martthebass

Well, first gig in 7 months went without a hitch. Good social distancing and well organised. Amazingly we were on good form despite only meeting up 3 times since March, though I felt I was on autopilot on occasion. It blew out the cobwebs though and made us all feel a lot better. No dancing but an appreciative seated crowd. Next gig at the end of the month on a similar 9:30 finish WMC basis - assuming they don’t lock us down.....

I love em Dave, I used to use a Status Streamline when I was in an 80s band and loved the compactness and ease of using on a small stage. It clearly didn’t fit in with the glam look so I tried a few short scales. The MW was chosen for the looks but I’ve found it a great gigging bass despite its humble origins, in fact I prefer it to the much more expensive JMJ as it balances better. I occasionally take Dano Longhorn as backup instead of the JMJ but that one is much more sensitive to lighting/electrical interference you get in some clubs.

Just the JMJ and MW Mustangs left from this group Dave, the Trevor Bolderesque red one was sold to support purchase of the JMJ. Of the 2 left, the JMJ has the more authentic tone but the MW is glittery and after nearly 150 gigs with Glam Fever just feels right.

The bridge never looks right to me also. For some reason Ray copies always seem to look 'cheap' to me whereas that's not always the case for Fender clones.

Do my best mate, just checking all the wigs and glam gear hasn't been attacked by moths! Had the first rehearsal in months last night, interesting, lol. Took me 20 minutes to get used to my shorty Mustangs after 7 months of playing my EBMMs.

First gig in our 70s Glam Rock band this weekend Dave (BoJo permitting), not sure how it will work for this genre in a socially distanced/no dancing setting?

Well, after a 7 month hiatus and 3 false starts it looks like the band's first gig will be this coming Saturday. Local WMC, socially distanced and all done for 10pm. It will be odd playing to a sit down crowd but anything is appreciated after this length of time.

Ironically I do get involved in number 2 on your list (not number twos...other than when required).

Hmmm, not really thought about this before, certainly not the sustain bit. I can see why we would expect the laminate (if the laminate is perpendicular to the length) would help stability though. The only laminated neck I have is on a Rick and it has only needed one tweak of the rods in 8 years whereas my Fenders and one of my 2 Musicman basses get fettled at least yearly (one of the MMs has a roasted neck and that seems more stable than the other one). Interested in @Rikki_Sixxcomment on his Dano....my Longhorn with a very skinny neck, though only owned for a couple of years has ultra low action and not needed resetting yet - no idea what the construction is under the paint though.

Very nice. Don't think I'll be finding $2600 any time soon however

I use this for my 2. https://www.gear4music.com/Guitar-and-Bass/Gator-GC-ELEC-XL-Deluxe-Moulded-Case-For-Electric-Guitars-Extra-Long/CU0 It’s a tight squeeze but it fits just fine.

Ray special, I’d definitely keep the Sterling though, love the sound and the neck.

I think it’s only the Ray specials that are lightweight? Not sure how lightweight they are now with the swamp ash shortage? I’m definitely on the lookout for an early, light, charcoal sparkle special 4H

I can understand that, I like the lack of taper on my 4003, just wish it wasn’t so chunky at the headstock end....that’s where the Sterling excels

The body might be smaller and more ergonomic but making the bridge out of Osmium probably wasn't the best idea...

I think some of the Poplar solid colours often hit the higher figure. My Ash PDN Ray is closer to 10 than 9.5.

Looks genuine to me, as said above, it looks like you got lucky and got a light one. All but one of the Stingrays I've had have been above 9lb bar an early 2000s Fretless I once had, (like yours in a trans finish) which was about 8.5lbs. I'd hang on to that one if I were you.

I know what you mean Dan, I keep looking at a Status but I don’t want to let any of the current stock go (yes, even the rick....). With gigs being cancelled as quickly as they are being booked (they’ve just cancelled the Farmyard rally in Helmsley on the 25th weekend that we were really looking forward to due to the covid spike) I can’t see any gas fundage for some time yet.

There’s not many basses I regret parting with but the 30th I sold you was one of em. I was going through a Fender Jazz phase....ironically no Jazzes anymore but I still have a couple of MMs. I think the 30th just edges out my Starry Night though but I prefer the ebony board on the SN.

Had a Limelight custom build a few years back, 63 Jazz in black/tort. Requested medium relic and for it to be sub 9lb. I think this was at the early stages of the Limelight operation and unfortunately it came in about 10lbs and heavy relic. I was given a discount for the wrong relic, which was fine as I wasn't that bothered but eventually ended up selling in less than a year due to weight. I'd love a Shuker at some point but it would have to be an off the shelf that I could play first.

Ditto, I've tried many times over the years to use a Precision live but for whatever reason it just disappears into the onstage mix on me. This has got worse with encroaching deafness but a Stingray gives me the cut I need. Ironically I don't have a problem using Mustangs?