Musicman20

I was expecting this to turn into another spec vs ears thread. Ive tried the Compact, and ill say it again: Light, fairly loud, fragile, lots of lows. Why didnt I like it? Not enough punch, not enough clarity. I used the same amp, same settings, same gig, with a normal 4x10, and masses of difference. Confused.

[quote name='sk8' post='970608' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:08 PM']4x12 is also great for rock! [/quote] +1 If I had the transport, a 4x12 would be on the cards.

[quote name='PaulWarning' post='970636' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:30 PM']sorry lads, sold my Ray and bought a P never looked back, mind you I do play in a Punk band[/quote] Plenty of Rays in punk!

[quote name='Lozz196' post='970560' date='Sep 28 2010, 12:28 PM']Can`t compare the 51 in terms of sound, as its a single coil pickup, but the Classic and MIAs are very alike, prob due to them having the same model of pickup - yes, Classics get MIA pickups.[/quote] Hi Not doubting they both sound similar, but I checked into the pickups on the Classics and Roadworn (same basses basically, but the RW is nitro and has more attention during manufacture) and they are indeed MIM pickups. I double checked with Fender UK and USA, and they said there had been confusion, but they are not the American pickups, they are MIM.

[quote name='Merton' post='970592' date='Sep 28 2010, 12:59 PM']Not really. You can get pretty much anything you want from my Vintage. I want rock tho [/quote] 15s are quite nice for rock. I still havent found a 15 that sounds like a 10 though. So if you want punch and more sweet high end, 10s or 12s with a horn. 2x15 is great for rock no doubt.

[quote name='tauzero' post='970496' date='Sep 28 2010, 11:25 AM']What astonishes me is that at £175 an hour, they're spending time on Basschat...[/quote] Hahha, good point. Well, im now just waiting for my Training Contract to kick in so I dont feel that guilty yet!

I never realised there were as many legal orientated basschatters on here! I no longer feel odd.

[quote name='molan' post='970458' date='Sep 28 2010, 10:44 AM']Funnily enough I'd do the exact opposite, lol. If I had a fixed budget then I'd go for the very best single bass I could afford. I'm not exactly one to talk about this as I haven't been following this maxim. However my final plan is to work out exactly which of my basses are the ones I like the most & then I'll sell all the rest. Currently my Fodera stands head and shoulders above the others. My principal exception to this broad theory is that I'd like to own a pair of them. Ideally one high end custom build that I'd mostly use at home and another more 'workmanlike' one for gigging and rehearsals. Currently I believe I own the latter so have my eyes (and wallet) firmly targeted towards the former [/quote] Haha, I am odd, I realise that. I had a budget of about 2.5k-3k for my 30th bass. I decide to research, see whats around, etc. I ended up spec'ing very normal options to luthiers, which in end was like just buying a very good example of a Fender, and I know id be a person to worry about resale values. Now, Im just ordering a Musicman Big Al 5, which is still quite odd, but I know they will get it right. I do think if you are confident enough it will be perfection, then go for it That applies to anyone spending a lot on one bass. Personally, Im all about having a variety of instruments that all sound how I want them to, and more importantly perhaps, feel good. Luckily ive been bowled over by Musicmans, so I dont have to spend too much.

I cant see why youd want a pickguard on it! If the wood is that expensive, show it. Not my cup of tea, but there we go. I dont even think as I get older, and progress in law, that ill be attracted to the uber boutique instruments. But, we all have our tastes. If I had 5-8K to spend on basses, Id just buy 3-5 fairly high end yet normal bass guitars.

If you are going for Markbass and get a discount, I would recommend their new NY122. I briefly owned it, and if you are looking for a compact, very loud, and quite neutral cabinet, this is the way to go. Dont be fooled by its size. It is incredibly loud. I would have kept it if it didnt already have other cabinets that are similar.

Didnt dave_bass get a 70s Classic Jazz? Check with him, I think he returned it but thats the lottery of Fender.

I dont really like buying used instruments. I pay more for the peace of mind that it should be perfect, and if it isnt you can get another and not lose cash, (keep trying until its a good one). I do think the second hand prices on Rays is insane, considering what you get. £750 for a Ray 5?! I wouldnt sell mine and definitely not for anywhere near that price. I think they arent flavour of the month, but their time will come.

I might be joining the Bongo hoard soon!

If you can get a Ray 5 or Sterling 5 back I bet you would be impressed. Taken me a year to find the 5 string for me and now I'm ordering more Musicman's!

Hi What type of tone would you like? How much air do you need to move? Would you like small, light and modern?

After all this, id love to see and play one of these. Just to see how good they are. I bet if they werent made in such a well regarded city as New York, you wouldnt be paying so much. I cant see the attraction being the same if they were made in the back streets of Scunthorpe. Has anyone got one of these basses on here?

[quote name='chris_b' post='969356' date='Sep 27 2010, 12:30 PM']Why do you feel the need to pick at my post? I'm not talking about my bass, just giving the OP my experience and view. My experience is that I haven't met anyone who's played a bad one. The rest of us should be OK because obviously Lakland are sending all of those to you![/quote] Picking? Not picking, just developing the thread. I understand you havent 'met me' in person, but no need to be over defensive about my bad luck with Lakland. Forums seem to churn out 'the next best thing', and sometimes its nice to give perspective, thats all. It seems from this and previous posts, you dont believe what Im saying about the Lakland quality Ive experienced. Ill say it again, I like these basses, hands down they feel great and can look great. Its a shame I havent played one that had the 'fit and finish' thats hyped on talkbass. That is all

[quote name='chris_b' post='969258' date='Sep 27 2010, 11:05 AM']Go with your first thought and try a Lakland. I don't know anyone who's had a bad one.[/quote] I dont want to put people off in my post. Im a very fussy customer, maybe why Ive had bad experiences with them! I have tried to buy 4 (maybe more) Laklands and their recent quality was low. I have discussed this with a few other people on talkbass, and another chap has had the same experience. I think the earlier Skylines were probably much better and greater attention to detail, (which IS necessary on an instrument that retails £1000+ and its outsourced). Im glad youve got a great one, but for me the last straw occured in GuitarGuitar a few weeks back, and now Im not even going to bother trying.

Stingray 5 HS. Beautiful. The nicest and easiest to play 5 string bass Ive ever had chance to play. NOTHING sounds like a Stingray/Musicman, no matter what pickups they put in. I keep opening the case and being in awe of how good it looks.

Careful with Lakland. I see them like Fender. Get a good one, and its excellent, get a bad one (nearly everyone Ive played which is a shame due to the fact I like them) and it could be very heavy, have poor string to pickup lineup, have a poor neck pocket, etc. I was informed Lakland are a step up from Fender with QC. I figure they are the same, eg hit and miss. £750? Stingray 5....if you can find one. Might be a little more eg £850. Depends on age and condition.

It sounds like, as mentioned above, you are going for the wrong type of bands. I think you suit something progressive! Try Dream Theatre! I tried out for a few covers bands recently and gave up because the actual 'money' side wasnt worth it. Id prefer to write and enjoy myself with like minded musicians. I kept my originals band going at the same time, and Im glad I did because now we have finally nailed it, and we have our first 3 gigs lined up. It isnt massively complex, but it is exciting, and quite well thought through. We write the parts to what sounds correct, and we avoid repeating parts exactly the same unless its a great chorus hook. I play what I like because I started the band with the drummer, and they all give a little grin when I flash out a bass run or 'small' but melodic solo, (they arent really solos, just runs!). If I wasnt allowed to do that, it wouldnt be me playing. Its not what punk was about in the 70s, but modern punk bands can be pretty technical, (shock horror!). I will end up in the covers scene in the future, but under my rules. Eg, everyone must have good equipment and respect each others equipment, and respect each other. Fair split on cash, (TOTALLY equal) and Id always want each musician to add their flair.

Oh heck. I think these 'price points' have become quite a heated debate!