martthebass

I really loved the early stuff....17 seconds on vinyl still gets a spin on occasion

Thanks for the replies guys, I’ll stop giving myself concerns for the moment then and hope it gives me another few years of trouble free service

Pfffft....amateurs

This last year I've found myself in a band that gigs pretty much every weekend and has c.50 gigs booked next year. I'm pretty happy with the sound and portability of my current MB set up which comprises, LM3, 2 x NY121 but to make sure I'm covered for breakdowns I carry a Promethean 500W head as a backup to the LM3. The LM3 is one of the last of the Italian made units and I'm beginning to think about what to replace it with some time in the new year. So a couple of questions; what would the expected life of a well looked after LM3 be - am I getting unnecessarily worried about its durability (it's never missed a beat in gigs/rehearsals) and what would make a suitable lightweight replacement?

I think, as others have alluded to, that it depends on the circumstances. For example, I have known bands not taken on by agents (for club work) due to having a music stand on stage at the audition. Generally, for standard rock/pop genre I don't think it looks good to have a music stand on stage...

Cask Corner?.......a real shame that.

Joined a new band this year after 3 years in an 80s genre band. Gigs were thin pickings in the frozen north for the stuff we were doing which severely limited giggage and I really didn't want to do classic rock yet again just to increase the gig count. Fortunately a dep job I did last December in a 70s Glam Rock band turned into a permanent position and this year has been my busiest ever with a gig count of 50 by 31st Dec. Totally full diary up to and including NYE 2018 so a happy bunny at this point in time

I'd say that when you get to the top side of 120 then it's probably wise to invest in a wide strap to help you carry the weight on your shoulders....

Nut needs to be cut v. low so care needs to be taken to make sure you don't bottom out - I've had a few Stingray Fretless basses and they've all been cut so low that the strings dig into the wood behind the nut (and this is from the factory - nothing to do with me hacking at it). I usually go pretty flat on the neck for maximum whaaah but it depends how light your touch is - IMHO it is the way to go but you have to adapt your attack style. I have always used flats - more for the feel than for the potential damage on the board, I find them easier to slide; if you want a little more zing then half rounds are a decent option (I've used the Status Hot Wire half rounds in the past to good effect but I think these have been discontinued).

Looking very nice Adee. I'm a recent convert; currently using a MW Squier Mustang in the band as main bass with a US Sterling Sub as backup......thinking of replacing the current backup with one of those MIM Orange PJ Mustangs. Leave it red it looks great....plus it's an excuse to buy another Mustang in Daphne Blue ;-)

I think this is a minefield. A couple of years ago I had a day off and went into my local town (Rotherham) to do some shopping. My normal place of work was Scunthorpe - about 50 miles away from my local. Somebody drove into the back of me, admitted liability, so I contacted my insurer. I got the third degree on 'what was I doing in Rotherham', despite explanations I still got hit with a business insurance premium! Regarding playing, I don't currently declare but I do have business insurance so take this as being covered (after my whine above it's only about £5-10/year) for my peripatetic musical activities - I don't assume my gear is covered though!

Always has to have the last word......you never change lol! and they are completely different

I got your point.....I was picking up on your ‘evolution’ point, in your opinion, the Spector is a more evolved product, in RICs it probably isn’t. They also have design similarities in that they both have strings and tuning thingies.

Why would they do that when they can sell all the 4003s they can make?

It's unfortunate that the 'Ricky' hate clouds the debate.....understandable on the basis of the objectionable owner but if we compare just the basses and not their 'baggage'. However, I think these 2 basses are very different animals coming from different design points and eras. I've played both and for my sins still have a Rick. Ergonomically they both have flaws, I don't like the bridge pup cover on a Rick (and the fact you have to fill the hole when you take it off) and I don't like the fact that the 1st fret feels a mile away (to me) on the Spector. I can't comment on quality, I've only had 2 Ricks (my current 4003 and a previous 4004Cii) and both are/were top notch build but I understand others have had different experiences. On a bass at this price level though I'd never trust to luck and would always play before buying. On the sound side, they are very different, I agree the Spector has more flexibility but they are far more flexible than most basses conceived in the 50s/60s. The 4003 is fairly flexible, at least as good in this respect as a Jazz and it has THAT sound as Cetera has previously said. Price wise I think anything from the US is overpriced at the minute - the £/$ doesn't help here. But in terms of the Rick not being worth it.....only the OP can decide that, FWIW I wouldn't pay over £2k for one but I wouldn't pay over £2k for any bass.

I had a 57 JV - big Fender logo, small 'squier series', bought it the same month the review in 'International Musician and Recording World' came out - August 1982 IIRC. All the ones I saw were white PG and two colour sunburst (I think the first run also had a 62 Precision and a 62 Jazz both 3TSB and tort guards?). I'm assuming the gold guard (assuming it's not aftermarket) means it's a domestic.

Is that a Theramin on the left? Ooooooooooooooooweeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooo.

Another one here who only uses the 2 finger technique when playing 'galloping' triplets. On occasion I've used 3 for those slightly 'messier' Entwistle moments. As others have said - start slowly and work your way up. I practiced Duran Duran's Planet Earth to build up stamina - playing it as triplets; urban legend has it that John Taylor needed to play with a plectrum when he was laying down the recording as he couldn't hit the tempo......not the case now though.

Finish is definitely different to my Mike Way sig Mustang. No multi coloured flecks in mine so doubt the MW would be the donar body.

I play in a Glam Rock band. That is all.

I do like the Jazz. However having just obtained a Mikey Way Sig Mustang AND a Ray Starry Night for the Glam Rock band I think I might have to pass as I'm already on Glitter overload.

Has Blue become Bluewine?

I'll say. Listening is mainly 79-84 electronica, new wave and indie. Playing is exclusively 70-74 glam rock