Musicman20

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='955781' date='Sep 14 2010, 10:13 AM']Yeah, your pretty observant. It took me a good few hours to notice the gaps under the frets, and almost a week to notice the pups were out. If i had brought that from a shop im not sure what would have happened. Playing wise, other than the 70's classic i instantly hated and sent back im happy to work at getting a bass playable. The best experience ive ever had was with Dan at the old Bass Centre at Liverpool st. I wanted the only 5 string Sandberg they had but felt the action was a bit high. Not really a problem but i mentioned it to him. He not only offered to sit and work on it with me, but offered to put new strings on (any brand i wanted that was in stock) just so i could get a good feel for it. With no obligation to buy. He even pointed out that the neck seemed a bit twisted. I ended up getting a Lakand that, surprisingly, was the only bass ive never had to mess with to get it to feel comfortable. Setup was perfect (as were all 7 i tried).[/quote] I wish id picked up a Lakland back when they hit the UK for the first time!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='955771' date='Sep 14 2010, 10:02 AM']And this is actually a plus point for buying online as you can spend a week playing it and if you still dont like it you can send it back. Im sure we aren't advocating doing this regularly but im glad i did it this way with the MIA's i had.[/quote] No its not fair if anyone was to take advantage, but I normally know in 1 hour if Im happy with the fit/finish/weight and QC. If I struggle to play it (say its a totally new bass for me) I dont usually let that put me off, unless its a Warwick

Apart from the Classic Stingray I had, every EBMM bass has been pretty much spot on and perfectly setup, especially the new ones Ive received. Its still a game of finding the right bass with most manufacturers. The problem with Fender is that you have to find one you like. If I could get a brand new MIJ 62 Reissue Jazz, for a good price, I would. But I wouldnt want the MIJ pickups, Id have the have the one with the USA pups. Dont get me wrong, back when I bought my MIJ P Bass about 15 years ago (now sold on) for the price, the bass was AMAZING. Now? I wouldnt pay the prices they charge for a MIJ....and the second hand prices are a little steep. Not all MIJ/MIA/MIM/Squiers are good, you have to find a good one. If you buy mail order, send it back until you get one you are happy with!

[quote name='JTUK' post='955737' date='Sep 14 2010, 09:29 AM']You could say that about most U.S made gear. We pay an awful lot over the top for U.S made stuff, IMO and some people seem to artifically raise the prices even higher and use this as a covering tactic.. IMO[/quote] ...and make out it some kind of 'high earners only boutique gear' when in the USA its the same price as something tha most players can afford. +1

[quote name='charic' post='955463' date='Sep 13 2010, 09:56 PM']Please please please tell me these amps aren't any good for rock/metal with a pick. I've got to the point of thinking of selling up my amps and spending some of my hard earned on these.[/quote] Ha, I'm afraid they are...

What I did like was when the new chap, Rob T, was playing with them to try out, and he used that SR5. That sounded immense. Its on the DVD they released a while back. Im not a HUGE Metallica fan, but I do follow up on what theyve been upto. That DVD of trying new bassists was excellent for a geek like me. Some of the 'big players' just had no energy or chops, then Rob came along.

[quote name='obbm' post='954479' date='Sep 13 2010, 10:42 AM']I've been playing Stingray 5s for the past 12 years. I have dabbled with other makes but have found that the scale length, string spacing and neck profile really works for me. Even better with the Status Carbon-Fibre neck. The ex-OHM Shuker PJ5 has the same string spacing and a very similar profile to the SR5 and also feels just right. Last year I was considering a Sterling 5HS but really could not justify the outlay so I opted for a custom ACG headless Harlot 5HS with the same string spacing and similar neck profile. It's now on the radar, as in Alan has started showing pictures, so hopefully it will be with me before the SE Bash.[/quote] Sterling 5 HS....I know exactly what you mean...I can see myself looking into one right now!

[quote name='Chris2112' post='954361' date='Sep 13 2010, 08:49 AM']I don't know, that growling chugging sound you hear across Load, Reload and Cunning Stunts is great...I quite like the sound of Jason's Sadowsky basses![/quote] They looks great, and I think back then I was quite in awe of how cool and retro I thought it was to have a normal Jazz bass (with a decent in a metal band. After trying one, I just cant get on with it. Maybe I should try one again, but I darent at the prices they charge!

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='954377' date='Sep 13 2010, 09:07 AM']Glad its finally hit the spot after waiting all this time for it. Ive never played one but do think if i ever go back to a SR it will be a 5 string. Ive always found i feel more comfortable on 5 strings, even if im not using the B string much. I like the narrow spacing you get on a lot of 5 string basses and find them easier to play than, say a P.[/quote] Funnily enough, as per usual, I was worried because of the 'oh Ray 5 have narrow string spacing' comments I hear. I dont think its narrow, I think it just works. My hands dont ache or struggle in the slightest, and it just seems smoooooth. Come to think of it, the Lakland 35" scale/neck works for me, but I did notice I was stretching quite a lot when I tried a JO5 for a good 10 minutes. I realise its just building muscle, but the 1st fret was a little further away. With the Ray 5, its just 'there' so to speak....waiting for you to use it hahah. I also think, after a fairly close A/B, that the EBMM 'B' is much tighter and punchier that the Lakland. This was about half an hour between each other. The Lakland B is nice, but compared to the EBMM, it doesnt have that presence and tightness. I like Bs to be there, but not overly dominating, which Ive been told can happen with a 35". Again, this is just all talk! Now Im so happy with this, Im quite happy to stick with EBMM for my 30th Birthday bass. I think im going to look into another 5 string. As much as Im tempted by the Big Al 5, I think a Sterling 5 might be a safer bet. Who knows! Time to start researching.

How can anyone dislike this: [url="http://www.bovinehost.com/currentbasses/BigAl5/bigal5.htm"]http://www.bovinehost.com/currentbasses/BigAl5/bigal5.htm[/url]

[quote name='dub_junkie' post='953009' date='Sep 11 2010, 06:54 PM']new SR5 best kind of new bass day imo +1 on the B which is great and plenty fat sounding. I'm looking forward to pics of this beauty[/quote] Will get some up! Ive just played this bass for 2 hours through headphones from my RH450 and an ipod. I am literally stunned. Not only are the solo tones good, but put this in a mix (say with just the S and a treble cut, bass boost a tad and minds boost a tad) it sounds bloomin marvellous. I played along with JK and 'Runaway' is a P bass, and the Ray sounded so good! Switching it to the classic MM H and it sounds massive. Im a huge 5 string/Ray 5 convert. This is a great instrument. Easily the best 5er Ive had the chance to play. Looks like im sticking with EBMM now.

Id save for the real thing. Try and find a mint second hand one. Trust me, they are worth it

Just realised Id already put this topic up then made another! Still good to read it again.

[quote name='Jigster' post='953407' date='Sep 12 2010, 11:00 AM']i'd vouch for the RW jazz - recorded some stuff a few weeks back through my Bassman 135, and all sounded old school as old school - gr8 guitars[/quote] Did you keep the pickups stock? How does it compare to the NASH?

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='953252' date='Sep 11 2010, 11:40 PM']I do like the 60s RI too myself and then of course the 62RI MIJ has USA pickups & is close to the USA AV in my view but at half the cost[/quote] If I could get a MIJ 62 Reissues I definitely would! The Roadworn, despite the controversial ageing, is high on the list.

Just to give closure on this. I carried on using the Fender stock strings for AGES. Finally, the E broke (and I think this is due to the fact I was picking fairly heavy handed yet careful, and the tapered E couldnt handle it). Now, after an hour of messing about, Ive put a set of Ernie Ball Group III Flats through body on the P bass discussed above. Apparently they dont stay too zingy for long which is great. So far, they seem smooth, clear and mid tension. Similar to the tension of the stock Fender strings (eg more tension that TIs). Cheers PS - Im assuming through body is ok? EB Flats dont say otherwise and people are fitted them to the Classic Stingrays (through body ONLY) so Im hoping its ok.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='953093' date='Sep 11 2010, 08:05 PM']This one you speak of, is not a taco is it? (mexican) if so bewaro amigo, mucho bodgjo![/quote] It is.....although the RWs have had excellent reviews, some people comparing them to the Fender Custom Shops but much cheaper. Hmm.

[quote name='kevbass' post='952987' date='Sep 11 2010, 06:32 PM']Fender 60's reissue jazz bass?[/quote] Possibly, although the lighter weight of the RW is tempting (well Ive heard they are mainly lighter overall).

Hi Can anyone recommend a nice Jazz bass that nails the 60s tone, is available with a rosewood board, and isnt over £1k? I dont mind if its passive or active, but Id prefer passive. I have been tempted by Lakland Jazzes, but Im not going to pursue that avenue after a few problems I had. It caused too much hassle last time, so something else? Sadowsky basses dont do it tone wise for me. One option is the Roadworn Jazz Bass (Fiesta Red). Not only does it look great, but I tested one and it sounded pretty damn good as well. Are they overpriced? I know I can get one under £800, but is that still too much? The other option is Sandberg, but Im not sure if they sound a little too modern for what Im after. Im open to ideas though. 4 or 5 string, dont mind.

Ive no idea what the fuss about string spacing is on these! 17.5 seems fine to me. After one day I can almost slap on it, and I dont really slap much anyway. The B is great, the 3 band EQ is brilliant, the HS options are excellent, the weight is LOW for a 5 string bass (possibly the lightest 5 string Ive tried) and the fit and finish are great. Excellent neck joint, and the paintwork is stunning. Pics up in the Gear Porn bit over the next few days. Now dont get me wrong, Ive tried some great basses to get to this, but EBMM just dont mess about when it comes to quality on the vast majority of their basses. I nearly went for a JO5/DJ5 Lakland instead way before I found the Ray 5 HS, and I still go and test them when I see them in stores. I just cannot go over how bad some of the workmanship is on the Laklands on a £1K+ bass. The Ray 5 is more expensive, but you get your proper case, and massively superior electronics. I still think, after an almost instant A/B, that the 34" B on the Ray is tighter and more defined. Anyways, thanks for all the advice!

Totally off topic, but still on. Everyone knows I like the neck on these basses. I went to try new stock today. It ticked almost every box....almost. Quite light, lovely rosewood board, striking paint colour, excellent neck join. What let it down? Really bad routing of the bridge pup. The G string was nowhere near the centre of the pole pieces. I dont just mean a bit off, I mean totally off. It was obvious when I solo'd the back pickup. The volume dropped. Looking at the other stock they had, there were some others the same, and some were spot on. Clearly its been put in wrongly like Dave's Fender Jazz. I class this as a shame because they make great necks. I do think I prefer the days when they were a smaller outfit and didnt have the Hanson pups.

Not keen, which is odd for me.