Musicman20

Eude - I'd wait til the new USA made ones hit the UK Polar Audio told me the MB800 should be here April, with the new cabs and powered cabs in Summer.

It's probably the case that the brand has built up that 'super high end' following that their name is as much a part of why people buy one. Having that Fodera to them might be similar to why my Dad has always wanted a Porsche Carrera. He know the cars are far from perfect, but something draws you in.

Looking through the Talkbass thread, it seems almost as if Fodera ultimate high end bass in terms of attention to detail and cost. I quite like the tone of the Ying Yang Standard...and the build shape, but the Ying Yang is a big no for me...(just seems a bit cheesy...always reminds me of grunge kids or people trying to be hippies).

Definitely. The Shuttle 2 cabinets are also quite a substantial upgrade to the Shuttle cabs. The 6.2 Combo at £999.00 is virtually the same price as the old one, with the significant upgrades. Tempting!

I love the Fodera concept, and the workmanship is stunning. Totally out of my price range though, and unless bass was my career (and paid well) I wouldn't dare use it anyway.

New product video. The new looks is much more in line with the styles that are popular today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hp_C6_xJASc MB800 and MB800 Fusion both there, but no demo.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' timestamp='1327258354' post='1508479'] Same for me in the EBMM Stingray copies. Other brands with the MM type of pickup just seem like they are missing something, although I'm happy with my corvette (for now) it's definatly not the same as my sterling or stingray. Polite is a good way of putting it. The "faillings" of fender or EBMM is what makes them sound unique, but I guess it helps having the pedigree aswell. [/quote] This is true. I've tried other humbuckers on other brands, in exactly the same sweetspot (even a proper Ray with a replacement) and I STILL think the Ernie Ball/Musicman/original design has SOMETHING about it...and I can't put my finger on it. Just a really individual tone. Even when Musicman make other basses, with a different position (HH Bongo, Big Al SSS) they STILL have that unique sound...its weird, but I like it. I've just seen the new arrival of Lakland basses (including Jazzes) at GuitarGuitar. My word, their string to pup, and string to centre of fretboard alignment, is WELL off on most of them. My USA 2011 Jazz is perfect, and allows you to move the string alignment if needs be.

I doubt we will see the new gear for a long time. Thats my only gripe with GK....they never seem to get the timings right.

It HAS happened! KJung on Talkbass has mentioned he tested one at NAMM

I've read that Markbass are discontinuing the F1/F500 for this new 'Big Bang'. Weird. It seems to be that recently they've lost touch with what modern bass player's want. I would personally assume that the LM3, F1/500, and the new Randy Jackson TTE are the best sellers, but what do I know haha. They just needed a LM4 with the new upgrades and a button mute, and a price drop on the F500 or a new version that is more budget friendly, (its been in productions for years but the price is still high).

Tom Bowlus has mentioned on talkbass: "I am not sure if you guys have heard yet, but beginning in February, production on all GK models is moving back to the Stockton, CA facility. The last day of production in China was 12/31.@ Impressive and bold move. I think they may have had enough of the problems they had with the earlier MB2500, and the teething problems the MBE cabs have had. I'm still interested in the MB800...nothing on Polar Audio's site though.

I've tried boutique 'jazz' basses, mainly Sadowsky, and no, they don't sound close enough to the Fender tone. A much dryer, flatter, less exciting tone. Hardly any of that jazz grind when both pups are on. Indeed, I ventured into trying many brands, just to see if I could own a non Fender Jazz. It didn't work..,they were all super-jazz basses (more modern and often quite polite sounding) or the QC (in the Lakland Skylines) was worse than the Fenders. Eventually I just gambled on Fender again and got a good one!

Its a 200W handling cab to match the 200W head...think its so you have a super portable combo.... That is probably the best value low volume/light combo going.

Apart from the bling badge, I prefer it. It looks more classic. Everything seems to be heading towards nostalgia city in music at the moment. P basses, tube amps, flatwounds, old designs and vintage aesthetics.

Isn't it weird how simple little basslines can set off an audience like that?! Something for guitarists to be aware of. Stick a great drummer with a bassist and a lot of fun can be had!

Seem they are having an overhaul of the aesthetics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bassplayermag/6728896827/in/photostream

The Gus properly suits the band and your overall style.

Pop music, IMO, has taken a turn in the right direction recently. Some superb live bands with vocalists eg this, Gaga, and Bruno Mars. Cool video. Live pop like that looks like so much fun to play!

I'd like an MB800, but still waiting for them to get here.

Seriously cheap! That is a perfect practice or low volume rig. Now I want one.

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Genz_Benz_Heads.html Well im chuffed to say the prices are quite reasonable, in fact they are the same as the 6.0/9.0 etc. The Shuttle 6.0 12T combo is very tempting at £999.

I'd like one of these to leave at a practice room! Can't justify it though.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1327085440' post='1506326'] Saying all of that I have NEVER seen a Warwick with a misaligned/incorrectly fitted bridge or skew-whiff neck alignment... not something I could say about F*nd*r. In fact there's a brand new (Road-Worn) bass for sale on here at the minute that has this very issue and it must be the third I've seen on here in as many months. Now THAT I'd have issue with. [/quote] 50% of Fenders/Laklands seem to get it wrong...I don't see why....I know what you mean as well...way off!