martthebass

'Why can't I play that bit....my hand's too cold........why is the fan directed at my hand.........can I move the fan with my foot.......bugger I've knocked the fan over'

I've found a fair bit of variation over the years on Stingrays. I owned a 1990 from new for about 12 years, it was a cracking bass but it was on the heavy side I can't say it was anything special. Ditto with a 2002 standard SR4 that was similarly meh. Also, very briefly had a pre EB (1980) in my possession that was a boat anchor and needed to be thrashed to get any life out of it. Best ones I've had by far were a 30th anniversary that felt put together with loving care and had a lovely rich sound (shouldn't have sold that one!); a 2001 2EQ fretless with a nice figured neck (that feels very slim for a standard Ray4) that does the mwhahhh sound perfectly (still have this one) and a 2016 Starry Night PDN that is beautifully constructed and sounds rich and fat (Roasted neck, Ebony board and Ash body?). I don't really buy into the pre-EB vs EB argument, there are no doubt differences but they are just that, differences. You may prefer one over the other, but quality wise I don't think one is necessarily better than the other as a rule. YMMV and all that.

I always feel sad at the number of pompous tosspots who elect themselves to a 'position of authority' in a band. Why all the seriousness when for the majority of us it's all about the enjoyment, not a career?

Agree and disagree on some of this. I agree the bass can come over bass light compared to a P bass in some situations but that's part of the DNA and it also depends on which pups you're running - if you're on the bridge only it goes into classic 'clank plank' mode IMHO (but I love this sound in the right context). I play finger style aggressively (as did Geddy) and it sounds just as good as when I use a pick. I also use a MarkBass amp and it doesn't lack heft. I agree on the finish - not the most robust, more like the thin nitro (even though it's a UV catalysed poly) of a roadworn Fender. From a personal point of view, I like them, BUT there is no way I could live with one as my only bass. If you can own only one bass then there are other basses which cover more territory but how many of us only have one bass lol?

Very true. I've played some really hideous set ups in 'dealers'. Should be able to get a near straight neck almost 'Status' like action with just the right amount of buzz to make sure it sounds like a Rick.

He plays a 4004 (a Cii I think but could be a Laredo). A different beast, 2 humbucking pups - sounds very different to a 4003/4003s. I had one briefly - I also found it unfocussed and undefined, apparently if you change the pot resistances it's supposed to open it up a bit.

Pretty much agree CB. Mine got a fair bit of use in my previous 80s band but not so much in the Glam Rock band I’m in now. Very distinctive sound and fun to play - not a problem finger style if you fit the bezel. Lots of sounds available if you play with the knobs - just like a Jazz (not in sounds obviously)

Popcorn ordered, feet up on the sofa.....eventful evening of Ricky bashing programmed. But seriously two very marmite bass manufacturers at almost opposite ends of the bass spectrum.

Perhaps he's just generally upset with the world because he can't find Matalan shirts that fit properly?

That seriously awful version of Everybody wants to rule the world'...........why, just why?

Sorry - think I'm falling into the 'it was better in my day'. I'm not stupid enough to believe that is necessarily the case I just think that the ways in which music is now accessed is not aligned with my lifestyle. In the 'olden' days, my access was via weekly doses of The Tube and TOTP which were great music magazine programmes and obviously via Radio 1 and the like. When I scan the multitude of channels on Sky I find a lot of very samey 'chart' programmes and retrospectives of the 80s/90s etc which don't really grip me. I also find a lot of 'chart stuff' on commercial radio to be instantly forgettable and could have been written (and performed) by computers - which I find ironic because I really loved early 80s electronica. So, my conclusion: I'm officially old and will continue to listen to the likes of Joy Division, Japan, Cabaret Voltaire..........

This is an interesting, informative thread.......let's please keep it civil.

Just goes to show there’s as many opinions as people. If the OP had wanted a Jazz or a P then the thread would’ve been ‘which J or P should I get?’ Not many BCers have a single bass and I don’t believe in the ‘Swiss army knife bass’. So one gig might be a Jazz, the next a Status, and yet another a Ray 4H 3eq..

Passive Rays aren’t exactly representative of the breed..... Can’t recall ever seeing one outside of the cheapest US Sub model. I’ve sometimes found that the on stage sound wasn’t the best but go front of house and the sound is great....

Ditto, I set this as my '2010 yearly challenge' got the gist fairly quickly - but took a long time to nail cleanly.

Playing in a Glam Rock tribute act forces some compromises on the bass end. I’d been playing a Status for years and loved the sound and flexibility but it didn’t look right - similar with the MM basses. I’ve ended up on Mustangs which I can just about tweek to a decent sound in most venues but I have to be a bit judicious on occasion with the eq on the MarkBass set up.

As I’ve said before lovely bass and my YOB. Maybe one day if the numbers come up lol.

I’m hoping it becomes a classic lol!

Don’t think I have a number one bass anymore. I have a bass I gig more than the others and basses that would be tough for me to replace but none are sacrosanct. I keep thinking of selling the 3 non-cheapies and getting something really special but I doubt I’ll ever go through with it. Ironically my main gigging bass is nominally the one of lowest value (the Mustang on the left - the Jag is no longer resident).......go figure.