Musicman20

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1398078727' post='2430116'] I've also had a bad experience of Guitar Guitar who are praised in previous post. [/quote] Same here...although in the end they sorted it out. Still not keen to test it again though. I got the impression because I wasn't interested in typical shred metal guitars they weren't interested.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1398077848' post='2430106'] Genuinely interested (and a wee bit surprised) you're using TC stuff - what model you using? and why the switch from Genz? [/quote] Sorry I should have worded it better. I have TC and Genz gear.

I've switched from MB to Genz and TC now. The RH450 always felt like it had more grunt than the LM3, so whatever the power management does, it works. Clipping is the issue with some MB heads; they never did improve the limiter from the LM2 to LM3.

[quote name='ash' timestamp='1398004014' post='2429420'] I use Promenade Music - just down the road in Morecambe. Despite doing a lot of business online they always have a decent stock of good quality basses thanks to Gary who works there and happens to be a bassist himself. I can't fault the staff and service there and there's none of that elitist rubbish of many shops - they welcome beginners and established pro musos equally - as indeed it should be. Guess we are spoilt here! [/quote] +1 I've used Promenade for puchases and Gary is fantastic.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397935881' post='2428868'] Wow, very interesting. Especially in this colour combo: But I have a horrible feeling an HH would be a touch over my budget... [/quote] That's the ticket. Unfortunately they are quite pricey and I think they have a price rise due very very soon. They are worth it though. You might be able to pickup a 4 HH Stingray secondhand or £850-£1000 depending on condition and colour.

[quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1397989137' post='2429187'] Agreed, not just music shops, the same issue is everywhere. John Lewis is a notable exception in my experience. [/quote] I agree with that. John Lewis are great, and they give very generous warranties with their electrical items.

Exactly why shops are struggling. It's that almost aggressive / arrogant attitude of music stores that will be the death of em!

Although the Musicman tone can easily be tamed and made more 'vintage' classic bass sounding, (almost upright if you use the right EQ etc) it is true that a lot of the time, people play one because they want to be quite an upfront bassist. They can, if you want, really grab attention in a mix. A P sits nicely and will growl, a J can get lost but has that alluring tone, the Ray, with new strings and treble up, just slices and dices like no other bass.

In comparison to a decent Jazz, IMO the Musicman sounds 'bigger', faster and more responsive. I like a nice Jazz tone but even the active Jazz tone doesn't have the Ray quickness of attack.

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1397926730' post='2428748'] I do think that the music scene has changed and unless you have a very strong USP or a long established fan base then even a good covers band doesn't get the recognition and support that it used to get some years ago. [/quote] I also think this applies to original bands. I can honestly say as much as I will always love the North East, I had a much busier musical life back in my tiny home town! I guess its who you know etc, and I've seen fantastic bands up here, but barely any of them from here. I have also not been playing in a band since the last originals band became too hard work, (e.g. I did EVERYTHING and I'm working the most hours). Work has taken over a lot of my evenings as well as daytime, due to events I'm part of. Work is great and I can't complain, but I miss being in a decent band writing their own music.

For the price of the pedal (cheaper than one Aguilar pedal on its own) its worth a shot new from Amazon or somewhere, then send it back if you don't like it. I now have the G3 as well. Both great.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1397839560' post='2427872'] I'm not a big fan of the BBOT. It sounds O.K, I suppose, but in my experience the saddles are prone to movement and constantly slip on it, and it needs readjusting every time you change strings. If you are going to use a BBOT, at least make it one with tracks on the baseplate for the saddles to sit in. Other more substantial alternatives such as the Badass ( or Lakland!) offer more stability and better clarity to the overall sound, in my experience at least. My old Jazz Bass sounded loads better when I had a Badass installed , especially in the upper registers, from what I remember. . [/quote] Agreed. My old MIJ P Bass had a BBOT and by comparison to the latest Fender, Lakland, and Musicman bridges, it was pretty ropey.

[quote name='ahpook' timestamp='1397911118' post='2428518'] And there I was thinking it was just a bit of fun ! [/quote] Aimed at Fender! Sorry.

Bongo - Clear/huge tone/different to the Stingray (less 'grit)/modern/very very fast to play. Stingray - Classic raspy tone, brilliant kick in the mix, unbeatable (IMO) character of tone, (see below for taming them to a more warm tone). EBMM's don't need any mods, at all, IMO, apart from when you want to change strings! I have a lot of experience of pretty high end gear and I come back to Musicman. Every time. My personal favourite bass at the moment is a Stingray Classic 5, glossed maple neck, loads of birdseye figuring. It can jump from aggressive Flea tones to fat warm thump with just using the EQ and technique, (oh and the mute pads are brilliant).

Those Carvin amps are a bargain !

Soo cheesy! Why is anything associated with heavy rock/metal so cheesy?!?!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1397899683' post='2428315'] That was massively disappointing. [/quote] Plus 1. Poor execution of what could have been great.

[quote name='davedave' timestamp='1397742546' post='2427013'] +1 on the Matamp. They are rated at 200w clean. I've heard from a few people (add salt as required) that the Orange ones only do 140 clean. Better build quality too. Nothing wrong with the Orange at all. I've seen them for as little as £750 used, which is a bargain. [/quote] Nah...I've heard that...its more than that, plus tube life, the way it is tested, the age of the amp, all make a difference. You get a fantastic warranty with Orange as well Not knocking Matamp, as they are obviously superb, but if you like the Orange, you may as well just get one.

One of the things I like with Lakland are their bridges. A truly unique bridge!

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1397686412' post='2426593'] It will be when you can't feed your GAS any more because there aren't any retail businesses left. . . [/quote] I'm quite lucky to not really be thinking of anything else apart from the easy to order brands. I've tried a few more expensive brands and just didn't bond so well. A shame but it's just the way it is. If it isn't a Musicman or a decent Fender (a little more difficult to pick out!) I usually forget about it. Luckily they are pretty easy to get hold of, and as local stores I've tried are fairly expensive, I always use online/mail order now. I even bought a decent guitar pedal through Amazon the other day. Factory sealed, cheapest price online, superb service and returns (although I'm keeping it). I've even seen quite expensive bass pedals on Amazon recently. I never suspected the market would turn out like this but as Bass Gear and Bass Direct are a good distance from me, and work is manic, I don't get time to travel to try gear and try new things. I'd also need a hotel so it wouldn't be a cheap trip. If I were down near those stores or close id use them more, without a doubt. One example - I pop to a local store, they are very helpful and friendly. I ask about a Fender P bass, nothing unusual, white/tort/rosewood. Its special order. I can't send it back unless there is a major fault, and if there is, they will just try fix it. Now, I want to use this place as they are genuinely nice guys, but the risk that comes along with isn't worth it. I would have to wait, inspect it in store, (under pressure as well, I don't like that) then get the bass home. A Fender P is not a rare/expensive instrument, lets face it, they are readily available. What are the options? Buy it online/mailorder and if the bass isn't great, (not all Fenders are) then you don't have to worry. I would really like to try a Carvin. If I like it, I would order one, but I can't locally/within the area. This isn't just musical instruments. It's across a lot of industries. I buy half my new clothes off ASOS...superb service and price. Who knows what will happen over the next few years.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1397677672' post='2426457'] And then the online retailers go out of business because they are shipping and returning so much gear (which they then have to sell as returns or B Stock) or alternatively, prices will start to rise. [/quote] Possibly so! Not really our issue to worry about.

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1397671760' post='2426364'] Then once the shops close down as the internet has nicked all their trade where are you going to try stuff out? Wunjo are pretty competitive on pricing - don't believe the ticket price, and they're great people in there. [/quote] The online shops will have to have a returns policy. Basically a 7 day trial. It's the way the market is now.

TC Electronics RS212, Genz Benz NX2 212T (youve missed a great sale on these...unfortunately, but they come up second hand for about £500).

Bass Direct seem to often have lefty instruments.

AD200b Mk3 - Lighter, cheaper to retube, cheaper to buy in the first place, amazing Orange breakup, simplistic plug and play tone, extremely loud even clean (IMO), and ridiculously loud with the gain cranked, UK warranty and UK customer service. I love my AD200b. I barely use it now but I will never sell it.