Pinball

[quote name='leroydiamond' timestamp='1399812408' post='2447877'] Interesting comment. I can never make my mind up about a bass when I try them out at home or in a music store. For me it is all about how the instrument sits in a live gig situation. [/quote] +1 that's what I find so difficult.I desperately wanted to use a jazz and wasted far too long messing around. I got the sound close to what I wanted in the band but was never happy [quote name='MindGoneBlank' timestamp='1399759155' post='2447471'] This. Unless you get a twin pickup model, that is. But then you'll need to get a US one and it won't be cheap. Instead have a look at the Ibanez ATK800 which is more than a match for the Stingray in every way. Will do the Stingray sound all day long but you can also easily get the 'deeper, darker' sounds you're after as well. [/quote] At the moment I get a lot of good feedback about the Prestige SR that I'm using currently so maybe it is worth thinking about, even if not exactly a MM as stated in subsequent posts. Thanks again. I'm not rushing into anything at the moment

cool beans, thanks

[quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1399621693' post='2445867'] I'm in Barcelona next week too - on holiday!! G. [/quote] Coolio.....see I can speak Spanish already

That's ideal, go in and try them They may send you stuff to try from other stores if you see something you like. I spent a lot of time trying guitars and was worried by the inconsistency of some other makes.

I spent a long time looking a couple of years back and found Schecter guitars to be good value and of consistently good quality. All of the ones I played played well and the better ones have features like Seymour Duncan pickups (not Duncan Designed as they are made under licence) and ebony fret boards and are very well put together. You get a high end specced guitar and a big bang for your buck. You can pick them up reasonably 2nd hand too so you will definitely get a nice one in your price range. Note: If your wanting to play in different styles I would avoid those with active pups as, unlike basses they are too aggressive for some styles in my opinion. On the other hand the passive Duncans handle almost everything your average player would want. Guitar Guitar seem to have a special relationship with the company as they normally have great deals.

Hi, I'm in Barcelona next week and just wondered if there are music shops that are worth or gigs that are a look? Im working so my days are pretty full but I'm hoping to get some time to look at the city as its one of my favourite places to be

Hi, I followed exactly the same route. I love their halfs and decided to try both their roundwounds and flats. Status Roundwounds? When new they felt odd sounded over bright to me. Initially I was so disappointing that I took them off my favorite bass and but rather than waste them I stuck them on another bass that I have lying around to noodle on. Then I played them in for a while and after about 3 weeks absolutely loved them so I put them back on my favorite bass. I find them stable with a nice sound...unlike some previous strings that I had, which sounded great when I put them on and then quickly changed to sound pretty dead and unresponsive. Don't expect to be blown away by them initially and allow time to "run them in". [i]Note: I had a similar experience with the Status flats. I tried them on my EMG powered LTD and thought they were inferior to the half rounds. I them left them lying around until I got my Warwick and put them on that because I didn't have an alternative and was surprised by to find that they sound great.[/i] Of course its all subjective anyway

[quote name='rOB' timestamp='1399089265' post='2440925'] In theory it's a great idea. I'd love to be able to turn up to a gig with a bass and a bag of bits. In reality I've rarely been able to get good enough monitoring through the PA when trying it. I've always gone back to having a small backline rig for monitoring and then DI to FOH. [/quote] Yes it works fine but you have to hand over total control to the sound man, which they love and musicians hate.

[quote name='Brams77' timestamp='1399100689' post='2440957'] Well I'm recently into stingrays, I had one 18 years ago a '95 stingray 3 band, while it was one of the best basses I had at the time I felt it was too specific in sound. Now years later I tried a pre eb stingray at a shop fell in love with the more rounded tone that one has, especially gospel like kicks really shined. I bought that bass not only co's of the tone but the necks on these are one of the smoothest most easy in the world that even goes for the eb stingrays aswell. I'm not saying a pre eb is the way to go as the concept and pickups/preamp where never changed.. Just play a few preferrably a secondhand bass. My guess is if you like the warwick you must loooove the original stingray especially the feel of the neck. [/quote] Thanks, GAS is now difficult to control...Parp!

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1399055911' post='2440600'] I can't help with a MM but I do have a G&L 5-string with a humbucker in the 'MM' position. You are welcome to try it if you fancy a trip over to Swindon some time - but it's not for sale! [/quote] Thanks for the offer much appreciated but I have a supplier of those really close to me and sounds like I do need to get myself one at some point.

[quote name='theyellowcar' timestamp='1399048832' post='2440500'] Sansamp might have been a bad example, but I can quite easily tweak my Precision to sound close to a Ray by using my BDI21. Just a thought. [/quote] I've been there. I used a Hartke Bass Attack for a while. It's probably my favourite stand alone pedal and helped but isn't a substitute in my humble opinion

[quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1399024349' post='2440045'] Darker, deeper sound? Not a stingray... [/quote] Point taken, I know what I mean...powerful I guess

Thanks everyone, all constructive replies with lots of info [quote name='Lozz196' timestamp='1399015831' post='2439897'] I love the playability and the sounds of a Stingray, but unfortunately for me I only like those sounds when someone else is making them, they just don`t sound "me". But really great basses, and far more versatile than given credit for. Most think of Flea type sounds, whereas there is always Bernard Edwards to consider. [/quote] I'll have a listen to some of those guys [quote name='Fionn' timestamp='1399015956' post='2439900'] I would stick with the Warwick. Why would you want a Stingray ... Is it an image/ aesthetic thing? [/quote] Good point, It's my go to bass at home when I play it on my lap, I prefer the Ibanez while standing. I wasn't expecting to like the FNA as much as I do...maybe a bit of an image thing wish it was dark wood or black. A 3nd reason is that changing is me playing and writing stuff. I really enjoy getting to know a new bit of kit. The Warwick is isn't going anywhere fast though. [quote name='Mattmit' timestamp='1399021621' post='2439998'] take a look at a EBMM sterling before you decide, or rather listen to one. [/quote] Thanks I will do [quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1399024486' post='2440047'] Stingray sound crap when I practicing or jamming at home. When it comes to gig time it is a swiss knife. [/quote] [quote name='stoo' timestamp='1399025066' post='2440054'] Yes I totally relate to that. I find trying something in a shop tricky. I'm always drawn to a Jazz sound, then get the thing home and spend my time fiddling around trying to get other sounds when playing in a band context. My Ibanez, FNA and Farida work for me. before that I struggled various jazzers...Note to self: should have tried a P bass maybe. The Sterling by Musicman SUB Ray5 would also be worth getting a demo on.... I've got 4 string versions of the EBMM and SbMM SUB's, and while the EBMM is definitely a better built bit of kit, the SbMM is floaty light in comparison, and plays like a dream once set up properly. Soundwise - I don't think I'd be able to tell them apart in a blind test - that may say more about my ears than anything else though! [/quote] Thanks, will search one out

In the past 18 months I have been experimenting with gear and have gradually been moving towards a darker, deeper sound. I'm very happy with the guitars I have but since getting a Warwick FNA, with its big hum humbucker I have started to look at MM and EB basses in a new light. I could probably get enough money together to get a cheaper Stingray or something. What about a Ray35? I have no experience of playing them whatsoever. What am I missing and is it a good option for me? Someone sort me out my GAS........ Note: I play 5 strings and don't want anything too heavy...does that rule them out?

Great sound and playing!

I loved playing Jazzers at home but found that live they never quite delivered for me. Although I don't have a Fender P I kept trading and it became apparent that I was much happier with a "P" style bass. Eventually I had to admit defeat and leave jazzers behind and am now much happier. Note: may of course be something else in my set up.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1398590361' post='2435462'] That's telling, isn't it? Bass guitars sound like bass guitars. Any of 'em would be fine as long as you like the look and playability. [/quote] Hmm I wouldn't go that far. i think that was true with some styles like pic and finger tap but on the finger styles there were some some big variations. I generally agreed with Grahams assessment. Most basses had something going for them. Personally I was disappointing with the Gibson basses and the squire together with the Fender Jags and Starcaster. if I had to pick one for me to use???? [color=#141414][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The ESP - Vintage Four J/P Bass or [/font][/color][color=#141414][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Fender - P-Bass American Standard, 2014[/font][/color]