Musicman20

Touchy subject! I had times when I considered saving for a nice late 60s P, but to be honest, my 2009 American Standard is the perfect P bass, and I've played a fair amount (although I am not a vintage enthusiast so my knowledge is limited). I don't trust the market on vintage instruments and I haven't got the time to research it, so I think for now ill stick to the modern Fenders and the innovations from Musicman. The one thing that winds me up is that you still have to search for a good Fender...at £1050 that is ridiculous.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1348352354' post='1812751'] Just heard from Alan via email. Turns out he's fallen off a ladder onto concrete and nearly died! Hence he's been off the radar for a while recuperating. [/quote] Oh my word! I hope he's ok.

[quote name='TRBboy' timestamp='1348346875' post='1812709'] I'm surprised about that, they're usually pretty quick to respond. I'll drop Alan a line and bring his attention to it. [/quote] I think he's been away so seems I was just impatient haha.

Just buy another Bongo before the price rise

Great idea...Id like to see it/hear it in use. I'm half way between a traditional/modern player. I love a nice Fender, but then I play a Musicman Big Al and realise how much further we have come. The same goes for amps. I love my old fashioned tube amp (Orange), but the wonder of the TC RH750 grabs me everytime I use it. Technology is wonderful. I'd be lost without my iPhone 4S.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1348327126' post='1812392'] I've got a white Musicman Reflex bass and that looks like a toilet with the lid down . Great bass, though. [/quote] Pics! Love that bass.

Nice in Burst or Pelham Blue.

Seafoam Green

Aguilar DB. I've not found anything as good. The tone is spot on. I really don't care about weight anymore...Im through with chasing light. If its light, bonus, if its not, but sounds fantastic, then I'm happy. Lightweight nowadays applies a lot more to amps for me...as usually I use backline cabs. If I need to shift one of my cabs I just get someone else on the other handle.

I asked for a quote on two basses, on two occasions, and I still haven't heard back from Synergy.

I've noticed Mark is taking on a lot of new cool manufacturers like Rob Allen...and lots of brilliant pics on Facebook. I'm guessing he has the leading shop for bass in the UK now, and perhaps even Europe?!

Perhaps I'm being over critical, but they come across as pretentious to me. I'm a classic two finger or pick player, so maybe they don't apply to myself as much, as I can't ever see myself learning 4 finger technique. I am not a jazz player either. Probably the least rock n roll thing I've seen...and I LOVE digging in when its the right time, and I prefer a medium action anyway.

Voted P, would rather have HH Ray.

I still have massive respect for TC even after the wattage fiasco. My 750 and RS210s are fantastic. As are the pedals, etc.

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