lee4 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 My guitar player borrowed a pre Ernie Ball Stingray from a friend of his,hoping that I would love the sound and feel.I picked it up,plugged it in,noodled around for about 15 minutes,and was underwhelmed.My Status does everything that the 'ray does,but with a better neck! I'm sure legions of angry 'ray fans will call for my head on a plate,but this was proof that iconic basses are in the eye of the beholder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='lee4' post='409267' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:05 AM']My guitar player borrowed a pre Ernie Ball Stingray from a friend of his,hoping that I would love the sound and feel.I picked it up,plugged it in,noodled around for about 15 minutes,and was underwhelmed.My Status does everything that the 'ray does,but with a better neck! I'm sure legions of angry 'ray fans will call for my head on a plate,but this was proof that iconic basses are in the eye of the beholder.[/quote] +10000000000000000000000 I really can't see the point in vintage basses..... every one I've tried is either really average or extremely disappointing...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EBS_freak Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 But does your Status do a better impression of a toilet seat...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crez5150 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='EBS_freak' post='409270' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:09 AM']But does your Status do a better impression of a toilet seat...?[/quote] You've lost me..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) Mewsie's got my Status Groove 5 on loan and one of the first things she said was that it was so bright sounding and punchy compared to her Sterling. Once you're used to the feel, response & sound of graphite, wood just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. The only wooden basses I've found recently that I really like the sound of have been my two Corvette $$'s, my current and long standing Yamaha TRB-6 II & a couple of Sadowskys. I will say though, that every MusicMan bass bar one that I've played has underwhelmed me as well. Rich. *Waits for MusicMan bearing lynch mob to storm the place*, LOL! Edited February 14, 2009 by OutToPlayJazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwi Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Without wishing to take sides, I think its important to look at the instruments as having their own character. Comparing a stingray to a status is like comparing a Ampeg scroll bass to an Alembic. They've been designed in different eras with different parameters in mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XB26354 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Well I know what you mean about MusicMan basses - I just bought an SR5 purely because it sounds, feels and plays fantastic, everything I have never had with any previous MM basses. It is definitely in the eye of the beholder though - I hate Status basses, never liked the horrible dated shape, and graphite might be bright and punchy but it sounds flat and soulless to me.. if I had to own a graphite neck bass Modulus wipes the floor with them imho. And yes I've tried plenty of Status basses, even owned a couple of S2's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamster Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I borrowed my friends Status S2 Classic headless to see if I liked it with a view to buying it. I played it quite a bit, the sound was ok, I liked the look of it but I really hated the feel of it, didn't like the graphite neck and gave it back to him. I know I've only played one Status, but my cheapo P bass clone feels miles better to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='409272' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:15 AM']Mewsie's got my Status Groove 5 on loan and one of the first things she said was that it was so bright sounding and punchy compared to her Sterling. Once you're used to the feel, response & sound of graphite, wood just doesn't seem to cut it anymore. The only wooden basses I've found recently that I really like the sound of have been my two Corvette $$'s, my current and long standing Yamaha TRB-6 II & a couple of Sadowskys. I will say though, that every MusicMan bass bar one that I've played has underwhelmed me as well. Rich. *Waits for MusicMan bearing lynch mob to storm the place*, LOL![/quote] I know where you are you know GRRRRRRRRR LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='XB26354' post='409283' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:29 AM']Well I know what you mean about MusicMan basses - I just bought an SR5 purely because it sounds, feels and plays fantastic, everything I have never had with any previous MM basses. It is definitely in the eye of the beholder though - I hate Status basses, never liked the horrible dated shape, and graphite might be bright and punchy but it sounds flat and soulless to me.. if I had to own a graphite neck bass Modulus wipes the floor with them imho. And yes I've tried plenty of Status basses, even owned a couple of S2's.[/quote] My Status is a Groove;looks like a 'ray but with a slimmer neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Glynn, PUD-EM-UP, LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='stingrayfan' post='409321' date='Feb 14 2009, 11:32 AM']Different strokes, different folks. I'm not gigging my SR currently because I find it too heavy and cumbersome. Great sound though.[/quote] Having found the same issues with my Ray, I got a Sterling - bit lighter with a slimmer neck. Wonderful. I must add that without exception I've never played a 'bad' Ray. Of course they vary a lot ( I've had both vintage and newer models), but for a dyed in the wool old Precision fan like myself the Musicman seemed like the next logical step forward whilst retaining the old school feel etc. (and built like a brick sh*thouse too!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) a classic case of chacun son gout..to each his own..paraphrased hence the loathing of fenders, rickenbackers, and others including status and wal as played by world class players good post and quite clear on attitude...no backslapping or patronisation i have a SR5 and have had a ric and fender and am not so over the moon with them good call cheers Edited February 14, 2009 by mrcrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil_the_bassist Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Yep, that's fair comment! I love my 'rays, but fenders will never do it for me, I don't like Warwicks as a rule (but Gamble's really impressed me!) and Rics are best looked at, rather than played...IMHO of course! Very much horses for courses, but I think that once you've found YOUR bass, nothin' else will touch it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stan_da_man Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Status rules. End of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) I used to be mad keen on Musicman but things change and I've tried almost every brand of bass ever made until I got to the one that I could call my own. I've never got on with regular precisions but the single coil ones to me are the bollocks. I had a modulus as well and I have to say that it felt dead. the strings were a ba' hair away from the fretboard but it didn;t do anything for me. Its always going to depend on what suits you. Fender, Musicman and Ric are the 3 main brands AFAIK with very passionate members on their own forums so they are the main 3 that people tend to go for so when you try one and hate it then you feel let down. It should've been a killer bass but ended up disappointing you. Personally, nothing can touch my Warmoth. Its my bass and gives me my sound with the playability and balance that I want. After getting it I did get myself another stingray (the one I said i didn;t like in the Stingray gear porn thread) but was very disappointed. The best one I ever owned was the Lava Pearl SR5 (in the same thread as above) and I hated having to sell it but I just don't do 5 string basses anymore. There's nothing that i need to or want to play that i can't do without detuning the E (sometimes down to C) Edited February 14, 2009 by Delberthot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golchen Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I've had a Status for a couple of years and really like it. I wasn't sure though that it was my 'ideal' bass so I've been looking out for something else for the past 8 months or so. I had high hopes that Musicman might be what I was looking for, but I tried a few and it really wasn't happening for me at all. The more basses I try, the more I think that I might stick with Status! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Now don't get me wrong (warning - a ramble is on the cards here), I try to be objective but I must point out I own 2 MMs and zero Statii at this time. Last night I had the pleasure of playing a nice Status at a Jam night - sorry don't know which model but it felt expensive and was one of the thru neck type. On first impressions I would have swapped both my MM's for it because it was so light and far less cumbersom than the MMs. It could do just about any sound I could have asked for and the action was much better than I can get on a Ray. It also balanced much better than my SR5. However as I played I found a few things didn't quite work for me; first, because of it's headless nature I kept going for 7th rather than 5th - tho I guess this would be cured if I played a headed one, secondly, it didn't seem to have a characteristic sound of it's own. Ok a Ray is less versatile but it's always a Ray - I'm not sure what the Status was. Having said all that one day I'd love to own one - but I've a feeling I'll do it because of the weight rather than the sound. Oh and back to the pre EB thing. No I don't get it either I'll stick with my 2002 and 2005 versions thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan_Nailed Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 Having played both of a friend's Status S2's and numerous Ray's, 4 and 5's...I'd rather have a good Ray than either Status. But I'd much rather have a Status than any of the bad Ray's I've played! Never played a Pre-EB bass, but I find some Ray's I like and others not. Usually I like Rosewood board Ray 5's, even though I think Ray's should have maple boards because the sound is great. I mean every instrument is different, that wouldn't have been any different in the Pre-EB days. A 35 year old lemon is still a lemon, it's just got history Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee4 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Share Posted February 14, 2009 (edited) I also find Fender gear dissapointing(pulls on tin hat and dives into trench!) Edited February 14, 2009 by lee4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 these days everybody wanna talk like they got something to say but nothing comes out when they move their lips just a bunch of gibberige i guess they were let down by a 'ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 blame the cava and beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
josh3184 Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 most gear can be dissapointing if you're searching for a tone that just can't be replicated. Like others have aid, horses for courses, some people love a tone whilst others will hate it. I personally love MM but I can completely understand why others might not! Saying that the Warwick $$ is the perfect bass for any player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 [quote name='lee4' post='409267' date='Feb 14 2009, 10:05 AM']My guitar player borrowed a pre Ernie Ball Stingray from a friend of his,hoping that I would love the sound and feel.I picked it up,plugged it in,noodled around for about 15 minutes,and was underwhelmed.My Status does everything that the 'ray does,but with a better neck! I'm sure legions of angry 'ray fans will call for my head on a plate,but this was proof that iconic basses are in the eye of the beholder.[/quote] yep, it's a shame about Ray........... I once had a Status Groove 5 string, a cracking bass! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougal Posted February 14, 2009 Share Posted February 14, 2009 I've had two EBMM - an SR4 that is my main bass, and a bongo 5. I'd agree that the SR's 'just' an iterative improvement on the precision: but that doesn't stop me from loving it long time. I can't comment on the status: I've only ever played them in music shops & without trying a bass in a band situation I don't really feel qualified to comment. What I can't understand is why everyone complains about the weight: mine is noticeably lighter than a jazz and with a 4" strap on (hehehe, I said 4" strap-on) I can happily play through a 4-hour rehearsal. (Mind you, I was a prop forward and still weight train so maybe I'm built slightly more brick-outhouse than the average bear?!?) I think what I'm trying to say is that I like my 'ray*. [size=1](* I am still searching for the perfect bass)[/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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