spongebob

Got my second Stingray yesterday, direct from Will (as was my first). Just wanted to add a huge +1 to everything said above. Instrument arrived absolutely ready to play. Like most of us, I've bought loads of basses over the years (and had some terrible experiences!) but now wouldn't go anywhere else. This is how you sell instruments! 👍

Pics or it didn't happen......

Thanks chaps, great advice! Ive actually just pulled the trigger for my backup....2EQ Stingray! Should go well with my 3....mine is black/maple, the 2 is black/rosewood. I've become a MM convert, and really couldn't think of or want to have anything else! First time I think I've ever actually liked my overall tone, so I'll stick to that.

Should say, 50s P is about £400 less.....

Been there, done that many times over....never again, LOL!!

Great responses chaps! Band is actually New Wave/Two Tone....and I attack my Stingray with a pick! No funkisms here!

Quandary here! Had a brief gap from playing, now find myself in a band with loads of gigs! Never thought I'd come back so full on! Got my Stingray as the main bass, but given the workload, and GAS, I could do with a backup. I've seen a few Stingers....or do I go for something else? I've always fancied a single coil 50s P. Band likes my tone as is.... Even after years of playing, this seems an issue to me. Really can't decide whether to go with a carbon copy (although I'd go 2EQ vs my 3), or something different altogether...and I've never had that 50s P (always preferred the look over a regular P). Thoughts please...... Also, my Stinger is black/maple....50s P I've seen is butterscotch....other backup Stinger is also black, but rosewood. Could be an issue (not for me).

Here's mine - a 2006.

Love mine, black, 3EQ. New band with a full diary, I'm thinking of a backup as it's my sole bass. Trouble is, I can't think of anything else I want! They seem to be a bit of a bargain on the 2nd hand market as well. Awesome tones, 1st rate build quality.....perhaps they've just fallen out of favour at the moment? In the 90s, loads of bands had them. I'm a pick player, new band is punk, new wave, two tone....and the 'Ray cuts it just fine. Loud, aggressive, treble....it's all I need!

Big fan of NYXL's since the launch - my favourite string out there!

Some Jam stuff for a punk, new wave, two tone type band. Always loved Bruce Foxton, just didn't realise quite how amazing and inventive his lines are. Going Underground is a masterclass!

I'd like to hereby award Mike (aka Pestie) with a Knighthood....services to packaging! 😁 I'm now the proud owner of his Markbass 151P (by way of the equally amazing @tom1946) Comms, packaging and delivery was amazing, despite the best efforts of Parcelforce to delay things.... Thanks again Mike! 😀

I too 'retired' from playing in 2019 - tried again in '21, but nothing came up.... Got the bug again this year - re-equipped, but then....nothing. Getting a bit depressed about various things (life wasn't great), hadn't played in a month or two, and was debating if my time up really had come. Out of the blue, an old contact (who gets very good gigs) messaged me about something new. Kind of chap that when he gets in touch, it's a case of 'where and when' - you know it's going to be good. First rehearsal next week, dates booked next month already. Immediate practice regime suddenly regimented......nice to have my focus back. Good luck tonight, DD - you'll smash it! 😁

The Tourtech one arrived, and TBH, it's very similar in design and feel to the official MM case. I had to replace, after buying the bass used, the case was quite badly split. With a new project on the go, have to look the part! GG did give me a £10 gift card, and refunded the postage. I'd originally paid extra for Sunday, but didn't get the right case until the Thursday afterwards!

Being sent a Tourtech one instead, as the MM case was for a Sterling, and won't fit a Stingray!

.....and ordered - looks like it may have been the only one they had as well! 😁

Super....many thanks! I've searched, never found that first one....looks ideal. Top man!

My original EBMM Stingray hardcase has seen better days.... Needing a new one - it's a standard 4-string variant. Any idea of a good replacement? Not sure if it would fit one of the generica Gator ones (had quite a good one a few years back for another bass?) All ideas welcome! 😀

Stranglers '77-'82.....faultless, IMHO. Afterwards, the fall was pretty horrific.....that early period is one of my top 5 bands for sure. Caught them live twice...once with Jet (who was amazing), other time with their new guy. Baz up front both times. JJ sounded awesome first gig, second time, the bass tone was abysmal. He played brilliantly, but the sound guy was having a huge off night! I would have loved to have seen them with Hugh at their peak....Black & White their real hotspot for me, absolute classic record. Great aspect of the band was that every element was vital - take one bit out, and it's just not the same. All secret weapons in the overall sound. I just lose interest when they smoothed out....and the songs just aren't as good. I appreciate their return to a classic sound, it's okay, but nothing anywhere near that initial, unbeatable run.

I played a variety of Rickenbackers for years, never thought I'd stray. Tried a few Fenders, loved them, but they never stuck around for some reason. However, what got me was a MM Stingray. So much more comforable and easy to play, and I can get the grind, the treble....everything I loved about my Rics, just 'bigger'. For me, I'd now never consider going back. And they look as cool as......

I recently bought a used Jeff Berlin combo.....Great piece of kit, and no tweeter to content with. Happy days!

+1. Outstanding service and attention to detail. I too can't praise Will's business enough.

I bought a guitar practice amp from Glenn Tilbrook out of Squeeze in the 90s. Had no idea it was him until I saw his flight cases with his name on, and then it clicked (I'm not a Squeeze fan...) Very nice chap, though. Tried to flog me an acoustic 6-string as well IIRC. He had stuff advertised on the wall of a local, independent rural supermarket - same place, in fact, where Linda Mcartney had stopped in the car park to let me cross some years before!

I've recently been using DR strings for the first time - their Lo Rider Nickels, 45/105. Must say, I'm a bit of a convert - very nice tension, not to bright, just nice. Tried looking where to buy them - doesn't seem that easy! Bass Direct and Andertons.....that's it! Anywhere else that sells them? Just gives me more options going forward. Mods - Please move if appropriate - I used General as I thought it more retail-based, than an actual string query. 😁

Still down! Interested to see it, as I'm a self-confessed Markbass fanboy. Love the looks, tone.....have tried other brands in the meantime, but always come back to the black and yellow!