martthebass

LM3 front panel (Italian made) also metal.....even in the MB bag the corners get a bit scuffed showing the aluminium construction

Wow, 10 years for me also.......not including the time I did on Bassworld (and Basstalk...)

[i]But. I can't play the bass because the frets are cutting my fingers. It's not that they haven't been smoothed - they are fine if you run your finger over them in a direction from the strings towards the back of the neck. But in the other direction there are tiny edges which are causing my cuts[/i] Just bought one of these myself, exactly the same problem. Fret dress sorted it no problem

Thanks for this guys - about what I was hoping for.

Just picked up a new Squier bass, lovely thing for the money but could do with the fret ends dressing as there's some sharp bits. What spend should I expect for such a job, no other set up work needed?

Nice score Y5S. Ive just picked up a 4 string version of this. Very nice basses for the price, still working out the electronics though.

Named after the 'anti satellite missile'? I always thought it stood for 'Another Strat, Another Tele'.

My Akai Miniak, bought to play one finger lines with an 80s band I've now left. Not been out of its case for well over a year but still think I'll need it the day after I sell it!

I managed to pick up a used Promethean head D, not quite as light or compact but seems to be more than adequate, you could do a lot worse.

I'd looked at one of these as a gig backup head but became aware of the extending timeline for availability, pity would've been perfect.

^This! I lost in an audition because I turned up with a 'toy' bass (my Status Streamline).

Once you go headless on a Status all other basses feel clumsy!

Definitely noticed this sort of thing on gigs. For example, I was in a fairly large pub on Saturday and had an awful sound on stage for some reason and I was all backline, nothing though the desk. No matter how I EQ'd I couldn't dial out the harsh middy sound I had. Did the best that I could and decided to compromise. During the gig I went out front with the wireless pack and noticed I had a great sound in the mix...just the right level of punch and definition and no harshness whatsoever.

Had my 2010 4003 for about 4 years now, I don't use it that often on gigs, mainly as it's in good nick and I usually play in confined spaces. I love the sound and the look, not the most ergonomic of basses but not as bad as some people make out, horses for courses I guess. Hope you gel with yours!

Don't ever leave Blue, place wouldn't be the same without you.

Treb, the Sub Sterling USA model was made alongside the Ray Subs but had a shorter build run I think so not that many in circulation. A strange beast, 3 band active EQ but no switching like the full fat US Sterling. Also, it has 22 frets like a Sterling but is a 6 bolt neck rather than a 5 bolt. They don't come up often used, I think they are typically £450 - £500 for a decent example.

Cheers McN, I will do at some point.

You 2 - GET A ROOM!!! One, thing though McN, which way is the pup wired in the EBMM Sterling SUB USA? Mines got the 3 band EQ but seems to have more depth and punch than previous EBMM full fat Rays I've previously owned.

I think if you've set your heart on a 'proper' US of A Ray then nothing else will satisfy you. The Sterling Ball basses are good value for money and tick most of the boxes but if you have the cash then I'd go a used US model. I've got a US EBMM and a US SUB, both good basses and will last a lifetime of playing should you not suffer serious bouts of GAS. The US SUB models are good value for money if you can get past the aesthetics.