Schnozzalee

I played the same bass in Cardiff Cranes today, and its a P bass... The film comes off, and i thought it looked better without 'basslines' on it, the black hardware doesn't look good though and american standard black/black maple would look better...did I mention it was a P bass?? The changes are so minimal I don't quite understand why Fender bothered.

Whats so great about adding a status neck to a stingray?? Sorry for hijacking!

*fingerpull

Does look fab, stain that thumb rest! I like the vintage look as well but this look stands out more - thanks for posting, gives me an idea what your Dingwall's going to look like

Having said that I have taken flats off a P because it wasn't warm enough! My short scale EB3 really needs them though, both sounded great afterwards so i'd take the plunge personally, you can always keep the flats for later use

Yeah something like that definately needs flatwounds, I hate a wooly tone personally and it was what put me off precisions for ages until I tried a bravewood. Only thing is, if you thinking of getting rid theres a dillemma for paying out 30-40 quid on some flats

I've been living in Cardiff two years going on three but I have nothing here to bring to a bass bash at current

Love the P/J configuration one! They've finally lined the pickups up with the bridge!!! I was expecting you to say rosewood and tort for the finish to go with the Squier CV. That's gonna be a great sounding bass

Carribean sea blue, it wouldn't have suited a matching headstock. I don't like the EMG's having the screws in the centre of the pickup, thats where I rest my thumb, no matter since its a five - i'd rest on the B string. I'd like an active/passive bypass switch for the electronics, they also say that spectors have little mid-range presence but thats just what i've heard, never tried one. I've always loved the tone Alice in Chains, Ian Hill and Dave La Rue have got out their Spectors but for me they get trumped by the dull funky MECs of a Warwick. Warwicks however more often than not look pants in comparison to a Spector IMO. ...I've just monged out so I think its past my bedtime

That is one incredible looking bass, we need a semi acoustic bass thread in the gear porn if there isn't one already

Further adding to the mass of positive feedback, I received a gorgeous fretless stingray following a super quick bank transfer in part exchange for my Marleaux 5. Hassle never came into it, great communication and more than likely the easiest transfer i've had to date! Thoroughly recommended and wouldn't think twice about dealing with Paul again (not that I did the first time!). Thanks again Paul, looking forward to your review on the Marleaux!! Best Regards Oli

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='1089562' date='Jan 14 2011, 05:22 PM']Oh, wow - I didn't realise you've played one. What was it like?[/quote] Average

The 4/5 times i've played a 5 or 6 string I've never really used the B, only as a thumb rest or instead of drop Eb/D tuning.

[quote name='bubinga5' post='1089871' date='Jan 14 2011, 09:28 PM']The best most comfortable 5 ive ever played was a Sting Ray 5, comfort, punchy tone..effortless... .. going from 4 to 5 was fairly easy. going to 6 was a little more time consuming.. i always found a wide neck more difficult.. my ultimate 5 string would have a very narrow, jazz like neck, with 18/19 string spacing at the bridge..[/quote] Your next for a Marleaux then!

I thought I did but close up, maybe not! Its a shame the finishes are so limited.

Yep far far to expensive for the quality. You'd think that this would be the natural progression for Fender but once people buy a P they want a J to go with so why combine best of both worlds? When they do they rinse ya!! £2600!! G&L already do what this does but they ain't as pretty and not all have jazz necks. I'm so glad the they brought out the HMV bridge, who would opt for badass engraved on their instrument?? apart from a teenager.

[quote name='Jean-Luc Pickguard' post='1089380' date='Jan 14 2011, 02:32 PM']obsessing over minute tonal variations which will be lost in the mix? No ta! I'd rather stick to a single split coil pickup and hold down the low end. But that's just me.[/quote] Got to agree with Jean on this one, the idea is lovely and great fun for the bedroom player. I used to obsess about tone until everyone I knew couldn't tell the difference between 5 of my basses unless they played as well. Now I just worry about build/playability and if it cuts through