Hutton

[quote name='Delberthot' post='851560' date='May 30 2010, 02:23 AM']I think the reason they changed the logo around is that they were literally too good and better than the MIA Fenders at the time so Fender wanted people to know that they were the cheaper alternative to the 'superior' Fender product. The Fender execs were literally in tears as the Japanese models were far superior in every way to the pish coming out of the US factory.[/quote] Sorry, can't agree. To say that the Japanese basses were 'literally' better than the MIA is product is quite a claim. If you are referring to the mid-eighties product I especially don't agree. After Fender recovered from the CBS period they started producing a very good American product once again. The prices of the first reissue basses from this period bears it out. They were and are quality instruments. I have an American standard precision from 1983 which is a superb bass. I would not part with it for a JV series bass. I can remember reading somewhere that at this period in their history Fender had to rely on Japan to produce instruments as they couldn't produce enough instruments in America after what had been a bad time for the company. I personally think that a lot of folklore has grown up around the JV series stuff. Yes they can be good basses but I certainly don't think you can claim that they were 'literally' better than the American product.

[quote name='casapete' post='863541' date='Jun 10 2010, 06:07 PM']+1 Maine made guitar amps/combos/cabinets, which often featured metal domed speakers (McKenzies?), and I think did make a bass range (Maine Bassman), but cant remember a 2x12 combo. Seem to remember a fairly compact 2x10 guitar combo being one of their designs. (the guitar amps usually featured reverb and a master vol/distortion control.) AFAIK all of Maine stuff was solid state - cant remember seeing any valve designs. Was briefly in a band which had a Maine PA head - 200 watts/graphic /5 channels etc which was a hell of a lot at the time! Was well made honest gear that took a fair bit of abuse,still see the odd item for sale so must have been ok![/quote] Thanks. This combo may well be a 2X10. I have only seen it under a stage where it is being stored so it was pretty dark. I'll have to investigate it further.

Thanks chaps. Much appreciated.

I came across what looked like a 2X12 combo today. It was badged 'Maine' on the grill and had 'Bass 12/60' marked on the panel which was coloured red. It looked like an ok piece of kit which I have access to if I need to use it. Does anybody know anything about these combos or the Maine make?

As this is indeed a recurring theme let's try to get something organised to stop this insipid habit of gear lending taking place. Perhaps if we all swear a solemn oath NEVER to lend our gear, and persuade our fellow bandmates to do the same then maybe, just maybe, other bands and promoters will get the message. I know that drummers are in a different situation and sharing of kits, apart from snare drum and cymbals, is often a necessity. I've been to gigs where the promoter was well organised with paperwork prior to the gig which, amongst other things, recognised that bands had to bring there own gear. These were good gigs without the necessity of having to justify to a grumpy bassist that he couldn't use your gear. So come on people. Let's be determined that nobody is using our gear. It costs us a lot to buy a rig and maintain it. Why should some eejit come along and expect to use our gear. Stick to your guns and politely tell them that your rig is for your use only. If they persist then forget politeness and give them whatever response you feel is adequate for the occasion. It's the only way that this thing is going to go away.

[quote name='OldGit' post='859010' date='Jun 6 2010, 04:25 PM']Shame the P pup seems to be only available in a poo brown hoodie ...[/quote] Look on a wee bit further into the site. There are P pup shirts available.

I generally don't have a lot of time for 80s stuff. However, came across this rather nice example of Robert 'Pops' Popwell rendering a stunning bassline on 'Physical' from 1982. Who says you can't slap on a P bass! If you don't want to listen to the whole thing then the slapfest is at 4:30. Also, if you don't do anything else it is always pleasant to scan the young Australian miss in her wee white shorts. Apologies if this has ben done before. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAoDJcFU6iY"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAoDJcFU6iY[/url]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='852589' date='May 31 2010, 01:45 PM']Thanks, I agree. 100% happy with S&T and Bass Merchant and how they dealt with it. It was a case of 'heck, I've sold two REALLY good standard Rays for this, do I really want to wait or should I just leave it for now?'. As you can see, im still confident in EB as Ive got two incoming and it wont sway me from getting more EBMMs. The two I sold on here were such high quality basses in terms of QC I was a little shocked about the Classic I received. My girlfriend could see how much it stressed me out, with it being the most expensive bass Ive ever ordered, so she just advised for now I should leave it, and perhaps replace it with a standard Stingray 4, which I am 90% sure on now. The 2EQ sounds amazing, and I see why people like it. But, as I could not find a 2EQ around here to test, and the Classic colours just sucked me in, I had to give it a gamble. I agree, its more the traditional Stingray tone, but I grew up on insanely fast and melodic modern american punk, and they all had that cutting 3EQ tone. So, now I know what to order for a standard Stingray....stick to what I love. I agree on the mutes. Its much easier to source some foam! I think the mute material is that type that will need replacing, so Ill just stick to a normal ol' Ray with some foam! Cheers[/quote] Life is all about experience my friend. Good for you for sticking with the 3EQ. We should always go with what we know in ourselves to be the right route for our individual tastes. When your new basses arrive from SLO post up pics and make us all cry in our beer. All the best!

Very nice indeed!

Well done my friend. It's always great to be up on that stage playing your heart out. It's why we do it!

You might want to be moving this down to the 'other musically related stuff' for sale section. All the best with the sale!

I'm interested in this thread as someone may be able to answer a question that's been nagging away at me. I have an American Vintage 62 Reissue which is a faithful copy of the original bass. I was in a music shop and perused what was advertised as a Japanese 62 reissue. I did notice that this bass didn't have reverse tuners with the long stems and it also didn't have screw-type saddles. I suppose my question is: Do the Japanese reissues fall down a bit on accuracy or was the bass I was looking at a standard model being passed off as a reissue? Here's mine by the way:-

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='840742' date='May 18 2010, 12:26 PM']True but if one man pays £300 for his meat and another pays £500 for his, isnt there something wrong there? which price is right?[/quote] Surely people pay different prices for Precsions, Jazzes, Rays, etc etc. Who knows what a bass is worth? There are so many factors involved. Is there a right price?

As I said before it's all subjective. 'One man's meat is another man's poison'. Can I also suggest that the ridiculous suggestion that SUBs are made from inferior rejected Stingray parts be posted over on the Ernie Ball forum. You'll soon find plenty of opinions on that one! It would also be interesting to know the evidence for making the suggestion in the first place.

[quote name='wateroftyne' post='840529' date='May 18 2010, 09:13 AM']Fixed it for ya. [/quote] Agreed.

I've had my Standard 83 P for a few years now and seriously doubt if I will ever sell it. I remember the 70s when nobody wanted the overweight questionable quality stuff that Fender was producing. There was great relief when CBS shed the company and quality again was returned to the brand. I can only assume that the 70s basses that BCers have are the better ones that slipped through. In general I would definitely have to play a 70s bass before I fell into the trap of a dealer making money out of the vintage scam. That being said I would always want to play a bass that I bought unless it was from a BCer. Here's mine:-

I can only speak from my own experience with my SUB. I wouldn't dream of changing a thing. The SUB has a great sound all on it's own. I just don't understand the lack of beef comment. Mine has it in shedloads. Perhaps there is something wrong with the bass that it isn't giving out enough. I'll grant you that a change of pickguard improves the looks but apart from that I struggle to know why you would want to change anything. The SUB is what it is. It's not a Ray. I actually prefer the SUB sound to the Ray that's why I kept it and sold my Ray. I don't think that the differences are vast but the SUB has it's own sound. The SUB is also an American made quality bass. It just doesn't cost as much as a Ray. As for the weak G string - I had it on my Ray but not on the SUB. Sometimes I feel we get into a mindset of always assuming that a standard pup somehow must need replacing. However, it's all down to how we feel about our own instruments. If you can't get on with a bass, sell it on until you find the Holy Grail for you. All the best!

It's all really a bit subjective. 'One man's meat is another man's poison' so to speak. I had a Ray and a SUB. I sold the Ray because I preferred the sound of the SUB. My Ray had that weak G string thing no matter what I did to it. The SUB was and is even across the strings. The build quality is pure USA Ernie Ball so you know what you're getting. I know that my SUB is a keeper, and I suspect it will rise in value in the passage of time due to the relatively short production run. The Ray34 I have no doubt is an excellent working instrument. However, if you want a piece that is going to rise in value it seems it has to have 'Made in USA' stamped on it.

Staying with the Glasgow theme there is also Southside Music in Cathcart Road. They often have something interesting.

[quote name='theosd' post='796555' date='Apr 5 2010, 02:08 PM']Go for a maple fingerboard with these IME.[/quote] If you want a rosewood fretboard go for a rosewood fretboard. If you listen to all the preferences expressed on these forums you'll never end up ordering your bass at all! For every person who says one thing is best there will be another with the opposite opinion. Stick to your own thoughts for your dream bass!!

[quote name='BruceBass3901' post='796540' date='Apr 5 2010, 12:54 PM']I have been told my parents and grandparents that when I go to University, they will buy me a Music Man Stingray 5, as I have been wanting one for about 2 years now. I was wondering if anybody knew where I could order one to the specs that I want (i.e. colour, set-up, etc.) as I think that If I have to wait to get it, the least I could have is the bass I really want. If it helps, I want a Stingray 5 HH in Pacific Blue Burst with a Rosewood Fretboard and a matching headstock. Anybody know where I can order one from?[/quote] Just place your order with your nearest Musicman dealer. Sounds like a very nice bass that you are going to end up with. All the Best!

[quote name='maxrossell' post='699524' date='Jan 3 2010, 01:54 PM']Nah, rubbish. I don't go calling people d*ckheads for their taste in music, but on the other other hand I'm not going to mince around delicately when I think something sucks. The OP understood that my comment wasn't a personal attack on him (although not everyone else did). If someone tells me they think that Pearl Jam are a load of sh*t I'm not going to get all shirty and spit my dummy, even though I happen to like them. I don't interpret it as some sort of provocation. If I wasn't able to take negative discussion about my personal tastes I wouldn't air them.[/quote] Nah, I just think you like to argue. This is your lifeblood. No wonder various people have got fed up and left these forums. It's my turn now and jolly good riddance to me!