absolutpepper

I just picked up a preowned but mint Sterling by Musicman 35 and i'm getting quite excited by its arrival. I've been looking for a MM 'Ray (4 string) for ages but when I saw the price of this I figured what the heck. I've not played 5 string in years but im looking forward to 're-learning' and going by what i've read about these it should be a pretty great bass for the cash. Anyone have one? Any thoughts, mods, etc? It arrives tomorrow but i'm going to a gig so I wont be able to report back for a couple of days. I'll bow to your superior knowledge and welcome any comments with open enthusiasm!

Cheeky - the gig's tomorrow night bump.

[quote name='BarnacleBob' post='861716' date='Jun 9 2010, 01:15 AM']Apologies if this has been covered in another thread but, as it says on the tin, what are BC'ers experience of the 30 -31" scale. I remember as t'lad hankering after a Fender Musicmaster in the mid 70's cos the only 'real' bass player i knew had one - though he never let me anywhere near it. They don't seem to be any more abundant now, as then, though. The two that spring to mind are the Fender Bronco and at the other end of the (short)scale the Alembic SC. Also the Gibson EB series were short scale I think. What difference do those precious 3 and 1/4 inches and more make (please keep the Kn*b jokes for the recipe thread)? BB[/quote] Hey The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexiglass bass was/is also 30" scale. I have one and its a great bass to play. My experience with short scales is that you sacrifice a little variation in tone (the lower tension seems to impact the string vibration) but gain a lot in playability - the basses i've tried are passive so perhaps an active with an onboard EQ would be different. The neck on the Dan Armstrong is immense, 2 octaves over 30" and its lightening fast as a result. The pickup is really hot - kinda like a mudbucker from an EB0 and as a result it has this massive, warm, woolly tone. Very vintage but very cool. I wouldn't recommend a short scale to someone who wants it as their main bass but short scales are way above their reputation as being oddities and curios. They are generally great (well the musicmasters, EB-0s, Ampegs, etc are anyways) and should stand on their own as a genuine alternative for a player who is looking for a short, comfortable, fast neck with loads of playability; they just might not offer the tonal variation of their bigger brethren.

Hi all De Soto Firefly will be exploding all over the stage at King Tut's this Thursday night (10th June). Also playing will be two great rock/metal bands: LA's Holy Grail and London's Rise to Remain as part of the Road to Download Festival tour, and both have LPs due to be released nationally very shortly - should be a great night. The Firefly will probably be on at about 9pm and, as always, we'd appreciate your support. Tickets are £7 at Tut's on the night or £4 in advance (just PM me and we'll keep one safe for you). Hope to see as many of you there as possible. Cheers Chris www.desotofirefly.com www.myspace.com/desotofirefly

[quote name='barneyg42' post='852452' date='May 31 2010, 11:18 AM'][url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300431076444"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300431076444[/url] Just a quick plug for my guitarists Musicman. Plays well and I have to say he is a stand up chap so well recommended! Not long to run so get in quick, he on the southern part of the M25 if you want to view or collect. Uk only. Cheers Colin[/quote] Its a nice bass. I was really interested and wouldve went higher than the sale price but I never received a response to my email to see if he'd consider posting. Ah well.

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='846113' date='May 23 2010, 10:33 PM']I have a feeling it's such a generous offer a lot of people are leaving it for someone who really needs it.[/quote] Agreed. This should go to a good home. A great offer right here. Top stuff.

There's been a spate of 4000s on the bay recently. Here's another! [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-Bass-Vintage-4000-Series-/130391187503?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item1e5beba02f"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rickenbacker-Bass-Vi...=item1e5beba02f[/url] I dont really know anything about this particular model so would be interested to hear people's thoughts. 2d3h to go and its £165, maybe someone on the board will get a bargain.

In an effort to fund a much craved MM Stingray I have popped my Ampeg Plexibass on ebay. Here's the linky...I know I'll regret it in the future but i'm on a Dream Theater trip right now and it's all about the 'Rays (forget the Bongo ) [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2009-Dan-Armstrong-Ampeg-Plexiglass-Bass-Mint-/110531014310?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item19bc296ea6"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2009-Dan-Armstrong-A...=item19bc296ea6[/url] Cheers Chris

[quote name='hagguy' post='822620' date='Apr 29 2010, 01:37 AM']thanks for all the advice well armed t get a good rick now cheers ian[/quote] FWIW Ric's are most definetly worth the prices they command. Whether you get on with one or not is another issue entirely. In general there are fewer complaints about Ric quality in comparison to other builders such as Gibson, Fender and MM and this is one of the reasons why the brand has become synonymous with its high standards of production. A lot of the complaints levelled at them are to do with the unforgivingly large baseball bat type neck and for the bound body which can be a little uncomfortable...for me its part of the quirks of the instrument and the pro's far outweigh the con's. Keep an eye on the second hand market, you would be able to pick up at 4003 for not much more than a grand. Its worth saving the extra.

[quote name='fatback' post='819464' date='Apr 26 2010, 02:56 PM']I tried a jazz V in a shop the other day and had the same surprise as you. I also tried an OLP fiver and it was much narrower and more comfortable. Interestingly, I found the string spacing was fine for me, when i expected it to be too tight. Skint or I would have bought it. Worth thinking OLP I would say, if you can find one.[/quote] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85513"]http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=85513[/url] Alternatively you could keep your eye out for the OLP Tony Levin 5 which is cool.

[quote name='Grand Wazoo' post='817791' date='Apr 25 2010, 04:09 AM']Ok here is a free BASS CENTRE Comfort strap foam padded and nylon cordura construction, the first pm received gets the free strap, the reason I am giving it away, is I myself got it free with an amp I've bought mail order from the bass centre in London and they threw it in free in the deal. These come in 2 sizes - short and long, this one happens to be the long one, and you can't really shorten it a lot so... it's up for grabs, all you pay is postage (about a fiver for a large padded envelope). Good luck![/quote] A true gent!

This thread has made me feel a good bit better about my own personal sickness!

[quote name='daveybass' post='817289' date='Apr 24 2010, 04:17 PM']well I've just had a couple of e-mails and it looks like it could be the case whereby the guy on gumtree is using the ebay sellers photo's. All should become clear in the next week Thanks for the help, and if not Glasgow here we come !!! Dave[/quote] Photo's and discription I think. It all seems totally strange. Time to bring the hammer down!