martthebass

[quote name='KevB' timestamp='1375109323' post='2156780'] I don't go anywhere near my ric in this type of weather, it has the stickiest finish on the back of the neck of any of the basses I own. No problem with any of the Fenders, think they are all satin finishes. [/quote] Ditto...usually, played a gig with it last weekend, it was a nightmare. Superglue city!

Dave, the SD drop ins should give you a decent sonic improvement, you'll not get that value back should you choose to sell but that's not the point. I'm sure it'd do justice to some old JD choons, as you say Hooky didn't use a Rick so what the hay. The only reason I have a Rick is for the sound for the 80s band I'm in......if I didn't need THAT sound I wouldnt own one, the design has too many quirks for my liking.

[quote name='throwoff' timestamp='1375039246' post='2156071'] Mine has a paint crack running from the neck pocket out. Not from a drop or ding it just happened at some point. I have read several reviews on basses around the same age (07-11ish) with the exact same problem. [/quote] Not as uncommon as you'd think. I had a G&L L2500 do this overnight and a Fender J (though that one took a week or so) at the neck pocket. Purely cosmetic but you have the hassle of explaining that it's 'just in the paint' when you come to sell....

Stingray Fretless Rick 4003 Status Streamline Fender P Fender J Problem is, she who must be obeyed keeps my bass count down to 4 which is why I move stuff about a bit (i.e. My P bass may need to become a J at some point)

TBH I think it depends on how authentic you want it to sound compared to a Rick. IIRC from my JD tribute band days I loaded it with so much effect I could have been playing a violin bass. I can't get any of my other basses to sound like my 4003 - If I could I wouldn't have bought it! But having said that I would've thought for the JD stuff you should get pretty close with your Ray - I did. If the problem is that it doesn't look like a Rick....sorry can't help yer there.

I do this one and I've hit the big 5 - 0. Play it and be damned.

After reading back through a number of the comments I decided to have a couple of hours playing around with the LM3/Compact in a decent sized hall. Still not getting all that I'd like with the P bass but applying a mid scoop to the EQ brought this small rig to life with the Status which is a positive. Looks like I'll be keeping hold for a bit longer.........second chance and all that.

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1374584686' post='2150483'] That is very perceptive of you , because in my experience , the necks on both pre and post EB Stingrays are not that stable , probably because they are so slim and have no extra stiffening features . Maybe the reason EBMM have moved towards a fatter neck profile is to try and combat the tendency of these necks to shift with the slightest change in the weather . The oil finish doesn't help with that , either . Very sensitive to heat and humidity . [/quote] Yup 'Jane Hill's Stalker'. The gloss finished neck on my old 30th Anni didn't need adjusting in the 2 years that I had it. I think some of the oil finished are better than others though, I had a 2006 that was always changing shape.......the 2001 Fretless has been ok though no movement in 18 months.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1374575855' post='2150251'] The neck profiles are chalk and cheese. [/quote] I'm never sure how much of the profile is 'standardised' on EBBM or preeb. I regularly play (not mine) a preeb at a local Jamnight, the neck profile is chunky and not really to my tastes (doesn't feel far off a 57 precision RI in my girly hands). My 1990 Ray had a slimmer profile but still more substantial than a standard modern US P bass. I've had a few 2000's Rays, my current 2001 Fretless has a very slim neck and seems inbetween my old 1990 and a Sterling in terms of width at the nut.

[quote name='Mr. Foxen' timestamp='1374336152' post='2147776'] Where are the filter knobs set? [/quote] Just set at zero and add in a bit of upper mids/highs with the EQ.

Down to one Ray now, a 2001 fretless. It's got more Birdseye than the 1990 one I used to have and it is built flawlessly. The 2EQ suits the fretless perfectly. Would I change it for a preeb, no. Having said that I tend to agree with Pete, on fretted the preebs seem to have a bit more smooth punch? If I had the cash I'd have the one Nick's currently selling but I know that the audience would be hard pushed to tell the difference between it and a brand new 2EQ model....

Looking like a cab change at some point then......bugger, I find the BF ideal in terms of weight and size. I've thought about adding a midget that that sort of defeats the 'space' objective. Regarding the filters on the LM3, I've had a bit of a play but no real improvement. I tend to do 0 on the filters now and alter the EQ as suits. flat EQ is fine on the Ray and Rick and with a play the Streamline but I can't get a good sound with the P bass. Thanks for the advice guys.

Wondering what to do with my current set up. I'm finding that it can lack clarity and punch with some of my basses. This wasn't the case when I used a MB 115HR cab but a change of car resulted in the need to go to a smaller cab. Don't get me wrong I love the BF, it's loud for its size and sounds superb with my Rick and Ray but with the Status and particularly my Precision its lacking something. So, before I start making expensive changes to my Bass collection or Rig, any advice? A change of amp or cab would suit me better if that was necessary but what for?

Thanks for the comments Guys.....Rotos seem to suit the bass sound wise (though I've generally found them to go dull quickly on me in the past) so will likely try their 40 -100 SB66 first. Also interested in the TI's but would be a bit worried if they are as floppy as the infeld flats - think they'd fall of the fretboard, there isn't much room on a Rick as it is!

Currently running Rotos on my "cough" Rick. Looking for something lower tension. I'll be dropping down a gauge - preferably 40 - 100s. Any suggestions?

It's such a shame about the finish on Ricks. I swear that the finish on my Chinese made Squier is less cloudy and more minor defect free than any Rick that's been through my hands. If I could have made the Squier P sound like a Rick then.......

[quote name='KingBollock' timestamp='1373323241' post='2136301'] I wish I hadn't done that now, I'm a little disappointed... Having said that, I don't know what to be disappointed in, I don't know which is wrong, the callipers or the strings. [font=courier new,courier,monospace]The strings are: .105 .085 .070 .050[/font] [font=courier new,courier,monospace]And I got:[color=#fff0f5]......[/color] .103 .083 .067 .048[/font] The strings are D'Addario Chromes. I'd test other strings but they're the only ones I even know the make of , nevermind the gauge. [/quote] If you measured 'on the bass' won't they be elongated and therefore thinner?

Three bands but not nearly enough gigs.... Bronco - classic rock, old fart rock! The DooDahs - 60s and 70s Function Band Waiting for God - Eclectic mix of 80s stuff.

[quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1372869102' post='2130972'] the red one ( if it is red ) sounds like the one just stolen from a chap in yorkshire there is a post in the general discussions Love the ebony fretless, my fave combination, and very rare. if ever you sell the fretless let me know. is your one very powerfull with extended lows that would move a house ?? mine could be the ultimate reggae bass !! and also at the flick of a switch the tone from slap hell. [/quote] Yup pretty much the same as the stolen one FG except the one above is far less road worn!

[quote name='steve-bbb' timestamp='1372574514' post='2127233'] ok so after all the lovely shiney on this thread, here's a dull old dog # 844 is a veritable hussy of a bass - i believe it has seen even more basschatters than the infamous R*******CKER thread i just bought it from cosmo who i think got it from cocco and heaven knows how many other basschatters before - please feel free to divulge and i will record its dirty past on the inside of the control panel plate like a tramp stamp the original bridge will be going back on eventually once i get some black springs for it and set it up am so tempted to have it lacquered up at status with the transluscent metallic charcoal-black hi gloss [/quote] I think she'd appreciate some TLC Steve, and she'd look the dogs in a tranny black jobby!