Linus27

Hello from Camberley, also not that far from Woking. My old band supported Stiff Little Fingers at The Forum in Kentish Town. Met Bruce and got a photo of him with our roadie who was also a bass player and loved the Jam. It made his day, if not his lifetime

[quote name='whimsy23' post='706691' date='Jan 9 2010, 04:05 PM']I play in a hardcore/metal band (play in drop C) and my Peavey Jazz bass, whilst heavy enough, doesn't quite sound right for me. So that's why I'm getting after an OLP/Stingray because that tone is what I want. I would get a Fender but the cuts aren't deep enough and it doesn't suit my playing style for this music as much. For punk, they're spot on. And I can't stand those twangy stereotypical metal basses 15 year olds play. The Ibanez types and whatnot, they sound disgusting![/quote] Interesting you say the Stingray is perfect for punk. I found the total oppersite and found it too twangy, especially with a pick. I found a Precision with a pick is perfect for punk.

Yep very much. In my old band (guitar punk pop) I would play a Fender Precision with a pick. Nice big fat driving sound. I then played in a folk/indy/pop group and moved to a Jazz with fingers to get a nice smooth clean tone. I did try my Stingray but it seemed too clunky and not smooth enough. I also have a Warwick Corvette on order which I hope will give me a very tight punchy sound with fingers. If I ever went back to playing punky stuff then I would buy a Precision.

[quote name='Clarky' post='704696' date='Jan 7 2010, 08:11 PM'] ... except I have already nagged OHM and he is as happy as a happy thing with my old Jazz. so he might actually keep this one![/quote] I would'nt put money on it. He's said the same to me in the past :)

Clarky, give it about another 2 weeks and Old Horse Murphy would probably be selling or trading your old Jazz. He goes through more basses/amps/cabs than I have hot dinners I can't help with the 62RI but I have a 75RI and its the bestest, easiest to play Jazz I have ever played. It's awsome.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='700944' date='Jan 4 2010, 08:44 PM']Thanks Linus. Ive had a think...and I am pretty sure as pretty as a Lakland is...for a P bass I need to stick to Fender...and If I want to improve the 08/09 I have....I need to go vintage or the 62 Reissue. Both my Ps are sooo lightweight in actual weight but MASSIVE in tone. I really like my old MIJ thats been sold around here recently, but the new USA's just sound massive...and the fretboards are really nice. Add the decent new bridge, nice colours, etc, I may as well stick to what Ive got. One thing I noticed with the DJ...and this is from the 5 string perspective so slightly different, but the neck was fabulous....nicest 5 string neck Ive ever played. I would definitely like a 75 Reissue Jazz at some point. Stunning growl! Lets face it, Fender may not have all the bells n whistles and wont have so much QC, but the tone and feel on their instruments is great. GAS over...hahah. Ill probably keep the P and just get a 5 string Lakland and be done. For now![/quote] Fender's are like my Lotus Elise. Stuck together with a bit of glue, tape and some odd and sods found lying around but man is it just right :)

I had a Duck Dunn and it was a lovely bass. Very very well made and a wonderful tone. However, it really does depend on what Fender you compare it with and how they both play to you. What I mean is, I had a Lakland Darryl Jones jazz bass. A wonderful instrument, amazing quality that only Fender could ever dream of producing. The hardware was solid, the neck was smooth and the finish was second to none. A top class instrument of the highest degree. However, I did not like it to play. It felt very stiff and rigid and made my fretting hand ache. I replaced it with a MIA Fender Jazz 75 re-issue. In comparison to the Lakland, its rough around the edges, not very well put together, clumsy looking with cheap hardware and looks as pretty as a brick sh*tt*r. However, its a dream to play and I feel totally at one when I play it. Its the easiest bass in the world to play and the most natural bass I have ever played. I really do not have to think when I play it, I am moulded to it. I would not swap it for anything. So, yes Laklands are very good instruments but just be careful on what Fender its going to replace as it may feel very different. If I was going to buy a Precision, then I would probably get a Fender. Not for looks or build quality but purely on how they feel to play. This is off course if its going to be a main playing bass. If for something different then a Lakland would be a top bass to buy.

What a great thread. The only problem is, I have no idea. I always set goals, its how I achieve things and I was discussing this very topic with my wife over the Xmas break and I am still no better off. From 1990 to 2000, I was learning bass, got in a couple of bands, got a record deal etc. In 2000 to 2009, I lost the record deal, gave up bass, took up bass again, got married, had two kids and then got in a new band for 6 months. Now its 2010 I have no idea what I want to do or where to go. I guess maybe get into a band would be a start and a change of career but to be honest, I am not really sure

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='699088' date='Jan 2 2010, 09:01 PM']Thanks guys. 19mm is a bit wider than im used to but im sure it will be fine.[/quote] Not sure if this makes any difference but after 23 years of playing, I had no idea until last year that there was different string spacing on different basses. I have never noticed any difference previously especially when playing with a pick.

Dave, you must be bonkers to want a white Stingray. I think they look yuck. Still, personal choice and all that . Anyway, not sure if this intersts you as they have one in stock. As your getting a bit desperate, just better point out, it has matching white headstock in case you miss that [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/BassGuitars/pid16934/cid560/MusicManStingray4StringBassinWhitewithMatchingHeadstock.asp"]http://www.andertons.co.uk/BassGuitars/pid...ngHeadstock.asp[/url] Kingfisher Music in Fleet, Hampshire also have a a natural with maple neck in stock for £1,249. More expensive than Andertons but maybe natural is more expensive. Do none of the music shops in London have any in stock?

[quote name='levelitup' post='694027' date='Dec 26 2009, 11:19 PM']Ok, although i am a bassist i also play drums too. So i am on the look out for a bassist/vocalist thats mental on the police, if there is a sting fanatic that lives in the mid south of england contact me! Happy festive times all. Rob[/quote] Bugger, I could do the bass part of Sting but not the singing part of Sting

[quote name='phil.i.stein' post='693608' date='Dec 26 2009, 10:48 AM']hi dave, i was just looking for power supplies, when i came accross this, you may have seen already.. [url="http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/5539-musicman_stingray_bass_3eq_maple_red_used_great_condition_hardcase"]http://www.stringsdirect.co.uk/products/55...dition_hardcase[/url] hope you're having a good one ![/quote] That looks stunning, especially with the black pickguard. Quite like it myself

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='693004' date='Dec 24 2009, 03:13 PM']That, to me, is THE SR4 look. Im going to try for a black one first though. That way my Girlfriend wont notice it ;-) Hic..[/quote] That is until I tell her

[quote name='Musicman20' post='692952' date='Dec 24 2009, 01:59 PM']Classic post. Get a SR4....if you get a white one I will be jealous for years. I must admit, the natural is a good look for Rays....check them out as well.[/quote] HEHEHE thanks. I think its worked, I can hear a drunken man singing Girls Aloud from my house which is about 30 miles south of Dave's I have a natural Stingray with maple neck. Beautiful combination. The other colours I love are black with maple neck and Cherryburst with rosewood neck. This is my beauty,

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='692893' date='Dec 24 2009, 12:18 PM']Morning all. Right then, just re read my posts from last night and im just going to backtrack on most of it lol. I went up to the Bass Cellar and they had a SR4 in stock. I didnt get to play it as there was already someone slapping for England in the shop so wouldn't have heard anything and i was really just passing through. Ill go back at some point in the next couple of weeks and have another look. What i did notice was that the neck did seem a bit wider than i had imagined. Ive just checked the specs no the MM website and they are pretty close to a P so its probably not a big deal. According to the specs on the Sterling by MM site the Ray34 is a few mm wider at the nut. Very strange. I cant figure out the string spacing but maybe ill email them or Strings' n' things as suggested by Gareth. Anyway, i think im going to dig my HW1 out and try and start using that for a while. This will allow me to put the DJ5 up for sale as soon as i can. Im going to take a big hit but what the heck. Once its sold i can then concentrate on looking for a new bass, be it Sterling by MM or the real deal. with all the prices going up in Jan maybe ill get lucky with a good second hand SR4. Thats all assuming i can offload the DJ5 fo course. Wow, i cant believe im actually going back to a Jazz for a while. Cheers all and have a great Christmas. If anyone gets a SR4 for Christmas and doesnt want it you know what to do lol.[/quote] [b][size=4]LOOK INTO MY EYES, DON'T LOOK AWAY, LOOK INTO MY EYES ... YOU ARE NOW FAST ASLEEP[/size][/b] [color="#FF0000"][size=7]BUY AN SR4[/size][/color] [b][size=4]WHEN I CLICK MY FINGERS, YOU WILL WAKE UP, FULLY REFRESHED, LONGING TO ONLY BUY AN SR4, ONLY DRINK IRISH WHISKEY AND AN UNHEALTHY FACINATION TO GIRLS ALOUD.[/size] [size=6]CLICK[/size][/b]

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='692664' date='Dec 23 2009, 11:02 PM']I typed that last reply on my itouch and have had a few drinks, now im on a proper keyboard let me clarify what i wrote. Im not one for having to have the top of the range. I was very happy with my HW-0ne P and never even thought about getting a MIA. If i like a bass ill stick with it so i doubt i would want to change it if im already happy. Maybe one day in the future but it would be for a different model i expect. I believe (could be wrong) that the Sterling by MM Ray34 has a slightly narrower or less chunky neck than the real deal. This is a bonus for me. I believe (again) the basses come from the same Cort factory as the Lakalnds so i expect the work to be up to scratch. Price wise, if i can get it on my CC it means i can keep the DJ5 for now or wait until i get can get a good price. If i need to pay in cash i will probably have to sell the DJ5 first and with it being a buyer market i would expect to make a bigger loss. Or heaven forbid save up but then i could loose the deal. Hope that makes sense. Ill probably edit it all in the morning when i sober up lol.[/quote] It makes sense but its all wrong I thought the HW-One was made in the US and came with badass bridge and good US pickups. Not sure if the MM has a chunky neck but mine does not feel chunky, just flater than say a Jazz. So we need to find a way for you to keep the DJ5 and get the cash for a proper Ray

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='692644' date='Dec 23 2009, 10:30 PM']why do you say that? I understand what you are saying but by all acounts the sterling range are pretty close to the USA versions. a bit like a laklands skylines vs the real deal I guess although the price difference is a lot greater than the musicman range. Really just asking. if I do buy second I'll have to find the money and this could take me ages.[/quote] The SR4 is such a perfect wonderful bass that in reality it is not that expensive. The Sterling bass is around £550 and a far cheaper version of the SR4. Second hand my SR4 which is totally mint and perfect in every way only cost £670. For £100 - £150 more would you not jump at the chance of having an American Fender over a good Mexican one?? I don't mean that in a snobbery kind of way, but as its probably going to be your main bass, for very little more, you can get the Ferrari rather than the Fiat If the difference financially was so great like the Lakland Skylines and USA ones then that would make sense but as its not then I would not compromise on your main bass, especially when we are talking a matter of £100 - £150. Even new you can get a new SR4 for £1079.00 at Andertons. There is no way up better than a SR4 but there is always better with one of the Sterling basses and that happens to be an SR4. If you love the Sterling then you will love the SR4 and I mean really love it. Try some out and see what you think. Just my opinion on how I think you will look at it knowing what you are like with basses

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='692212' date='Dec 23 2009, 11:41 AM']Being more realistic, I could probably afford either of these after Christmas without selling my DJ5 first as i can whack it on the card. [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Music-Man-Ray-34,-Black~ID~11409.asp"]Ray34[/url] [url="http://www.soundslive.co.uk/product~name~Music-Man-SB14,-Black~ID~11415.asp"]SB14[/url] Im going to venture up to Denmark st tomorrow to see if i can find anything to test out first of course.[/quote] Dave, to be honest, I would hold out for a Musicman Stingray even if its secondhand. Get the real deal, you will only regret it later. You will buy a Ray 34 or SB14, love it and then want the SR4. As its going to be your main bass, then get the full on Stingray. You will only spend more money again moving up to one later on.

[quote name='artisan' post='692536' date='Dec 23 2009, 07:27 PM']don't be afraid to haggle over the price quoted,i walked into PMT Leeds 4 weeks ago to check out some 'Rays hanging on the wall. i tried a white/maple 3eq ray,a honey burst/rosewood 2 eq & a Sandberg jazz bass thingy. the Sandberg to me felt very unispiring,i only played it for 5 minutes & handed it back,as for the 'Rays i spent nearly 2 hours trying them back to back & went for the 2eq one in the end. said 2 eq 'Ray had a wall price of £1250.00 but after a good haggle & me pointing out the tiniest mark you've ever seen on a new bass i ended up taking it home for £1000.00 job done. btw don't let anyone put you off a 2 eq model as mine sounded far better than the 3eq model,plenty of punch & treble with far less clack than the 3eq one had but i'm very fussy about my sound & truth be told if they'd only had the white one i'd have taken that home (after a good haggle of course).[/quote] To be honest, I would swap my 3EQ Ray for a 2EQ if one came up in the right colour. Nothing wrong with my 3EQ but if I can get away with one less button/dial/nob/switch then I would

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='692100' date='Dec 23 2009, 09:38 AM']Yeah, its something that does impress me when done right and something i really wish i could do but i dont have a need for it so never get around to learning to do it. I do need to play more finger style at gigs though. I always practice at home without a pick but i get lazy at gigs and use a pick 99% of the time. Ive had basses in the past where they have just seemed right for finger style, even mine. Im pretty close to deciding i will definitely get a MM of some sort. Im going to take a big hit when i sell or trade the DJ5 but i think as long as i have a bass that makes me happy then thats fine. Of course i still need to play a few but tone wise im happy that i will get what im after. Been thinking about the low G issue and i think that fine. I tend to back off a bit when playing the G anyway so it wont be a problem. And im definitely going back to 4 string.[/quote] Great stuff Dave. The Ray is a fab bass and I am sure you will love playing it. I know I adore mine. As for playing with fingers. Another great move. I played with a pick for 23 years and over the last few years have moved over to fingers. I have done a few gigs now and its been great fun using fingers. I still struggle on faster songs with a lot of 8's though. My hand just seems to cramp up and go into spasm and I need to use the pick. Still, most songs I am using fingers which is really enjoyable. Oh and I do feel my work is now done and its not even 2010 yet. Old Horse Murphy and yourself are now back to being a real bass player and using 4 strings. I knew you would both see the light eventually

[quote name='Hutton' post='691777' date='Dec 22 2009, 08:07 PM']I can see we're going to have to agree to differ. I will promise however to have a go at your Tulamore Dew. Perhaps what we can agree about though is that the distillery that has opened down England way should be mortared as soon as possible. Anyway, better not hijack the thread for much longer as phil says. Back to Stingrays![/quote] HEHE ok To be honest, not sure you will like Tulamore Dew. Its quite sweet with a honey like taste. If you like single malt then I am not sure it will be for you. Worth a taste I say though. Anyway, yes back on topic. Come on Dave, the guests are getting restless and there is only so much Stingray talk we can do before we get back onto Whiskeys

[quote name='Hutton' post='691622' date='Dec 22 2009, 04:25 PM']That's cool Michael. What definitely isn't cool though is putting an "e" in whisky when you refer to single malt. Leave the "e" to the Irish and anyone esle who labours under the illusion that they can make 'the water of life'. BTW, your wife has great taste. Tell her if she gets fed up with you then I'm up for grabs. [/quote] HAHAHA well, the Irish in me does not know to laugh or cry. Considering you Scots make what can only resembles flavoured toilet water and feels like drinking razor blades. The only real Whiskey comes from Ireland. They even spell it correctly Now get your laughing chops around a bottle of Tulamore Dew and experience some real Whiskey I do like Talisker thanks to my wife but I'm not going to admit that. I also got given a couple of bottles of single malt, single cask 16 year old Glenturret that was distilled in 1990 and bottled in 2006. Tasted rank to me but the wife likes it and I can trade it with her for a decent Irish Whiskey from her

[quote name='Hutton' post='690474' date='Dec 21 2009, 11:06 AM']You see it's all about individual preference and probably a bit of playing style and what music you play. I am the new owner of the "uninspiring, boomy, rigid, and dead sounding" DJ4. However, I have found it to be "inspiring, exciting, flexible and sounds fantastic". I also used to own a 2eq Stingray which I found to be lifeless in the treble department. My SUB4 however is a marvellous bass which will be with me as long as I am able to play. It all goes to show that the ideal way to investigate your own choices is to get out and play individual basses and make up your own mind. We are all different and look for different things in our basses. These forums also show that individuals can be extolling the marvellous sounds and features of their basses one minute and selling them the next. Trust your own ears and hands. All the best![/quote] I must admit, I have been guilty of extolling the marvellous sounds and features of my bass one minute and selling it the next, i.e, the DJ4 It's a superb bass but it just lacked a certain something for me. Like you say though, we are all different. My wife likes single malt whiskey and I like blended, she likes cheese and onion and I like salt and vinegar, she likes Rosberg and I like Alonso As Hutton says Trust your own ears and hands.