martthebass

You could have a go on mine Sean but I think I'm a bit too far for you (Sheffield). Regarding the balance - it's by far the best bass I've played in that respect, it just eats 2hour sets. The neck pretty much stays in the position you put it in - particularly so if you use both bottom strap pins. Soundwise - well it sounds like a Status, the reduced size doesn't seem to make any discerable difference to my ears anyway; however it doesn't have the clarity/glassiness of an S2 (Rich - OTPJ could wax lyrical here) due to the electronics which to me endears it because it's slightly less 'hi-fi'.

Cheers for the suggestions guys. I'll have to rule out buying a second MB115HR - I really don't have the house room plus that would be a squeeze in my current transport. The thought of 2 12" cabs might be the way to go, that would be doable though I might have to phase this over a few months, selling or trading the 15" for a single high quality 12" being the first step and getting the second one later. Could someone suggest something around the trade value of my current MB115 that I should pitch for? I'll also look at the eq suggestion, I've noticed that my Ray is sometimes more effective against the guitar twins than the Status because I can boost the mids more easily. I should have been more specific in my initial comments also in that the sound FOH is usually stated to be ok - the main problem for me is the sound on stage, the 'mush' drowns out my bass to the point that I can't pitch properly.

Any suggestions?

Whereabouts are you based, if your in the North I've started taking my prized babies to Jon Shuker for more in depth setups, that way I know I'll get a good job.

All my wooden necked basses need some adjustment from time to time. I usually get the opposite to your experience on my MMs - here come winter I find the neck loses a bit of relief and I start to get some fretboard clatter or fouling. A quarter turn left usually cures it nicely - it's then that I appreciate the easy adjustment on Stingrays. For yourself just give it a quarter turn right and give it a day to settle before you assess the result - if it isn't enough repeat as required, you can't hurt anything if you take it slow and steady.

As the number of gigs really started to dry up last year, to maintain a sensible level of activity I found myself depping and playing in another band. Trouble is my number one band is a trio with a decent PA (some backing is employed also) so I find that my LM250 with MB 150HR is spot on, if the gig is larger scale I DI and use the cab as a monitor. Unfortunately band number 2 is a 5 piece with a poor PA and I sometimes struggle to get over the madly loud guitarists. I don't want to go double cab with the 150HR to get a 4ohm solution with the LM 250 (not enough house room for any more toys) so should I: 1. Upgrade the LM250 to a LM2/3? 2. Sell the 150HR and get 2 small 12" cabs that take up about the same room? Money's a bit tight at the moment so any cost effective suggestions would be very helpful. Also I know that MB get poor press for their cabs but I've been more than happy with the sound from my present setup. Cheers, Mart

[quote name='greyparrot' post='1072274' date='Dec 29 2010, 11:18 PM']personally i would not have eighter as they have no real bass end, (the one i had never) but they are a real funky bit of kit, im would opt for the status outa the two, but for that money take a look at a bongo, blows them both away. Iv had all three. (have bongo now)[/quote] Surprised you found no bottom end in the Status - not a problem I've ever had with the 18V pre and use of the knobs. My experience with Status and the Bongo is that they are both driven/dominated by the powerful pre - much more so than in say a Ray. I liked the Bongo but I couldn't say it had any personality or definitive sound of its own like a Jazz/P bass/Ray. I'd have another tho if I could justify it.

Of my small crew the Streamline is probably closest to perfection, great sound, playability, rock solid construction and balance. If I were to change anything I guess I'd like it to be a Stealth just to avoid some of the comments I get at some gigs. The Ray 30th is also pretty close for me, to be perfection it would need to be an HS but that's being very picky. My SR5 fretless needs some work to be perfect for me, I'd like it to be a pound and a half lighter! Of my 4 basses it's the least likely to survive 2011 with me. Epiphone EB0......where do you start!

Nice one Pete............was it love at first sight or was there some non MM competition?

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1060106' date='Dec 15 2010, 10:19 PM']Well I have just got in from having a bash with Dave Barron (see below) and played his OLP 5 all night without too much trouble, In fact going back to my Jazz for a quick blast was actually more confudling! Proper confused now but maybe [b]gassing for a RAY 5[/b] how predicatble am I? Proof will be in the pudding but going to 5 isnt feeling like an issue after one full night of staying with it rather than just for the songs I need it for. In fact Im a bit upset at the thought of not wanting to use any of my 4's after I get one, Keep an eye in the FS for a nice EBMM [/quote] Pete, I went through a few 5s before settling on a Ray5. First was a DJ5 - loved the sound but hated the string spacing - too wide for my hands - made the fretboard feel like a plank to me. The 35" didn't help either. If it had had a Ray5 neck it would have been perfect! Second was a US G&L, heavy as f$%* and the neck was a bit 'clubby'. The sounds were good but all the switches etc made life complicated. I decided to get rid when it developed a lacquer crack in the neck pocket overnight - I didn't sell it on BC! Third was a SR5 - the one I sold to Bubinga5 - beautiful bass. I only sold it because I developed a shoulder problem and needed a lightweight 4 string, so it went to fund the Streamline. I've got a SR5 fretless at the mo (couldn't get hold of a SR4 F'less when I needed one) - very playable, the only criticism I have is that it's a bit on the heavy side so I don't like it for long sets. I think SR5's can be had used at a decent price, mine's a 1998, near mint (no dings at all) and cost me £725 all in - tho I have decided to have a bit of work done on it by Mr Shuker which will up that a bit Overall I like having a 5 string - especially for working out new songs for the set but I don't think I'd get rid of the 4s (however if a nice Streamline 5 came along.....)

[quote name='redstriper' post='1058996' date='Dec 14 2010, 09:06 PM']Ive had an EB-0 and found it too growly and clanky - not my scene at all and not fixable with EQ. I also spent some time trying to EQ a smooth, woody old school tone from the Streamline, to no avail - I would love to hear a sample of your Streamline EQd to sound like a vintage Hofner or Fender. If you can make it sound truly 'dub' like on an old King Tubby mix, I will think again. To me, it's a modern bass with a modern sound and I appreciate it's incredible build quality, stunning looks and fantastic range of tones, but the sound and feel leave me cold. And I've never had a problem hearing myself on stage with any bass - I simply turn the volume up [/quote] We're obviously using completely different rigs (can't help you with the 'sampling' btw - I never stick a lead into the PC ) I generally use a 15" cab (the MB115HR in my sig) - with judicious use of the V'whatever EQ controls on the LM and dialing out some treb/adding some bass the Streamline does a good thump (finger style), though I admit it takes more effort than using a straightforward Fender P. It's rare that I look for a woody tone but in my functions band I usually have to do anything from Dean Martin to Stereophonics and I've found the versatility of the little Status very useful. I'd accept that if all I played was old Motown or Early Rolling Stones then I'd probably pick up another passive jobbie but then I'd need to take 2 basses if I played anything else! I struggle with the EB0 through my set up.....all I get is a fairly dull thud through 15"s or 12"s.....the only time I can get anything approaching 'clank' is through my 10" practice combo. I think all this proves is it depends how much the amp/eq/cab make to the end result; the bass is only one part of the overall equation - and lets not get started on strings!

[quote name='flyfisher' post='1058578' date='Dec 14 2010, 02:40 PM']Since us single-owners seem to be in the tiny minority here, can someone explain how they manage with multiple basses? What I mean is, how do you choose which one to use. I imagine that one of them would turn out to be the favourite, so that would be the one to always play. In which case, why keep all the others? I'm not talking about having different 'types' of basses, e.g. different string numbers or maybe an upright, but just the basic 4-stringer.[/quote] I can (in my head) justify my 3 4stringers: Streamline: Cramped room gig or long sets MM Ray: Lots of space to move - shorter sets, rock sets EB0: Crap holes (gigs where the bass may end up being used as a bassball bat) and jam nights Wifey doesn't see it the same way tho...

Y'know what I'm gonna say Pete.......Ray5. I've had a few 5s, the Ray has the nicest neck IMHO. The G&L is close but no cigar. Thought you'd had a Ray5?

[quote name='redstriper' post='1057972' date='Dec 13 2010, 10:43 PM']Careful - I thought that until I tried one and didn't like the sound at all. If you like a woody old school tone, you will be disappointed. Looks great though and the quality is indisputable.[/quote] If you want the 'old school woody tone' save yourself £1350 and buy an epiphone EB0. If you want a bass that you can 'hear' on stage buy a Streamline And considering construction, I don't see how this bass could be made any better without encrusting it with jewels - maybe I have low expectations - played Fenders and MM's for years Seriously though, this is horses for courses, if you've got a problem with the 'graphite' sound fair enough, however having used a Streamline in just about every setting over the last couple of years I've found the sound very versatile and far less harsh than I expected. If you want it to sound 'dub' or 'old school' use the eq!

[quote name='MB1' post='1056663' date='Dec 12 2010, 09:57 PM']MB1. Cant help thinking that sort of money could have been better spent elsewhere! Oh Well! each to there own.[/quote] A nice Status?

It does surprise me what these go for now..........the power of hype heh? I had a large Fender logo 57ri P bass from new - it was well stuck together and looked the business but I wouldn't rate the sound better than a 2004 US P I owned. Construction is good but IMHO not MM good, still it has investment potential.........but £790 for a 2nd gen 'Squier'?

When I was having a particularly bad time with my shoulder a couple of years back I tried a few lightweight basses. I found balance to be just as important. For example, my old Warwick thumb was 9lbs dead but it was a bit neck heavy and this along with the stretch to fret one set my shoulder aching nicely. The Stingray 30th isn't a lightweight (about 9.5lbs) but balances great and I find ok for a 45minute set. In the end I sold a few bits and pieces and bought a used Status Streamline - 7lb and the neck stays where ever you place it. The most comfortable bass I've ever had and happy with 2 hour sets if necessary. Probably never sell this (unless a nicer Streamline comes along) for this reason alone.....but yes looks more like a bat than the Stingray does if that bothers you.

[quote name='BassBus' post='1053921' date='Dec 10 2010, 12:04 PM']Good to see you back Rich. Was beginning to wonder if all was OK. [/quote] +1, Don't scare us like that buddy