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scrumpymike

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Everything posted by scrumpymike

  1. scrumpymike
    ... and replied to.
  2. scrumpymike
    NOW SOLD!! These basses are superb and this example is an absolute beaut! It comes with its original-equipment MM case, OE passive electronics package and a new set of OE Ernie Ball strings. The John East upgrade has received lots of praise on Basschat and elsewhere. In my opinion, it takes the excellent s-s Ray to an even higher level. Condition-wise, there is a flaw in the chrome plating next to the top R-H control-panel fixing screw (see last close-up pic), but that's all. It's exaggerated in the pic but barely noticeable to the eye. Price excludes delivery but I'll be happy to pack for collection (if buyer arranges and pays for courier) or hand over at a mutually convenient spot along the M5 Bristol-Exeter stretch (I'm 10 min's from J25). Alternatively, could deliver on Friday June 9th en-route from Taunton to Harwich. https://www.music-man.com/instruments/basses/short-scale-stingray
  3. scrumpymike
    Just a brief update on my Vox Starstream A2S. My last posts showed the mods I did to change the strap-button mounts to accept Schaller locks. I also mentioned that I was considering moving the top button to the F12 'sweet spot' to optimise the strap balance. I've now got round to doing that and realise that the 'sweet spot' for this bass is actually F11. So the clumsy first-off alu extension bracket pictured below will be replaced by a slightly longer final version (probably in the form of a plate extending the top blade) that will also incorporate the 'star-stream' theme in its design to make a feature of it. If it ends up making the bass look naff, everything is quickly reversible as the two original mounting points are used. In that case, I'll happily live with the very slight neck-dive. If you haven't already fallen asleep, watch this space! 😊 Btw, now I've lived with this bass for a while, I can absolutely confirm my first impressions that it is of exceptionally high quality in every respect. My mods are by no means essential, I just can't resist the temptation to tweak stuff.
  4. scrumpymike
    Can't disagree with much of the above re specific recommendations but would like to add a few general comments: If strap balance is important to you (as it is to me and many others), choose a bass that has the top strap button at the F12 'sweet spot' to avoid neck dive. If you want easy reach to the far end of the fret-board, choose a bass where the string saddles are close to the bottom edge of the body. Be aware that the neck width at the nut can vary on s-s basses between 36mm and 40mm-plus and see if you can try different widths and profiles. Measure up the old gypsy rose as a bench-mark first. Re the Vox Starstream, there's been negative feedback on here about the lower-priced version (original RRP around £500). I tried one and returned it in favour of the more expensive Artist version (original RRP around £1400). Quality-wise, this bass is in a completely different league than the cheaper version and mine (the twin-pickup A2S) is one of the best s-s basses I've ever played with a good tonal range from the active Aguilar vintage pickups. These ended up being discounted to £799 to clear remaining stock, so you could get a used one (if you can find one) for around half your budget. Last but by no means least, think very carefully before you go for anything that looks a bit quirky. The bass guitar market is very conservative and 'P/J-centric', so that's what your band-mates (and even audiences) may be more comfortable with. All things considered, I'd go for a good, used Sandberg Lionel or a Maruszczyk Jake or Elwood - according to taste. I've owned and gigged all three and you won't go wrong with any of them.
  5. scrumpymike
    Hi John, only just seen your message. I'll see if I can find the paper receipt tomorrow. Our local (Taunton) guitar shop got it in for me but sadly went out of business during the covid pandemic. IIRC it was £98.
  6. scrumpymike
    Just transferred my EBMM s-s Ray into the Gator case - perfect fit.
  7. scrumpymike
    I had one and IIRC it was a good fit in my Gator Fender Jag case, which seemed to fit every s-s bass I've ever had. I'll post a pic with dim's when I get a minute.
  8. scrumpymike
    I already thought this through and realise that the extended reach to F1 and possible neck dive are potential issues for me. If they do turn out to be problems but I like everything else about the bass, my plan is to rout a pocket into the the back of the body to accept a flush-mounted strap-lock socket set into the left wall of the cavity. The repositioned strap mount would then be located between the OE bottom strap button and the thru-body string anchors, as close to the anchors as possible.
  9. scrumpymike
    The Saffire will definitely be chunkier (43mm nut width) and heavier. I've messaged about the weight but not had a reply yet.
  10. scrumpymike
    Thanks for the heads-up, very interesting! My first bass was a blue Watkins Rapier bought new circa 1966 for around 30 quid. I'm tempted by this one...
  11. scrumpymike
    I can vouch for the excellent gig performance of my back-up R-400 through 2 x SC3s, so no hesitation in recommending the BF cabs for your WB-100. However, I've now replaced one of my SC3s with a (FRFR) LFSys Monaco - the best cab I've ever played through and designed/built/sold by BC member Stevie. I'm keeping one SC3 for back-up and bigger gigs but so far the 600W-rated Monaco is all I've needed to use with my main 800W gig amp (a Mesa Subway TT-800). Doing what I've done will set you back a reasonable £795 for a new Monaco and around £450 for a used SC3 in A1 condition.
  12. scrumpymike
    Had one of the earlier pre-Chowny SWB-1 fretless basses and liked it except for neck dive. Balance may have improved now I believe Chowny bodies are slightly heavier.
  13. scrumpymike
    Mrs Scrumpy and I have just lobbed a tenner in your direction, so only £34 short 🙂 Now then, about your attendance at this year's Bash... 😉
  14. scrumpymike
    Thanks for that Rich.
  15. scrumpymike
    Yep, that's had a bash on the strap button alright. Provided you're otherwise 100% happy with the bass, I'd unscrew/remove the button first and if no damage to the wood. Then send this pic to Thomann saying you don't consider it's worth full RRP as received but you may keep it if they refund the difference between A and B stock value. In my experience, their after-sales support is excellent.
  16. scrumpymike
    OK, you'll get first refusal when/if I do.
  17. scrumpymike
    Thanks Dave. I see the WB-100 has 2 spkr output sockets, 1 x 40hm and 1 x 8ohm. Does this somehow boost the power the amp delivers into a single 8ohm cab?
  18. scrumpymike
    So here's a question for you. My gig cab is a LFSys Monaco that's rated at 600W and it's an absolute keeper. Amp-wise I have a Mesa Subway TT-800 which just about delivers the volume I need for my classic-rock covers band through the 8ohm cab in the larger venues we play. I'm tempted to sell my R-400 and get a WB-100 but what volume levels am I likely to get from the 120W all-valver relative to my TT-800?
  19. scrumpymike
    I've seen this bass and can say it looks EVEN MORE stunning in reality. ACG + BCH = buy with complete confidence!
  20. scrumpymike
    One way and another, they're not doing themselves many favours!
  21. scrumpymike
    These tick most of my boxes. I've often looked at them and been tempted but never got any further than that. Bill W did gig the bass with the RKs, at least for a while. Strap balance could be a problem given the position of the lower button. Don't know exactly where it is but it's certainly not at F12.
  22. scrumpymike
    Yes, I also bought the cheaper (then around £500) passive Starstream, wasn't really happy with it and returned it when I discovered I could get an Artist for £799 reduced from its original RRP of around £1,350!! Here's my take on the Starstreams: My active Artist is exquisite, at least as good as any other bass priced around £1350, and was therefore a massive bargain for me at £799; unfortunately, I can't say the same for the passive because quality-wise it falls well short of its original £500 RRP. BUT at £200 I wouldn't be hesitating now if I didn't have my Artist. FOOTNOTES: The Artist is upgraded in every key respect compared with the passive Starstream. A nice-looking white Artist with the single humbie pickup hung around on flea-bay for a while priced at a very reasonable £400 without selling. The Edinburgh-based seller PM'd me an invitation to make my best offer but I decided not to - only because white was my least-favourite colour.
  23. scrumpymike
    Thanks for that. I need to move something on and was considering putting my 2A active Artist up FS. Now is clearly not the right time for that. As you say, the passive is an absolute steal reduced from £500 to £199 and they obviously haven't been selling. Truth is that bass players are mostly a fairly conservative bunch and I'm definitely in the minority with my love for quirky stuff like the Starstream.
  24. scrumpymike
    Tom Petty appears in at least one Traveling Wilburys video (The End Of The Line) laying down a wonderful thumping bass line on one - not sure which.
  25. scrumpymike
    And me!
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