Musicman20

I think the EBMM maple boards are nice due to the one piece of maple for the neck/board, not separate.

Neck pocket is your main concern. Dont for one second accept if you arent happy....as its Fender who lose out, not the shop, if you send it back. Dave Bass on here had 3 basses over 2-3 weeks recently I think....all with different issues.

I agree with chris_b, it is unfortunately part of Fenders normal production to make a few errors, but you can, by trial and error, get a very good Fender. The one I currently own is the best Ive ever owned..and Ive had a fair few. I will say this, most the MIA basses now are much better. Although, its like a lottery as to whether you get one. You are completely in your rights to send it back and request another. The shop will just send it back and get another.

Did you pay full whack brand new? If you arent happy, ask for another. They are NOT cheap instrument, not at all. The neck pocket would by my main concern, but that guard isnt right either. Ive owned a Fender a fair while back where the decal was not that great at all, but I think yours might be ok. I agree on the truss part....annoying.

Its more a 'feel' and aesthetics difference with me. I had a 3EQ Natural/Maple Ray which looked stunning! I also had a 3EQ Black/Rosewood Ray which didnt, IMO, look as exciting as the grain on the Natural was stunning. But, everytime I picked up the Black/Rosewood.

Ive had rosewood board basses for years. I got a little tired of them a few years back, and thought maple would be better for 'me'. Obviously, everyone is different, and it seems the majority on here prefer maple. Something about the aesthetics of a dark board, and that smooth soft finish just works for me. Plus, if you want it to sound more agressive, use your EQ or stainless strings! I am not saying I wont flirt with maple in the future, and ive got a Telecaster guitar with maple that feels and sounds great, but im pretty certain after years of messing about, im a rosewood guy.

[quote name='JTUK' post='985435' date='Oct 12 2010, 10:11 AM']That is looking like a nicely made cab. Can't wait to see the end result.[/quote] +1 Looks professional!

Another 2x12....that will seriously move air and be super light. I wish id never sold my M212 to the local bloomin practice room

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='985433' date='Oct 12 2010, 10:10 AM']Cheers for the PM certainly explains things Im looking at going for one like this [url="http://www.bassprice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Music-Man-Big-Al.jpg"]http://www.bassprice.com/wp-content/upload...-Man-Big-Al.jpg[/url] Black / black / maple Just waitin for distributers to get back to me [/quote] Must admit, that is super cool!

Ill PM you.

[quote name='HMX' post='985073' date='Oct 12 2010, 12:06 AM']Propagandhi are the modern punk/thrash band for me. I love them and NOFX - they have funny little 'digs' at each other in songs. Check out 'Supporting Caste' album - best album of 2009 IMO. Todd Kowalski is a great bassist too.[/quote] +1. Great bass sound on that album.

Molan had one for sale.

Personally, I am all for rosewood boards. EBMM maple boards are my favourite maple boards, but still, I prefer rosewood. This is probably due to playing my ex MIJ P for years and years, and simply finding darker boards more aesthetically pleasing. I am currently negotiating a mammoth EBMM order with the Bass Merchant, who have been very helpful. Currently, instead of getting another Fender Jazz (I never 100% bonded with a Jazz in my life....yet) im going to push myself and get a Big Al 4 H as well. Thats as well as the Sterling 5 HS and Big Al 5 SSS. Personally, I think the best colours for the Big Al are: White/Rosewood/Tort or Black and Vintage Sunburst/Rosewood/Tort or Vintage White Pearloid. The Black does look slick, and the silver is very out there! I currently have one here to demo and the paintjob is stunning. The bass is packed to go back as my demo time has finished, and Im missing it already! The Sterling neck profile that the 4 has is brilliant. Halfway between a P and a J....fast but not too thin.

It does seem like they missed the point a little. A Lakland in the US is much 'better value' when you compare them to the prices here. The odd QC slip is more acceptable, but then again, even the new Squire CV basses are usually spot on now! I did mention the issue to a few guys on talkbass and the majority told me it wasnt an issue, which it was. John and Dan have both been very friendly when I have explained issues, and no doubt are looking into it. The thing is, I would own 2-3 Laklands by now if I didnt have so many problems trying to buy one!

[quote name='dood' post='984486' date='Oct 11 2010, 02:55 PM']I didn't get a chance to take a closer look at the gear on the TC stand at BassDay. Did anyone pickup any fliers or take pictures? I was intrigued to find out what the 3u TC amp was there. Anyone know?[/quote] There were pics up on Talkbass of a 900W (ish) 'Blacksmith' amp by TC. Huge amp probably for big bands like Metallica

[quote name='BB3000S' post='984730' date='Oct 11 2010, 07:08 PM']My new fivestring, 20th Anniversary SR5 HH - an amazing bass to say the least. The neck is to my taste one of the absolute best I've ever had on a fivestring, playability is just awsome and the tonal versatility is wicked. Yep, I'm happy! [/quote] I was trying to buy one of these but could only find the H models

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='984116' date='Oct 11 2010, 09:52 AM']Played a 4 string SSS yesterday for a while!! Loved it!! The tone was like nothin ive tried before! They had 30% off on the strings n things stand so i could have bought it for like 1300 Very, very nice!! [/quote] Woah, good price! They are fantastic instruments.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='983943' date='Oct 10 2010, 11:25 PM']Another great bass i tried was the Musicman Big Al, lovely feel and very unique sound! i forgot to take a pic of it (because i was too busy almost buying it) seemed like a great deal once the dealer offered 30% off [/quote] Glad you liked it. Ive been won over by them as well, after being loaned one this weekend. Which configuration was it?

Thanks chaps....it was kind of tongue in cheek. Its definitely my style maturing. Ive slayed playing ultra ultra fast with a pick. Now I want to be able to play smooth melodic and aggressive funky bass lines with fingers only. A little slap even creeped in today, but I tend to only like the Flea type slap at the moment. I just find myself thinking 'right, I want to be able to be a really good all round bassist' so when Im ready to find another quality covers band or originals band thats more 'musical', ill be able to keep up with no plectrums involved. I actually find playing with fingers, especially something like Jamiroquai or Chili Peppers, very satisfying. I LOVE diggin in when the chorus kicks in, etc, to get the bass to growl a bit more. Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears - ace basslines.

Nice Ray 5...I saw that one on the Bay. Ive found them very easy to get used to....nicest 5er Ive played which is saying something! I keep wanting another Jazz, but Im thinking Sterling 4 H or Big Al 4 H instead. I just know Ill get the Jazz and miss the sheer ummph of the EBMM.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='983526' date='Oct 10 2010, 05:31 PM']I have been soloing the neck PUP with the tone rolled off and with fingers lately, I'm 27 [/quote] +1....its starting dude! I listen to NOFX all the time, and I still like his twangy tone, but Ive tried doing it in a band and it just sounds too thin unless you really have your volume high. Ive been borrowing a Big Al SSS this weekend, and I keep going back to the neck pup with the passive tone control. But then at the click of a button, you can have the back bridge pup snarling away. Part of me is still a bit worried the shape is too 'out there', but you only live once.

I think, despite the fact half my collection doesnt/wont suit (when they all arrive) my current band, its always good to have other projects in mind. Even if its just practicing at home waiting for the right band to come along. A 5 string or any kind of 'modern' bass wont really suit the slightly modern punk band Im in, despite the fact the guitarist has a sparkly silver PRS. But, part of me just doesnt care, as I wont JUST be playing in rock or punk bands all my life. I am even starting to want another more laid band, melodic funky band. Ill always like a gritty P bass, but gone has the 'super in your face trebly tone' I used to like when I had my Trace. Im much more happy with a big fat warm, punchy tone. Ive found excellent ways of EQing my Rays with the 2 or 3 band that gets you a more 'bass' orientated punchy tone, instead of the usual pick/snarl. They do both very well, but I no longer want my tone to stick out a mile from all the other instruments.

I went with Orange mainly because I preferred the tone, but the weight difference is pretty massive, and the Orange can do an 8 ohm load. If you have an SVT CL/VR, you must be 'rock hard'.

I went with Orange mainly because I preferred the tone, but the weight difference is pretty massive, and the Orange can do an 8 ohm load. If you have an SVT CL/VR, you must be 'rock hard'.

I no longer practice with a plectrum or learn basslines I used to. It's all slightly funky, more fingerstyle lines I learn now. Even my tone goals/bass requirements are changing. I still love playing rock/punk with a tube amp/precision/pick, but I feel I've learnt as much as I can with that music. I enjoy it, but things are changing. Has this happened to anyone else?! I'm buying gear I won't use in my band just for my enjoyment at home (eg Ray 5 HS etc). Practicing solo at home has got more fun, that's for sure.