martthebass

One thing I found when changing the nut on my SR5 Fretless a few years back is that the nut was glued in solid. Jon Shuker did the replacement but it needed some cosmetic repair on the Pau Ferro board behind the nut as it was damaged getting the nut free.

I've had an on-off neck shoulder prob for the last 7-8 years. I bought a Status Streamline which I've found spot on because it's light and balances really well. Sounds well too....

I think my limelight heavy relic Jazz hit a cymbal at last Saturday's gig.....looked at the bass at the end of the set and couldn't tell. That's the appeal for me.

[quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1453210616' post='2957410'] Becoming progressively more amused at the number of people advocating various forms of physical aggression or bodily intrusion, despite having been told that the drummer in question was a PT Instructor in the armed forces. We seem to have some very serious keyboard warriors here ... [/quote] And there was me thinking I was being lighthearted rather than serious. Guess I'm not sufficiently adept with emoticons.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1453201229' post='2957269'] Next time bring a cucumber and a pot of vasaline to the studio, tell him the next damage he causes to your bass is punishable with cucumber....... [/quote] This.....but for vaseline substitute 'sandpaper'

[quote name='Roger2611' timestamp='1452021962' post='2945667'] the other side of this is auditioning for the wrong band, I applied to join an originals rock band, I learnt all the songs they sent me, turned up to the audition...they were impressed with both my bass and amps, were impressed with how quickly I had picked up basslines to the songs....at the end of the audition we were packing up and chatting, they asked what music I liked and I asked what they liked.....they liked Guns and Roses only, I said they were alright but not my favourite band...so I headed off home I got a phone call the following evening telling me how impressed they were with my audition but unfortunately I didn't get the gig because I didn't like Guns and Roses enough.....I wouldn't have minded but they didn't sound like GnR in the slightest...and if they had I wouldn't have bothered auditioning for them. The shame was I quite liked their songs I got a call from the singer a couple of weeks later to see if I would be prepared to stand in for some weekend gigs as they guy they went with worked 3 out of 4 weekends a month! [/quote] This reminds me of one I 'did' a few years back. I don't normally do auditions (I normally go word of mouth, jamnight route etc) but I was at a loose end and applied for a band that advertised itself as a MOD band on Join my Band or somesuch. All seem well, a set list and keys came through on email and a slot at the local studios for the following week. The songs were all Jam, Weller, Who type standards and we agreed on 5/6 numbers for the audition. Alarm bells rung slightly when the contact (I think he was the guitard) said that they'd auditioned lots of bassists but none had nailed Broken Stones to the satisfaction of the drummer and if it wasn't perfect then deselection was guranteed. Having been informed of this I learn't a number of live and the original album version of the track. The following week I was working away on the day of the audition, so in prep I put my little MarKBass and Status streamline in the car along with a T shirt and Jeans (as I was on plant all day in steelplant gear) change of clothes. I turned up on time at the audition to find the guitard, drummist and singer decked out like a scene from Quadraphenia.....all pointy shoes and 'Pretty Green' type clothing catalogue. The equipment also lived up to the image, Ludwig kit, 60s vitage guitar/amp etc. Unfazed, this is an audition not an 'image contest' I told myself we launched into the set list. No problems with the numbers except we kept stopping as 'the singer's new and still learning the words' but we got through it. We then got to the 'Broken Stones' and off I go with the album version.....'no, no' cries the drummer it doesn't go like that. Out comes my iPhone with the versions I had downloaded and after a little discussion we agrees on one of the live versions. Anyway, eventually the set was completed and it was time for 'ta ta's' and off into the evening I went thinking it was all a bit odd but c'est la vie. Next day I got the curt 'sorry man you didn't have the 'style' we're looking for' text. I put it down to experience.

Used to have a PA amp with a thermal trip.....used to take a good 24 hours before it would deactivate. Never had this issue (touch wood) with my LM3.....hope it's sorted for you.

Very nice Ric by the way. Love the White with the reverse binding.

Had a pretty similar problem with my Status Dan, the old Duracells were on their way out so I put in some brand new M&S (yes I know....) alkalines. Sounded very low output (for an 18V circuit) and a bit distorted. Removed and refitted etc but no better....in the end, I don't know why but I check the height of the battery. Turned out the M&S were a good 1mm smaller than the Duracells and I wasn't getting a good contact. That taught me.

[quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1448920899' post='2919283'] I think Blue has mentioned before that he plays bass for a living. I dont think there was any malice intended in his question. Anyhow, I am quite happy to gig once a month. That is enough for me. Music is a hobby, I have a good job and lovely wife and home, and sometimes I prefer to stay in and enjoy them. [/quote] This is an important factor, if I didn't have a day job then I'd be happy to gig 3-4 times week so long as it brought in sufficient cash. As it is, with work commitments (and an aging body) I limit gigging days to Fridays/Saturdays but don't care if they pay well or not.

[quote name='cameltoe' timestamp='1441230247' post='2857191'] The idea of a custom build for the price is the attraction I think, but I have questioned like DarkHeart (and asked, actually) how come so many are coming back onto the marketplace, often very quickly, after such glowing feedback. I do believe from the reviews I've read and the pictures I've seen that the basses are fantastic and being the owner of a Roadworn P, I know how good these fender instruments can feel when they are 'worn-in'. Needless to say though they are 'parts' basses so options are limited- if Mark could have supplied me with vintage correct 7.25" fretboard radius and my preferred nut width I may have been tempted. As it is, I'm paying several hundred pounds more to have the exact spec I want from Bravewood, where the bass will be built entirely from scratch and local to me. [/quote] Think you answer a lot of the questions here C, if I'd had £1500 I might have gone for a Bravewood but it was more than I wanted to pay for a fashion statement/foray into relics. As it is the bass has surprised me, and a few bassist friends regarding it's playability and sound. The stock parts suit me fine so paying a lot more for more period correct stuff like the fretboard radius would have been wasted on me (my current basses are all over the place on radius/width so it doesn't really bother me). On the Numbers coming into the market place I can only think it's the normal 'emperor's new clothes' jobbie, and People buying on a whim and repenting at leisure.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1439750145' post='2845478'] I bought my Limelight last July. Mark was fantastic with his service, communication and the execution of the instrument is top notch. It's done lots of gigs with me since, always gets loads of excellent comments from punters about its looks and sound and it plays better than any Fender I've ever had my hands on. I do seem to be in the rare few who haven't sold it on yet. I do not intend to willingly sell mine anytime soon! [/quote] Still got mine too Skej. Is it too reliced for my taste...a bit. Did I have a problem with the saddles, yes, but easily sorted. Why do I still have it....because it's the best sounding jazz I've ever had, and ive had a few. I'm not one for trends, (don't mention Sue Ryder though) and only got it because I couldn't find a fender RW at the time but so far I'm happy with the choice. Will I sell it...at some point I may because I'm never satisfied.

Like Lozz I tend to lay off the filters and pretty much find no issues with volume at the gain/master settings you describe in a loudish rock setup when running into two 12" cabs. Having said that, when needed I've never had a problem pushing the knobs clockwise without clipping.

I think I've got to the stage where I go quality rather than quantity of gigs. I don't care if the place is a palace or a dive, if it has a good vibe I'm happy to play it. If it's on the rough side then the Limelight J gets used though, I don't think a few more dents would harm its appearance. If I was doing this for the money then I'm sure my attitude would be different though....

I can understand how you feel Z. I had a MM SR5 F'less a few years back that had had a nut replacement and due to the brittleness of Pau Ferro, a lump had come out between nut and first. Not pretty but once it had been filled it never gave me a problem. If the aesthetics are of concern, then on a great bass like the Streamer it would be worth getting it sorted. You could go the whole hog and had an epoxy job like a Pedulla!

Not sure on my terminology with respect to 'checking'. If you mean the sort of 'thermal shock' induced laquer cracking then my Limelight doesn't have it. The paint ion my heavy relic more sort of thin nitro satin, no thickish gloss top coat to check.

Another 4 string Streamline owner here. With the possible exception of a Streamline 5 I can't think of anything that would ever replace it. Superb bass.