Musicman20

Olympic White/Rosewood....100%. That maple is very pale.

There is a Jazz with two humbuckers in the email from Soundslive.

The Ray 5 IS the 5 string for me...industry standard and stunning tone/quality.

[quote name='BluRay' timestamp='1317458899' post='1390854'] Top choice! I totally sympathise about the waiting - mine took 9 months from order to receipt! (the sales guy said 3). I'd really like to know how you get on with the extra pup. Its been essential for me, cos I play with a pick (and I don't care! ) - but I sound horrible and clanky on a regular ray, without extrme eq. I know - thats probably just me! But the outer or inner coils on their own sound superb. Sure it'll be worth the wait [/quote] Wow, 9 months! This has been roughly 7 months. Originally I was getting a H, same colour/spec, but after I received it (and had the 7 days returns policy) I decided to be more adventurous and order a HH instead... I play 90% fingerstyle now, but I used to be 100% plectrum so at some point I will be using a plec with it. I must admit, the demo tones Ive head on youtube are great....the second position seems to be the one Im going to use a lot. It isnt with the store yet, but no doubt will be on Monday. I have Wednesday off work so I'll ask for it to be sent then.

White, Seafoam Green or Sunburst. Black is boring.

Ha ha, perhaps

Interesting. What I also found interesting is that the Streamliner has the same power module as the Aguilar Tonehammer 500W amp....! Apparently, and Ive no idea when this is coming into fruition, but TC have some very interesting news on the TC amps specs. No changes to the amps, but information on specs that will put that all to rest.

I think the problem is, Ive never played any Fender I liked that wasnt just a plain P or J. The others Ive tried, incl the deluxe USA models pre 2010, were never 'right' for what I was after. What they need to do is stop messing about and release a proper P/J passive bass, on a normal P bass body, USA made, little bit more money than a USA P Standard, same colours (not just black), not a sig model like the TF, with Vol/Vol/Tone. I'd buy one instantly. My friend has one of the old USA models (I think it is) with a P/J setup like this and its fabulous. I'd like to try the new Deluxe models. I'm sure the pre-amp must be better than the old one!

+1...they always sound great, regardless. I always boost mids a touch and cut treble. Bass normally flat.

I can definitely say I like both, after owning both, but its nice to also have that choice. I do find myself using the mid control a lot.

GAK are the largest Markbass dealer, according to a recent email I received. That probably means they also can offer the best prices. I'd still like the NY122. I have no idea why they arent more popular.

All I want now is a 2EQ...I definitely don't need it. But, I want one (again).

I literally cannot wait any longer! This one has been due for quite a while, and apparently they have made sure it isnt a heavy one. Spec: White / White Guard (spare Tort Guard) / White Matching Headstock / Rosewood Board / HH Pickup configuration I've been informed that it has landed with Strings & Things UK, and should be with me once it has been checked etc. Im hoping it might be here for the weekend. Anyway, I never normally go for the expensive options like matching headstock, but i figured, why not, plus I really like all white basses. After seeing a few in the flesh, rosewood seemed to contrast much better, plus I can put the Tort guard on and it will have that classic look. Fingers crossed everything goes well!

Problem is, once you take the H away from the sweetspot, (unless its a minor move like the HH Bongos) then it no longer sounds like a 'Stingray'...at all. A G&L or Sandberg would be a good idea...

The alnico's are slightly, and I mean ever so slightly, smoother. There is less aggression in the mids compared to the ceramic. You will find the 2008- alnico's are basically the same tone as a normal 3EQ Ray 4 string now, apart tonal variations that normally exist because of wood used/winding of pickups, etc. They did it, I presume, because many asked for an alnico Ray 5, and if you dont want that, you can get the Sterling. With the HS though, there is a LOT of nice variations for tone. The neck S pickup, despite being a single coil, is still MASSIVE compared to say a Fender Jazz single coil. My Ray 5 HS and Sterling 5 HS just look phenomenal.

I toured and praticed with this amp a few months back, (it was loaned to me). I am not Ampeg's biggest fan (although the traditional tone in the Sansamp pedals is great) but I must say, I could get next to no usable tone or volume from it. Even with mids boosted it seemed to struggle. I used to take note of Jimmy's posts on Talkbass, but since his Ampeg endorsement, it seems he just bumps all the Ampeg threads, and if anyone starts to criticise Ampeg, he is very aggressive and quite rude.

Did you guys both get one from the USA? If you dont mind me asking, where did you source it from, and was it expensive to import? Some of the Shuttle 9.0 and Max 9.2 prices are insanely low in the US and Id love to import one!

Do you plan on expanding your rig beyond the single 2x12 cabinet? If not, I'd opt for the 4 ohm NY122. If you want two cabs, two RS212s would be thunderous!

There are two great videos here that I found for when I bought mine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rp45IKy48U http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9Ef2CQZxXo&feature=related Personally, I find the HS to be really really good! The 2008- Ray 5s are ALL alnico, like the Ray 4s. The Sterling's are all ceramic. If you bought a 2008 onwards HS, you get all the nice single coil/combined coil options, plus the normal fat Ray H tone which is essential. A 2008- H does not give you the Jaco single coil tone at the bridge....single coil mode isnt possible unless you get a HS now. Pre-2008, different story.

Love Fender, not sure what they are doing though...Blacktop and now these?!