Musicman20

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1344070178' post='1759300'] Good marketing strategy. Raise your prices at a time when everyone is skint [/quote] My thoughts exactly. I've seen online that the prices have hit virtually all of the Musicman stores in the UK. Its now cheaper to buy off Thomann.de. That is saying something when it comes to these basses as normally Thomann prices are £300 more than us (only on Musicman for some reason). There couldn't be a worse time to do it. Musicman basses are, IMO, always a touch more money than a Fender (say £200 for a comparable bass eg 4 string, no fancy painted headstocks etc). On the other hand, my Big Al 5 SSS in Vintage Sunburst is now retailing for about £2k which im quite happy about

The Streamliner 900 sold me onto the whole Genz lineup. Its simple, sounds like a proper rock n roll amp, (although it can be clean ALL the way up if you wish) and the controls don't have one 'harsh' tone to them no matter what you do. I'd describe it as a loud, clean or dirty, tubey, warm and smooth amp. You can dial in some nice mids, so the whole Talkbass debacle about lack of mids is daft. Plenty of amps have slight mid cut set at 12 o'clock...thats what the EQ is there for. Turn the mid to 1, dial the bass back to 10, and boom, virtually flat. The GK amps have the same kinda 'slight mid dip' when all controls are at 12. I then realised I wanted a Shuttlemax 9.2, and I was luck enough to find a basschatter (contrary to my other topic) who was struggling to sell it and had problems with it on ebay. God knows why. THis amp is absolutely superb and so versatile its unreal. Beware, the FET channel, although glassy and super super clean, is VERY pristine, and has zero colour. Some like that, some don't. The tube channel warms things up nicely, and the blend is not just a gimmick as you can max out the tube side and get it gritty, then mix it with a flat setting on the fet channel and it brings clarity to the bottom end. Both very well made, very light, and reasonably priced for what they do. More volume than I'd ever need, but its there. If I ever get an 8x10 as a backline I will be taking the Streamliner to really juice it up. Cab wise, I think the Neo X212T must be there most popular cab. Light, neo speakers, properly engineered cabinet. Even the speaker guru's give this cab a good review. I want one but at the moment don't really need it!

There is a lack of big low end with the 8x10, but for ME, personally, I don't have stacks of dubby low end for the tone I'm after.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1344067470' post='1759269'] The thing is that they were not right as such but we love them for it, I love the original Mini (I have had 4) and its held up as one of these design icons yet its full of flaws, it's 90% perfect just like an 8x10 maybe? Once someone takes all the time money and effort to remove the flaws no one else likes it! Try selling a 60's Mini that has had the seam strips welded and ground off (those ribs that run up the four corners for anyone who does not know them) knocks the value massively, If you develop an 8x10 and remove any technical flaws that people have grown used to people will slate it even though technically its better in every way, unfortunately no amount of cad design or understanding of the fact and figures can calculate for that and to make it worse every person is different too! [/quote] True! Agreed.

[quote name='Raggy' timestamp='1344036636' post='1759146'] If you're getting a custom made bass, isnt the idea to get something built that will be what you want [/quote] Exactly, but how many custom basses do you see for sale? I think part of it is the specs, at the time of order, are spot on. Roll on 12-24 months, the buyer receives it, and isn't as happy as he/she hoped. I think its that 'let down' I'd be worried about.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1344011736' post='1758757'] Is there something wrong with looking after your gear and being a bit precious about it?? I look after all my gear - I don't want it being a victim of some drunkard w***er climbing on stage and falling all over it or spilling beer on it. To me "never been gigged" says "looked after", "cared for" or "treated with some respect" - yes, they may be tools of our trade but that doesn't mean they should be subject to "accidents". If they get damaged in your home/studio then you need to be a bit more careful... [/quote] Plus one. I've gigged my 'go to' Ray a lot, and it's still babied all the time. I used to get told to look after my possessions as a mark of respect for whoever bought them for me as a gift when I was a young lad. My dad is equally as caring when he brings his old Lambretta out or even his VW van that is immaculate. I was brought up to be quite careful with money so if you spend £1500 on a bass, why wouldn't you do you best to keep it as new?! It's horses for courses I guess. Some love the old beaten look.

[quote name='BassPimp66' timestamp='1344033443' post='1759118'] They are more than pretty Jazz models. The craftsmanship is amazing on these basses and they sound fantastic. And now that the price of standard basses is going to the roof, I will add "great value" for Sadowskys. [/quote] They look great, and the quality is pretty good, but in the end I still don't see them as worth £2k.

Maybe our ears are so used to the 8x10 tone that we think it's a classic, but cheap/quick design or not, it sounds fantastic. Maybe they just got lucky. I can think of plenty of examples in the art and design world where they got it right first time.

I'll always want another Musicman though no matter what. To be honest it could be worse case scenario here as GuitarGuitar are crazy expensive anyway.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1344026787' post='1759014'] If you were going to buy a custom hand-made bass why would you want to sell it? [/quote] Only if it didn't work out as what I want. I don't sell basses now. I try to keep the ones I like no matter what. Maybe this is the time to go custom.

ACG and Shuker might make great basses but the re sale has always put me off, and the 6-12 month wait.

I owned a MIJ 62 Reissue P bass, and as nice as it was, (it was my first 'real' bass) and as long as it lasted me, it doesn't hold upto my American Standard. The pickguard was far too red, the pickup was a little weak, and it just didn't feel as solid. Excellent value for money at about £450-500, but the new prices aren't far off an American model, and the used prices are, IMO, too high. They have to be put into context. They used to be the step between a Squier and an American Series/Standard.

[quote name='Gordon Thudmaster May' timestamp='1344005285' post='1758605'] 2 Berg HD 2x10's GB Streamliner Can't beat it! [/quote]# I'd love a pair of those!

I could understand £100 price rise....but £300-400?! Seriously?! The Metro's are overpriced IMO. £2000 for a pretty standard 5 string Jazz?!

A custom bass, or Sadowsky seems less of a crazy price now.

The P bass seems to be king at the moment, and Dingwall is on a high. Vintage stylings seem to be selling well. Markbass is out of favour, but they are damn good. TC have took a nosedive but I love mine...and will continue to. The Gallien amps are doing well...until the next micro amp comes out.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1344005662' post='1758611'] I think.... less people will buy new basses over the next few years... [/quote] Plus one. Same with the Warwick prices. Fender prices are high, BUT, I can see what you get...if you get a good one.

I'm definitely hanging fire on: A) buying new until they settle the prices B ) selling any of mine Whether it affects second hand values is another thing, but I think over the next few years we will see a steady increase in the value. Put it this way, my Sterling 5 HS would PROBABLY be around £1800 new now...and I didn't pay near that.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1344005384' post='1758606'] I'll state from the off that I think that Alex's dedication to his work is to be applauded and I enjoy his insight into acoustics to the point where I'll read (and reread) most any thread that the likes of he or BFM post in. Having made that clear and seeing as you are asking for advice on whether 'others' think that a Barefaced cab will best suit your needs; then I personally don't think that it will. That is based upon the fact that you think that the GB cab that you have lacks 'punch' (a term which I'm sure AC, BFM and many others will say is nonsensical and meaningless) and that you play in a rock/blues band. I've played through several of Alex's cabs and it NEVER ceases to amaze me how light they are and I love them for that, however that is NOT one of your considerations, it is purely the sound of the cab and it's ability to sound full and punchy in a rock/blues setting and I have yet to get the sound that 'I' want out of one of the BF cabs as I always feet that they have plenty of bottom (and top) but lack any punch/heft/weight to the tone. Patently they are not going to suit every person and I am NOT putting Alex's cabs down, they just don't suit me... same as an Ashdown 4x10 sounds pants to my ears! One thing that I do find strange is that you've had a cab on order for 6 weeks and THEN you ask for people's opinions! [/quote] Wise words, not sure on the 'punch' factor of the cabs, but as Im told, if you put that region of mids in, you get it out! PS - The Ashdown isn't mine, just an observation. For a practice room jam it was pretty decent. Not a patch on the Berg HS410 though.

I've owned and kept (as in didnt send back) 5, but sold on 3. Wish I'd kept one of those 3 as now I want a maple board P again. The gloss is LOVELLLLY. I did try and buy about another 3-4 over the past 4 years, but they weren't so great, so they went back. Currently have a matching J and P, and looking at another P.

Unfortunately, I've heard that Musicman are putting a price rise on the range, BUT, the UK seems to have been hit really badly. They are apparently wanting them to be the same as they are in places like Germany, and they are silly prices there. These are still my favourite basses, but I'm glad I got mine when I did. I'm also glad I got a Bongo on order before these prices went crazy. Whether it will last is another thing. I personally can't see many people paying these prices. Damn economy! Used to be £1599-1699 for a Classic Ray 4. Now look: [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=12070417354631"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=12070417354631[/url] Used to be about £1300-1400 for a Sterling 4 H standard. Now look: [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=12070417384431"]http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=12070417384431[/url] Bongo's are going to be £1800+. Crazy. Gone are the days when I bought a brand new Ray H 3EQ for £999.00 in Natural.

[quote name='danweb22' timestamp='1343998266' post='1758427'] I got this from Digital Village who matched Thomann for price, which considering the exchange rate was bloody good I thought! You can get a 2012 Am Std for just over a grand or under a grand for certain finishes [/quote] Ah ha! We think alike! I have a local store doing the same thing...give or take a few quid...its under £1k for the White/Tort/Maple 2012 model which is the one I'm after. Thomann prices are really good at the moment but Id rather ask a UK store to match.

I suggest you try the 30 day trial. Seems the best way to see if its for you. I must admit, if you are looking for crazy light, when I trialed a Compact (older version) I could carry it in one hand without a struggle. Very very light.

100% American Standard. Since 2008 these have had significant upgrades. Make sure you check it for paint quality, string alignment, and the neck pocket, but if they are all ok, the rest should be fantastic. There are some 'dogs' out there, but the new American Standards are MUCH better than the last series. Upgrades: 2012 Custom Shop Pickup Tort guard makes an appearance as stock again on certain colours Fantastic necks, great finish, rolled edges Bridge (not only looks better but very substantial) Case (one of the best hardcases out there at the moment) Lightweight tuners I've also noticed they tend to be lightweight anyway. My 2009 P bass is incredibly light and resonant. My 2011 Jazz is a stunner. If I can find a 2012 P bass with maple board that is as good as my 2009 rosewood, im having it! Flats on one, grindy rounds on the other.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1344002036' post='1758541'] I recently heard an Asdown 4 x 10 (don't know the model) being played in a small pub. I can honestly say that the sound was simply dreadful. Muffled on top, no detail in the sound at all and very boomy low down. It would probably sound fine at lower volumes but it just wasn't even near to being able for even a smallish pub gig. As compensation, the bass player using it was a really superb and entertaining player. Frank. [/quote] It was muffled, but the Stingray being the beast it is, it didn't care and just cut through anyway. That's with a set of flats as well. I was actuaklly quite shocked. To be honest though....usually the pre-amp is so good on a Musicman that a rubbish amp/cab sounds good anyway.