Chiliwailer

What the heck, just bought these...

Yeah, like others I’ve found TI’s are great on one bass but bomb on others. I’m pretty sure I once tried TI’s on a previous Ray and didn’t like them, not sure. Same with Cobalts, which I loved on Fenders but didn’t like on my old MM Sabre. Im learning towards trying low tension LaBella or TI again, but have discovered that the Chromes I have when used with the mutes sound great, so I’ll let the Chromes bed in for now.

Thanks for all the responses, good stuff. EB Group - definitely a front runner, but I’m concerned that if my memory is correct, they are familiar to Chromes? Is the tension similar to Chromes? Any thoughts? TI’s - I’ve had them before on my P and J’s, great strings but I just prefer Chromes these days. I’d love to try them on the Ray, but it’s a gamble. LaBella tapewounds - never tried them but would love to. Urgh, risky again though! EB Cobalts - awesome strings, I’m a big fan and have a set under the bed. For the Ray I’d like something less bright but might give them a try again this weekend after reading the thread. Roto’s - used them years back on a P, but not what I after for the Ray, Looks like I’ll be taking a risk soon with Group or TI’s, LaBella too if I really go for it. I’ll give the Chromes a week or two to settle in first and keep my eye on the BC classifieds.

...and why? I'd appreciate your thoughts please. I have Chromes on mine. I like Chromes on my Fenders, but on the Ray I think the high mids may too strong for me (would be interesting to see how they break in over time though). LaBella's rarely seem to suit me, so maybe TI's, GHS, EB Group...? But at £40-ish a set I'm stuck to decide what to try next. Cheers!

Do you find much difference between your two? 8.8lbs is a lovely weight for one. Mine came from Bass Direct stock, I'm wondering if they are still available too. I left it late to get one so will be counting my lucky stars if they are not.

Sure was a long burning itch too. Old Smoothie and Young Growler...

Well Warren, you never bought yours over so I was finally able to justify one by buying a 40th anniversary bass for my 40th birthday Stating the obvious - it's a completely different animal to my 3 Band Stingray, yet undoubtedly a Stingray. I put some Chromes on it, just need them to wear in now. I've noticed the mint and butterscotch versions don't have the 40th decal. I wonder if they are close to stopping production of the chocolate sunburst version?

I sold some pickups to @nord1 After some email chatting it's clear he's a really nice guy - so it was a smooth and friendly interaction.

I worked in guitar retail from 1993 - 2009, back then the potential mark up for new gear was: 55% if you sold it at full price. 30-35% was about average after discount 20% was your typical bottom line in order to "make it worth opening the shop". So one reason for the 15%-20% commission is that if someone wants to buy a new Fender P and you can make 30%, you'd be silly to sell the second hand one at just 10%. That's just one example, I'm aware there are other factors such as bird in the hand etc.

Lovely gesture. Im pretty sure Apple do student discounts, so might be worth taking that route. That’s about as far as I can help!

I had the pleasure of buying some pickups from Jonny, would definitely do so again. Cheers pal.

I get what you mean by that. I for one can’t fault my Ray, and I like that it’s the tried and tested classic. So because I own a nice Ray I wouldn’t go out to replace it. I wonder what people without a Ray, but buying one, would decide if they got to try both? If the new ones are as good as the potential then I reckon that in and ideal world me, and others, would love both.

The more I see of them, the more I’m prepared to be very impressed. Can’t wait to read your posts in July!

I imagine that’d be after you’ve pre ordered one and got it out of the case?

Cheers Lozz for an easy going sale.

Just got the email through from EB, not out til July in the States. Very keen to check one out. http://blog.music-man.com/news/ernie-ball-music-man-2018-product-announcement-namm-kick-off/?utm_source=musicmanblog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nammmusicmankickoff

Woah, I wasn’t expecting to see those pickups!!! ^ lets hope you’re right Chris!

No, I’m not deliberately misunderstanding you. I just re-read your first post, and it all still stands.

@Dan Dare Many young people are into Little Mix and all that comes with it, so why should a deaf person not be able to enjoy the experience of seeing them, seeing the show, being part of the crowd etc. It's the difference between saying "I was there, I loved it" or not. I'm sure you'd agree that anyone should be able to enjoy an experience, regardless of how you think music should be enjoyed, or whatever disability they have. @NancyJohnson Loads of deaf people go to gigs. Many blind people / vision impaired enjoy films too using audio descriptions, so they can either go with mates or enjoy the experience and sound, Odeon do it. For some people being disabled means that they are generally less engaged as they have less opportunities than non-disabled people, so enjoying a film that way, or going to a gig, is no less a meaningful experience that it is for those who are non-disabled - it's just different. The medical disability model says that the disability itself disables people, the social model says that restricted access is what really disables people - as do people's lack of empathy. It's sad that some people just don't get it, but then that's why disability campaigners have to fight so hard.

Bless IKEA, when we ‘designed’ 2 large sliding wardrobes I made a space for bass cases and gear, best thing I ever did bass storage wise.

You’re stuck at 9? Only one away from a nice round number there, surely that’s all the justification you need?

That’ll give me 8 basses in total... so better make it 6, to make it10...