martthebass

Summer of sixty friggin' nine. I used to like that song. Also, something by Queen that is clearly far too bloody difficult for mere mortals to sing.

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='68863' date='Oct 2 2007, 10:57 PM']NT or BO? I can give 'some' help (or can I) with the NT early models but the BO... sorry! Damn he went and bought a Stingray in the time it took me to type a reply... I blame the alcohol for slowing down my typing skills.[/quote] He'll soon realise that to make life complete, you need a Warwick and a Musicman in the collection I'd agree tho, the Thumb isn't always an 'immediate' bass - it took me some time to get used to it, but in the end it was worth it.

[quote name='Beedster' post='67980' date='Oct 1 2007, 07:42 AM']Thanks gents Yes, it is indeed the Modulus Flea that I'm talking about. It has Blue Sparkle body and matching headstock. This doesn't realy suit the rather retro feel of the bands I play with, or indeed the music I play, so I was going to refin it black with a dark Tort Pickguard. I've done a few bodies and don't see this as a problem. However, the carbon is. Let's face it, a black body/tort pickguard ain't gonna look al that sweet with a blued sparkle headstock! My gut instinct is to get a professional job done, I posted the above to see if anyone has done it in the past. Bob, I think you're right, but I'm still not sure I'd risk it without being 100% certain! Cheers Chris[/quote] Use the Fenders with the heathens and sell the Flea to me ........ very cheaply, want a Sterling? - It looks quite retro

Don't discount the newer Thumb BO4's. I don't think the change from Wenge to Ovangkol makes as much difference as many think - I'm not the most discerning guy but my 2006 BO4 has more than enough snap, punch and growl. There is a bit of neck dive but it's no worse than my old Corvette and easily cured with a 3 inch strap. I moved from a Jazz to one of these and found I prefer the neck profile on the Thumb. These are currently pretty good value used - £600 isn't unusual for a good example. Try one and make your own mind up.

+1 on the £750!! I bought a NOS 2004 - cost me £920 so you did mega well. I agree with pretty much all you've put up there - I could've written it! (also a 'Ray user for nearly 20 years before swapping to a Sterling). Strange about the weight, I thought it would be lighter than my old 'Ray - it isn't. Mine also doesn't get as much use as it should - probably because it's pristine and at the mo I'm playing dives and jam nights so the p-bass and Thumb tend to get used more, but I agree with you, there isn't a better neck in the business.

Rio - Duran Duran (hides head in shame). Never got close to the break. Also, don't know why but, Daytripper - no problem at the root but never been able to keep it straight at the octave....funny I've watched lots of conver bands play it the same way as me but not like Macca.

[quote name='Machines' post='65821' date='Sep 26 2007, 12:12 PM']And here it is again... [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-STINGRAY-Natural-Ash-Musicman-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ220154235627QQihZ012QQcategoryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Music-Man-STINGRAY-N...1QQcmdZViewItem[/url] Small world isnt it ? I didn't know inflation was so high in a week either ![/quote] Interesting how that pretty harsh 'scuff' looks nearly non-existent in the new listing David/Petra/1066/Whatnot normally takes such wonderful pictures. I would be pretty pi**ed if I parted with £600 and ended up with a bass that looks like a grinder ran over the upper bout. Just my 2p...

C'mon, lets not get too PC. I have no problem with people laughing at my miniscule skills..............none of us are perfect. Also I cannot play the break in MG (but I can play the easy break in Substitute)

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='64916' date='Sep 24 2007, 06:12 PM']I'd also disagree that it's just Warwick... I've also watched a brace of MM Sterling sell for £400 - £500 and had they been in the right colour etc I'd have had a punt but I'm not in the position at this time of year to chance my arm at something that isn't likely to be a keeper even though I'm certain I'd never lose money at these prices (MM & 'W'). These are just 2 marques that I'm observing as I have a direct interest I'm sure that other than the usual 'vintage' gear prices must be depressed across the board... case in point Wal also aren't making what they were even 6 months ago ![/quote] Maybe I'm a bit biassed, owning both a Thumb and a Sterling, but sometimes I'm glad that prices get depressed - it sort of supresses the GAS instinct. If you feel you're going to lose a wad of hard earned in changing a bass it kind of puts you off. Maybe I've been playing for too long and things have moved on in these days of +£2K average boutique basses, but I always thought that the afforementioned were 'Pro' level basses. I'm not a pro - so they should be more than good enough for me. 20 years ago I counted myself lucky to own a single US Jazz......that cost £500 when my yearly salary was <£9£.

Anybody remember Rik Mayall in 'Bad News'? Also, must be hard to play when you're horizontal...

[quote name='cheddatom' post='64792' date='Sep 24 2007, 03:19 PM']I don't really like this idea that I shouldn't be using my nails, or that I should be striving for consistency. I'm striving for variety, originality, and fun! I don't have very long nails, and none on the left hand as I agree, they get in the way, but, when you pop extra hard with your nail, it has a bite that cannot be attained otherwise, deffinitely not by playing closer to the bridge. I was talking to my (female) boss at lunch time, and she says she gets her nails painted with some strengthening resin for like £15 so I may go for that when they grow back. Thanks for the replies so far :-)[/quote] Guess we must be in the minority. I play on nails on index, middle and 3rd finger, this gives me the tone I'm looking for plus cuts down on blisters if I'm doing a few back to back gigs. I generally just keep 'em at 2-3mm though so that breaking isn't likely and 'handshakers' don't think you're a girl OTHH when playing fretless the nails are then short enough so you can play on the 'pads' and get the smooth tone if you want.

Just love the Jumper/Scarf style gig bag. No doubt it will keep it tucked up all snug for those winter gigs :-)

[quote name='The Funk' post='61484' date='Sep 17 2007, 03:06 AM']Nothing wrong with that. It seems like Warwicks are popular mainly with funksters and metalheads - and hardly anyone else. I've never seen anyone else with the model I play though. Not sure why.[/quote] I must be doing something wrong. I played a whole evening of 70's standards (yes, even Alvin Stardust) the other night on a Thumb.

Not enough.....................wife says 'too many'

[quote name='paul, the' post='57475' date='Sep 8 2007, 06:52 PM']And he likes the P pickup, like me [/quote] Me also .... on a P Just yanking yer chain.....it's a slow Saturday without a gig.

So why not buy a P, or an active P or a custom P? Butchering a poor defensive 'Ray like that. It's inhuman.

[quote name='Sean' post='57427' date='Sep 8 2007, 05:06 PM']Last night (Friday) the bass player in the band band on Jonathan Ross' show had a Stingray with a P pick up in it. The bass was white with maple neck, had the classic stingray shape and chrome crescent control plate with three knobs, 3 +1 headstock and what looked like the usual EB MM Stingray logo on the headstock. The pick up was a proper split p-type and in the proper P bass position i.e. no obvious holes or hack marks where an MM used to be. Anyone know anything about these? I've certainly never seen one before.[/quote] For the love of God...Why?

Bassist from the get go me. Had a recent hankering to learn guitar if only to be able to know what to play in a Jam when I can't hear meself properly. Hate it when I ask the key to a guitarist for him/her to turn around and show me the chord - what! They look perplexed when I tell em that playing that chord on the bass would probably sound crap.

Can only comment on Sterlings I'm afraid, but IIRC it's just the 4 string version ;-). Points: 1. Didn't find as much difference soundwise between Maple and RW as many people have commented on in the past. 2. Hate the way that the finished maple sticks to your fingers when you get sweaty compared to RW 3. Maple looks nicer. Personally, IMHO, pickups and strings make more difference than the board wood does. So it's mainly down to cosmetics and feel. But what do I know I play through a Trace.