Musicman20

The CN212 may have a LITTLE more output, but it comes down to tone. Whether you prefer the Genz or the Berg CN voicing. If you picked up the Genz in the GAK sale, then I would suggest that the Berg is not worth twice or three times the Genz. If you find you are needed more volume, then you'll need more cab.

I used to just play a MIJ P Bass reissue into a good old Trace GP12400SMX, with fairly standard cabs. I used these for years. I had Stingrays back home which I still love, but as they cost me a lot, and I was playing dives, I tended to use the P Bass as it was quite well used, (although looking back it was still pretty damn clean). Now, I have barely any time back home to play bass, and all the bands I've tried out for have been a waste of time, or full of dream chasers who can't play. I have zero interest in playing the local pub doing Kings Of Leon covers. I'm not amazing, but my 'thing' lies in being good with tone, good with an overall band sound, and knowing when a band is onto something. I can play pretty well but I need to play a lot more to more difficult songs to get better. I just don't have time to practice, because keeping fit and staying trim is taking the top spot, as well as the career. Shame really. I think eventually I'll find the right band again.

Berg CN212 or Genz Benz NX2 212T.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1394184362' post='2388749'] Thanks for this - hmm I like mids, too. I notice you have a GK MB500 in your sig - what's that like, then? [/quote] GK amps have a GK flavour, and the MB amps are huge in the low end and very spikey/modern up top. You will again find a mid scoop, which can again be adjusted out, just like the Streamliner. I actually like low mids...the thick upper bass/low mid area of a bass tone is where I find that 'kick', which doesn't pound your speakers but makes bass audible. The Streamliner, combined with say a Musicman Stingray, has more than enough mids, and still has room to dial more in.

[quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1394185736' post='2388784'] Don't get me started on MESA's UK pricing. *hyperventilates* [/quote] If Mesa had normal prices over here, I'd try a Walkabout. It's not that I won't spend that cash, its that I see the distributor taking A MASSIVE chunk for no apparent reason. I think over the next 10 years or so, as the international market continues to grow, and the web continues to dominate sales, then we will see an end to the middleman distribution. I don't actually think having a 'distributor' makes it easier. There should just have an approved service for faults, but one that doesn't need to distribute. Basically, everyone takes a bite of the cherry and we foot the bill. Annoying.

I don't think I've once considered selling it. Beautiful warm, rich tone with the ability to be VERY clean and modern (and LOUD) or gritty, dirty and more raw.

Is it brand new? Sorry I should have read more carefully. If so, just a minor truss rod tweak will sort out buzz. Musicman/S&T setups are the best in the business IMO, so keep it all as it is apart from the truss rod.

Probably one of the best sounding basses on the planet. I have really grown to love the style of them.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1393855379' post='2385038'] I just can't be a55ed with shows anymore. Looks like I didn't miss much... and I don't feel the need to blitz people on facebook with me with various name players, which seems to be this year's trend. Yup, I'm a grumpy b4stard this year. [/quote] Haha.

Sounds like you aren't happy with it. For that money, you NEED to be 100% on it.

I really like some of the 'new' Gibson basses.

Apparently the CN212 is more tonally balanced than the CN112 x 2. I doubt there is a huge difference. There is a large price difference though.I'd opt for the CN212 as its light enough as it is

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1393519575' post='2381403'] Err.....? [/quote] HAHAH!!!!

Did you change from the CN212 to the HD210? How are you finding the differences? Nice setup. I've always wanted a TF. PS - Just out of interest, if Barrie etc is around, are there any DI versions of this head left?

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1393504117' post='2381066'] I respectfully disagree with your assessment. The question irritated me and I commented as such. It's not the same as physically walking into a conversation part way through, we have the benefit of review. Coupled with the fact that the OP probably feels that they got the retailer's name browbeaten out of them, asking the question again would seem to be irritating at best, inflammatory at worst. [/quote] Jees. I didn't see it before. I must have skimmed through it. I can't understand why this would irritate you...bizarre.

Who is the retailer??

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1393355758' post='2379286'] If EBMM revamped the design a little and sorted out the glitches then they would sell shed loads of these basses all over again. The problem with strings at the edge of the fingerboard is a tolerance of about a millimeter or so either way . That is not insurmountable And the low B is indeed very good. [/quote] Bongo 5

[quote name='Jonnyboy Rotten' timestamp='1393335919' post='2378859'] I don't get why people don't like the SR5 scratchplate. I think it looks great (even - dare I say it? - better than the normal one) ! [/quote] I love it. I grew up looking at a Ray 5 in a local shop back in the 90s. It will always be THE 5 string for me...I always said if/when I go for a 5 string, I want it to be one of those. Re: Alnico - All Ray 5's are alnico from 2008 onwards, so don't worry about that so much. The difference is, the ceramic has single coil/series/parallel, but the alnico has parallel/series and something called series plus. I like the single coil on the Musicman basses, so I opted for a Ray 5 HS at first. I then bought a HH as well about 3 years down the line. The HH however won't give you single coil, but does give 4 other cool tones. For an extra £75-100, and to still get the true Musicman H tone, its worth looking at multi pup basses. It might be that you end up waiting for an order (its 3-4 months) but it is worth it. You can spec exactly what you want. I also think the cermamic pickups sound great, but the alnico is the traditional classic Ray tone.

Oh, and the price seems to have dropped a little to £130. Worth it for the guarantee etc.

It's worth noting that it does a VERY close impression of the popular Sansamp BDDI. I would usually steer clear of digital multi effects but you know what, technology has come on a great deal with emulation. The BDDI even has a mid control on the Zoom B3. It also comes with a recording program, and records straight into a Mac/PC very well. Ok, it won't be as perfect as a proper dedicated audio interface, but it works well. Did I mention the DI? I'm hoping to gig with just this into the PA on some occassions to try it out. I used to do that with the Sansamp and it worked brilliantly. The screens/buttons and overall quality is excellent, and I am very picky. Makes me wonder why the last 2-3 high end pedals I've tried from other companies feel less well made....weird.

From what I've seen, the bassist has been the same for the past year/18 months for his UK live work. His bassist is suprisingly refreshing. No P bass, and favours a Musicman Stingray Classic with the treble (I assume) all the way off, lots of warm thump, sounds very much like a take on a double bass.

Id opt for a Ray 5 HH or HS. The H now doesn't allow single coil at the bridge. I've got a mixture of maple and rosewood Musicmans. I like the feel or rosewood but I'll also opt for maple from time to time. Each bass will be different so I wouldn't let the fretboard material influence you too much. Go for the aesthetic/feel rather than tone. The low B is killer. Industry standard/most popular 5 string bass. Clear, punchy, not muddy or overly bassy. 34" vs 35" - I prefer 34. I prefer the tension on a 34 and the tighter tone.

I've just had a look, and sure enough the TH500 is £679 with some stores, and Aguilar seems to be in more generic music shops throughout the country now. I don't blame them if it means more sales, but I personally preferred using a bass specialist for these products (or a quality music store). It is a hefty rise from the £600 or less prices from about a year ago. I realise they are NYC assembled and have a flawless record of reliability, but its now quite an expensive unit. I've also noticed the pedals jumping up from around £179 to £235 for the Tone hammer over a year.... I was thinking of picking up an Octaver effects pedal, and the Aguilar Octamizer was one of my choices, and it seems to have been heavily A/B'd with the MXR Bass Octave Deluxe. The price rises means I'll just get the MXR. I love Aguilar and their design/style/brand, but I think they should have just carried on dealing directly with shops.

I'm super impressed with mine. I've never used multi effects before and this thing is very well designed. Nothing like the awful early 90s zoom guitar pedals. I've just set my first patch up. Ampeg B15, compressor, with a sansamp for occasional dirt. The B15 clone is superb. Absolutely bargain.