martthebass

If all basses were the same, life would be very boring and there wouldn't be much use for this forum. There are design issues with most basses, you either accept them or don't - sensible people then spend accordingly. I don't much like Warwick Thumb basses (because of the neck dive) but going on about it is pointless as it's a personal opinion. Do I like Rics - yes, would I elect to have one as my only bass - no. Regarding some of the aforementioned issues: 1. Bridge design - certainly 'industrial' but once set to your liking seems perfectly ok to me 2. Tail lift, mine's ok so no real experience of this. Probably wouldn't equip it with very heavy strings though. just in case. 3. Finish issues, I think Ric could learn a thing or 2 from Squier but I cant complain on the ones I've had (no bleed or flaking paint) 4. Weak neck pup; it's quieter than the bridge pup but that's what the knobs are for....

Think I'll stick with my regular 2 x 45 plus encore.....

I don't get on with fivers and don't own a bass with a drop D detuner; if I'm doing any low D work I tend to take the Streamline as it's so quick and easy to change tuning accurately, so don't worry about the headless 4 option.

I think you did well with the price there Wotcher; you'd be lucky to get it for £250 in the current market.

getting a 404 on that link MM20?

I think it does depend on the instrument and what's being played when. Knowing how to cover up a gaff on the bass is part of the skill you learn. Making a mistake in a well known lead guitar solo is always going to be more obvious that making a mistake in a chugging 12 bar rhythm line.

That's what I meant Jono, the MII MW does have a better fit and finish than the MII VM Jag long scale that I've just sold. Finish, frets, fretboard edges noticeably better. But the Jag is only £211 new. I think the MW was about £250 when it was sold in 2012.

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1499868519' post='3334177'] Maybe, but that's looking over one's shoulder; there's principles involved, whoever the 'other crooks' are. On the other hand, it certainly makes [i]our [/i]option of not playing for payment much easier on the conscience, anyway..! TheTaxman is welcome to his share of nowt..! [/quote] If it went zero cash Doug I'd probably play for free or 'bass equipment in hand'. I think I pay more tax than the current front bench combined and I certainly wouldn't want to contribute further lol.

[quote name='Jono Bolton' timestamp='1499873009' post='3334233'] Which Mustangs are you looking at? The Fender Japan FSR Mustang Bass retailed around £500 recently, which I think is a fair price. It can still be found online too: [url="http://www.scayles.co.uk/ProductDetails?ID=Mzg4MQ"]http://www.scayles.co.uk/ProductDetails?ID=Mzg4MQ[/url]== [/quote] Well initially I was looking at the MW but cast my net wider after drawing no success. The straight squier vm Mustangs also seemed to be around the £325 - £350 mark if you could find one. Just a bit surprised really when Squier vm Jags were £190 to £211ish new. Though I have to note that the fit and finish on the MW model though Indonesian does feel a notch up quality wise over the current MII Squiers.

Fortunately up here in the North it's still all cash in hand for the gigs I play (c. 50 gigs/year). I think a lot of 'weekend warriors' would have to look at things seriously if it wasn't this way.....

After a lot of searching I finally managed to track down a Squier Mikey Way Sig to a small outfit in the West Midlands. Now I know this was a special edition and supply might be tight but even with that in mind I paid 'significantly' more than the last few sales on here over the last few years. When I looked deeper I noticed that the price of all Mustangs seems to have inflated above the average. What's going on?

All the very best guys!

[i]The Sherlocks are brilliant, played with them in September and they're superb[/i]. These guys when they were just starting out cut their teeth at one of the local jamnights I helped run. Always hoped they were destined for good things.

Had a few SRs and Sterlings in my time. Can't say any of them were poor build quality but some definitely didn't have that quality that can't be defined that makes it a keeper. With current pricing levels I don't think I'd part with the cash without being able to play it first.

I agree with a lot of what's been said above. The 4003 is definitely a marmite bass, it didn't take for me the first time around but I came back to one (via a 4004Cii that I really didn't like) a few years back and hopefully I'll keep this one until the end of my playing days. It isn't my goto bass by any means but the sound and experience of playing it puts a smile on my face and that's good enough reason for me to keep one.

Have you looked at your action or technique? I sometimes (as a finger style player) get some blistering on the 'plucking' hand if I've been a bit over-enthusiastic but haven't ever had a problem on the fretting hand. I use half-rounds on my main bass which may be something you could consider?