Musicman20

Ive always wanted a GK amp but I never knew which one to get! The MB500/Fusion look great, but they now have more powerful ones being released soon!

Im going to take a calm approach until I hear back from S&T...who are going to chat to EBMM today asap as soon as they open...hopefully. Ive spoken to the BM who indeed did exactly as agreed and asked for a low-weight - medium weight (10lbs max) version of both basses. I can deal with 10lbs but nearing 12lbs is just like my old Fender Deluxe P....eg never used and sold due to discomfort. The wrong pickguard is also confusing... The cases, if it was just that, are obviously not as a big a deal, as they can replace very quickly, but added onto everything else is just plain annoying. I seriously wanted to be happy and I didnt expect it to literally be 100% perfect, but I think at the price, things have to be nearing the 'oh my this is well made!' area. The chrome thing is something Ive had before, but it didnt start until 3-4 years or so after ownership. As they cannot simply put the same serial on, you get a new serial, which then confuses things should you sell down the line. The chrome on the Sterling neck plate is spot on, so...I expect them both to be. You cant swap, obviously, as they are stamped with serial numbers. Just to be clear, when the chrome went on one of my previous Rays (long time ago), it got progressively worse. I didnt wear a belt, or scratch the area. It just started to crack and come off. So, thats why I picked up on a small area that looks virtually the same as what happened last time. The strange area near the frets just doesnt look right, and I dont want to gamble with something thats the most expensive bass Ive ever bought. Its a case of, when you buy new, you pay more for it to be 'right' and as close to perfection as can be. You pay a LOT more for this privilege. That's why Ive got quite stressed and wound up. Ive been informed that S&T can fastrack mistakes/problems like this quite quickly, eg 2x the same basses can be ordered and delivered much faster if its a case like this. Again, im not pulling out of the sale or trying to return for refunds, I REALLY want 1 of each of these bass models! Thats even more frustrating IMO.

Js sound great, but they never sit in a mix and feel like a P.

We shall see what happens over the next few days. The main reason I bought the Sterling was for a smaller, lighter, ceramic loaded Stingray 5. It sound good, no doubt, and im very happy with the ceramic tone....its much smoother than I anticipated. The boxes were 100% still sealed. Whether it was the show here that caused the rush to get them to me, ill never know. Again, as stipulated before, ive spent an actual huge amount of money so far, so id rather get what I ordered without shipping/etc problems and wait for 2 more, rather than pull out and cancel. They both sound phenomenal....no doubt about it. But, I do expect perfection when its this realm of money....Ive got 2 very fine examples at home of what they do well. My SR4 2 EQ is just stunning...literally my dream 2 EQ Ray. Obviously Darren at BM is no doubt having a nightmare now and this is in no way an issue with them. I think he is as shocked as me, because normally these basses are right first time. It aint Fender we are talking about here! Closer inspection of the box shows no damage, so the case crack could have been there from the start and again, not checked. Funny, because my £59.99 P bass copy arrived for 'rough' gigs, and it has no problems like this. Just my luck tbh.

I have heard rumours about this! That is going to be one seriously loud amp! Looking forward to hearing about it.

Hope so! The Big Al sound is absolutely amazing.

One of them has a weird area on the neck I'm not sure about and some chrome flaking, haven't looked properly. The other has a damaged case, and I've not inspected it but it is out of my weight range. I realise they can't get it bang on but it's very very heavy and I requested nothing heavy... I'll not be able to use it much live. Just adds even more annoyance Both cases are scratched but as mentioned one of then is seriously cracked. I know I'm a picky so n so, but these are super expensive. I expect them to be to spec and mint otherwise may as well have gone secondhand. Big shame. I still want one of each model but I think they will simply be reordering.

These things are sent to try us! The big al in particular sounds better than I remember but after inspecting both I think I'm in for a replacement wait

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='1159928' date='Mar 12 2011, 10:15 PM']Tried a Jazz 5 and really liked it but couldn't buy one at the show. There was a guy on the OW stand who just came over while I was playing it through the TC combo - he muttered something and then turned the amp off..so I thought oh well keep your bass then. £600 sale lost.[/quote] Not good

See, now thats how pole pieces should line up to strings! That is a stunner.

Its probably the most annoying way to 'test' a bass. There is more to the bass than slap sound! I dont mind it, but its more important to hear the different finger/pick tones!

Ive gigged both, and the RH450 totally hammers volume wise. I can understand people liking the Pro-3, but for me, the RH450 really does sit it another higher league.

Is there no end to things going wrong?! I've had a rubbish 3 months and now my Sterling 5 and Big Al 5 have turned up with what looks like partly shipping damage (one case is seriously cracked) and other very annoying things. The both sound great but my gut tells me I'm in for yet another wait...

I think the 250W rating might have something to do with it, and pushing it at higher volumes. Sorry to hear this, I hope it gets sorted!

Thanks, im letting it rest. I think at most its had half a turn. The EBMM setup guide says dont slacken the strings, but most other guides say DO slacken the strings! Very odd! I will try that re: slackening the string a little tonight and let it rest at room temp, and Ill also then lower the saddles a little. Im quite happy with intonating and saddle height, but Truss Rods are always a big 'arghhh' to me!

I just want to make sure im not doing anything wrong. The changes I made havent really done that much as far as I can see, BUT, the relief when using the test with a business card shows it has gone down a little, but still not 'business card' low. More of a thick plastic credit card.

My Ray 5 HS has been in very cold weather due to the temperatures in Newcastle. I have kept it mainly in its case due to moving so thats a good thing. All is fine with the bass, but as happened with my Jazz, the strings appear to be a little high off the board. I have a bass tool kit now, so I looked at the EBMM site and hunted for advice. Firstly, I turned the TR Wheel towards the G, eg that should flatten the neck out and let me have a lower action. I did very small turns, one at a time, then adjusted tuning and left it for 20 mins or so. I did this 3 times, and I was very cautious, so im guessing at most its had half a turn, with gaps in between. I THINK this has sorted it a little, as doing the EBMM test of holding the second fret, then the twelth, and checking the string height, it seems it is about the height of a credit card....eg another tiny turn might help?! The strings do seem to have less pressure and tension, which is what I was seeking....Id just like the strings lower and the action faster. I have left it overnight, but as EBMM have said, their necks react quite fast so often the changes will occur within minutes. Ill check it tomorrow, but what can I do next? I dont want to lower the saddles too much as I dont want loads of fret buzz...they are at factory height still. Am I safe to turn the wheel more? PS - The TR Wheel is truely a fantastic invention. It makes TR adjustments SO easy...and less stressful.

Keep it!

I think just a tiny bit more headroom. The pull mute is too fiddly...but I'm glad they at least put it on!

[quote name='JTUK' post='1156103' date='Mar 10 2011, 12:15 AM']And bin the yellow bumble bee look..!![/quote] Lol! At least it's become a little more subtle over the years...seems to be more black on the LM3 etc now I think. But yeah, weird colour scheme! I think MB make extremely good amps, but the amps that are over 500W seem to sound nothing like the popular models they make eg LM3 or F500. I will look back into their products when they have a new line of amps out, but Id really like then to beef the basic features up a little and go ahead with that improved limiter that never saw light. 700W F500 in a slightly larger box, better laid out EQ with semi para mids, a proper mute (what is their problem with mutes?!) and the features I mentioned above would be great. Even a few pounds heavier would be fine. They dont seem to have nailed a tube amp 'crunch' as yet like TC and now Genz, but I bet they are developing something.

[quote name='MythSte' post='1155999' date='Mar 9 2011, 10:33 PM']What makes you say that? I think the MoMark was a bit of an iffy call but I'd say the rest all have some advantages.[/quote] I think their catalogue of products is great and varied, but what I'd want next is the F500 but more power, better control layout if possible, maybe a little larger, and a proper mute! Oh, and headphone in/aux!

I notice the mids are nice and barky if necessary on the Jazz bass in the vid WoT. Still smooth though

They need to concentrate on F500 and LM3 type amps, and ditch the rest!

Im shocked the thread is still going! Ive barely used mine but its a nice bass to have around for rough gigs.

I would check out the Big Al. More money, but very nice pre-amp/passive option, and tons of flexibility. Plus, it has its own voice.