martthebass

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='632705' date='Oct 21 2009, 07:29 PM']I'm not sure. I recall Ed Friedland saying that they were the same MM preamp, identical to the American series basses for the Sterling by MM basses. It sounds just like a Ray with all the snarling top end you expect and now I've got the new DR fatbeam strings on it's immense. Obviously it's never going to have the power of a Status or Sadowsky preamp, but it sounds really nice all the same.[/quote] We'll have to do a comparison when you're in the area with your Ray 34 Rich. I'll have to get up to Electro and try one out. I was never a fan of the Subs - purely cosmetic of course but if these are up to G&L Tribby standard.......

Cheers Rich, I think it would take something special to make me swap out the Streamline - maybe a Stealth? I have thought of moving the MM out but it'd probably be for another MM - I don't feel comfortable unless I've got one to fall back on. The Overwater is still being 'bedded in'. Having never played one before I took the EBay risk I've been pleasantly surprised. Reminds me a bit of a Shuker for some reason. For me the positives are playability, sounds, weight (about the same as the Streamline) and construction. If I was being niggly I don't like the satin finish much - a nice Status type poly gloss would look better with these nicely figured woods.

Well, it's probably about a year since I posted my 3. Due to the long standing agreement with 'er indoors I stick to 3 basses and 3 basses only. Sadly this means my peferred line up of 1 fretted 4, 1 fretted 4 spare, a fretless 4 and a 5er can't be achieved. Consequently I tend to swap about a bit - also this tends to accelerate if gigs are low in frequency and this year has been a POOR year in that respect. So the current set: Up first is my trusty Ray 4H, a 2005 jobbie with a maple FB, nice bit of flame in the neck and still in good nick. This doesn't get used as much as I'd like but I've had a Musicman in the fold for all but 1 year in the last 20 so she gets to stay. One of the reasons it doesn't get used so much is a bloody recurrent neck problem which seems to be sensitive to basses more than about 8.5lb so I limit its use to shorter gigs and jam nights. Because of this problem I started the hunt for something a bit lighter early this year and Rich (Out to Play J) was parting with his Status Streamline so in it came. It saddened me to have to part with a pristine Ray5 to get this but I haven't regretted it. This bass basically plays itself and it's never hard to get the right sound for any musical setting. I can even put up with the strange looks at jam nights. Last up is my latest acquisition, a 2008 Overwater Perception Deluxe Fretless. I'd been on the look out for a Jazz type fretless for a month or so on BC (but nothing came up) when I saw this on EBay. I don't usually do the bay but I took a punt on this and so far haven't been disappointed. It still needs a bit of a tweak to be set up to my liking but the sound is very natural and the pre has plenty of sounds in it without getting too complicated. Anyway I'm hoping these 3 are going to hang around for a while because I've run out of ideas for new stuff, tho a Streamline 5 would be nice and maybe a nicely aged Fender Jazz (preferably early 70's) and a................

[quote name='Bass_In_Yer_Face' post='631607' date='Oct 20 2009, 06:12 PM']Anything by the mighty Mick Karn[/quote] If you don't mind picking it out note for note Anyone done tab for Mick's stuff?

+1 above on Talk Talk. Today and It's my life are fairly easy to cut your fretless teeth on. Also worth trying: Will you? - Hazel O'Connor (nice slow one to develop some 'feel') Black Velvet - Melissa Etheridge Love Cats - The Cure Badge - Cream Feel like making love - Bad Company

[quote name='niceguyhomer' post='631260' date='Oct 20 2009, 12:22 PM']I'm always petrified of dinging unmarked basses and I really do see the appeal of having a RW one where the worry of dings would dissipate.[/quote] +1. I think some basses just don't 'age' well. Again I'll reference Status Graphite full graphite jobs, they look lovely new but not so good when scratched and dinged. Also my experience when selling 5-10 year old basses with dings is 'that looks knackered - I'll give you £50 for it' not 'they're very tastefully done scratches please take £1000'

[quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='631106' date='Oct 20 2009, 09:32 AM']As wood gets older & the instrument is played more, the sound does penetrate through it better. Same goes for varnish. It takes a time for the sound to permeate through. But that's my experience of classical instruments. Rich.[/quote] I'm just waiting for the Graphite to age in my Status.........................I'll get me coat

[quote name='FLoydElgar' post='627678' date='Oct 16 2009, 11:12 AM']Ahh put some pics up of yours be great to see your bass [/quote] Excuse the crap flash photography. Front - Claro Walnut with matching headstock Back - Spanish Cedar 3 piece maple neck with ebony unlined fretless board Build completed Sept 2008. Pickup combo and pre like the set you've spec'd. I know to keep costs down the standard finish is satin - but I think the woods on this would have benefitted from a Status-esque deep poly gloss (probably wouldn't have done much for the sound tho). The bass is very light - I guess about 7 lbs (about the same as my Streamline), but balances nicely.

That is very nice, makes my Walnut/Spanish cedar perception deluxe look plain in comparison. Is the finish the standard satin or the gloss upgrade?

[quote name='steve-soar' post='626275' date='Oct 14 2009, 06:43 PM']I'd get it to a reputable tech asap, let the original seller know what the problems are and tell them that they will be liable to pay for the repairs. Here's a brilliant resource for MusicMan basses, this may help if you can find out the year of the bass in the serial numbers section, then check the type of preamp. [url="http://www.musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0019.htm"]http://www.musicmanbass.org/mycustompage0019.htm[/url] Good luck Steve.[/quote] I agree with SS, sounds like there's something going on with the wiring/pre here. Without the battery you should get bugger all sound and with the battery you should get a healthy dollop of cut and boost on the bass/mid/treble knobs. Get a tech to have a look see.

Another +1 for Stingrays. For me it balances better than the Jag and has a more convincing 'active' sound. If you need more sound versatility try and snag an HS or HH Ray but they are fewer in number 2nd hand and more £.

Status Streamline (7lb) and Overwater Perception (probably about 7lb)

For my satin finished Overwater the recommendation is...................Pledge. Used the same on my Matt finished, now departed, Sandberg.

Had one of these, from the first month of production. The JV 57 had a single ply white scratchplate originally and was in 2 tone sunburst. Single piece neck - maple, I think with skunkstripe. Mine was a lovely bass which I regret selling, only gripes I had with it was the neck width (a bit wide for me at 1.75" - but historically accurate) and the pup which was a bit weak.

There was I nice green lined corvette fretless went on here a few weeks back for around £400. That was a 'custom' finish so I think it managed slightly above average. I've got an Overwater Perception with unlined ebony which I got lucky on as it came in at <£600. I think if you are prepared to wait a month or so something will crop up on here or the bay for your money. Regarding ebonol/ebony. I think the Squier VMJ FL has an ebnol board - felt alot like my old Status Graphite necked fretless. Nice feel, but to me doesn't have the 'warmth' of ebony. I could get the mwah but it didn't come as easily or naturally as on ebony or rosewood - a bit more clattery. Regarding durability If its like my old Status I wouldn't have thought there would be a problem but I always used flats.

They seem to have been around the £600-650 mark for good condition EB Ray4 for a while now unless I'm missing something. Don't think there are many takers for the bay stuff on BIN £900+ or suchlike.

[quote name='CHRISDABASS' post='604195' date='Sep 21 2009, 06:51 AM']Every Ray ive played (owned 3, played 8 others) has had the weak G string disease!! whats that all about?[/quote] Having been the previous owner of this SR5 - no it didn't have the dreaded weak G disease. My SR4 does have a touch but not enough to cause grief on a gig - but fortunately no obvious deadspots (which my SR4 1990 did have). I wouldn't use one for recording - graphite all the way there Soundwise the SR5 was a lot 'mellower' than my SR4 even tho both were strung with Slinkies. I can see why B likes it - it had a very infectious sound, like him, I've tried Sados (NYC and Metros) and I preferred the SR5. As already said - 'horses for courses'.

JB, I think we all go through ebbs and flows of interest when you're a 'hobbyist'. I'm generally interested in 'old' music (was there anything made after 1982?). Having said that I still listen to some newer stuff - generally because my 2 kids ram it down my throat on Spotify or suchlike - very ocasionally find a bassline that grabs me (like Juicebox for instance). For me bass playing is a social thing, I still play with my trio but we're all mates also and go outto watch bands, have a drink etc - it's not just the music. Like anything, if you ain't having fun, put it away for a bit, but it sounds to me like the 'practicing with a few mates' thing isn't giving you what you're after at the mo and you need to get out and do something else. Do some jamnight stuff fo instance - never enough bassists about, always full of widdling guitarists for some reason. Don't get too introspective about your playing, I'm sure you're a lot better than you think you are. I've been playing too many years and I still get lost going past 12th and I've managed to survive somehow. There's a good jamnight in Rotherham town centre (Snafu) on a Tuesday night - you'd get a warm welcome, Cheers, MTB

Stuck in the Middle: For some reason I always want to go back to G in the D to A bridge part.................numpty.