Musicman20

I have to admit, yesterday I tried all sorts of high end kit. Including a Rickenbacker 4003, some Sadowsky Metro's and a few 'new' Laklands (and a second hand one). There was a 2 band Ray hanging up, and ive never tried a 2 band. You know what? It was the best instrument I played ALL day. Thats including the Metros. The build quality was just outstanding. Amazing paint job, clean neck join, no problems with the frets, lightweight. I loved it. The neck just felt 100% right. If you ask me, EBMM are some of the highest quality mass produced instruments out there. Looking at the back of the Metro basses, the plastic covering for the active electronics looked so 'wrong' and unclean for an instrument with a value of £1600-1700+ I just couldnt believe it. Basschat gives the old Ray a fair bit of bashing, and they SHOULD hold their value a lot more than they do. I just think the build, sound, and feel along with that huge sound is something to be admired.

Cheers guys. Once we have basic recording ill put them up. Probably be a while and writing and gigging like mad is our aim at the moment. I do have a friend who can record great 'first demos' for absolutely nothing, and they sound fantastic.

[quote name='phil.i.stein' post='931035' date='Aug 20 2010, 03:32 PM']not very well known outside hardcore punk circles, but this guys runs are so mental that i'm guessing he must have been a guitarist before playing bass. [/quote] Man this is good tech bass though. That kind of punk always sounds good with a mentally fast bassline and standard guitar parts.

I hate good guitarist who try to play the bass like a guitar thinking they are better than a 'mere bassist'. Cannot stand it...no feel, or rhythm.

Tried one today in Soundslive as I was passing. Oh heck, not my thing at all. Just felt hollow and low on 'ommph'. I think they definitely are a marmite bass. Still look fantastic, but the parts (just by looking at them) are not that great. Stingray 2 Band EQ smoked it...£600 less and just had gobs of tone. I really am stuck in Precision/Stingray/Jazz world im afraid.

[quote name='umcoo' post='930780' date='Aug 20 2010, 12:01 PM']So there I am, rocking away at practice with an AD200B and the Matamp 2x12. The head is moving around the top of the cab a few inches and I pull it back everytime it gets too close to the edge. Mid-song and it stops making any noise...not a whistle. Everything still turned on, lights on, valves glowing as they should. No flashes, no smoke, no funny smells. Changed leads, bass is passive and worked through different amps. Any thoughts? I'm thinking the vibrations maybe loosened something? Good job it was the last song of the practice! Thanks for any help you guys can offer[/quote] Jees, it vibrates an AD200b?! How loud are you practicing?! Hmm, not sure. Tried another cab?

My latest originals band has had the same core 3 members since February. We are a great team when it comes to writing. The guitarist plays guitar like Ive never seen. He isnt ultra flash, just VERY good at making songs sound interesting. He is probably one of the most talented guys ive worked with. The drummer is exceptional and exactly what I was looking for. The guitarist went away for a teaching program, but returned ready to continue. We got another guitarist in to keep the band going whilst he left and also join as second guitarist. The second guitarist left recently due to course commitments, which is totally fine. We carried on, found a vocalist/guitarist, tried it. Something wasnt right. I was ready to give up. This was the third time we wrote songs then scrapped them. Another vocalist came along to try out. Click...it worked. He KNOWS how to sing, how to 'act' (eg not stand still if you dont play a guitar/bass as well), and hes a really nice chap. He is also fully available, and willing to help with gig bookings. We wont ever make money, or be a large band, as its underground melodic punk with lots of nice 'tech' parts from all of us. But, it works, and I can tell already that its going to go well. Cannot wait to write more and get gigging. The new vocalist wrote melodies on the spot and brought lyrics he wrote after out first practice with him. So, Im really happy. I feel like im getting on well with them, and we are all after the same thing - enjoyment. We are starting to sound like A Wilhelm Scream crossed with Hot Water Music. I like it...Ive missed playing at ridiculous speeds.

[quote name='jonthebass' post='930285' date='Aug 19 2010, 08:52 PM']Hi Musicman20, I have a Lakland USA Glaub I bought earlier this year and it has the Hanson pickup in it. The pickup I would say is 'vintage-hot' in that it has that classic P bass sound but with a bit more output than a vintage model. That's only the beginning though as the neck feels and plays great, a stunning bit of kit and worth investigating. If you're in London anytime you're more than welcome to pop round/meet up and try it out... Cheers and hope that helps you a bit, Jon[/quote] Thanks! Sounds great to me. I might check one out. I keep looking at other basses, then coming back to the simple P bass design.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='930281' date='Aug 19 2010, 08:49 PM']Knowing him.... whatever he wants this week, he'd have gone off it next week, and he'd be after something else. I have never seen anyone like him in terms of gas and "wants" lol [/quote] Hahah, I get involved in wanting bits and bobs and realise Ive got caught up in 'new bass' hysteria. A P is ALWAYS my goto instrument, next is the Ray, and the Jazz closely behind. I dont know why it is, but the P works. I like to investigate them, check what works for me, then make a decision, which then probably changes hahaha. Im going through a transition of not knowing what I want next I think, and I really miss my natural Ray 4. Sob. Really, 2 Ps (minimum), 2 Js, and 2 Rays plus a 5 string of some type is where I want to be.

As per the title, just looking for information. Cheers

Thanks guys. Has to be passive, and I think ive probably hit the wall of trying to find better but not succeeding, as what I have is great. Im looking at the Lakland 44-64 (Bob Glaub) as well though...im wondering what theyd be like, especially the latest ones. Any ideas?

They are the same pickups as the MIM 50s/60s versions, eg a MIM pickup. I wondered what was in it, asked Fender UK and USA, and they both said MIM.

American Series Precision. Great Bass. I have 3, selling one, but might keep it! What is their above the P bass from Fender apart from a custom maker? How do people rate the Lakland P Basses (Skyline)? Im guessing the Fender AV62 might be a good start, but anything else apart from going down the true vintage market and spending bloody ages finding one?

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='929833' date='Aug 19 2010, 02:11 PM']There's 2 of them in my local shop... (either used or new old stock ex demo or something, both of them are mint) pm me for details if you want me to link you up to them.[/quote] Cheers GW. Im actually close to sorting something EBMM (again!) but I am still interested in at least trying one out for a while. I think I need to look into them a little more before I even do that.

Nice track. Thanks for the link. He really does have a fantastic voice. However, im still favouring Pearl Jam...

Cheers chaps. I do think used is the way to go.

[quote name='Muzz' post='929474' date='Aug 19 2010, 10:22 AM']OK, so I've got my sound the way I like it, in the smallest possible rig I could get - a one-trip combination of Schroeder 1515L, LMIII and Sansamp BDDI. However, the Sansamp is on all the time, and I've jokingly said it may as well be nailed onto the amp, it's such an integral part of the sound I like. I'm all for simplicity these days, though, which has led me to consider if the LMIII/Sansamp could be replaced with a single unit, thus reducing cables/boxes/setup and general faffage. I'm thinking LMTube or Rocker, but I have no experience of either of these amps. Other manufacturers' offerings could be considered, tho I tried a RH450 and didn't really get on with it - the drive just didn't sound warm or 'organic' enough. Could have been the TC 210 cab, tho. I don't use a ton of drive, just enough to give some tubey warmth and a little breakup. Anyone got any experience of the above?[/quote] LM Rocker might get you there. I found a few clicks of tubetone of the RH450 gets you there for a hair on the note....add about 1/3 plus for grindy tones.

Thanks for all the excellent input! I probably need to play one for more than half an hour to get to see if they really are me. I think its a cosmetic thing for me. They looks stunning. My favourite colour is the sonic blue they do a limited run of. Sadly they are no longer making those. If I had to choose a colour now it would be black I think. Best get testing really.

Ive seen some absolute bargains on here and they STILL dont sell. Sign of the financial times me thinks. In addition, if you want to buy new, do it NOW before the VAT rise in 2011!

Great bass! Cannot beat white IMO. Classic.

Before we jump just on the EB approach, let me tell you from recent 'emails' and discussions with a different (NOT EBMM) very highly respected maker in the US, im shocked and appalled at their rudeness. I wont go destroying their credibility on here, as I doubt anyone would actually believe me. Im a little shocked about it myself. I got the feeling the brand 'name' has extended so far to actually lead to sheer arrogance. On the other hand, after dealing with S&T (EBMM UK) Im more than impressed with the help we get. I have emailed the customer service team for EB in the US, and they have always helped me out. I received two parts for my old Rays for free (despite the fact they were nearly 10 years old). Yes, we are only talking minor replaceable parts that cost very very little, but it was a positive experience. In addition, Ive been discussing problems Ive had with Lakland basses with the company directly, and they have been MORE than helpful in getting me the bass that I want. I dont really have brand loyalty to any maker of basses or amps/cabs, but If I get a positive or negative experience, ill post it! More so if it is positive.

Friendship and a 'bond' IMO is one of the single most important features needed in a band, more so with an originals band. Ive found all the bands Ive tried recently didnt work out for both myself AND the band. Why? Totally different backgrounds, totally different people. My current originals band is slow going, (despite the fact we are all technically great together) but the friendship keeps it fun. We still havent found the 'right' singer, and we continue to look on as a core three.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='928992' date='Aug 18 2010, 07:58 PM']I must say i did think that T.C. Electronic head looked cool. Then i saw the price. Lolz.[/quote] They are expensive, but wow, do they get the job done with a certain 'class' that I was shocked about when I tested one, (and ultimately ended up buying one).

[quote name='Colledge' post='928876' date='Aug 18 2010, 06:09 PM']the only reason i can think of that it wouldnt be suitable for gigging is that the metal case doesnt seem as hard wearing as a traditional wood cased amp.... but aslong as you take care of it... i dont see a problem.[/quote] The gig bag is great protection and the amp is super light, so it should be fine