Duarte

Dead spots are always inevitable on bolt on necks, it's the nature of it. Although Music Man are very good at avoiding that. Both mine are awesome, and each one I've tried has been awesome, which is why they're my favorite.

I played one the other day...it was ok. I looked at the price tag and it said £1250. I then looked at where it was made...and it said Made In Mexico, so I left the shop.

You're gassing for that monster? How? I've played an old (very very old) one in a local music shop, and it just sounded and played awful. Really, really bad. It is probably different to the newer ones (which are almost certainly better) but I can't stress enough how hideous it was in terms of sound, playability, and of course looks. Although it does look pretty cool. But I like bongos...

And each have different preamps...sterling has one to compliment the ceramic, stingray one to compliment the alnico. SR5s changed over time.

P For the win!

[quote name='budget bassist' post='436515' date='Mar 16 2009, 07:23 PM']I tried a bongo and a $$, i picked the $$ for the price tag, but i'm glad i did it because it's SO much better. If it had a mids knob it would totally kill the bongo (IMHO 4 band is a bit overkill). For me it plays/feels better, sounds more aggressive and is loads more versatile, corvette $$ all the way![/quote] The bongo is the best sounding bass I've ever played...I really don't believe that your warwick could compare, but that is just my opinion. However you are wrong.

The newer highway ones do have badass IIs factory fitted. The older ones however don't. I just fitted a badass I (not II) on my P bass nad the improvement is incredible, however only after filing slots. Without the slots there was no difference except a high action. Slots were very easy to file, I just left the strings to make tiny indents and the it took 5 minutes with a small file. Now it seems so much easier to play and harmonics ring like there is no tomorrow...I can even get harmonics that I couldn't get before. The badass I also looks much better than the II, less intrusive and more 'classy'. Fixes on with 3 screws that line up no problem.

ernie ball forum, go there and post the serial numbers in the serial nu bers thread. Ernie ball customer service will tell you anything you want to know about it.

The electronics (other than the 3EQ addition) have not changed since their introduction. The same circuit is used and the same pickup. Music Man has better quality control and far superior craftsmanship now than it did in the 70s...I really don't understand this G string issue, or the 'not cutting in the mix' issue. I don't have this G string issue, and I play in a metal/rock band, a soul/funk band and in the huge musical bands (2 pianos, horn section, sometimes 2 drummers, 2 guitarists, whole cast of vocalists...and me and my stingray) The 'cut' is probably the main trait of the stingray, that's it's thing, it cuts in every situation. The pickup produces masses of mids, maybe that's why people like the sound of the 2EQ better...because they have not scooped all the mids out. But, as metallica would say: 'mids are for pussies!' No, metallica, mids are our friend.

Ever heard mick karn's incredible fretless tone? He used a wal I think...other than that I have no idea what they are about.

For punk...you honestly want a P. Passive doesn't mean it 'sounds crap', a crisp active tone would certainly sound crap (for punk) Check out the bass solo (played on a P) in this... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bimNMiz250[/url] Seriously...check it out!! Awesome.

All I can say is...if you want a bass like a Ray but with none of the quirks...get a bongo. Simply incredible in every aspect. However, neither of my Rays have the quirks. But I would prefer 2EQ to 3EQs...there is just something about them.

Go on the ernie ball forum and talk about the G string...I dare you.