Muzz

All great advice above, my experience is that I bought and tried and sold several luthier-level basses secondhand before I made a decision to have a custom-build done. All the recommendations are good: ACGs are very distinctive (but ultimately didn't work out for me - as much an aesthetic choice as any), Overwaters are excellent (this time a pickup/EQ/sound thing) too, and my favourite is Jon Shuker. Ultimately at this level, the quality of build will be exemplary and in a different league to the boggo factory-assembled stuff, so you're in a very good position. I'd echo the advice about knowing pretty close to what you want, and then chatting with your prospective luthier. Jon's place in Castleton is definitely worth a visit, alternatively I'm in Oldham and I have two and a half Shukers, including one with a MM pickup (actually a Nordy Bigman) you're welcome to come and try.

What's it actually for, though?

Possibly...the 2024s are even better... Apologies to your wallet.... :/

Yep, the LMIII had a board-mounted jumper for voltage setting. I had one from the States, and converted it. A slightly clenchy moment, but all good... The new 800w power amp in the Magellan (and a few more, I'm sure) is a helluva thing. Ina good way. Having said that, I pay very little attention to the numbers, there are too many other factors, especially cab sizes, numbers and sensitivity - I rely on my ears. And also because I've no idea what 300w sounds like...or 500w...or 800w.

You've clearly never loaded a van in the rain at 2am... And no, I can't afford the exact same gear my musical heroes use, and even if I could, it'd be massively impractical for my playing career. Which is where technological advances are important. I can get very very close to the tone I want from a rig I can practically use, and that's only thanks to advances in technology.

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1484769037' post='3218331'] Have to say though, having gone through some of the faf of buying a Classic Pro IV and finding parts to mod it more to 60's spec, my first reaction to the ad was 'Oh for God's sake!' [/quote] Close to my reaction...although I'll stick with my Shukerbird now...but I think I'd like a two-piece bridge...

Oh, blimey...I think I want that bridge...

[quote name='Storky' timestamp='1484667930' post='3217324'] I do like a Stingray. I had a SBMM Ray 34 and loved it, but could never quite get it to sit right in the band mix, so sold it. Later I missed it and I thought I had worked out what i was doing wrong, so I brought a proper MM Ray4. I loved this as well. On a couple of gigs it sounded really great, but mostly it didn't. I got a 2nd hand Jap Mustang and it blew the Ray out of the water, so I sold the Ray. Now I miss it again! I'm thinking my amp is not Stingray compatible? (Ampeg Portaflex PF-500/PF210HE) and as its time to upgrade my rig, I'd like to get something that works with the MM sound. Suggestions very welcome. [/quote] I've had four Stingrays. Every time, I'd hear/see other people playing them and think 'Yeeeaaahhhh', then I'd buy one and...it just wasn't me. So I'd sell it, then a few months later I'd want one again. Took me four goes to finally realise I just don't suit them (or vice versa). That's across lots of different rigs, too, so it wasn't that... Edit: what Chris just said, above

Fantastic - if I had the money, I'd never be off the phone to Jon: he's an artist.

[quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1484650812' post='3217120'] had a stingray never really got on with it now got a P I use a Zoom unit to get different sounds for different songs, it's more flexible than an active bass and easier to change the tone, never seen an active yet where you can get a passable Lemmy tone , but each to their own [/quote] Dime the mids on my East pre on any bass I have, and it'll drive the amp pre into that one. There you go.

All my basses have East preamps in them - I use a fair spread of tones in the function band, and I don't want to faff with my backline to do it - especially if we're using in-ears without backline I don't have any axe to grind either way; it is, as has been pointed out several times, all down to personal taste and preference.

If you want a more elegant cabling solution, OBBM will make you up a dual lead with the instrument and phono leads - it's very very handy indeed, and it's how I like to run mine.

Cheers guys - yup, BRX is correct in his assumption that I'd like to add to, rather than replace the bass. Soooo, nothing particularly cheap, then... I might have to look at one of these instead... https://www.keithmcmillen.com/products/12-step/

Soooooo, the trio I'm in want to expand the repertoire, and I'm looking at connecting the bass to Mainstage, for which I'm assured I'll need a decent Midi interface. Anyone having success with a particular type/model? I was looking at the Sonuus B2M, but I'm reading tales of latency and tracking making it iffy? Cheers, M

[quote name='peteb' timestamp='1484003521' post='3211951'] On the other hand, I would probably pay good money not to have to watch your band. [/quote] Oh, now hold on...I think I sense a new earner... On the 'fame being relative' thing, I did a gig at a big awards ceremony at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground last year, we were introduced to a load of (mostly huge) young fellas with expensive suits and haircuts, all of whom I just said "Hiya" to. I thought the Event Manager looked a bit downcast, it was only later I was told they were mostly England cricketers...

It's all largely irrelevant to me, as I think they're two of the worst bastardisations of the Fender design I've ever seen. If you gave me one I'd sell it immediately. Fodera owners may well love them, and will probably be able to afford them. Good luck to em, it's their money.

Although even in the serious trib world it doesn't always happen - I got chatting with the singer/bassist from Limehouse Lizzy, who plays a black and chrome Stingray. I asked him why... "I don't like Precisions" Ummmm...OK... I play any bass I want in any band (I've used my Shukerbird for wedding gigs and acoustic trio sit-down ones, too), pretty much on packing-the-bag impulse, but I have to say I do like slinging said Shukerbird around low with the 70s/80s Rock band...it's just so much more rock'n roll...

Having owned a few Schroeder cabs - tho not the exact one you have, I've had smaller ones - if you're playing loud through it, then I can't think of a single 210 which will perform at the same SPLs. If you're not pushing the volume levels really, really high, then yeah, a good 212 or a couple of good 112s will do it. My Bergs and previous BF cabs would do it, certainly. Tone is another matter entirely: Schroeders have a strong character, a different maker/format will take a bit of re-EQing...but then that's half the fun

The build quality of the Magellan 800 is exemplary, so I'm sure this'll be quality, too...love the slight tiltback...

I have four main basses and four other (much cheaper) project-type ones (and zero bass GAS), I have three Berg 112s and two amps, a Magellan and a Walkabout. I'm covered for everything I need now. The only thing I might consider is lighter cabs, though I'd still look at 3x112s, or a 2x12 and a 112...

[quote name='jay-syncro' timestamp='1482925776' post='3203534'] Jazzy AND funky. This is outrageous. http://youtu.be/QRuM2rk2miQ [/quote] That was terrific...

We've just started using Band Helper to co-ordinate our set lists for the 3 and 4 piece function band, and it's highlighted the fact that the 4-piece has a repertoire of 178 songs right now, and the 3-piece somewhere North of 150 (not been updated yet). I have a lot of those in my head, but it's nice to be able to have the band react to requests (within reason, and those 178 plus the buskable ones) by having a quick shufty at my iPad... When there's an, erm, set setlist, I won't use it, but I have it handy for when the band leader likes to go 'off piste'... In my Proper Rock Band, and the originals band, I don't use it.