Duarte

I think adding aftermarket pre-amps to a MM seems to defeat the point...to me anyway. MM takes great pride in their electronics and it forms a huge part of the overall sound.

[quote name='danlea' post='635036' date='Oct 24 2009, 01:25 AM']This is funky: uber-saturation works well around the black body and fingerboard.[/quote] Also, what bass is that in the pic? It's gorgeous and I want it...

Did a spot of busking in the summer. Had some photos taken. I like this one.

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olE7gKuRjQ4&feature=PlayList&p=73B7FAEB8308D16E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=6"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olE7gKuRjQ4...=PL&index=6[/url] Fantastic bassline on this one.

Tribal dawn is fantastic, and really not that difficult to work out. It's a good'un fo' sho'!

That is an interesting idea, but I really like the idea of just getting an ebony board on. They do come fretless from the factory, and sound absolutely wonderful. I mean, I could always save and buy one, but Ernie Ball only offer Ebony boards on basses with the 'Stealth' finish. I'll think it through with all the options and come to a decision. Little Glemham is about a mile away from me so I'll check those guys out! Thanks

Yeah I've had a fretless Ray before, unlined, and it was great - absolutely loved it. My intonation was actually pretty good! If I had the fretboard replaced, I would have lines on the side of the neck but not on the fingerboard I reckon. Thanks for the reply man, can you recommend any good luthiers? I have no knowledge of this area at all!

I was thinking of converting my Bongo to fretless, which I know can be done fairly easily. Only thing is, I thought it would be great to have an Ebony fingerboard - if that is a possible mod for someone experienced to perform? Either that or an epoxy finish on the fingerboard, but the only places I can find to do that are in the good ole US of A. The HS Bongo has an incredible fretless tone...I want... Thanks Zak

Try anything done by Paul Simon (or at least the entire 'Graceland' album) but most of his tunes have excellent fretless basslines.

I really don't understand why someone would buy a bass that has been beaten up a bit, considering they cost more and don't look genuine. I just don't see it...

No you can't compare the fleabass to musicman in quality, but you REALLY can't compare the design either. The Bongo may look ugly to some, but the design is incredible...it is designed to be the ultimate in comfort and function, those contours, angles and weight distribution...it's damn near perfect. It looks fantastic too... Essentially what they have done with the fleabass is get a generic 'encore p bass' style body, whack a circle on it, slop a bit of playschool style paints on and BAM. There you go, a brilliant bass that flea is happy to endorse. I'm shocked to say the least.

HH is double Humbuckers. They also come in HS (Humbucker and Single Coil) Awesome!

[quote name='obbm' post='622464' date='Oct 10 2009, 03:13 PM']OP is asking about 5-string versions. Necks of Sterling 5 and Stingray 5 are the same dimensions.[/quote] Is that true? Well then! However, the Sterling does have the contoured heel, wheras the Stingray has the more traditional 6 bolt square neck heel.

Music Man have released the SLO Special StingRay. It is the same as a normal stingray, except with the thinner jazz-style neck. It is at no extra cost and is available to order now! Just thought I would let those who want to know, know!

Music Man have flat fingerboards. Well, at last the 3 I have owned all did. With the Sterling and Stingray, you can't say which is the 'better' bass, they are simply different. For example, the Stingray will offer a more warm, old school tone, whilst the Sterling offers more aggressive, more mid range punch. The Stingray is somewhat scooped in the mids. The Pickuips and Preamps are different, but you will get the classic music man vibe with either bass. I love them all! Also, the Sterling offers a smaller neck and smaller offset body and the Stingray is quite a lot fatter. This doesn't neccesarily mean the sterling is lighter than the ray, as wood varies obviously. Edit: Just thought I would say...Musc Man are very highlty regarded when it comes to 5 string basses. You really can't go wrong. Personally however, I would get the Bongo 5!

Incredible. That's the kind of bass I like to see! Can't wait for the rest of your collection!

[quote name='pepone2401' post='619554' date='Oct 7 2009, 01:35 PM']"Look like a P bass " What do you mean ???[/quote] It don't look like no Bongo I ever saw... I mean it looks like a P bass. Therefore it is pretty. It's awesome that the 'current market value' bit which is blacked out is verrrrrrrry long indeed!

Music Man have released the SLO Special StingRay...StingRay with a Sterling neck. Check those out.

[quote name='alexharvay' post='604540' date='Sep 21 2009, 02:05 PM']Here's my Stingray. Picked it up in Andertons a few years ago second hand. I sold it earlier in the year on the forum but bought it back when the chance came up. [/quote] Beautiful bass. Absolute stunner.

Yeah it is beautiful. Very very beautiful. Looks like a P bass!

The Beat were great at Bestival...good work! How the hell did you manage that?

AH! Welcome from a fellow suffolk dweller. Your setup/band sounds very interesting...where do you play?

[quote name='Cybergimp109' post='614935' date='Oct 2 2009, 04:18 PM']its good at everything but not really amazing at anything.[/quote] It's great at being a Bongo...that means the best sounding bass ever made! But no, I wouldn't say it's GREAT at sounding like...say...a fender jaguar bass.

[quote name='Kev' post='599136' date='Sep 15 2009, 12:35 PM']i think your last point might miss the point of the thread, as of course there is not a cheap alternative to a Bongo, but there is to a Sadowsky NYC P bass [/quote] Ha, maybe. Although, it's not exactly a cheap bass...and sounds better than a cheap bass.