Rayman

As the years pass by, my taste in tone has definitely changed. 20yrs ago I was into Marcus style zingy slap style, plenty of top end to the point where the audience at gigs we're wincing as I went at it on my Stingrays. Now, it's very different. I prefer a much warmer tone. I love a round tone, with the top end rolled off both of my Arias. It's funkier, and sits in the mix much more comfortably. I still love Marcus, but I really struggle with that bright zing now. Is it an age thing?

You can pick up a 90s/00s Aria for a couple of hundred quid, and it'll dump from a great height on basses 3 times the price IMO. Having just spent an hour on my IGB68/5 I couldn't be more convinced.

I really liked some of their recorded stuff...... but after seeing them live I wasn't that impressed. Surprising, as I expected them to be amazing live.

I have a couple of Aria Integras, great basses, well made, MIK, the electrics are decent I'm no hurry to upgrade anything, but they're heavy. The 5er is very weighty. As far as Westone, I can only remember what we thought of them in the late 70s early 80s..... just ok. The Thunder 1 was a common starter bass, I wasn't overly excited by the one my mate had, but the Thunder 3 is meant to be a sought after 'classic' these days. I've seen some silly asking prices, in MY opinion, for some of these old MIJ basses, but each to their own.

I don't own one, but borrowed one a while back. I put TI flats on it (my favourite strings anyway), and it was really awesome with them. For me, the difference between those and tapes, is that TIs are more versatile. They still have some top end if you need it, whereas tapes are a bit more 'one trick pony' IMO. NICE pony to ride though if that's your bag.

Kinal MK5 Overwater Progress 5 Lakland Joe Osborn '78 Fender Precision Warwick Fortress There are SO many.... if I could have one back, it would be the Kinal.

Ahhh yes.... I remember, a Stingray yep.

NICE mate..... I don't even remember what bass I bought from you maybe 10yrs ago, probably a Precision?

Yeah... Zenta, my mistake, it was a long time ago! Lol. My mate had Jedson guitar, I had the Columbus, they were both pretty poor from what I remember.

Avon yeah... Kay.... Zentor.... there were loads of them.... and we thought they were all crap, well, a lot of them were. I remember playing on some horrific driftwood, and I'm not sure the Columbus was any better.

Around 1980/81, I was 15, and my first bass was a Columbus Jazz from Rhythm House in Stockport. Even back then, if it didn't say Fender on it, I knew it wasn't the real thing, but amongst the Cimars, Westones and Mayas coming in from Japan, (in those days, we didn't rate the MIJ stuff at all, we thought it was a cheap copy of the real thing, funny how they're sought after now) the Columbus seemed like my best option and the most affordable Fender copy. It saw me through my first years and gigs, but got so battered in the end, I remember it being pretty unplayable. I honestly can't remember what happened to it ultimately, it probably went on the tip.

There's a blue Jetstar on the bay now. I love them. The Korean made basses are really awesome. I had Korean Dearmond Starfire guitar... sold it to Gordon Giltrap. Fabulous thing it was.

THIS THREAD IS 10 YEARS OLD !!! (Edit: not this thread.... zombie threads... y'know)

Anyone mentioned action? Sorry if yes..... I used to love a super low action, and had an issue with the output on the B... a Stingray and an ESP Horizon spring to mind. I've since raised my action to about 3mm at the 12th on my Aria 5er, and the B, via some EB Super Slinkys (pink, light gauge) rings like a piano.

Righty tighty, Lefty loosely, always. TI flats are fabulous. The king of strings for me. Absolutely awesome on a P bass.

Told her 😆

My Hohner B Bass is awesome. Very surprised as it was just a passing purchase, but honestly I don't know why they aren't more highly regarded.

Yep. Kinal MK5. It was perfect. I actually owned it twice, but both times because I needed the money I had to sell it. I regret it bitterly every day. I'm still on Mikes' endorsees page, and unfortunately it didn't go with me to my grave.... unless I'm a ghost. This picture was about 10 years ago, before I sold it to David Eubassix. If anyone knows where it is I'd love to know..... the inside of the control plate was signed by Nathan East.

Every bass, regardless of age, origin and price is different. This sounds like a big deal to you mate so it's really a case of trying before you buy, and stay open minded about brands. I've had/played some very ordinary "vintage" Fenders. I had '78 P that was nice, but not as good as Japanese Squier I picked up for £150 quid. Same with new models.... they're not guaranteed to be right for you. When I turn 60 in a few years I want a vintage Fender too.... but I'll be doing a LOT of trying them out first.

Been there.... I had to sell my favourite bass, a Kinal MK5, twice! Sold it, bought it back, sold it again, because I was skint. I miss it every day. No idea where it is now, but I'd give anything to get it back. Good luck with your search

I’ve been playing a long time, always had big heavy 2x12 cabs… but I can’t lift them anymore. I recently bought a second hand TC BG250 1x15 combo. Lightweight, inexpensive, plenty of clout unless you’re in a death metal band, and very light. New found love for 15 inch speakers I’d recommend it

Yep, the Dean version was the same pickup spacing. Jeff likes a kind of nasal tone, so I'm guessing it's for that reason.