Musicman20

It 100% wouldn't look anything like that, and the fretboard would be Pau Ferro, which is what Musicman have been using for fretless for a LONG time. You can also choose a nice figured neck if you wanted. I have a few Musicman sunburst/tobacco burst basses, and they are exceptionally good bursts. 2014 spec: https://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/en-gb/products/music-man-stingray-4-h-fretless-wpiezo-sunburst-2014-1407409

...on the contrary, I was saying the cost to import a PP Sig model is roughly the same for an individual as it would be buying from a store like yours in the UK. Which is a good thing as it causes less issues. If however you don't want the Pino version, you can custom order a different one/spec. Via UK store or from USA - no idea what the prices are. I think the issue with shops ceasing to exist is not the fault of the customer, it's the fault of changes in world economy and the general landscape of buying products, in a vast amount of industries. A customer should have one price, wherever, but if it is vastly cheaper elsewhere, they can then spend more on further gear/life/food/holidays. The problem is, almost all major guitar stores are a fair drive for most people (might take a full day!) so the fun of test driving gear isn't really what it used to be, so they buy online, save time, and yep, they'll vote with their wallet. If you ask me, no need for dealers (as in the distributor middlemen/women/people, not the stores) in 2025. Adding costs for no reason.

Buying directly from Musicman's store for the same bass gets you at roughly the UK prices. You could custom order a fretless... https://design.music-man.com/SR4

If you don't like the limited version, please don't look at Gibson and how they have runs of 10k Les Pauls. Those 10 limited models will absolutely hold their value.

I always moan about modern prices. Musicman are probably my favourite brand, if not tied with Fender. Both are guilty of very high prices now. However, what I have gathered is that Musicman USA do not simply make hundreds of basses continuously now; they make smaller runs and are a little more 'built to order', so have scaled it down a little. Their guitars are also now becoming much more popular, and I think the same production applies to them. Make less, higher price. If people want the Musicman sound but without the cost and ultimately that high end feel/fit and finish, then they can get an import model. Whether we like it or not, that is how they have stayed doing what they do and this was a change during/after covid I believe.

I can hear a Stingray Fretless here; I presume it is the same one.... A much more exciting use of it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXBiYFoHsOg&list=RDCXBiYFoHsOg&start_radio=1

Apparently, and once the hype wears off and more people get chance to buy them, as with other pedals I can see the price dropping a little.

Regardless of the features, I must admit, the sounds hit me straight away.....they nailed it.

The tones from those pickups sound great, it looks fantastic, no doubt plays great but the smaller banjo frets and cost aren't for me. I am surprised their import basses are now 2k+. I realise manufacturing location doesn't mean much now, heck look at Apple and how insanely high quality their products are, but....it's a lot for a modern take on a PJ from China.

Think it is absolutely identical. Back pickups on Ray and Sterling USA models, whether H, HS or HH, are all in the 'sweet spot'.

I think you might be right - once the initial rush is over they might end up a little cheaper. So far: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/dingwall-sp1-5-string-ducati-white/ 1950 - which is a wildly cheaper than the early stock in other stores.

There seems to be wildly different prices. Bass Direct have the 4 strings for 1899. Much more in some other stores.

Impressive! Enjoy the relaxing times.

Just checking in on this - I am also interested in a ahem...RIC....Andy gave me some info but says he isn't an official dealer. Which has confused me....any info?

I'm aware of the limitations of speakers/Youtube compression etc. Perhaps they need to re-record the demo (which was my first thought). Through my headphones (which obviously isn't as good as being in the room) there appears to be way less mids from the BF cab. A deep bass and 'pingy' top end but it also sounds like its size. My personal preference, to be clear, of a much more low mid punch and a nice clarity and sparkle in the highs (you can at least take this away if you want). Sometimes I like it to be middy and aggressive. I am not a fan of super deep bass; I'd let the PA do that if needed.

An update on the MB 15 cab. I have to be honest, I expected myself to prefer the BF cab before playing, but I far prefer the MB now I'd heard that....

I've seen their social media. Fair play to them, that is a LOT of work. I wouldn't personally bother hahahaa.

Same. Absolutely loved that cab. I had the 4x10 to 'match' but used the 1x15 for most things. mid 90s to mid 00s. The Trace cabs sounds far superior, tone wise, in that video. It will give up volume wise because it's an old 1x15 that was no doubt rated for lower wattage amps. If a manufacturer can design a 1x15 cab with that high mid/treble detail, but to handle say 400W and be as light as possible, that would be great. I later had the Orange 4x10 and 1x15 setup with the AD200b Mk3 - sold that years ago. The 1x15 was fantastic, again.

The Orange AD200b is an absolute monster for this. Too big and heavy for me nowadays though. Wonderful sound.

I don’t think it’s Alex’s playing, I think it just needs setting up a bit differently as a sound demo. The tech is there, but it must be hard to get that across. Maybe a tech talk then it changes to a sit down demo with plec/slap/fingerstyle. Hell even get a basic backing drum track on it.

Roland/Boss have always impressed me.

I’ve grown to respect him once I heard how deep the bass is…it really fills the low end but you need a good set of speakers / headphones to appreciate it. He’s very percussive!

That is probably very impressive, but wow £1000! Ideally I’d want a bigger / more powerful cab for that price. I know they work wonders with their custom drivers, but I’m not sure I’d get away with a powered 1x10 in a band. I do think powered cabs are becoming more ‘normal’ now due to amazing modellers and pre amp pedals.

I have some EB flats on my Stingray 4 H that have been on for 8+ years and sound/feel fantastic. No fret wear! Good thing with a Ray is that you can still get high mid grind with flats if you want.

I don't think it is necessarily better, but they have more control over their manufacturing if it is right next to them/close by, and I imagine manufacturing in Italy is not a cheap setup, so overall I'm pretty impressed.