Musicman20

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='917973' date='Aug 7 2010, 02:00 PM']Really though how different can a Classic be to my EB? Mine is in need of a setup which I think will make more of a difference when its done on tuesday. [url="http://imageevent.com/nicksguitars/stingray1993tealblue;jsessionid=cyjm8rp5y2.zebra_s"]http://imageevent.com/nicksguitars/stingra...m8rp5y2.zebra_s[/url] What about this? 2 band,mutes and well known as great age for necks half the price of a Classic![/quote] Nice, and agreed!

From reading a few reviews of those who got a top notch Classic Ray, they are 'stating' they prefer it to their original Ray. This is from the EB Forums btw. They could still be in the honeymoon period though. My main issue is that at the moment, as mentioned, Ernie Ball basses are not fetching what they should. £650 for an immaculate Ray is just silly. I think its just not the right time to be selling one. But, in America, they seem very popular still. All it needs is one current large UK band to start using one live and you see a few more people buying them Remember Song 2 by Blur? I used to get a lot of people asking 'what bass does he use, it sounds and looks fantastic!' etc etc. Maybe its the colour choices though. Black/Natural/White/Burst are still the best colours on a Ray IMO and always seem to sell quicker.

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='917911' date='Aug 7 2010, 12:44 PM']There has been cheaper ones on the for sale forum here. eBay is bad place to get a hold of pre-CBS and pre-EB basses, one person with one who spent £500 on it see the Germans price there's at 2k and then they think they can aswell, even if it's a dog. I just saw a 63 precision neck on the bay for £1k+ I agree that the pre-EB rays are alot cheaper.[/quote] Personally, I hate ebay for buying. Id never buy a bass off ebay...id rather wait until it comes up here. Agreed though, Id love an early Ray, but Im far too picky.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='917169' date='Aug 6 2010, 05:16 PM']This theory is massively flawed as you have proved to us and yourself,My pre is old but bought through a good dealer who would not of bought a lemon as he hand picks them in the States wheras you ordered a Classic brand new and it had issues from the start which I know you went into on another thread so I wont go into it.New is not always best IMO. As far as Im aware the 2 band eq is the same circuit albeit on a modern PCB on the very latest EB's so as far as sound goes the only real difference is the slab body where the EB will lose a bit of body to its sound.[/quote] Ah yes I see your point. Its not just that, its the warranty as well I like to have, but yep, dealers will only tend to get top models. Good to know info on the 2 Band EQ as well.

Ibanez Promethean? You can get just the 1x10. [url="http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.php?product_id=1051&category_id=2"]http://www.bassmerchant.com/item_detail.ph...p;category_id=2[/url]

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='916310' date='Aug 5 2010, 07:23 PM']There does seem to be a common theme on Basschat of people who love stingrays that go around the houses with all sorts of special versions and custom orders then sell them on only to find they need another Ray, Yet those that have pre EB's appear to rather sell a relative or rarely used body part before they would sell them and not just because of future possible value but as actual gigging basses.Im not sure the gap in price between all the versions is worth it either.A nice pre is just that and will always find a new home for good money whereas EB's drop like lead balloons and unfairly at the moment I think. For £700 you can have choice of colour on ebay or even on here,Is a classic that different to warrant the massive ammount of extra cost? For that price you could buy a 2 and a 3 band EB that would be just as good IMO. It always ends the same with this common thread,Either fork out for a pre or save some money and enjoy a nice secondhand EB. [/quote] I agree on the pricing. Id imagine for a brand new Ray, no one should be asking less than £900-£1000 as they retail for about £1300 for a normal 3EQ Ray 4 H. I did go round the houses. One of the basses I sold was for the Ray5 HS, which I knew had to happen. The other got sold for the Classic Ray, which wasnt as spot on as I expected. I still want one though. I have definitely come to the conclusion I miss have two different 4 string H 3EQ Rays, so I might just get another. I think once you find a bass/brand that works for you, its sometimes best to ignore any other brands that sway you, as it can lead to disappointment. Im really missing having that massive Ray sound. Yes, I have 2 incoming, but I sold one that I really didnt need to, so I will learn my lesson and bu another! 2EQ or 3EQ standard. It might just be a 3EQ, as Ive heard the latest 2EQ models arent like the old 2EQ models. In addition, those extra 'lows' we all like are actually very punishing on your amp/speaker, and its not actually needed! Sounds nice though. We shall see. [quote name='Prime_BASS' post='916430' date='Aug 5 2010, 09:42 PM']I think you have a point there on pre-EBs they retain they're price pretty consistently where as even good SR4s are going for less than half te price new, but I think Gareth here is the kind to buy new..... I might get saving for a Pre-EB now.[/quote] I am a fan of buying new. I dont like buying and not knowing any potential problems, which is me just being picky and cautious as usual!

My friends Dad had a double pickup version of a USA G&L (not sure of their models). Looked awesome, and we all sat and compared it to my old Ray 4 H which was the same finish (natural). The G&L did have a unique tone, and its 'G&L'. Nice bass, but for me, Id always craved the Ray sound, so Ive stuck with them.

If you dont like the inherent sound of it, with even just stock tubes, then it might not be the amp for you. Mine still has stock tubes and I couldnt be happier with the tone.

I think the AC's (and mayeb Nordy) are more well known for having that vintage vibe. I dont mean full on vintage, just more 'grunt'. I know what you mean about sounding good in the mix but I have to be happy with both a mix sound and the tone on its own (to an extent, obviously). Some active basses Ive heard do get close to a vintage sound but just with that extra ommph (like the new John East P circuit), and thats what Id be looking for. To be honest, a good old passive bass with the Tone Hammer is just as good for me. If I had serious cash now, id be looking at an Alleva or a Nordy. Something sets them apart from the crowd, especially the Nordy basses. Still not 100% on the AC headstock but Id get used to it. If I didnt get them id ask Overwater or Sei to make me an amazing passive Jazz with a subtle EQ. I do know why you like them though, dont get me wrong. Lovely looking instruments.

[quote name='OldGit' post='916035' date='Aug 5 2010, 02:38 PM']Er dunno, a big Orange one. Are there choices?[/quote] Ahh so he got the matching Orange one! I thought he may have gone Ampeg or something. Ive not listened to the Orange one but Ive seen one, and despite the fact its Neo loaded, it looks like a massive tank, which is to be expected from Orange I guess. If I had roadies, Id love one.

Mixed views I see! I guessed as much. Ive always been a 3EQplayer, and I can make it sound warm/thuddy as well as aggressive and punchy. I would like a 2EQ though....just for something different. Ive asked for some quotes anyway...we shall see. Thanks chaps btw, Linus's thread was very helpful.

I still want to find a Sadowsky that sounds more vintage. They are quite polite in their tone, but obviously by the popularity, this is working for them. I would buy one direct if I were you, or second hand. The Metros are VERY expensive for what they are, (as mentioned above the retailer is taking a large chunk). Very high quality and great QC. I dont see how they can be deemed as affordable now, which was the idea in the first place. £1200-1300 should be the price bracket, not nearly £2000. Worst thing, to me, is the massssssive battery compartment/electronics compartment on the back. Are these on the NYC's as well? For the price bracket, it should be neater or disguised a little better.

[quote name='OldGit' post='915977' date='Aug 5 2010, 01:59 PM']Someone I know has just bought the AD200B and an 8x10. He plays in a pub covers band and is a beginner (with loads of money to spend I guess). Us old dogs are aghast, not only at his disposable cash but also at whet we imagine will be a stadium setup in smallish pubs where an unmiked drum kit is way too loud. Will he be able to get a decent sound out of it at those levels?[/quote] The amp itself is excellent at low levels. Half the reason I got it is because its that inbetween wattage that will let you push it with the gain at lower volumes. But open it up about half on the master and it really is insanely loud. The 8x10 though, might be overkill! Which 8x10 did he opt for?

[quote name='Prime_BASS' post='914477' date='Aug 4 2010, 12:15 AM']I'm not that experienced, but have played with few and my SUB is 2-EQ. Personally I prefer 2-EQ. It feels to me much more meaty, around the lows and the treble seems a bit clearer. Also I like just turning the knobs till I get a sound I like instead of worrying about it being flat, which I believe the 3-EQs have centre idents. Surely it is more battery economic? Anyway if I had the kind of budget to buy a classic, I'd think about alternatives, big al4 SSS, try and get a really good condition Pre-EB ray Or a sabre? The thing about the big al and the sabre is the exclusivity, and a different querk on the "ray" tone. Although, you have 2 Ps and 2 rays, it may make sense to go ahead and grab a new American deluxe Jazz. But then again I find the ray sound can fit in a lot more mixes and be played with fingers or a pick and still sound great. (btw did you ask you guitarist about te orange?)[/quote] Ive always been a 3 band player, but I listened to a demo of a 2 band yesterday (normal Ray) and I loved it. Im thinking one 2 band Ray, one 3 band Ray, and one 5 String Ray. Two of them are coming anyway....just need to think if its Fender Jazz or 2EQ Ray....hmm. I can see your point on the Big Al, etc, but Ive found that im stubborn with tone. I love the whole Big Al style, but Im still not 100% sold on the tone UNTIL I test one....that might sway me. I asked about your Orange rig and atm hes also selling an amp so has no spare cash. But this might change. Cheers!

[quote name='Al Heeley' post='914408' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:48 PM']why did u sell them?[/quote] Well, one of them was being sold for a Stingray 5 HS, check....thats sorted! The other was sold, and I dont know why. I was offered a very good price and I snapped it up to purchase a Stingray Classic, or just a normal Stingray in a colour I preferred, and in the end I went back to a White H 4 String 3 EQ which im waiting for. So I never had to spend much more to get what I wanted, as I sold two for two. The Classic Stingray was beautiful, but the neck issue seriously put me off, which was a massive shame. Now I still want another simple H Ray, whether it be another 3 EQ, 2 EQ, or the new Classics (hopefully with no neck issue).

Since I sold my Rays, Ive seriously missed everything about them. Everything. The tone, the feel and the sheer grunt. I did have a Classic for about a day, but unfortunately there was a problem with the neck. I am half tempted to treat myself after finally finding a really good job. I like Rays, and I want more of them! At the moment its split between a Ray 4 H 2EQ, Ray 4 3EQ, or Classic Ray On the other hand is another Fender Jazz Bass. Im having a rubbish time with bands at the moment, but im determined to push on and find something thats worth putting the effort in for. Opinions? Do I need more Rays? No, but I cant find anything else that does it like a Ray.

[quote name='Sibob' post='914375' date='Aug 3 2010, 10:23 PM']Instantly, thoughts on this? I know its not a great picture, have requested more! [url="http://img819.imageshack.us/i/preebstingray.jpg/"][/url] Cheers Si[/quote] WOW!

Both nice cabinets, both light, and both with great form factor. There is a slight nasal tone to the MB cabinets, but as mentioned, some players love it. The TC is more vintage-meets-modern with a fantastic sweet high end. If you opt for TC, Id suggest the cover, as I would for ANY spray finish cabinet. Its only about £18.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='913860' date='Aug 3 2010, 01:51 PM']They have a Black/maple on hold for me for when they get this one back. Im happy to have the Black (it was my first choice anyway) According to their website they wont get a SB/maple in until the end of the month. Im not waiting that long. For me the colour isnt a big deal. I'd even be happy with Red/maple.[/quote] Ah, and youll get a small refund as well! Id swap it out Dave. Itll play on your mind even if they fix it.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='913816' date='Aug 3 2010, 01:13 PM']Thanks Chris. The shop seem really cool about it so far. They have been great to deal with. My only worry is im going to be without it this weekend and i have two gigs. Just as well i have the Squier i guess.[/quote] Its good that they are willing to sort it. If you arent happy, I reckon swap it for another. The shop wont lose out, only Fender will and its not like thats going to be an issue. I enquired about a Burst/Rosewood and the UK supplier is out of stock of Burst until September.....but at least you know youd be getting a brand new one.

[quote name='cetera' post='913650' date='Aug 3 2010, 11:03 AM']One VERY simple answer to all this. Get a Sansamp Bass Driver or VT Bass pedal. It's all you need, whatever bass you're playing....[/quote] +1....this will give you a modern aggressive tone.

Bump

Waste of time, yet again. Not impressed with the band scene so far up here. Basically, they can't make a decision but want to leave it for 8 weeks or so. It's times like these you have to ask yourself is it all worth it? Eg the effort and practice in making yourself stand out from the usual dull root root ex rhythm guitarist bass players. Not impressed.

Well, I did a second practice and Im still awaiting some information. I was 90% confident id nailed this, due to the fact I gave them everything they expected and more, but now Im waiting for an answer and getting anxious. The work situation has improved 100% so thats something to be positive about. Id be extremely happy if I managed to get into this band, as they sound fantastic live and in the rehearsal room. Its the first time ive sang so many harmonies so Im on my toes/a little nervous which in my experience is a good thing. My only worry is that I tend to over play some lines and add the odd little slide/run and Im hoping this sudden change from the normal root note playing hasnt put them off. I played the lines exactly as they recorded them previously, but with more dynamics with the drummer, (eg when they have a louder section, playing the odd chord to fill it out). Knowing my current run of bad luck with bands though....

+1 Mids!