stupidly expensive.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1352738967' post='1866794'] Finding a decent five string has been a long term project for me , and it has turned out to be a much longer term project than I ever anticipated. To echo what Shuzznit posts , I have come across very few 5 strings that were any good , regardless of price . I cannot get on with 35 inch scale , so that cuts out about half the market before I start , and an incongruous low B is all too often the final outcome on 34 inch scale fivers , cutting out a whole host more. Music Man do a decent 34 inch scale low B , but the string spacing is too tight for me and , equally significantly , to even achieve that string spacing on a comfortably- dimensioned neck the have to place the top and bottom strings ( B and G) way too close to the edge of the fingerboard , rendering the whole thing useless in my book. Yes , I know you could get the nut recut , but then the already too-close spacing would be even more prohibitive. Fodera do a good 34 inch scale 5 , as do Ken Smith and Sadowsky , but I don't want to spend that much on a bass I probably won't use all the time. So I haven't got a five string. [/quote] I agree its a LONG journey to find the right 5 string. Luckily, my fingers seem to quite like the 17.5 mm spacing on a Musicman, and since then I've invested heavily in their 5 string basses, (Big Al SSS, Stingray 5 HS, Sterling 5 HS, and a Bongo 5 HH on order). Once you find the right one, stick with it for a food while and get used to it. I'm becoming much better on 5 string basses now.

[quote name='dave_bass5' timestamp='1352740611' post='1866832'] Fixed ;-) Its nice to see dots on a Sandberg neck. I think they look boring without. Is this a standard feature on this bass or a custom option? I know you can request fret markers/blocks etc but you dont see many about with them. [/quote] Hiya Dave! Its not that expensive to ask them for it. I think almost all Sandbergs are custom orders, so to speak, as in a dealer or customer specs it, they build it, bit like Musicman. The recent prices I've seen from Synergy (Alan) are pretty damn good. I agree the new knobs look pretty cool. Nice bass! How close to a P bass is it? In passive w/ the tone control?

I wouldn't worry about it so much. If I ever got offered to play for a big pop artist who clearly did it just for fame and money, I'd join in. I've had years of playing in the 'DIY' hardcore scene, where NO ONE makes money (apparently). The issue is, someone always does, and its usually the promoter. That attitude annoys me more than the modern pop culture. I no longer associate myself with it. In fact, the older I get (I'm currently 31) the more relaxed I become about music, and I enjoy it more! Unless its your career, and you are suffering due to these big pop acts, just enjoy it, and take it with a pinch of salt.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1352655843' post='1865690'] The X Factor is entertainment TV in my view - and good entertainment at that - but not really anything to do with music. Dispel the music-myth, and it then becomes a good way to while away a couple of hours on a Saturday night. [/quote] Plus one. The past 2-3 years I've decided to forget about taking music so seriously. Some of it is there just to be plain fun. Eg ill quite happily listen to modern pop and enjoy it...especially if its fun to get you energetic for exercising. Then ill listen to a good band and take it more seriously.

Nice colour!

Cat at Real is very very quick to reply and helpful.

[quote name='steve-soar' timestamp='1352590254' post='1865036'] what an amazing band of musicians. [/quote] Plus one!

This is my idea of punk with a Stingray: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqNjU3TJbys&feature=relmfu Precision: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9iTNNi8Gh0 I like Sandbergs and I still want one, but they won't ever take away a proper P or Ray for me....especially a Ray.

My Ray 5 HS was my gateway drug to the 5 string Musicman bass. I absolutely LOVE em.

IMO, you can't beat the following for a good punk/hardcore bass tone: Fender P Bass - no frills, just a good P bass. The new American Standards are great. Add some snarl from your amp or a pedal, (just a hair) and you are away. Musicman Ray - Sounds more aggressive, cuts through like a knife, and really snarls. Personally, I think it works really well in a punk band. If you play fingerstyle, whack some flats on, drop the treble on the bass, bump the mids a fair bit and you've got a much more old school mid punch but with less snarl.

Ta! I want the 6x10!

GK is great. Lightweight and a good tone, BUTTTT, I do worry about how they manage to make amps and cabs so cheap.

GAK? I was thinking of picking one up. Are they new and boxed?

If you don't want a lot of high end sizzle, it might not be the best choice for out of the box playing.GK amps are sizzle machines! If I went GK i'd get the MB800. Loads of headroom.

I always alternate. I treat 5 string basses totally different to 4s. I'm more relaxed on a 4, and I think the E and A sound different on a 4.

The source of the criticism is the poor design, (as in, the headstock) and shoddy finish. It looks like a cheap bass. I've no idea how any boutique builder can charge big bucks for such a simple design, especially when the American Standards are pretty damn good and about £1k.

Awful.

At that price, look at Peavey or Hartke. Even GK might fit the budget. If you aren't bothered about weight or size, the Peavey cabs are killer.

I have my action about 'medium'. The good thing with Musicman necks is the feel and the easy adjustability. Truss rod wheel = excellent addition. Can't be bothered to adjust Fenders as it involves messing about. I wouldn't say the necks are any kind of low budget...it costs very little to finish a neck in laquer. That's just how Musicman do it...oil finish. It feels natural to me...I like it.

I have 5 Musicman necks without lacquer. Only one needed adjustment over the past 2 years. If you have bought one secondhand and it moves a lot, then it could be a number of factors depending on the previous owner.

Personally, i'd opt for the Focus 112.

I'd get a refund if you can or swap as I think they have new MB cabs coming out Hope you get it sorted.

Personally, I wouldn't do it. I understand the issue with the cab, but I've tried that cab myself and its a total powerhouse considering its size and weight. I'd stick with the NY122 and get a good cover, and a decent £25.00 trolley off Amazon, (I've moved house with a trolley three times, and I've put EVERYTHING on it...it has a vertical floor, not a tilt one) and its still going strong. One 50lb or so cab won't even make it flinch.

I wasn't expecting it to be honest, but then again every business needs core models that sell well to allow them to build more interesting ones. At least they don't do a P bass or some sort of P bass clone like everyone is doing now.