Musicman20

Current price is WAY too high...

[quote name='mr zed' timestamp='1481712326' post='3194415'] The 25th Anniversary/Reflex HSS has the rear humbucker closer to the bridge than the sweet-spot. [/quote] Correct - I forgot about that bass.

[quote name='HazBeen' timestamp='1481713021' post='3194420'] The HH/HS versions do not have the rear pickup in the same "sweet spot" location and whilst they sound good, to me they don't sound quite like a Stingray. Same with Fender PJ models, P pickup is lightly moved forward making them a little darker. The HS I had sounded a little more tinny on back pickup, it never sounded as good as my good old 4 string H. [/quote] Sorry, this is incorrect. The Sterling/Stingray/Reflex HH and HS in 4 and 5 string have the traditional H in exactly the same spot. It is only the Bongo HH and HS that is different, (and as noted about, the 25th Anniversary HSS/Reflex HSS).

As far as I know, apart from the double pickup Bongo and 25th/Reflex HSS (not the H or HH), ALL Musicman basses in 4 and 5 string (and 6 if you include the Bongo H) that have a humbucker at the rear near the bridge have the classic Musicman humbucker in the Musicman sweetspot. That includes the single pickup Bongo. The only one I cannot be 100% certain on is the Sabre but I'm sure it has the same position. Obviously anything like the Big Al SSS 4 and 5 string don't have the usual humbucker, so it does not apply.

If I had to start again, I honestly don't know what I'd do as the market has a bewildering amount of options. I know others may disagree, but personally if I was playing fairly aggressive / fast music (especially like I was back when I played more punk a few years back) I'd want a cabinet that does have an adjustable tweeter of some sort. Purely because I personally like the ability to dial in clean grind and treble sheen....and I turn it right down or off for more fuzzy/driven tones. You could 'probably' replace that cabinet setup with a high end lightweight 2x12 and be done. Then power it with a decent amp. There are cabs from Barefaced, Bergantino and Genzler. E.g. http://www.genzleramplification.com/product/MG-212T/MAGELLAN-212T.html?cid=17 The new Peavey Lightweight bass amps are meant to be great. Lot's of options for lightweight amps, like Aguilar, TC, Markbass, Darkglass, Genzler (and second hand Genz Benz amps)....the list goes on. I would probably not recommend the LM3...because for the money they charge for a fairly 'old' design, you may as well opt for a new design with greater headroom (you might need it if you play fairly loud and get a very high end cabinet).

6 months! Wow....it's also crazy to see the Sterling H at GAK (with upgraded natural finish) for so much cheaper due to the obvious....

I don't have a Sterling 4, but I have played a few, and I've played a Big Al 4 which has the same neck. I still think the Sterling neck is less 'crampy' than a Jazz neck. It's very fast and smooth without being too much like a Jazz. I don't mind Jazz necks at all, but I tend to find really skinny Jazz necks cramp my hands and I do not have big hands! The annoying thing is, the market is there, people want the instruments, yet stock isn't really available. Musicman must be hitting it out the park as it used to be 3 month wait (and it was like this since the late 90s when I ordered my first one) which moved to about 4 months a few years back. 5-6 months....and they've slimmed down options and colours...so they must be VERY busy. I imagine it is more the guitar side as they have some fantastic new high quality guitars out. I have a Sterling 5 HS...it is pretty light, different tone to the Stingray....more aggressive...very 'fast' response, which is no doubt the ceramic magnet pickup and more cutting part of the hi mids? Not sure. Stingray 5/ Sterling 5 have the same neck....all will vary a little (only a tiny bit) but the 5 string neck is great.

Despite the obvious advantages with CDs and digital files, I still don't listen to music 'properly' since the age of mp3s becoming a popular format. Now, I buy vinyl for the enjoyment of owning it, supporting the bands, getting a digital download code anyway, and the listening, properly, all the way through the album. It may well be a hipster topic of conversation, but then again, so are many things nowadays. One advantage is that the bands are now earning money again from selling music.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1481536289' post='3192944'] The thing is regardless of wether some folk on here wouldn't touch a fender they do still have a desirability factor of that F logo, the resale on custom basses is terrible too unless you wait forty years, A GB Spitfire would be a better bass than most if not all Fenders but it will also loose a lot of value, used ones on this site are around £1300-1500, half it's new value, I've seen Shukers for £500. Then there's the wait for a custom build. [/quote] True. Value of Shuker/OW second hand is pretty low....shame.

From the early reviews, the Strat is meant to be a very nice playing guitar. I would opt for a Jazzmaster or Jaguar but they have simplified the electronics wayyyy too much. The basses seem like an afterthought. I think they should have brought back a 51 style P bass as well and had it as a normal USA model.

I don't think that is a blem or an issue. I like it! It's just part of the wood. Everyone probably knows I'm picky..but at almost £2000 you have to be happy. If you think there are other issues, don't keep it. You could ask for a part refund...they might send you 10% back... The problem is, prices are rising but quality isn't. £2000? I would ask Overwater or Shuker to make you one. I wouldn't have said that years ago because Fender basses of this type weren't in this price bracket, but now they are...unfortunately. If the bass has really good overall tone, build, weight, finish, etc, then it is a keeper. If you have found other issues, it'll keep bothering you. I bought an American Vintage Jaguar guitar when they blew out a limited run that Fender Europe must have had a lot of stock of. It was crazy cheap. It is very delicate nitro. It arrived with some nitro 'wear' from just being in it's case for a while...the store gave me a part refund and I'm happy. I didn't let it bother me because it was so cheap and it's nitro....things like this all depend on the circs.

Had a google: 700Watt/ 4Ohm, ClassA Eingangsstufe, 4-band EQ schaltbar, Drive Section, Effektweg, AUX Eingang, Tuner Out, Tuner/Drive/FX per Fusschalter schaltbar, symm. DI Ausgang

Markbass used to always tempt me in, and to some extent, they still do. Now though, something isn't quite the same. It doesn't really matter whether the bits and pieces are put together in Indonesia, it is the fact they don't use the drivers they used to. Someone on Talkbass took a few photos inside of a fairly new cab, and not only was it heavier that the Italian one, it had a lower grade driver. I'd rather they didn't water it down and just charged a little more.

No idea why they dropped tort. Looks cheap with white on white.

Vinyl has been making a comeback for YEARS. It will not slip back under the radar for a long time. Reasons: 1. Collective appeal, 2. Supporting music and actually OWNING IT as well as getting the download code inside, 3. It does sound fantastic. A decent player/amp/speaker setup and you are away, 4. It makes you enjoy and listen to the whole thing, 5. Artwork/sleeve/different pressings, 6. Nostalgia. Look at places like Piccadilly records...they are always busy. I think it is a positive step. I like CDs, I like downloads, but I LOVE vinyl. FYI - Most records fall well below £25 after a while. Most of The Smiths albums are £12.99 or less, HMV sales have classic reissues of The Clash for £9.99, etc.... I recently bought the expanded double heavyweight vinyl releases of some Faith No More albums....£16 ish free delivery...Amazon. Amazon is a great place to keep an eye on prices.

What year is your Ray 5? I ask because some have ceramic pickups, some (the latest as well from 08-onwards) have the 'normal' alnico pickups. My view? My Classic Ray 5 is probably my favourite bass guitar of ALL time...and I've had around 30-40 basses in my collection come and go since I was 12/13. Note - I have never owned anywhere near that amount at once and never will. I have a lot of Musicman basses, but the Classic Ray 5 is just absolutely killer. The workmanship is superb, the figuring on the neck is stunning. The EQ seems to suit the low B very well. The bass just sounds EXACTLY how I want a bass to sound, and plays extremely fast. In terms of sound, mine is a maple board. The difference is that the Classic seems quite snappy, very cutting, aggressive, snarly, lots of punch....but obviously drop the treble, flats on the bass, it is very old school. The neck is a lovely glossy fast neck...not natural feeling like the normal Ray 5. The body has no contours. The mutes are a lot of fun.

[quote name='machinehead' timestamp='1481112847' post='3189756'] It'll be fine and people will pay it. I remember back when the updated US Standard range was released in 2008 and people were saying that £795 rrp was too much for them. This year people were paying £1200+ for the same thing. (And don't get me started on "custom shop" pickups on the post 2010 models that justified another price increase. What the hell is "custom" about winding a pickup ffs?) Frank. [/quote] I think the £795 was more than reasonable. Heck, I bought and sold around 5 until the changes in 2011, then I settled on an 09 P Bass which is absolutely killer, and an '11 J Bass which is definitely what I'd class as a good quality Jazz. I think the £1100-1200 asking price of the 12-16 models was also 'fairly' acceptable. It was obviously a fair jump from what the prices used to be, but at least the pickups were fab. Now...£1500 for a pretty much bog standard USA P bass? I mean, Olive Green is ok, but it isn't very exciting for that money. The bridge has been, from what I can see, changed so that it does not allow for string alignment. Makes zero sense. 'Tall/Narrow' frets. Do we want that?! Is that suitable on a bass? V-Mod pickups? They've change the bass side of the P pickup to alnico-2....is that a good thing? The bass itself sounds quite 'hi fi' to me for a P bass which is not what I would want out of a P. It could well be the amp/compression/post production... I don't know...it does not seem like an upgrade to me. I love buying gear and I have ZERO interest in the basses. In fact, I have zero interest in the guitar apart from the Jazzmaster and Jaguar, and even then I'm not entirely sold.

It took me a while to appreciate just HOW good Paul is. I love his playing, and I love the warm vintage tones from the Hofner basses. I've not heard many of his Wal tones.

[quote name='mattbass6' timestamp='1481103805' post='3189661'] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I've just seen this. The colour is quite cool but there are limited choices, colour wise and, I'm not sure why they are over £400 more expensive than the last US Standard. I was really excited about the Elite series 5 P bass but I feel the price may just put me off. Does any one know what the main differences are and why such a huge price difference? I see they have limited the Dimension range as well [/font][/color] [url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_am_pro_p_bass_v_mn_ato.htm"][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]http://www.thomann.de/gb/fender_am_pro_p_bass_v_mn_ato.htm[/font][/color][/url] [/quote] Crazy money. Crazy. You could pick one up for around £1050 if you shopped around a year back. I can imagine sales will drop. In no way is a Fender worth that money IMO. My Flea Roadworn Jazz is the best Jazz I've personally played and was around £820 new; I prefer it to my 2011 USA Standard (but that is going NOWHERE!).

I've got a lot of time for Ashdown, and I would definitely say their recent mini Class D amps are a good step for them. But, it seems they don't have much of a set product line. Things keep changing VERY quickly. The amount of R&D that went into the B Social....I mean...????!??!? How many bassists do you know who own one?

Thoughts? I actually think some of the features are a step back. Colours? Meh. The only good thing out of the entire line is the additional of the 6 string Jaguar and Jazzmaster, and even then they are crazy money.

I think if you intend to use it with guitar as well, it is probably a cool idea. I wouldn't recommend it just for bass though...

There are loads and loads of punk examples...some of the players above are actually VERY good players. Especially the Descendents bassist Karl Alvarez - check out their track written by Karl called 'Caught'.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1480513021' post='3184983'] I need some release dates of singles that aren't bumped by better known tracks, what you got? [/quote] 1996 - Good Riddance - Any songs of this album: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Comprehensive_Guide_to_Moderne_Rebellion 1995 - Lagwagon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoss_(album) 1998 - Mad Caddies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duck_and_Cover_(album) 1996 - Descendents - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everything_Sucks_(Descendents_album) 1997 - Screw 32 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Under_the_Influence_of_Bad_People

Yamaha Pacifica. The higher end Squier Strats are great but they are not cheap. The one thing I would say is that a cheaper guitar CAN (not always) be a bit of a fight to play, just like some basses. Setups can help but at the end of the day, it might be worth you saving an investing in something like a Classic Series Strat, or a Baja Telecaster.