Musicman20

If you like cool colours... See the purple Sterling in the For Sale section!

Yes they DO sound the same, which is good, same core tone. The H Sterling gives you series/parallel and single coil switching. Once you go HH HS on either model then that changed. I think the Sterling pre-amp is SLIGHTLY tweaked....from the Ray 3 band EQ....I think.

These are great guitars. I picked up an Epiphone Casino Inspired By John Lennon model from Andertons a few years back. End of the inspired by models for now, so they bought a huge batch and it a HUGE bargain for the customers. Lightweight, Gibson P90 pickups and switch, few other nice touches, and a proper Epiphone Hardcase to fit. I love it, and it is the cheapest bass/guitar I own...even at it's normal retail price. P90s are lovely. Enjoy.

[quote name='Jenny_Innie' timestamp='1471725719' post='3115421'] I have different rigs for different situations. Here's one of my fave ones though. This is the amp I have in my new house - chosen especially as it fits in with the decor and doesn't scream "GUITAR AMPLIFIER". Someone thought it was an old radio the other day. It's actually a Gibson GA30RVS all tube, class A 30 watt 2x12. It's is just the best, warm clean thing that you ever did hear. Louder than my '69 Vox AC30 (and that is house demolishingly loud). It has the most wonderful stereo reverb. They're getting a bit rare now. I love it to bits. [attachment=225932:IMG_5457.jpg] [/quote] WOW!

I'm quite surprised about how negative some of the reactions are. I could never think of dating/seeing/living with someone/marrying someone who isn't interested in music. It's not just a hobby to me, it influences every single day of my life. That isn't just playing, it is buying vinyl, going to see live bands, researching bands, bass, guitar, etc....the whole lot. I am not married, but we have been together for perhaps almost 9 years! We have no desire for children, only to work hard and enjoy ourselves as much as possible. Luckily, she loves music, and she would never tell me to sell or move anything. I have a room with the gear in...it's not as bad as it was as two large cabs have gone. She also has use of the room as she has started playing bass again, and picked up a super cool Gibson SG Bass from Thomann which I gave a good check for her when it arrived. Her main hobby is patisserie/exploring food and trying new recipes, and I 100% back her and encourage her to buy new books, equipment, etc. No one should ever stop you doing something you love. Music is THE BEST stress reliever IMO, even beats running and exercise.

Limelight.

[quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1471727034' post='3115441'] Yes, especially as in last months Bass Guitar Mag Bruce was interviewed and stated he had small hands - so strange he chose the Precisions with the widest necks known to man. [/quote] I have small hands and I prefer a large neck normally...well, chunky P bass....but then normally I can get on with any neck, guitar or bass, after a bit of time. When I started, I told my tutor and he basically said all I needed to do was learn to stretch my hands a little, and it worked! I don't know whether it helps for my guitar playing...can't tell!

Yeah you can't go wrong with that offer. If I had acted quicker I would have opted for a 1x10 when they first came out. the only thing I would possibly miss is the option of extra sheen from a decent HF horn/tweeter/whatever. I don't use it that often, but I really like it on a new set of nickel strings on a Stingray....sizzlllllleeeee!

Out of those two, I would opt for the new Berg HND410, but personally I wouldn't want to pay £1300 for a 4x10...but that is just me. I wouldn't go back to a 4x10 now. I sold my last 4x10 the end of last year, and I was reminded why when I moved it....awkward. I would get a super punchy high end vertical format 2x12 which is focussed on a low mid high output kick...with plenty of high end detail. Most of the modern 2x12 cabs are built much better than a traditional 4x10. The BF cab would be worth consideration, but it depends if you want that tone. It'll be lighter, but for me I would want a good quality tweeter. Have a look at the modern 2x12s....Genzler, BF, Bergantino, etc.

Both. Stingray - Almost P Bass neck (not quite, to me), larger body, traditional alnico pickup. Sterling - Almost J bass beck, smaller sleeker body, ceramic pickup...slightly more pokey and aggressive.

Do you want a tweeter?

I've mainly used it on guitar but it's so warm and syrupy!!!

Those cabs are unique! I love it.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1471606112' post='3114368'] Think about this though, a Fender Elite Jazz 5 costs 1750 quid? Then all of a sudden a Lakland US at 2300 is not that much more and a much better (and more consistently built) bass. Sure, lots of many but a Fender US is often a worse deal than a Lakland US if you think about it. [/quote] Whhhhhaaaaaa???? £1750 for a Fender Elite 5?! What happened there? They've just replaced the previous Fender deluxe models which were about £1400 a year back....what on earth is going on?! I for one am glad that I don't want to buy any new basses!

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1471594664' post='3114209'] I have to say the CS have none of the things you'd expect as an upgrade..and use stock AM Deluxe hardware IMO. I've swapped out the Pre amp for a Glock-which is sooooo much better. The pegs will survive but have two replacements on order as they have lost the friction screws. These are 'original' replacements. The pickups are under review, but the Glock has given them a stay of execution so far. and I have a Hipshot bridge on order. So, what I will be left with is the wood and construction.... which is ok enough but nothing fancy like grained or anything... There is no way in the world there are worth anywhere near £2.8k new.... I'd price them at half that at best... so that name on the headstock is perceived as worth a lot.. Having said that..there is something I like about it and am using it a lot atm.. but it is a block of wood and not worth their price, IMO [/quote] That's a disappointment in terms of value for an expensive instrument. I'm sure once you have it 'right' it will be excellent. I've not paid much attention to Fender's CS 5 string active basses, more so their core 4 string more traditional models, but to be honest, I doubt I'd buy one new. Maybe I expect too much for the money, but for £2.5k, I would expect an absolutely stunning instrument...considering my Roadworn Flea Jazz is so good for £830...!

Boss ES-5 is probably the cheapest option I can think of! It's not cheap. However, the sheer depth of the ES-5/8 is very interesting.

I've just had a look at the 5 string Musicman style basses....wow, serious money. I thought there might be a really high end top or expensive looking semi trans finish/figured wood grain.....

I just don't think they offer anything significant for the money. Do you get a nice flame/birds eye roasted neck? No. Do you get extremely rare and interesting nitro colours etc? No. Boutique high end pickup? No. I understand these will be well made, but they just don't seem to be much more than a decent American Standard Fender. Although Sadowsky basses are more money, that is where I would go. That or a Fender Custom Shop. Even 2 Maruszczyk basses instead, and they'd be pretty much at the top of their range like a lightweight body.

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=160805301289007 ...and they ain't cheap!!!

[quote name='bassmachine2112' timestamp='1471451698' post='3113164'] Hiho,just use it or try out a Terror 500,swear by mine. I do like the OBC115 as well.I use one with my Terror and a SP212 or both. [/quote] The Terror isn't made anymore unfortunately. The OBC115 was lovely but not the easiest to move. I decided just to sell all of the Orange cab setup. I've got other lighter/smaller cabs that work excellently.

I could be wrong but the Gibson 2015 models all had, I think, wider necks? You could look at the blow out sales for a lower model?

I've decided if I adjust the pedal volume before my guitar amp I can keep the volume low and the tone great.

Hi - this will just be creating even more of a mid scoop to a bass that will sound scooped with both pickups on anyway.... Try leaving the active circuit flat and boosting mids on an amps. If I recall correctly (could be wrong) both of those amps are also quite 'scooped' for their core tone.

I recently went through all of my basses just to clean them down quickly, stop anything tarnishing with finger prints on the hardware (tends to happen on Musicman tuners on the Rays) and to check the batteries. Some of them were a little old. I took out anything coming up to the expiry date or past and replaced. Always worth checking all active basses for how old the batteries are. Same with pedals. Have a good check through once every 6-9 months.

I'm odd because I use 4s and 5s, but I now play a lot of guitar, so always switching 'feel'.