Musicman20

Nice - I think those Shuttle combos were really good. Glad they have kept the idea and expanded on it.

Amps: TC RH750 Genz Steamliner 900 Genz Shuttlemax 9.2 Cabs: Genz NX2 212T Aguilar DB212 TC RS210 x 2 All fantastic. Out of everything I owned, tried, gigged, these are my ideal setups. 2x10 for small gigs, if I want a tall 4x10, then the 2 RS cabs. Genz 2x12 for lightweight one cab solution, Aguilar DB 212 because it sounds bloomin' beautiful. Plenty of basses and pedals.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=161215305109008 I have absolutely NO idea how Ibanez manage to make instruments such as this with high specs and pretty low prices, especially as it comes with a custom hardcase, but I must admit, I am a Fender/Musicman only player, and this bass is a very cool idea. It seems the EADG is fretted, then you get A D and G fretless?! Very niche, but super cool. I doubt I'd ever need one but I thought it was interesting. No doubt a boutique manufacturer would charge £3k for something like this. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Specs: Ibanez is the pioneer of modern fretted/fretless hybrid bass development. In 2010 the “Ashula”, SR2010ASC was a rare and innovative limited range bass released, that answered many of the news in the market at that time. Now Ibanez is pleased to introduce the "New Ashula", SRAS7. As the name "Ashula" indicates the SRAS7 is a fretted and fretless bass hybrid. While SR2010ASC had two strings on the fretless area, we have added an A-string on SRAS7 so as to enhance octave playing. Additionally, by located the fretted part on a higher note string side, players can perform aggressive styles such as Slapbass with more ease. The iconic fingerboard consists of Rosewood (fretted) and Purpleheart (fretless). Different radiuses are applied to each section -950mmR (fretted) and 0mmR (fretless). These parameters facilitate chord playing on fretted parts and smooth soloing on the fretless parts. The fretboards are designed to be multi-level which allows an overall smooth and seamless transition between the two sections. Rigidly fixed with 5 bolts, the 7pc Maple/Purpleheart/Rosewood neck is extremely stable. It transmits the string vibration to the body well and stays in tune when played with firm intonation. The gorgeous body top of SRAS7 consists of a beautiful Poplar Burl and Ash wood enhanced by a Dragon Eye Burst finish. Deeper cutaway design provides easier access to the upper frets. The detachable finger rest offers two options; placing your thumb near the fretboard outline or in an upper location. The fretted part is generated by SRAS Super J pickups specially designed for this model. It provides a clear, bright and rich dynamic tone. The fretless part is generated by Aerosilk Piezo system. It enhances an acoustic and wooden sound of similar to an upright bass. With various tonal possibilities provided by the three-way selection of pickup options magnetic, piezo or a mix of both, the SRAS7 will inspire your musical creativity and curiosity. The Mono-rail V is the ultimate bridge for bass string isolation. Each bridge is independently and securely locked down to the body for maximum vibration transfer without interference. The "Ashula" expands the possibilities of bass guitar in ways you have never experienced. Neck type 7pc Maple/Purpleheart/Rosewood neck Body Poplar Burl/Ash/Walnut top/Rosewood/ Mahogany back body Fretboard Rosewood(Fretted part)/Purpleheart(Fretless part) w/Ashula special inlay Fret Fretless for 7th to 5th strings/Medium frets for 4th to 1st strings Bridge Monorail V Bridge(fretted), Custom Monorail V Bridge for AeroSilk Piezo System(Fretless) (16㎜ String Spacing /17mm Spacing between 4th and 5th strings) Neck pickup SRAS Super J neck pickup(Fretted) Bridge pickup SRAS Super J bridge pickup(Fretted) Equalizer Ibanez 2band eq(fretted), Active Tone control(fretless) with Piezo/Mix/Magnetic 3way pickup selector Hardware color Black matte String gauge .045,.065,.085,.105 (+ .045,.065,.080 Flat wound) Factory tuning 1G, 2D, 3A, 4E (+ 5G, 6D, 7A) Case/bag Special hardshell case for SRAS7 included

I've sold my big rig, which began to see less and less use. I just don't play as often as I'd like due to work/other commitments and coming home after a long day to then load a heavy amp head into a car down 3 flights of stairs (old school large building built into modern apartments) is just NOPE. It was a great piece of gear as a whole, more so the amp itself, but I don't need it. I have also gained more space in my house! I'm settled with bass gear. Even the latest models aren't really tempting me. The only one I'd consider now is the latest Mesa D800+ mainly because it has engineers from Genz working on it. But, over £1k? I just don't need it. I have no cabs larger than a 2x12 now. I'd never go back to a normal 4x10...if I suddenly joined a touring successful band I'd opt for a big 4x12 from Bergantino or Aguilar but I can't see it happening. Whatever works for you is good.

[quote name='scalpy' timestamp='1483428981' post='3206978'] You'll need a heavy wallet! [/quote] Yeah...£1350...NOPE.

I still own mine (not a surprise - I tend to hold onto things for a long time if they work well) and I'm 100% satisfied with it. I have zero intention of buying any more basses now, mainly because I don't need any but also because I'd be paying about 1/3+ more nowadays for a new one compared to 1-2 years back. When I compare this to the new 'Professional' Series, I see absolutely no reason why there is such an insane price jump for such dull specs.

GIN.

That the world contains a LOT of dreamers and time wasters.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1482224621' post='3198522'] Makes you wonder why we have to pay so much for the original.... don't get me wrong I absolutely love my B7K (and B3K before it) and Fuzz, but have always felt they were a tad on the expensive side. [/quote] I often wonder this in the pedal world, obviously more so with the boutique effects. I imagine a lot of the costs involved are R&D and setup. But yeah, they are pricey.

Wow, are they really that much?! I was going to recommend a 5 string Musicman of some sort, probably a 5 HS or HH. I would save that £900+ and get a second hand Stingray 5.

Current price is WAY too high...

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1481712326' post='3194415'] The 25th Anniversary/Reflex HSS has the rear humbucker closer to the bridge than the sweet-spot. [/quote] Correct - I forgot about that bass.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1481713021' post='3194420'] The HH/HS versions do not have the rear pickup in the same "sweet spot" location and whilst they sound good, to me they don't sound quite like a Stingray. Same with Fender PJ models, P pickup is lightly moved forward making them a little darker. The HS I had sounded a little more tinny on back pickup, it never sounded as good as my good old 4 string H. [/quote] Sorry, this is incorrect. The Sterling/Stingray/Reflex HH and HS in 4 and 5 string have the traditional H in exactly the same spot. It is only the Bongo HH and HS that is different, (and as noted about, the 25th Anniversary HSS/Reflex HSS).

As far as I know, apart from the double pickup Bongo and 25th/Reflex HSS (not the H or HH), ALL Musicman basses in 4 and 5 string (and 6 if you include the Bongo H) that have a humbucker at the rear near the bridge have the classic Musicman humbucker in the Musicman sweetspot. That includes the single pickup Bongo. The only one I cannot be 100% certain on is the Sabre but I'm sure it has the same position. Obviously anything like the Big Al SSS 4 and 5 string don't have the usual humbucker, so it does not apply.

If I had to start again, I honestly don't know what I'd do as the market has a bewildering amount of options. I know others may disagree, but personally if I was playing fairly aggressive / fast music (especially like I was back when I played more punk a few years back) I'd want a cabinet that does have an adjustable tweeter of some sort. Purely because I personally like the ability to dial in clean grind and treble sheen....and I turn it right down or off for more fuzzy/driven tones. You could 'probably' replace that cabinet setup with a high end lightweight 2x12 and be done. Then power it with a decent amp. There are cabs from Barefaced, Bergantino and Genzler. E.g. http://www.genzleramplification.com/product/MG-212T/MAGELLAN-212T.html?cid=17 The new Peavey Lightweight bass amps are meant to be great. Lot's of options for lightweight amps, like Aguilar, TC, Markbass, Darkglass, Genzler (and second hand Genz Benz amps)....the list goes on. I would probably not recommend the LM3...because for the money they charge for a fairly 'old' design, you may as well opt for a new design with greater headroom (you might need it if you play fairly loud and get a very high end cabinet).

6 months! Wow....it's also crazy to see the Sterling H at GAK (with upgraded natural finish) for so much cheaper due to the obvious....

I don't have a Sterling 4, but I have played a few, and I've played a Big Al 4 which has the same neck. I still think the Sterling neck is less 'crampy' than a Jazz neck. It's very fast and smooth without being too much like a Jazz. I don't mind Jazz necks at all, but I tend to find really skinny Jazz necks cramp my hands and I do not have big hands! The annoying thing is, the market is there, people want the instruments, yet stock isn't really available. Musicman must be hitting it out the park as it used to be 3 month wait (and it was like this since the late 90s when I ordered my first one) which moved to about 4 months a few years back. 5-6 months....and they've slimmed down options and colours...so they must be VERY busy. I imagine it is more the guitar side as they have some fantastic new high quality guitars out. I have a Sterling 5 HS...it is pretty light, different tone to the Stingray....more aggressive...very 'fast' response, which is no doubt the ceramic magnet pickup and more cutting part of the hi mids? Not sure. Stingray 5/ Sterling 5 have the same neck....all will vary a little (only a tiny bit) but the 5 string neck is great.

Despite the obvious advantages with CDs and digital files, I still don't listen to music 'properly' since the age of mp3s becoming a popular format. Now, I buy vinyl for the enjoyment of owning it, supporting the bands, getting a digital download code anyway, and the listening, properly, all the way through the album. It may well be a hipster topic of conversation, but then again, so are many things nowadays. One advantage is that the bands are now earning money again from selling music.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1481536289' post='3192944'] The thing is regardless of wether some folk on here wouldn't touch a fender they do still have a desirability factor of that F logo, the resale on custom basses is terrible too unless you wait forty years, A GB Spitfire would be a better bass than most if not all Fenders but it will also loose a lot of value, used ones on this site are around £1300-1500, half it's new value, I've seen Shukers for £500. Then there's the wait for a custom build. [/quote] True. Value of Shuker/OW second hand is pretty low....shame.

From the early reviews, the Strat is meant to be a very nice playing guitar. I would opt for a Jazzmaster or Jaguar but they have simplified the electronics wayyyy too much. The basses seem like an afterthought. I think they should have brought back a 51 style P bass as well and had it as a normal USA model.

I don't think that is a blem or an issue. I like it! It's just part of the wood. Everyone probably knows I'm picky..but at almost £2000 you have to be happy. If you think there are other issues, don't keep it. You could ask for a part refund...they might send you 10% back... The problem is, prices are rising but quality isn't. £2000? I would ask Overwater or Shuker to make you one. I wouldn't have said that years ago because Fender basses of this type weren't in this price bracket, but now they are...unfortunately. If the bass has really good overall tone, build, weight, finish, etc, then it is a keeper. If you have found other issues, it'll keep bothering you. I bought an American Vintage Jaguar guitar when they blew out a limited run that Fender Europe must have had a lot of stock of. It was crazy cheap. It is very delicate nitro. It arrived with some nitro 'wear' from just being in it's case for a while...the store gave me a part refund and I'm happy. I didn't let it bother me because it was so cheap and it's nitro....things like this all depend on the circs.

Had a google: 700Watt/ 4Ohm, ClassA Eingangsstufe, 4-band EQ schaltbar, Drive Section, Effektweg, AUX Eingang, Tuner Out, Tuner/Drive/FX per Fusschalter schaltbar, symm. DI Ausgang

Markbass used to always tempt me in, and to some extent, they still do. Now though, something isn't quite the same. It doesn't really matter whether the bits and pieces are put together in Indonesia, it is the fact they don't use the drivers they used to. Someone on Talkbass took a few photos inside of a fairly new cab, and not only was it heavier that the Italian one, it had a lower grade driver. I'd rather they didn't water it down and just charged a little more.

No idea why they dropped tort. Looks cheap with white on white.

Vinyl has been making a comeback for YEARS. It will not slip back under the radar for a long time. Reasons: 1. Collective appeal, 2. Supporting music and actually OWNING IT as well as getting the download code inside, 3. It does sound fantastic. A decent player/amp/speaker setup and you are away, 4. It makes you enjoy and listen to the whole thing, 5. Artwork/sleeve/different pressings, 6. Nostalgia. Look at places like Piccadilly records...they are always busy. I think it is a positive step. I like CDs, I like downloads, but I LOVE vinyl. FYI - Most records fall well below £25 after a while. Most of The Smiths albums are £12.99 or less, HMV sales have classic reissues of The Clash for £9.99, etc.... I recently bought the expanded double heavyweight vinyl releases of some Faith No More albums....£16 ish free delivery...Amazon. Amazon is a great place to keep an eye on prices.