martthebass

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

I had a Thunder III (fretless) back in the day. Tone - wise could do pretty much anything you'd want. Well made and versatile. Mine was slightly neck heavy but not hideously so and had a tendency to eat batteries so remember to remove the jack plug when you've finished with it. Cost me about £270 new back in 1984 so as Krysbass said - a veritable bargain at the prices they go for now.

[quote name='JeSuisSkeleton' post='1044213' date='Dec 1 2010, 07:36 PM']The only problem is that it's a 2005 and I bought it in early 2006.[/quote] Don't let that stop you. I just contacted them over some spares for my 1998 SR5 that I bought used - they couldn't have been more helpful!

Played this with umpteen covers bands over the years. Don't think I've ever found a 'consistent' version - with the current band I just play what I like and make sure I hit the occasional root (in time)

I suffer from tinnitus (and crosstalk) in my left ear. If I don't wear plugs I really stuggle as it just rings like hell. However with plugs, there is a treble attenuation and my bass can get lost to me if I'm not careful. For this reason I go flat EQ and prefer using a MM or Status live - I find my EB0 (on the rare occasions I use it for a gig) dissapears as did my old precision.

[quote name='goblin' post='1044356' date='Dec 1 2010, 09:18 PM']Second hand warwick corvette? [/quote] Think that's probably where I'd go. Alternatively used Sandberg Basic (seen a few go around £4-500) - the Delano pickup seems to suit fretless nicely. Also a few CIJ Fender 62 Fretless reissues have passed through the board recently at £4-500 which would be well worth a punt.

[quote name='lapolpora' post='1042423' date='Nov 30 2010, 02:41 PM']As above! And if the circuit board problem cannot be rectified I'd recommend one of John East's replacement preamps. Stick with it. There's probably a great bass in there once it's sorted out properly.[/quote] +1 Sorry you're having problems, I've always found EBMMs to be pretty reliable for a mass produced bass. Regarding the neck, I think it's that time of year. My SR5 neck is moving around as well and has needed 2 tweaks in the last 2 weeks, my SR4 is ok at the moment but that's fully laquered. The only way to solve that one completely on a Ray is to add a replacement Status neck - expensive unfortunately.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1042297' date='Nov 30 2010, 01:08 PM']I would love a SLO SR4. i couldn't find one when i was in a position t afford one. Spent all my money then found the perfect one and couldn't afford it :-( Im hoping to get a SB14 next year though. I wouldn't hesitate getting a SBMM again.[/quote] Know how you feel, I ended up buying a used SR5 fretless after waiting 3 months to pick up a fretless SR4 I could afford on BC. If SBMM's had been available fretless a lot of pain would have been spared.

[quote name='dave_bass5' post='1041969' date='Nov 30 2010, 09:02 AM']Give it a few hours and this thread will be full of "buy the real thing second hand" posts [/quote] Only got SLO made MM's meself, but I would have been all over a Sterling MM if I could have got hold of a fretless Ray34 recently. Nicely made - definitely give a US one a run for it's money.

[quote name='Oldman' post='1038821' date='Nov 27 2010, 02:30 PM']Got this 5 weeks ago waited 4 months, worth it. lousy snap does'nt do it justice[/quote] Nice, I'm starting to think about adding a 5 string Streamline to go with my 4................need to sell some stuff

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1033556' date='Nov 23 2010, 09:27 AM']Its only been a few weeks since the OP could of picked up a very very nice 30th LE Ray for £950 Has that avenue been firmly closed?[/quote] It was always >/=£1000 Pete - Be a fool to myself otherwise and in answer yes I've closed that door for the moment. I foolishly did a band practice with it last week and was completely bowled over by how well it sounded - much punchier and less toppy than a standard 3eq Ray. If I get a pre-EB I'll have to sell something else or change my mind next year!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1032775' date='Nov 22 2010, 03:55 PM']No thats fair comment mart, You can say the same about anything a vintage P through my genz rig compared to someone else playing a really nice MIJ through an Ashdown is worlds apart yet still going to sound similar to most yet the MIJ could be worth £500 and the vinatge one £5000. The only thing is if the MIJ doubles in value as we could be predicting long term on these early EB's compared to something like my 2002 where will the Vinatge P or in this case the pre EB Rays value have gone £10000-£15000? I know Im playing devils advocate there but you see what Im saying.[/quote] Strangely enough, having been unsuccesful in acquiring a decent 70's Fender I'm starting to seriously think about a pre-EB purely for the combination of playability and investment. Trouble is I'm already above my '3 bass limit' and can't decide what to sell to fund one... Rasta's pre-EB tempted me despite its non-originality - could be a nice restoration project. The OP could do worse than that one given his budget?

[quote name='NJE' post='1032431' date='Nov 22 2010, 11:50 AM']Cheers for the comments, I am going to have a look at this 87 again this afternoon and see if a deal could possibly be struck. £1300 seems high as i have also seen similar era basses go for less on eBay and on here. It is mint and even the string mutes are immaculate but still its a lot of money. I love Rays but the problem for me is that I really dislike the non finished necks, I LOVE gloss necks, which is why I refinished the neck on my old Ray (which I believe Ou7shined now owns). This ultimately restricts me with Stingrays which is why I have also been looking at the new classic series. They have everything I want in bass pretty much, birdseye maple, gloss and the funky bridge. The only thing I am not too sure about is the slab body, oh and the price of £1350 for one on here. I am ultimately looking for something that wont takle too much of a hit price wise if I have it for a few years and sell. Maybe these 80s Stingrays will be the future collectables as they will be approaching 'vintage' age at 30 years soon. Maybe best to try and pick up a bargain 80s after all.[/quote] TBH (I'm sure Pete will shout at me for this), in a live situation (and even in a darkened quiet room for that matter) I've personally not found much difference between pre-EB and 2EQ EBMM. To my mind tho if you subscribe to the vintage phenomenum then a collectors grade pre-EB is a worthwhile proposition as an investment. In terms of late 80's early 90's Rays, well my departed 1990 Ray sounded exactly the same as a 2005 one that I had, the only difference was the mutes (which I never used), the screw on battery cover (which was a pain if you'd forgotten a screwdriver in a gig), the satin varnish to the neck (which I liked - they were not gloss but they do go glossy after a few years use) and a bit of birdseye figure (pretty but not essential). So do I think there is £600 difference between this used 1987 and a used 00's Ray (av. £700 used).....well no. Thinking about it, a used 30th Anni has birdseye, throughbody stringing, gloss neck and should come in below your £1300 - hunt one down.