Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

martthebass

Moderator
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    4,609

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Everything posted by martthebass

  1. martthebass
    I think changing the pups is a relatively cheap way of changing the fundamental sound of a bass. If people are happy to put decent pups in a bass it may equally indicate they consider it a well built platform? For myself I own one Sandberg and no Fenders….
  2. martthebass
    Well someone got a bit of a bargain on this one - £1700…
  3. martthebass
    I think a number of people buy the Lionel VS4 expecting a sort of vintage precision like tone. It's actually quite a punchy modern tone, not hard and brittle though - but the pickup is quite hot (It's louder than my EBMM Darkray) even though it's passive. I actually like the tone of the stock pickup and won't be looking to change it. So I personally don't consider it a weakness but I guess some people expect a different sound based on the looks.
  4. martthebass
    I concur on the control plate - think it looks hemmed in. After many months of searching for a EBMM Shortie I finally gave up and bought a used Sterling (and a new EBMM Darkray...) and to be honest it doesn't look that 'unbalanced' in the flesh. As you'd expect quality isn't exactly EBMM though.......functional I'd call it. Having said that, the sound is pretty much like the EBMM (watch the Andertons YT Vid) and it's a great little player. It just does without the comp nut, shaped neck pocket and hand oiled/waxed neck but it is a quarter of the price.
  5. martthebass
    Not sure if anyone else has spotted this. I was after one of these for months but had no luck tracking one down and in the end depleted my funds buying the Sterling version and a Darkray. Looks in great condition, so my loss could be someone else’s gain. Looks like it could get towards £2k though. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126777405462?_skw=stingray+bass&itmmeta=01JCX4NTNEC1RYCC3ANDT575ZX&hash=item1d8485b016:g:8qIAAOSwjgBnNgSu&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKk8eZSsvn0Zn36KV6EK4qweTFcUTsAENT0vzT3Z0L%2B5OklMCqd0bCTk15tLhMKBxQvKwj%2FWOGXnaz4QkKr%2BtyVxqNq91eYG9wVEVC7SwuXfiBxYlSM2oYASZCqQ7DWjquofCMaQiotzVmG7e7x04%2BCyR71AinT39ZCk4y5I8wi20OQny0kQKsWPgwJbSMB3Wy34FsJ6Qo6zgsLB2q55NBRKGa4yNsnV1DpEnrrblDb%2B%2B4T8X%2BLuXdT5ZKcurHX%2FVMfFcj1EpXx6XBMqvCk5jvkxrz63RYmyMpxz6xBTFfFc2g%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-aq16TnZA
  6. martthebass
    They are awesome. I’ll be gigging my gold one tomorrow.
  7. martthebass
    True. Even new there's not many about. I think Bass Direct have 2 or 3 but no other stock in UK that I could see when I was looking a few weeks back. Worth the search though.
  8. martthebass
    Take a look at the Sandberg Lionel, decent string spacing and 40mm nut width. If you get an alder one, about 7.5lbs, the ash ones are about a pound heavier.
  9. martthebass
    Maybe it's an 'enjoyment' thing Dave, if the Glam band is having more engagement/fun then I guess there's more enthusiasm to learn new numbers and keep it on the boil. As we've gone through 2 drummers in 3 months (though the current one is now a keeper), we've had to go back to a core 'set', fortunately the new guy is so much better that the numbers almost feel like new.
  10. martthebass
    Back out last night with the glam band after a 4 week hiatus. Relaunched with a new name after a previous band member registered the old name and did a ‘cease and desist’ on us. Less said about that the better….even at my age I occasionally get surprised by the actions of others. A big lively and local WMC, pretty full too so it was nice to be back on the pony. A pretty full diary now until January so onwards and upwards.
  11. martthebass
    Unless you must have the roasted neck and new decal try out a fettled first generation. I’ve got one of the later first gen and it’s a pretty good bass for less than half the price of the new version.
  12. martthebass
    I’ve got the shorty Sterling and even though it’s passive it’s fairly hot and got a distinctly Stingray sound. If anything it’s got a bit more top end bite than my Darkray.
  13. martthebass
    Plus one on the material precious-ness. I’d always been post-punk/rock oriented and found myself in a 70s Glam Band.
  14. martthebass
    About 8 years ago when I thought I was winding down the band activities I ended up depping for a mates band. It came about from a Jamnight thing where someone noticed I knew some of that bands set list. For various reasons I never left and still gig usually 3-4 times per month even though I’m in my early 60s dotage. I can’t add much to what’s already been said but you’re obviously a more than competent player so hit a few jams/open mics and I’m sure the opportunities will roll in. Good luck.
  15. martthebass
    Looking very stealth. If you decide to sell the original knobs let me know - I’m looking for 3 chrome ones.
  16. martthebass
    To be honest I don’t like the feel of a larger bass if it’s too lightweight. Can’t explain why. My shorty Sandberg Lionel is 7.5lb and feels ok but I had a Sandberg TT4 longscale at 7.5lb and for some reason it made it feel cheap to me. I don’t disagree that some heavy basses have great tone but anything much over 9lb gives my shoulder hassle after about an hour no matter how wide the strap.
  17. martthebass
    Just sold mine after a number of years of ownership (only because a Darkray in starry night finish became available) but here’s my take: 1. Series, my favourite, very punchy and in your face, particularly in a gig situation. Add a touch of bass and it’s heaven. 2. Parallel, classic stingray but a bit harsher due to the ceramic pup. I used this when I wanted a bit of top end bite and definition. 3. Single coil, always seemed a bit thin to me, like the bridge pup on a Jazz but a bit more bottom end. Don’t think I ever used this setting on a gig.
  18. martthebass
    Strings and things…..though not sure if they supply to non-business anymore?
  19. martthebass
    In my recent purchase, I made sure I dealt with suppliers who could demonstrate the weight of their stock. In the end I was looking at Specials/Darkrays in the 7.5 - 10lb. By choice I went for one at 8lb5oz as I’m comfortable at that weight and was pretty sure it would be free of neck dive. Andertons and Bass Direct do give weights and I noticed their recent stock of specials is at the lower end weight wise.
  20. martthebass
    Think that depends what you’re looking for, I couldn’t find a special in recent months under £1700.
  21. martthebass
    We used to do 45-50 a year pre Covid. Since Covid a number of our venues have shut up shop and we’ve diversified into other areas. We’re now on about 35 per year and to be honest I think we’re all happier at that level.
  22. martthebass
    After months of trying to hunt down a EBMM Stingray shortie in the UK I finally gave up. I’ve managed to meet my shorty needs with a Sandy Lionel and Sterling ss Ray, I was a bit wary on the Sterling but I’ve concluded that some decent pots and tuners will turn it into a more than decent bass. So with some money spare i decided some Starry Night goodness was required…..
  23. martthebass
    I’ll not comment on the differences, there’s plenty of useful info given by the guys above. I will comment on the Special you’re looking at at Bass Bros, that looks an awesome bass but is at the top end of weight for a special. Most fall in the 8-9lb range. Andertons and Bass Direct give weights on their MM stock if that’s something that is a consideration to you.
  24. martthebass
    I like the look of Serek and Wilcock but I went down the shortscale route to make life easier in some of the smaller pubs and clubs (singer is a lefty and for some reason I’m always on his right…). £3k basses are a definite no no in some of these places. I’ve ended up on a Sandberg Lionel with a Sterling Ray shorty back up. The Lionel is pretty awesome - don’t think I’d get any benefit dropping another £1.5k.
  25. martthebass
    I've been looking for one of these but wrong end of the bloody country. Nay worries, I need to stop spending anyhow.....
×
×
  • Create New...