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martthebass

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Everything posted by martthebass

  1. martthebass
    Can't believe I'm doing this but needs must. I only just got this from Jimmy Elliott in a trade. It's the nicest sounding Stingray I've ever played, the mahogany body and through body stringing seem to smooth out the sound somehow but still enable you to get down and dirty should you wish it. It's pretty close to mint, if I'm really picky (and those who've dealt with me in the past will know how anal I am about bass condition) the 5 ply scratch plate could do with a buff has it has a few swirlies, the machines could do with a polish and there's a bit of NiO deposit on the pole pieces. None of these would take more than an hours 'cleaning' to enable perfection to be restored. The C&G vintage 30th Anni case is also in pretty good nick with just a couple of small marks. So why am I thinking of parting with it. Well, it's not the lightest bass I've ever played, it comes in a shade under 10lbs and despite my love for it after an hour it's killing my old neck injury. I've just got to face up to the fact that I need to stick with well balanced basses less than 9lb in weight (in comparison my Overwater and Status feel like toys). So ideally as a trade I'd be looking for something <9lbs, in the same condition as the Ray, 4 strings, fretted and of a similar value. Something Jazz shaped and a bit special (Sad Metro, Lakky, WHY) would be great but I wouldn't rule out something with graphite. Hit me with some options the worst I can do is respond in the negative. Some pics below - sorry about the quality, flash and 'unnatural' light don't mix (waiting for the nice Lumix G1 to turn up!):
  2. martthebass
    [quote name='Linus27' post='733181' date='Feb 2 2010, 05:11 PM']HEHEHE don't worry about Gareths link, just look at my picture instead :) [/quote] Germany surrounded by Americans........now where have I seen that before. Only joking
  3. martthebass
    [quote name='rjb' post='732331' date='Feb 1 2010, 10:25 PM']BO Thumbs can be had for very good money. The tone is great, really thick and growly. They are built like tanks, but the five stringer is also as heavy as one! Because of the weight many folk seem to record on these and take the Fenders and MMs out on tour.[/quote] My Thumb BO4 was only 8.5lb but due to neck dive/balance it felt a lot heavier on a gig. To clarify my comments above, the ash 'vette didn't have as much neck dive as the Thumb, it just sort of wanted to hang level, I was constantly dragging it back to 45 degrees during a gig. I prefer basses that I can 'place' and they pretty much stay put. The ash 'vette was nice and light tho (just about 8lbs). Loved the sound of both of em, just wish I could have got over the balance. To the OP, if you're looking 'vette/Thumb I suggest you try one out in a shop on a strap for >30 minutes. As an aside didn't find a problem with the Streamer S1 - just didn't like the stretch to the F.
  4. martthebass
    Have to say that the 2 Wicks Ive owned were perfect QC wise - like Volkswagens. But the ash covette (and the Thumb that replaced it) both had neck dive like a beeatch. That with the perceived neck length made me go back to Fender and MM in the end.
  5. martthebass
    [quote name='retroman' post='728538' date='Jan 29 2010, 11:40 AM']The one I have a bit of a love hate relationship with is my 30th Anniversary Stingray...... Build quality is sublime, but sometimes I enjoy playing it, other times it just feels wrong....... Good example of this is I played it at band practice earlier this week, and it sounded, and felt horrible! But went away, rechecked and adjusted all the setup, used it at an all day band practice yesterday, and it felt good, and sounded awesome [/quote] Just picked up the 'Tombboy 30th Ray' off Jimmy E. I know what you mean here. To my ears it sounds smoother and more refined than a standard Ray but the finished neck makes it feel........somehow wrong. Having said all that, as it's a 'back-up' bass I don't mind too much - the sound is worth it. Also need to find a way to get over the compensated nut.
  6. martthebass
    Lovely bass this Nick. Gassing badly for a Jazz again but I can't decide which one of my 3 I would sell to fund one.....
  7. martthebass
    Did it walk on it's own steam from the South West MB?
  8. martthebass
    [quote name='4-string-thing' post='722204' date='Jan 23 2010, 02:43 PM']I think my problem is that I've never been one for learning things "note for note" I'll probably do what I usually do when playing covers, play something thats pretty approximate and add, or subtract, bits when I feel the need without going OTT. Its an Oasis tribute, so as long as they have a Liam and Noel, the rest of us can be pretty anonymous, I suppose (no wigs needed then)[/quote] I was in an Oasis Tribby about 10 years ago......and yes unfortuanately I had to go note for note. Even stopped using my MM ray and used a Precision. It was a bit dull at first but once I got into the 'theatrics' it was good fun. Just remember you don't have to play it at home!
  9. martthebass
    Cruel tempting me like that Rich, you know how I love my MM's
  10. martthebass
    This is the second time I've been tempted by a Jazz bass of yours Rich. And yet again I am cashless.
  11. martthebass
    +1 to all of the above. I've been on ER20's for the last couple of years and hopefully it's slowing my hearing loss. To avoid ear infections I wash them with antibac wash gel after each gig/practice. Regarding ear syringing - best of luck finding a GP that'll do it!
  12. martthebass
    Didnt think that'd hang around for long. Lovely bass at a great price.
  13. martthebass
    Back to pg1
  14. martthebass
    Really would prefer a trade on this, partly becasue I haven't got a good idea of its value. I guess a good Jazz Fretless is about £700 so I'll entertain offers around that.
  15. martthebass
    Still on the lookout type bump
  16. martthebass
    [quote name='P-T-P' post='713549' date='Jan 15 2010, 11:31 AM']Not saying you're wrong, because if that's what it felt like to you that's what it felt like, but that's something I would never have imagined someone saying about a DJ5. What bass did you come to the DJ5 from?[/quote] The DJ5 was my first foray into 5 string P. Before that the widest neck I'd probably played was vintage P type (1.75") at the nut but I'm generally happier with 1.625" (Ray/Modern P bass). The neck width and flatness just made it feel like a plank to me. The thinner neck on the Sandy and SR5 was more comfortable to my hands. I'm aware that many players find the DJ5 to be Nirvana - just not this one. Guess I'm just not a 35"/19mm guy.
  17. martthebass
    [quote name='MB1' post='713634' date='Jan 15 2010, 12:32 PM']MB1. ..."I don't usually like Tomatoes John!...But this is delicious!" (Peter Purvis/ Blue Peter) [/quote] And Half Man Half Biscuit?
  18. martthebass
    [quote name='Conan' post='712614' date='Jan 14 2010, 02:44 PM']I would partly agree with this, but a lot of it depends on the music you play and the band you play with. Much of Foxton's playing is in the kind of "middle" registers of the bass rather than low down on the E string for example. Within the context of a three piece with a very "cutting" guitar sound that works. A lot of players find a five string necessary if they play with a singer whose range has dropped over the years... A good example of this would be Fish's band (ex-singer with Marillion if the name doesn't ring a bell). As the ravages of age, cigarettes, alcohol, etc have taken their toll, his ability to hit high notes has diminished. In many cases, the band has had to drop keys to accommodate this. Many of the original keys were C, B or even E - so if you drop from there on a four string the only way to go is up!! If the track is in D and you only have a four, then you will be playing on the A string at the fifth fret! No bottom end at all! This is where I see the main advantage of a five. Or in metal bands where that really low-end riffage sounds massive...! Just my opinion of course! [/quote] As said, 'horses for courses' my horse only needs 4 legs. YMMV
  19. martthebass
    Main problem I've had is finding the right one. Lakky DJ5 - found the neck/string spacing too wide and scale length too long. Sandberg basic 5 - found it a bit neck heavy Stingray SR5 neck and scale superb but overall weight a bit much on long gigs (and I don't like swapping 5 to 4 mid gig). At the mo I don't have a 5 string, I occasionally miss the B but as Bruce Foxton said 'I can find all the notes I need on a 4 string'. I may find myself creeping back to one if I need one in the future but it would probably need to be something like a Streamline 5 to satisfy all my 'needs'.
  20. martthebass
    [quote name='Musicman20' post='711945' date='Jan 13 2010, 09:29 PM']If I didnt have major GAS for a Lakland DJ5 I would come and check this out Rich! Good luck. You don't need it though...good price and nice colour.[/quote] I sold a DJ5 to buy one of these...........the SR5 was a better bass, guess I'm contrary to popular opinion
  21. martthebass
    +1 on the MM wipes. Tend to find these work well if used fairly often (i.e. before the maple board gets too dirty). Not sure how well they work on a very grimy board. If you're talking about cleaning a rosewood/pau ferro board - I'd keep it to lemon oil, waste of money messing with the wipes.
  22. martthebass
    Nice bass Rich, had one very similar and sold it to buy Streamline #6. Still miss it, only 5er I've ever enjoyed playing. Shame you didn't get on with the neck. Good luck with the sale.
  23. martthebass
    Pms replied to but still looking for that elusive Jazz/Ray.
  24. martthebass
    Snow day bump...
  25. martthebass
    Nice of you to say my friend, there is something about ebony, yes, definately.
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