martthebass

As we say in Yorkshire, 'It'll be reet'. Have a good time!

3 long scale and 2 shorties in my armoury. Play them all but the shorties are currently getting all of the gigs. I don’t think 95% of the audience notice whether I’m playing a baby bass or not. Enjoy.

If the split pup is anything like the SD in the Jap reissue (2002 ish) then I can't see why it would be needed, I've never felt the need on mine. If you want the PJ format in a SS then the Mexican version or a Squier Jag should do the job.

I know that they've had to change the classic bridge design to accommodate the jazz pup but it just doesn't look right on a Mustang.

That's even worse if you're even forgetting how many you've got. Even 'our lass' doesn't do that, I know, I've tried!

Or the organiser was an asshat.

My 2010 does - don't think they've changed since. Someone will correct me if I'm talking crud.

Private party on Saturday night, not often we do this but it was local and the punter had seen us on the book of face and thought we'd be ideal etc..... A small village hall type place but, even with the DJ there was sufficient room and utilities to see us all happy. Nice leisurely sound check until we come to checking vox - mine dead as a dead thing. Fortunately traced to a duff lead so not too bad. Sound check finished and into the back room to get changed, suit bag zip bust and ended up cutting my way in to get to my sparkly Glam gear grrrrrrrr. At this stage thinking, well that's 2 where's number 3? First spot goes without a hitch so I assume the laws of bad luck have taken the night off. Come to the second spot and the Guitarists wireless pack dies before the start of the first number......I grin and think the gremlin has passed me by and moved to him. Halfway through the same number my wireless pack dies; battery fine, receiving fine, no interference just no noise! Bugger, manage to struggle with a 2ft patch lead for the rest of that and the next number before being able to dash off stage for another lead. Fortunately despite all this the audience was good natured and had a blast - well at least no one commented at the end of the gig and we even got a bonus. Hope this coming Saturday is less technically compromised.

I've played and owned MMs from all eras, can't really say that any era stood out as best. The pre-EBs were differently voiced in my estimation, as I started off on a 1990 one I just found the Pre EB different, not better though others opinions vary. One of the best I played was a 30th anniversary, lovely smooth sound and impeccable build quality. My current Starry Night PDN 2016 comes pretty close though and I prefer the ebony board. So in brief, my opinion, as voiced by some above, is that there isn't a golden era but there are great, good and mediocre examples from each decade.

That's just obsessive that is lol

Not my favourite Rick (hated my briefly owned 4004Cii) but that is a crazy price. Don't think I'll be selling my 4003 anytime soon if that's the current situation.

Very nice Nick, nicest colour on a Rick by far.....I am a bit biased though.

I felt this way when I went into my current band. I went in initially as a medium term dep but signed on after a couple of months. I was concerned getting 40 numbers under my belt, I prioritised the ones with the most well known/distinctive bass lines and made sure the remaining would pass audience scrutiny. It was a good 15 gigs or so before all the numbers were at a standard I was fully happy with. Honestly, no one but me noticed.

More familiar with the earlier 'large Fender' JVs, but on the basis of the pics, on passing glance, this looks correct. Need to look 'under the hood' to be sure though. The headstock looks right and it doesn't look messed about.

Maybe my expectations were too high for a £1800 bass? Fit and finish was inferior to any EBMM I’ve had and I’m far from a fanboy. I still have a 4003 which feels better than the 4004 did.

Ditto, but I put that down to me playing finger style rather than with a pick. Like you, band never complained though.

I've only had one bass made from Agathis, it appeared to have the structural properties of Wensleydale. Don't think I'll have another one. I love Stingrays; played at home on an IPad - awesome sound. But, always struggled with the on stage sound - however wandering out front on the wireless always confirms it's great in the mix. Never worked it out.

Tried a 4004 (a Cii if I'm not mistaken). Was somewhat disappointed with the bass overall - it certainly felt 'cheap' compared to the price tag. Also the sound was far too dark, I gathered that the pot values don't do it any favours but I decided not to change anything and pass it on to someone who would appreciate it better.

When that's happened to me I've declined the change as the planning issue is on the part of the other person/people irrespective of whether it is their fault or not.

I should have added ' unless it was by mutual consent with the other party' to be fair. Other than that though, looking at some the reasons you suggest I would consider it unprofessional or at least bad planning/organisation on the part of the dep.

Good review LeftyP. I was seriously looking at the non-hollow version of this when I was looking at a backup for my Mustang. I ended up not partaking as I was concerned over comments on neck dive. In many respects I prefer a heavy bass to a neck divey one as the latter puts a strain on my left shoulder which is the first to grumble. Ironically the back up bass I ended up getting, which I'd expected to be ok, had some neck dive..........more fool me.

As said above - This. Any 'professional' would never cancel on the basis of a 'better offer' if they had committed to a dep gig.

Sounds like that guy really knew what he was talking about Yep, nothing divides opinion like a 4003. On the action side, I found mine quite easy to sort (not as easy as a MM or Fender but not difficult) and once set I haven't had to touch it for 5 years (and counting).