stingrayfan

I've got a Compact which defo holds its own against a loud drummer. But speak to Alex @ Barefaced, he should be able to advise.

First thing to say is that it's all completely personal. I had a US Ray. It was a great trophy bass but I found it heavy and clunky and I stopped gigging it. Bought a Ray 34 on a whim and it's great. Feels lighter, neck's faster and I use it at gigs all the time. Defo worth a look.

Electro Harmonix - it's the box in that last picture. Cost a tenner. There was a Sovtek in there before. Hope it doesn't dirty sound - I love the warm, clean tone from this head!

My Hartke LH500 started to make a low pitched hum at last rehearsal and gig after being used in anger, so decided to replace the pre-amp valve. The good news for you LH500 owners is, it's a pretty easy job. Unscrew the top lid of the head and you'll see the tube under a silver cone. Twist this off to reveal the valve. Gently wiggle out and replace with new valve. Replace valve cover. No hum on low volume test - will use in anger at rehearsal next week to properly find out if it has gone. Hope so! [attachment=75149:IMAG0398.jpg] [attachment=75150:IMAG0400.jpg] [attachment=75151:IMAG0401.jpg] [attachment=75152:IMAG0403.jpg]

Think it's just consumerism. Gear is (relatively) cheap these days and the temptation to trade up and on is easier. But if you still enjoy what you got in the first place, that's great!

[quote name='paul h' post='1112591' date='Feb 2 2011, 04:19 PM']Matt Smith from Sky News used to be a regular.[/quote] Never heard of him

Sheet of A4 and a big marker pen (don't write in biro, you'll never see it on stage). Write down simple chord changes (verse and chorus) and any bits of song you can't remember. Keep it simple, so you can look across and pick up where it's going next, without having to decipher. Gaffer tape it to something at eye level, so you're not looking down. PA speaker cab is usually good. Don't pull a face if you get it wrong, just correct yourself, keep smiling and no-one will notice. Also, keep watching the singer though to guess where the song's going! Good luck.

Just a though re: the original question. As a bass player, I've learned a lot by playing covers. It's taught me little licks, fills, runs - different ways of playing stuff. All by learning the parts of different bass players.

I'd say come and try my Ray34 blindfolded, but I'm scared you might like it too much.

[quote name='Conan' post='974008' date='Oct 1 2010, 02:03 PM']Man! This thread's on FIRE!!![/quote] Yeah we do that one in our cover band. It's by the Kings of Leon. People love it. :-D

The older BB614 and BB414s are giggable basses. The passive 414s are generally considered better as the pre-amp in the active 614 isn't that amazing. Through a good amp, my BB614 sounds cool, otherwise it can sound a bit 'vanilla'. Nice bass to play though and to my eye, a great design.

[quote name='Ou7shined' post='970265' date='Sep 28 2010, 01:43 AM']I myself was just asking for clarification to the claims of why they're percieved to be better than a bass which new is well over twice it's price and as the OP pointed out has better hardware and finish.[/quote] I wasn't saying that as a whole they're better than the real thing. I only said that I enjoy playing my SBMM more than the SR4 I used to have. I said the tone is sweet and it's lovely to play. And on that basis, it's now my regular gig bass. For the purpose of a review, I pointed out a couple of things that let the bass down, albeit only slightly. I've had trophy basses, but I've settled on one that I enjoy playing and sound good at gigs. Each to their own and all that though.

[quote name='maxrossell' post='970743' date='Sep 28 2010, 02:55 PM']Might be a tear in the speaker cone.[/quote] Or a dry solder maybe.

[quote name='morsefull' post='971228' date='Sep 28 2010, 10:57 PM']Then Everything Everything came on and it was fresh , different and exiting. I'm listening to the album "Man alive" on spotify as I type. Reminds me of a cross between It Bites and Thomas Dolby............ Really rather good [/quote] +1 Great bassline on that MY KZ YR BF track. Listening to it now.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='970045' date='Sep 27 2010, 09:16 PM']The lovers seem to need to put down the bemused IME. And a lot of the time the lovers have never even played a SBMM. Time to leave this thread and go and wind up some Fender MIM owners because you can get a second hand MIA for not a lot more ;-)[/quote] Hey, let's all be lovers, not fighters

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='969884' date='Sep 27 2010, 07:13 PM']We have done this argument a 100 times on basschat but I suppose I will get the grief because I was first to raise it this time![/quote] I totally see where you're coming from and I agree with the logic. But I simply couldn't get on with my US SR4 and yet this feels right. It's odd but, there you go! I spose I should add that perhaps I am a bit odd as I had a US G&L and preferred the Tribute and an American Fender and didn't get on with it either!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='969756' date='Sep 27 2010, 05:43 PM']Im not being an arse but I read the just paid £560! bit and stopped reading,But if your happy then thats all that matters at the end of the day. [/quote] So I spose same goes for buying a Lakland Skyline, G&L Tribute or Mex or Jap Fender?

Good review, cheers. Sounds like you're of the same mind as me - you like your Indo-Ray more than the US one you used to have. My review's in the link below.

The neck profile's prob no different - it just feels different to me. Slightly smoother on the back, if anything. Feels a sujective thing though, so it might not be to everyone's taste. Nice pic - Dave

[quote name='gary mac' post='968117' date='Sep 26 2010, 07:17 AM']Haven't got a clue, but respect if you have managed to lift that in out of a car.[/quote]