Musicman20

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!

Lightweight amp heads. Whether they be A/B or D. No matter how much a cabinet weight, I still think a lightweight amp head is one of the best innovations in bass guitar technology. I still like an old school normal weight tube amp, but for most of my gigs the light amps are used. Lighter cabs are great, but most of the time we are only talking a pretty small difference in weight, and you still have to carter about 50-60lbs thats normally pretty large.

I could try a Roadworn. Ouch on the price for a MIM though.

I'll probably just get an EBMM Sterling haha

Not keen on the Shuker colour Im afraid, but thanks. Ive never really found a Jazz that does everything I want. The P bass I have is freakishly good. Im so impressed with it, and I do think of getting another, but I know this one will always be the one, unless I go for a true vintage. I find most Jazzes get lost in a rock band, (they sound great but the natural scoop makes them disappear a little). Whereas a P is either there being fat and warm in the background or grindy and midrangey. Im considering just not bothering and just waiting until I find one....eg not giving it much thought. Im quite interested to see what true vintage vibe Jazz basses John Shuker can make, (eg not fancy, just a true to spec 60s style Jazz), but I dont want to pay too much for a normal passive jazz. At the moment, I always reach for a P or Ray/MM, so I might just stick with what works. We shall see. Sandberg is an option, but I have no way of testing it....thats the problem. Custom order, so If I dont like it, Im stuck.

I reckon it's the power supply where you are using it. I had a similar experience in my parents front room on a socket we barely use with a LM 3 and Berg HS410.