martthebass

Thanks for some of the positive comments guys. I think this is the first time I've had a 'crisis' of this type for a long time. I don't think it's so much packing in playing bass as packing in playing bass semi-pro. I still don't think I could go more than a few days without picking a bass up and having a noddle. At the moment I still have another (5 piece band) project at an early stage and am still active on the jam night circuit; I guess it's just the demise of my long term staple 'comfy slipper' that has knocked my confidence/enthusiasm a bit. Time to buy the Ray fretless I've always wanted to inject a bit of life back into me - could even get into Jazz (naaaaahhhh)

I've owned a couple of Lakky Skylines (a BG and a DJ5). Both were nicely put together basses, the DJ5 particularly so but I wouldn't have rated the fit finish as good as MM or for that matter better than current US Fender. Both were heavy and I've noticed significant variability in this respect on Skylines (once found a DJ4 with a very nice tone that can't have been more than 8lbs - I should have bought that one) - far more so than MM or Fender. At the end of the day only the buyer can decide at what point a supplier prices themselves out of the market, but for my 2p I would not pay more for a DJ4/JO4 than I would for a US Jazz. Also, out of all the afforementioned, a US Ray or Sterling is the only ones I would happily buy 'blind'.

Well, it's Thursday evening and I find myself sat in front of the computer (again), on Basschat (again) and for the first time in about 15 years I'm pretty much bandless and without a gig. The trio I was in has just folded after about 10 years, there's been good times and (in the last 2 years) less good times, mainly due to the general demise of the pub entertainment industry around these parts. I think the main thing I'll miss is the general banter and cameraderie associated with going out, getting gigs and talking bandy stuff. I suppose I could audition for something but the last time I did that I was the better side of 40 and....well y'know. So I find myself thinking is it time to call it a day and revert back to hobbies I've neglected for some while. Thanks for listening.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='806350' date='Apr 14 2010, 06:18 PM']Cheers Anyone know what the Warwick 5s are at the nut? Again, im hoping the Ray 5s have more space.[/quote] MM20......the Ray5 spacing is perfect, trust me I'm a doctor.............buy one.

[quote name='alanbass1' post='801843' date='Apr 10 2010, 03:04 PM']I have had a number of quests for a five string and recently concluded it was not a case of 'need' but more one of 'want'. I prefer playing 4 string but have a 5'er as well and it's one of those things that every so often I take out to a gig for a change.[/quote] I've had 4, 5 string basses go through the MTB household. As with you I think it was a case of want not need. The only other reason I had was to get familiar with a 5 because on occassion that's all that might be on offer at an open mic night. Now exclusively on 4s (and can't say I miss the 'B') but might consider a fretless 5 in the future...... To the OP tho, I've had an L2500, a DJ5, a Sandberg Basic 5 and a Ray5, to me from a sound and playability point of view the Ray5 was my definite favourite. It took the offer of a Status Streamline to tempt it from my hands.

[quote name='RhysP' post='796485' date='Apr 5 2010, 12:49 PM']I've seen a few people mention this in various "sh*te song" threads. I'm assuming it's the f***ing dreadful Mavericks thing that is being referred to & not the Van Halen song of the same name?[/quote] You are indeed correct..........................'lets see you swayin'

Dance the night away...........yes I really do have to play it...........honest.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='791829' date='Mar 31 2010, 01:07 PM']There are two Overwater perceptions in the for sale forum hovering about the £600 mark and no-ones buying - so who would buy a 'copy' at £800. Thru neck one went on evilBay at 'only' £900 recently (2.5k new) Not sure what I'm trying to say here. BB[/quote] I take that as part and parcel of the 'custom' build scenario. I know that Perceptions (unless they have been 'specified' by a buyer) aren't customs in the true sense but I've always felt that small builder's output always loses a little more % wise when sold on second hand (cf. the RRP) than similarly priced Musicmans or Fenders. I guess there are exceptions (Status maybe?). One of the Perceptions you refer to above (ie my old Deluxe F'less) had an RRP of about £1600, but I've seen them go new from dealers at about the £950-1000 mark. I bought this bass last year used and sold on at about the same so once the 'new loss' has gone they hold value just fine.

Great guy to deal with - easy transaction considering I made the logistics more difficult than they should have been! Also, because my 14 year old cantankerous border collie was whinging and watching MP's every move as if he was a terrorist I didn't even get chance to make him a cuppa Yorkshire tea - I owe you one Rich. Enjoy the overwater!!!

[quote name='farmer61' post='793197' date='Apr 1 2010, 12:34 PM']IMO second hand American, quality and price all rolled up in one!!!![/quote] +1. You should pick up a decent S1 MIA Jazz for around £5-600 off this very forum if you wait a little while. I don't think there's any major difference sonically or build quality wise to MIJ but it should be easy to move on and you won't lose money on it should you fall out of love. MIM - I've found vary a bit more so unless you want to restrict your spend to £3-350.....

My 2006 (and the 2005 it replaced) were bang on the 41.3mm (same as a 'modern' Fender P AFAIK - certainly felt that way against the 2004 S1 I had)). My older 1990 felt a little thicker than this but that might just be the vagaries of time interfering with my memory.....

[quote name='thisnameistaken' post='792071' date='Mar 31 2010, 03:57 PM']Somewhere between frets 6 and 9 on the G (on pretty much every Stingray I've ever played), somewhere around fret 4 on the E if you're really unlucky. Often they're not really noticable until you plug in an effect that relies on sustain to do its job (octavers, harmonisers, envelope following effects too to some extent) and then suddenly they're the most annoying things in the universe.[/quote] Noticed a nasty one on a Sterling I once tried (5th on the G) but nothing significant on my current Ray or the one that it replaced. If you need (near) perfection then it has to be graphite! Anyway, back to the topic, I tried that Ray in Electro - not the best one I tried IMHO but with a bit of tweaking and if it could be brought dopwn to £700-750, then......

My God, Sterling's invented the ASAT bass.......