Musicman20

I've no idea if I've found the 'one'. For my playing style (more so if its all fingers and no pick) the simple Musicman Stingray nails it. Perfect weight, neck dimensions, feel, and the pickup placement feels good to rest on. The tone is also, in my opinion, one of the three 'core' tones. You have classic Fender P, Classic Fender J, then the Stingray which, in all honesty, has such a brutal yet tameable tone its unreal. It WILL do old thump/almost upright, it will then also snarl in the mix and provide effortless tight E (or B ) open strings that have really made me realise just recently why I like it. The P is my original 'home' instrument, and the J I own purely because I like the tone and the style, but the neck dimensions are sometimes not right for me (although I still like them). The other point is that no other humbucker sounds like a Musicman. Dingwall, Warwick, Lakland, Sadowsky, Nordstrand pups; none of them sound like a real Musicman pup, I think in addition, since I was around 12/13, the Stingray was the first bass I REALLY took a shine to, (but i had to stick to my Encore P bass and a Tanglewood Ray copy for a while). I think my tutor basically said 'everyone needs a Stingray', and so that was that!

I'll get pics up soon. Its beautiful!

Did I mention I accidentally found the last piece of my collection puzzle? EBMM Bongo 5 HH Sky Blue also incoming!

After the rather long saga of the last one, I've been in touch with Nick @ Strings & Things waiting for a new HH Ray to hit their stock. They received one virtually to my spec (and what they presume is what was actually meant to be mine, but because it was ordered incorrectly by the store/some kind of mixup, they sent one they had in) a week or so ago. Brand new built in October 2011. Stingray 4 HH / White / Rosewood / Black Pearl Plate / Matching Headstock. Now, as I wanted a Tort or White plate (I already have a Tort Plate) they sent a spare white HH plate as well. Now I have the black pearl one in my hands, Im very impressed, and its staying on. The bass is truely stunning. I had the experience I wanted a few months ago, eg, you open the case, and realise its better than you expected. Excellent quality control, nice weight, very pretty headstock, smooth rosewood board, and everything as it should be (excellent neck join). I know, no pics, no bass, but its late so I don't have time to snap a photo. Put it this way, it has made everything worthwhile.

The Traveller cabs tend to have a middy focus, and they are small/light. The NY112 is a VERY small cabinet, and I doubt it will provide much meat, but more of a mid bark? I wouldn't go for one purely as they have the piezos, but that's just me. The NY122 is larger, but had a much better horn, and will realy power through the mix. The Club cabinets are probably your best bet if you are sticking with Markbass.

Like his playing a lot, and very good instructor. Im guessing it will be YET another Jazz though...hmm

Bass Direct

Exactly! It looks cool, IMO, it will definitely do the job.

Look nice, apparently play nice, and the weight is fairly low. I think the downside is the crap pup.

Ricky necks and poor attention to detail (not keen on the problems with paint and binding) Fender truss rod adjustment (even the new American Standards still havent solved it without making precautions to not damage the guard) Warwick ergonomics (the few Ive tried just don't agree with me) The one bass I am so glad is gone is my ex-Fender Precision Deluxe USA with humbucker/split P pups. Awful bass, very heavy, uncomfortable to play. Beatiful to look at, but not to hear or play.

If Im not being paid and 200 people have paid in, i'd be furious. I won't play free gigs unless its for a worthy cause or we have an arrangement. If I were to go back to playing originals, I would definitely take lead with the financial side of things and ask for a least all costs to be covered. I always go out with one bass now. Mainly for space needs, but if I start playing larger and larger more professional gigs, and I have better transport, Ill take two with me.

Wow, thats a turnaround and a half! Any news on who has taken the business and where it will be?

Cheers!

USA? Link?

Still tempted by a Shuttle! ARGH

[quote name='Ben Jamin' timestamp='1323109461' post='1459437'] Oh I'm not having a go at Orange, they're great! I'm just saying in terms of reliability in components/build quality it's better to have a few expert engineers hand-build it than, in the case of some of the Orange stuff, have it mass-produced in a factory along with other brands/models etc. Not that there's anything wrong with them because they sound ace and nicely put together and stuff, but it's just nice to know where it all came from and feel that bit more confident in that it was really well built etc. [/quote] Agreed, the Matamp guys are excellent! They will always support customers.

I'd stick with what you have unless you are getting a modern American Standard. There won't be enough difference between the other models and what you have IMO.

[quote name='Ben Jamin' timestamp='1322842630' post='1456585'] You also know that's handbuilt from high-end components by a few engineers in West Yorkshire, whereas Orange stuff is made along with all the Ashdown etc. amps in the same factory in China. [/quote] Not doubting the Matamps for one moment, (I'd like one myself) but, the main Orange amps (eg not the much cheaper but still excellent Terror series of amps) are built here in the UK along with the cabinets. The Bass Terrors are phenomenal. They sell like mad for a reason: good quality, great LOUD tone, Orange grit, and exceptional value. Yes, they are not UK made, but if they were they would be £800 I guess.

Not sure, but it didnt affect the UK models, AFAIK. I think it was literally within a month or so of them being released.

CV Precision or Jazz.

I have full respect for Dougie, and to be honest, after seeing some clips of them playing live, McFly are totally 'on it' when the play live. Much heavier, faster, and aggressive than the teen-pop singles. I really enjoyed this years Celebrity Jungle, whereas normally I wouldn't bother watching it. Watched every single moment, and I think Dougie came across as a thoroughly down to earth and nice lad. You can tell he didn't go in there to boost fame; he didn't need to!