Musicman20

At least Bowie achieved 5. Adele will NEVER been on the level of Bowie, and that is probably just how the industry is now. She will not be making off the wall experimental semi-jazz albums in her 60s. I don't take notice of these awards, but I'm glad Bowie got the recognition he deserved. Hopefully people who listen to Adele might think 'that album of Bowie's seems popular, i'll try it'.

I don't know why but I want one! I doubt I'll ever get one though. I really don't like the GAK demos, but more so the guitar ones. Shedding hipsters.

I used to use the older Italian model...I think it was a 700W rated cab. Super light! Easy to move around. I'm not sure how the latest models compare.

I just don't know why Musicman don't utilise one of the most well known modern bass players! I mean, not only is he well known, his bass lines really do sit high in the mix.... I guess the Stingray doesn't need to have a signature artist version as it sells itself, but I do think he could come up with something very cool with them.

Thanks for all the responses. Finally have a brand new pedal with me now, and the old one is on it's way back. Yep, I was right, bits and pieces were missing from the box....this one is brand new. Makes me doubt I'd use them again, despite now having what I want...this could have been saved had they just sent a new one originally.

I have two 'higher end' MIM instruments. Baja Telecaster - USA pickups, 50's styling, massive fat neck....SUPERB. Build quality is amazing. Flea Road Worn Jazz Bass - USA pickups, unique colour, plays superb....build quality again is amazing. It plays better than my MIA Fender Jazz. I've played a few absolutely awful USA Fenders as well.... The MIM series, especially the higher end (I'm eyeing up a Jazzmaster at the mo) are very good.

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1486545874' post='3232574'] NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I really hope not, because I'd just might end up buying one mesmerised by its colour [/quote] It would be awesome though! hahaha A purple metalflake Jazz bass, but with all the traditional Fender trimmings. MMMMM! Or just a nice green....like Sherwood Green!

I wouldn't personally go custom. I'd try to work out what you really want, then see what is available....didn't read the whole thread but I assume there is a ceiling on price? There is SO much to choose from now. If you wanted a high end 5 string Jazz, I'd personally opt for Sadowsky. Every time. If you want a Musicman type tone, just get a Musicman...don't bother with a custom. As your Yamaha is fairly modern looking, you might like the Bongo...they are completely crazy but play so well. The tone is so precise and 'quick'... Precision bass? Tough...actually nowadays I wouldn't say a Fender 5 string P...I don't like the new Professional Series specs and colours but that's me. Sandberg do a nice modern style take on a P and J. Roscoe might be your thing...plus they have some lovely new traditional looking gear coming out. If you like your Yamaha, perhaps just a high end Yamaha?

[quote name='Bassman Sam' timestamp='1486314425' post='3230816'] Where are you based? I might be able to give you a lift. [/quote] Hey - thanks Sam. I didn't see this the other day. My other half is using the car still but only until mid-afternoon and as she's away with work this week she's planned something in for us now as I wasn't expecting to make this. Sorry! Thanks anyway.

I used to use a fairly scooped sound with a Sansamp BDDI, but if I were to go back playing hardcore and punk, (I don't play the slower heavier stuff unless it's more like QOTSA dirty bluesy rock) I'd use a Sansamp BDDI (the latest one with mids helps!) or the VT Bass pedal...I really think Tech 21 nailed the tones of slightly slightly hairy notes all the way to much more grind. Personally, I think Darkglass need WAY more demo videos with bassists using Fender Ps, Js, Rics and Stingrays...you'd be surprised how many heavier bands just using a P bass and have some hair on the notes. The P bass just 'sits' in the lower mids properly to me. Using much more scooped tones from dual pickup active Dingwalls is pretty niche, despite the popularity of Dingwall in the heavy genre recently. I still think one of the best metal bass tones I've heard is Billy Gould's old aggressive tones....that is one of the best examples of a heavier overdriven bass that cuts through the recordings like a knife! Very punchy and tight. Funnily enough Billy now uses Darkglass! I'd like to hear his tone with it.

Good update anyway - GAK have arranged to have it picked up and are swapping it for a new one via the courier tomorrow. So, if it all works out, I'll be fairly happy with the product itself. I just think they need to beef up their customer service skils and perhaps improve their returns service/check products when returned from customers.

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1486395354' post='3231397'] It's all a bit of a dual-edged sword. A bricks and mortar company gets it wrong, a buyer understandably then goes to Amazon to buy musical gear and eventually said bricks and mortar shop goes out of business. Local economy suffers, Amazon dodge their taxes in UK so UK economy suffers too and it becomes a viscous circle. [/quote] I would happily use brick and mortar stores more often if they just ramped up the customer service....honestly. I am not sure how the Amazon tax situation applies to products that are sold on behalf of a brick and mortar store but sent using Amazon's service....best of both worlds. The store actually give their stock to Amazon I believe? That is how it has worked with the last few pedals I've bought. It makes returns easier as I can just re-wrap and go online to get it sent back. It usually also means you get a brand new product so I barely ever send them back. I've tried to use HMV's actual stores to buy vinyl recently, and I still do, but they cannot compete with some of Amazon's aggressive pricing, such as 'pre-order this vinyl and you pay the lowest price it drops to, even if it then goes up'....I have Bowie vinyl on order that is seriously good value because of this. Hmmm!

[quote name='Daz39' timestamp='1486384605' post='3231250'] Ah - the rewarding sound of taking back control. Wait... [/quote] Hahahhahahaaahah

[quote name='blablas' timestamp='1482250740' post='3198886'] Glamor-shot of the full StingRay5 with the controls cavity cover. [/quote] Well that works stunningly well.

Nice Musicman collection Hiram! I need to do the same and label mine up. That Sledge is lovely. Which Starry Night bass did you go for? Looks like it's been a VERY popular finish package for EBMM. I almost bought another 6 string Musicman guitar but the prices have gone crazy now...the one I was offered was also a customer return....always makes me think twice and not bother.

Radiohead have put in place a system for their summer tour meaning that your name is on the tickets. In fact, my Dad's name is on his ticket (when it arrives). So, we have to take ID. How would someone do that if the ticket isn't in their name?!

[quote name='stuckinthepod' timestamp='1486389310' post='3231315'] Hi Musicman, Yes I'm in Sale so a frequenter of all the South Manchester shops. I bought a Marshall DSL40 over at Sounds Great in the last three weeks. Great service and stock over there. [/quote] Right near me then! I'm towards the Alty end but still Sale...nice place. Only been here about 20 months but feel sure me and our lass will stick around and buy at some point. Best of both worlds....big city very close by, smaller town feel in Sale and Alty.

[quote name='stuckinthepod' timestamp='1486378890' post='3231180'] Marvel Guitars in Timperley, opened two years ago. Great little store. Dawsons in Manchester, awful. Dawsons in Altrincham, great, with really nice staff although less stock to choose from. Is South City Music in Altrincham still open? Closed every time I've been past. [/quote] Hey you must be fairly close to me! I'm in that area. I agree the Dawsons in Alty is much better.

[quote name='artisan' timestamp='1486374299' post='3231119'] They sent me a second hand "new" bass recently & were not particularly helpful in sorting it out,we got there in the end but it left a sour taste. I don't think I'll be using them again. [/quote] This is what I feel has happened to me, albeit a pedal. I think it is no doubt a floor model or a previous return. I don't understand why they don't keep a closer eye on returns and make sure they come back immaculate...and then decide if they should go on display as a display model/return. The website should specify, as Andertons do on their site. The icing on the cake was when the stock presets of the pedal were nothing like they are meant to be. Clearly someone had messed around with it and decided they want to return it and left some of the bits out of the return package. Instead of GAK dealing with that, they've essentially passed the hassle on to me! I have now heard from the returns dept, so hopefully should have a new one asap. I know it's a bit rough of me to cause a fuss, but it's just the time organising returns/re-packing, emailing, waiting for new items, etc....it could have easier been saved had it been checked! As a total opposite experience, ordered a pedal on Friday from Amazon, arrived Sunday, brand new, free delivery for a pedal which is only £58! No issues.

Thinking locally, I've been in PMT, Forsyths and Dawsons, (Manc area). The Dawsons store unfortunately seems to be plagued by younger players just picking gear up without thinking about marking the instruments or asking; I've seen a few examples of basses being sold new that are really pushing even ex-demo condition. There is also a Dawsons nearby to my home. Much calmer and nicer environment. I have asked them for quotes a few times. I had a fairly larger Roland/Boss order to make and they couldn't move on the prices, despite it being picked up by me, so I went elsewhere and saved a fair amount and had it sent to my house. There are probably a few other smaller stores I've missed around here, but to be honest, the fun of guitar shops has worn off and I just buy online now.

I think some of the super high end guitar shops probably do quite well. World Guitars as an example. Bass alone is such a niche market, whereas involving bass with a larger selection of high end guitars attracts those willing to spend considerable money who want more of a personal service. I think the main stores I would use now would be Andertons, Sound Affects (who also have a high end store) and Bass Direct for more bass niche specific gear.

£299! I am sayin' nowt.

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1486120678' post='3229364'] That's what they are supposed to sound like! [/quote] That must be why I don't like it hahaha! Sounds like a low tuned guitar to me. It almost doesn't sound organic, it sounds very digital like a keyboard. Dirt and fuzz on bass can be the icing on the cake, but there is a point where it becomes....too much.

[quote name='radiophonic' timestamp='1486196482' post='3229927'] I think the prices for boutique [i]dirt [/i]pedals (I'll include anything smaller than people like MXR/TC, I guess) has become silly. I woouldn't pay new prices for Darkglass or similar. A B7K costs more than my Hartke head. Beyond setting the eq points and including a blend (why did [i]that[/i] take so long), it can't be rocket science (not disparaging anyone, but this isn't new tech - just better implementation aided by the availability of simulation software, surely). I sometimes wonder how much of the USP is down to really cool graphics on the cases. Hell, I don't even need another dirt pedal and I'm tempted by the Fuzzrocious gear! OTOH, historically, a good boring compressor has always been pricier than a dirt pedal and the move towards multiband does represent a step change in tech, but you can still be in that market at way less than 200 quid. There may be better squeezes than the Boss BCX1, but it does everything I need. It just comes in a boring case, with no fancy paintwork. The MXR Phase 90 is [i]still[/i] a great phaser (boost notwithstanding - actually I find that useful) for < 100 quid. Just my 2c. [/quote] Agreed. Dirt pedals are becoming like Apple products....for a DIRT pedal...!?

Oh, and to give Amazon credit, they have pedals that are £50-100 for free shipping whereas most stores don't. I know there is a lot of anti-Amazon gear heads out there, but for pedals, strings etc, they are great. No fuss delivery, no fuss returns.....always VERY polite. So, I've skipped using stores for the other things I wanted this month and gone to Amazon, again!