Musicman20

Depends on the person... I've seen some fabulous looking instruments look absolutely 'weird' and awkward on players who play all hunched up and serious. Plus if they have no sense of dressing right, its a total mess. I've also seen some very odd looking basses look damn right cool on the player that holds him/herself well.

That Sterling is basically the Big Al concept ain't it?

I agree on the Class D Tech 21 lightweight amp. Why don't they just make something LM2/3 size and go from there?! All it needs is the front panel to have the VT bass/Sansamp controls plus a mute and a few extras. Combine it with some clever engineering and a quality power module, and there we go!

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1347624417' post='1803197'] Not just boutique basses; Fender made active basses in the 80's, and still does. ….and why does Fender put jazz pickups on a P bass? Because they can and as long as the sound is good then someone will buy them and love them. I guess that the bottom line is that I'm better off with my choice, not yours. Nothing Leo Fender did was random or by accident. Everything he did was intended. [/quote] The active P basses I've played are not the traditional P tone. If you want, for example, that old school thump, you don't need an active EQ. You need technique, flats, and to take the tone down. You can like your choice, why would anyone say anything otherwise! As mentioned, the Ray snarl is due to his problems with hearing the high end. Apparently, he couldn't hear that raspy tone, and a few commented in the early stages that the hi-mid/treble was too much. IF this is true, then we do have a tone that was created because of his hearing problem....

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1347624905' post='1803208'] If you listen to where a P bass will typically sit in rock music mix, and then a Jazz bass. Then compare it to a ray- then the ray is very close to the feel of the P - in the mix. - but with added variety - I really really do not think that this was random chance - the fact that most ray copies can't really pull it off suggests the sound is the result of many things in the design, not a random fluke. [/quote] I didn't mean it was actually totally random, as he got the P and J right...so he knew what he was doing. What I meant that was he created something that is quite different to a P, perhaps this was intended. As mentioned, apparently he couldn't hear the high end on the Ray hence why it is so aggressive.

I would contact EB in the UK and ask for an explanation. Something sounds wrong to me. My Group III Flats sounded very bright for a few weeks at least.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1347622156' post='1803118'] I dunno, it is utterly different - but I think he was aiming for the same thing musically. [/quote] True, he was...basically an advance on the P bass...which I can see where that comes from. But, if he wanted a P bass but active, he failed and rather randomly created one of the best bass guitar tones known to man...sweetspot humbucker with the Ray EQ. The P to me sounds a hell of a lot warmer, less defined, it does get aggressive but it doesn't kick you in the face like a Stingray with the treble dialed up.

[quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1347622893' post='1803146'] Have you tried a John East P Retro? [/quote] That is the only one I'd give a bash. I am all for technological advances (hell, I like the Bongo) but something about a P Bass to me is the pure simplicity. Plug in, tone control to taste, done. I've heard a lot of active P basses and they have something that takes away the organic P bass tone...although I've yet to hear a P Retro in the flesh so to speak. I think its the high mids...they almost become a little too cutting and precise/modern.

Big Red, Bilbo and Low End Bee have nailed it. I don't gig currently as I've just moved back up North, but I think a decent smart suit or a band style makes you come across much more professional. When we have dress down days at work I never bother with it unless I'm off out afterwards. I just feel wrong working in law sat with casual clothes and shoes on. I like suits...a lot. Pair of decent Chelsea boots and boom, sorted. The mods got it right (most the time...ish).

[quote name='Fat Rich' timestamp='1347610065' post='1802938'] Leo Fender must have thought it was a good idea, he went on to make the Stingray [/quote] Oh yes, but totally totally different sound

Nice case and nice idea...I think Mono are great at designing light/fairly strong cases. I don't see the need for the vertical thing, but I can understand some players might prefer it....might not be as useful for a big 5 string 35" scale bass compared to a normal electric guitar but I see where they are coming from. I don't lay my M80 down unless there is a table or something at the height which is good for doing that...otherwise its just undone vertically....

Maybe i'm being far too cynical, but I don't see why you'd need an active P bass. Surely you are better off with a decent passive Fender and the right strings? I used to own an American Standard Deluxe Fender P, the one with the humbucker, and it sounded nothing like a P bass should if im honest. Every time I see a demo of an active P bass its 'oh I leave the EQ flat and roll the tone down'.

Saying that, nowadays id opt for Genz Benz or TC Electronic over Markbass: http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/BH250.html http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/TC_combo_250.html The cream of the crop for combos: http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Benz_6.2_12T_combo.html

Cool review! I've heard the HD212 is actually more beefy and louder than the AE212....but you pay the price with weight I guess. Sometimes though, the weight is worth it.

[quote name='lockpicker1969' timestamp='1347529750' post='1801960'] [i]I have had my fender 65w combo guitar amp for 25years and my peavey bass head for 20 with no problems at all. I buy this thing and its packed up after just over 2 months .[/i] [i]Has anyone else had this problem?[/i] [/quote] I feel your pain! The old combos are bulletproof, but I think a lot of manufacturers are still finding their feet with these new lightweight amps, and are cutting corners to give a very low price point. Hope you get it sorted. Get a refund and buy something like a second hand Markbass LM2/3 and a nice 1x12 cab.

Pete got it spot on. Jazz bass, back pickup, roll the tone off a little, try and emulate the technique. Saying that, I've heard the Musicman Bongo sound a 'little' bit Jaco like with the Stan Sargent demo on youtube...its just an approximation. A Sandberg JJ/JM will get you there, close anyway. I've never been a player who always looks upto the very skilled idols of bass playing. I've been a 'band' player all my life listening to indie, punk, rock, funk, all that type of stuff. For me, Flea is probably the guy who I'd like to be able to play like, but I barely ever play slap and I've never been in a proper funk band! I know I won't get to Jaco's level because I haven't got a career in music, through my own choice. I try not to emulate anyone, just take in influences and play what feels right.

I just hope they eventually release a neo line again. Saying that I'd love to own a pair of the HD210s.

I can definitely see the clear divide with Jazz and Precision basses. They are totally different. Neck, body, weight, tone, variety, etc. The thing I don't sometimes understand with the Jazz is that the rather cool Jazz growl with both pups sounds incredibly good solo, but in a mix, especially rock, it just gets swallowed up. You HAVE to EQ it quite a lot. The P just works...whatever EQ. Maybe its that low mid thump. It seems to have less overall boom, and more kick, than a Jazz. I've seen countless bands using Jazz basses live and getting totally lost in low end with a trebly click. Not all mind, but the majority. When the guitars cut out you can hear that great Jazz tone, but it doesn't sit as well. I tend to find Jazz basses work better in a non-rock or one guitarist type band...but still, the P would need ZERO eqing most the time so its easier to pickup a P. I used to think Fender American Standards/American Series were awful. The MIJ I used to own was better. However, the 2008 changes have thrust Fender back into the game, despite their random QC. My perception changed when I picked up a Stingray. Here is a bass that can not only sit in a mix, it can totally snarl and cut if you want it to. Out of all the basses I've played, the Ray responds to different types of strings the best. With flats it cuts the snarl and boosts the smoother fatter tones. With rounds its aggressive, and slices through the mix. I still think the Ray edges over the P. Better control, better build, better features (especially the truss rod wheel) and has such a distinctive personality. I also prefer, if im playing fingerstyle, to rest on that beefy humbucker.

Everyone must have noted that Precisions seem to be on a massive come back? I know they have always been popular but recently everyone seems to be converting haha.

Most beginner basses are cheap feeling P basses...hence it puts people off. It did me, for a while. When I got into bass, Fender type basses were on a bit of a lull, probably because the American Standards werent that great for a long time. Plus the popular grunge stuff was all about picking odd instruments. I used to go to a few stores and all the guitars were Ibanez, etc.

Just remembered this band. Earlr grunge. Total classic Stingray tone. This 'tone' was in my head before I even knew what a Stingray was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RiJMZQXa2o

True, and it needs replacing. Once it is right, it'll be spot on.

I have to admit, TC took a massive bashing and a lot of negative press, and I haven't used my 750 for a while, but when I do, all the daft criticism disappears. I still think they are fantastic.

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1347281433' post='1798752'] Run up to someone on a gig and beam a new toneprint into their pickups! [/quote] Id love to see this happen.

[quote name='sk8' timestamp='1347279909' post='1798717'] you always are [/quote] True! Not heard these new ones yet. Must admit my amps and cabs are pretty much spot on now so I tend to look at basses which is also now getting to the 'ive got enough' stage.