sammybee

Also, I think if I'd paid out for a recording session, broke a string and was so disorganised I wasn't carrying a spare set of my usuals... id be grateful for whatever I could grab!

You'd never be able to stock the variety that would appeal to a large number of players & make any money.

Now sold elsewhere

I think any difference in the wood is going to pale in to insignificance once that 18v pre-amp kicks in! It's a true beast

46 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

Buying this and importing it from Mexico would be crazy.

Absolutely - but some people have to burn to learn!

30 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

It's a desire for a much improved work flow that is driving me to look beyond my Alesis SR18. 

I've been on a voyage with Drum Machines since the late 1980's & owned most of the popular ones (as well as more esotoric ones). I acquired an Akai MPC in about 2004 and have consistently used since it for the workflow. It's a sample based drum machine, so the sound never dates and the Akai is very intuitive, musical and flexible. It's also a fully fledged sequencer & is my weapon of choice for live use. When at home, writing or noodling on guitar or bass I tend to turn to Logic's drummer for instant results. Nothing beats a real drummer though!

10 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

 

@sammybeeyou say that the 808 clones are bass heavy - I'm interested to know what you're basing that on?

The Behringer is only just available, have you managed to try one out already? I'm kinda surprised you can't cut down / edit out the bass heavy element, if you want to? 

I'm basing it on owning an 808 ( an original TR-808 from the 1980's) many moons ago. The reason people use/buy them, is primarily for the big kick drum. It's massive and completely swamps everything else. Buying an 808 and turning down the kick drum, would be like buying a Porsche and driving everywhere at 20 mph  They are great machines though, but only for a certain niche style of house/hip hop music.

I'd play it on a keyboard  Great song choice though!

Akai MPC 2000xl SE.

808 Clones are 'one trick ponies' - they are so bass heavy, there's no room for the bass line !

Sire Marcus Miller V7 5String, in virtually untouched condition. Bought new in Dec 2018 and has had about 2-3 hours play in total at home. Never gigged or taken outside. Fitted with Fender straplocks (included). No marks. No idea of weight, but compared to my USA 70's RI Jazz 4 it feels as light as a feather! (I'll get some pictures up in the morning). I have all the original packing materials so no problem shipping at your expense & choice of courier. Or come and have a play (if you have clean hands), and cup of tea in Northampton. I will politely decline any trade offers, and silly offers of £. Cheers! More pictures available on request.

17 hours ago, Soledad said:

The obvious question is what then?

Drugs!

Was advised by my accountant many years ago about buying "stuff" (applies to basses). If you can afford it, want it - then buy it and enjoy it, But it's not an true investment..

4 minutes ago, Jimothey said:

Have you consulted a medical professional because no GAS is not normal 😜

After chopping and changing my basses for years, I realised, that I had three really nice instruments that probably couldn't be bettered. Would rather spend the energy on playing/practicing/improving. 

I'm now down to three basses, a strat and an electro acoustic 3/4 (for the inner Ed Sheeran).

Totally content with what I have, no GAS, no desire for any more 

SBL isn't for me (prefer face to face lessons), but if it works for you, great, and it's great for Scott that he can make a crust from this & reach so many bass players across the world. Why do people always want to knock others that make a success of something?

4 minutes ago, AndyTravis said:

It’s my extra fingers I use to count. 

From Norfolk? Or the Fens?

Is it my eyesight? or can some Basschatters not count ?

10 minutes ago, Cosmo Valdemar said:

https://uk.interparcel.com/

 

I've always used Interparcel - never had a problem. I usually pick the UPS option.

+1 on all the packing advice. And I would never ship without a hardcase.

Agree with this, UPS via Interparcel. They will insure (or they did the last time I shipped something) musical stuff.

I bought a MM 5'er as an Xmas present to myself. It has a couple of very minor flaws (see my review in the review section here), but on balance I am really happy with it. You should be able to get one for much less than £500 leaving you with some change. Mine was £383 I think from Thomann

2 hours ago, ubit said:

@sammybee  playing live is the ultimate goal of learning to play. There is no better feeling than performing and making people enjoy themselves. Getting a cheer after a song makes all the rehearsing, lugging of gear and sweat worthwhile!

I'm happier jamming with others, without an audience - or recording. For me, the learning is about the journey rather than the destination.

I've never had the balls to play bass or guitar live - I'm too much of a perfectionist and happy just playing for myself. But I'm particularly proud of my daughter who played her first gig in a pub at the age of 9 (just before xmas). She played bass and 6 string in the same gig. Proud dad. https://youtu.be/ikq0479EkM4

17 hours ago, vmaxblues said:

Andertons are the main distributor, contacted them, very helpful.

Any part of the pre amp broken means full replacement preamp.

£50 and a few weeks wait

Does that mean you can buy the preamp separately (arguably the best bit of the bass) for a mere £50? This could be very interesting!

Beautiful bass, and very keenly priced. I found Ernie Ball to be very helpful in finding out the history of mine (they are very responsive to emails). GLWTS!

I bought this at a very decent price (£383) from Thomann to dip my toe into the water with a 5 string after exclusively playing 4 strings for about a decade. It arrived quickly, and the bass looks stunning out of the box. The tobacco sunburst is a really stunning finish with the maple neck (10/10 for looks). I had read that these had a reputation for being quite heavy, so I was pleasantly surprised that mine was a very manageable weight (a shade under 10lbs). She balances nicely on the strap - either sitting or standing. Action was low from the box, but intonation was slightly out when you get up to the dusty end of the fretboard (nothing that a quick tweak wont fix). Being used to rather slender Jazz necks, I was surprised how comfortable I found the Sire to be when playing & very quick to adapt to. Overall the bass felt very comfortable and familiar to play unplugged - which was a relief for my first five string. The tuners and bridge (both top and through loading possible) do a good job - but we'll have to see about the longevity of the finish.

On to the pre-amp and electrics. WOW, just wow - this thing has power. 18v preamp, with a master tone, 3 band eq and sweepable mids. You can get a real variety of tones from this bass. Even small adjustments make a big difference. I understand that all the sire V7's have the same preamp, so you will get the same if you go for the 4 string. Sound wise, I can't fault the electrics, but the knobs are built to a price point and there is a couple millimetre gap between the bottom of the knob and the body - which is a bit disappointing.

Overall, I would say - as others have, this is a good bass 'for the money'. When I get my American Vintage RI 75 Jazz out alongside (or I recall my Jap MM signature Jazz), they cannot compete with the quality or fit and finish. The pre-amp is awesome sounding though, and you get a very playable bass for not much ££. For me, I'll keep it for awhile, but if I decide to stick with 5ers I'll be saving my pennies for a Sadowsky or a USA Fender Marcus Miller 5.

UPDATE. I've been playing this for about a month now, and while it is really comfortable and I enjoy playing it, I know that 5 strings are not for me (nothing to do with the SIre - I just prefer 4s). The small niggles I mentioned before, I've learned to live with. As a lifelong gear snob, I never thought I would see the day I'd own a Korean bass - but this Sire is staying in my rack.

When I first bought my Stingray, it took me a long time to 'gel' with it, having only played Jazz basses. I'd say for the first year I would have sold it if anybody had made me a serious offer - I was that unimpressed with it. Fast foward a few years and now I'm in love with the playability, the build quality and the sound. Try and stick with it.