dave_bass5

Lovely basses, congrats to the OP. Ive had two, one from each generation, and both have been the best Jazz basses ive every owned. If im honest i think the first gen i had (with upgraded BAII) had a bit more growl, and the second was a bit thicker sounding. Both put my Lakland DJ5 to shame as far as i was concerned. I wish they made a 5 string version.

I too would imagine that but I'd like official confirmation. Thanks anyway.

Anyone know what the string spacing on these are at the bridge? Seriously thinking about getting one (version 2 only) but not sure I'll have the time to try one locally. Any other comments about these basses are most welcome. Cheers.

[quote name='flippyfloop' timestamp='1410985001' post='2555384'] Didn't like the Fusion as well. Great amps but not for me. I like the neutral or 'bland' voicing that you get with MB heads. I'd rather have a clean slate that I can add too than a coloration I'm trying to remove. Although MB heads do sound different from each other. LM does not sound like the F1 / F500 heads. [/quote] I must admit i was in the same boat a few years ago. After using a SA450 and LMII for a long time i wanted something different. I went for a GK1001RB-II and didn't really get on with it. a few years later i brought a Streamliner 600 as i was still finding MB a bit bland. Again, i got rid of it and ended up with a MB F1. Ive been using it ever since but still feel i can do a bit better tone wise. I almost got another GK head a few months ago (in fact i did, but sent it back without even plugging it in). For the past few years ive always used a BDDI in front of the F1, just to liven things up a bit, but still i wasn't 100% happy. Im now using a Darkglass VMT in front of the head and things have got a lot better. More character and warmth being to two main additions. Im not slagging MB off (ive been using them for almost 10 years), but i do find them boring and a bit lifeless without a bit of help. I'd love a F500 but yes, these have been discontinued as well as most of the old "classic" line up.

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1411666139' post='2561748'] "Text message with 5 songs" suggest they have not lost the number. Mobile phones aint like bits of paper that get 'blow out odf the car window' [size=4] [/size][size=4] are they?[/size] [size=4]Wade in with insults.... ???[/size] [size=4]Nah, just experience talking mate, Parr for the course - being involved with bands will break your heart if you let it.[/size] [/quote] Text message with 5 songs means someone had a phone with the OP's number in it at the time ;-). Just playing devils advocate really. I'm sure everyone of us has been let down by someone in our life, its all part of life. Busses that don't turn up on time, mates who forget to call you etc. I'm sure we don't turn our backs on a mate if they forget to call or do something. I sometimes take ages to do things I sometimes promise, but I assure you I'm not a waste of space or a nutter etc. Of course, it might well have been done on purpose, who knows until the OP gets to the bottom of it. Who knows if the rest of that band are even aware of what's gone down. We just don't know.

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1411663109' post='2561708'] +1. Going from the details below ( assuming you believe the OP) there are few other conclusions to come to, other than the whole band suddenly lost the ability to send a text. Even if there is/was a genuine excuse, the OP should have been notified. [/quote] Ah sorry, i missed the bit about all the band members having his number. I assumed, from past experience, that it might have been just one band member being the contact and arranging the get together. I dont disagree at all about how the OP has been treated, its not something i would like to happen to me, nor would I do it to others if i can help it, but there could be something more than just being pissed around because are very nasty people etc My comments are aimed at the "shoot em first, ask questions later" comments.

Whats embarrassing about it? You never had to use the phone to chase someone up? Ever heard of someone loosing a phone number, getting taken to hospital unexpectedly etc. Im not suggesting this is the case, but why wade in with the insults until you know the full story. Seems to be the norm around here these days. They may well be time wasters, but you dont know that for sure, not yet.

[quote name='BILL POSTERS' timestamp='1411659054' post='2561660'] [size=4]Looks like a lucky escape to me.[/size] f*** em. Just move on, they don't want you enough. There's another band round the corner that does though. [/quote] Classic. Without knowing all the details we have now written them off completely.

I sold off my Fenders and Lakland's a few years ago. These days my only basses are Squiers and ive yet to miss the more costly basses i had. Admittedly this was a cost cutting move at the start, but ive probably done over 200 gigs with a Squier CVP or Jazz, and a Squier VM PJ, and other than a 5 string i cant see any bass that i would need to purchase in the future to make me sound, play or feel better (although lottery funding would change this i expect Not too sure about the "punters wont know or care" comments. I would assume these are more aimed at non instrument playing punters, as ive had loads of guitarists and bass players come up to me after gigs and get chatting about gear.

I would also think it would be more self satisfying being able to take a song and add your own take on it, rather than just copy the original. This could help keep things fresh and interesting.

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1411238419' post='2557842'] Caveat, I am drunk. Generally people are good at what they are good at, if they have taken on something else as a compromise then the result is in general; compromised. [/quote] Probably best to read the first post then. Sounds like your got the wrong end of the stick. (Caveat, I'm doing my hardest to get drunk :-).

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1411237311' post='2557829'] RUN!!!! [/quote] Why?

In that case dad, we both agree. Sorry if I read your post wrong. As far as the songs sound different, well it didn't do Mark Ronson any harm. I'd love to be in a band that purposely changed all the songs. Of course if it's just that they struggle to play them as they really want to, then this could work against anyone trying to get up to speed with playing. I'm in that situation and have been for 10 years. I stick with it as it works for me but if I didn't have past experience and other work to fall back on id find it very, very depressing and probably give up playing.

I dissageree with Dad (if I'm reading his post correctly). We see a lot of threads about bass players being messed about by bands, now it seems it's being suggested you keep quiet for now and activley look elsewhere until ready to let them down (my words but that's the impression im getting). If it's not for you why not be honest with them? You don't have to leave immediately, but I think it's fair to let them know you will at some point. Give them the opertunity to decided along with you. It sounds to me like they aren't going to change for you, so if you feel they aren't the right band for you please don't go messing them around.

I've just spent a week in southwales on a well known holiday camp site with the family and totally agree about the "entertainment" side. We popped our head in on the first evening and never went back. I must admit I do enjoy playing these places, but we always make a joke about never wanting to be on the other side. Having experienced this other side a few times over the years I can totally see why these club houses are getting less popular, even with the holiday makers. Eveytime we play we get comments about how refreshing it is to hear real live music. This also goes for social clubs though.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1408297422' post='2528762'] Even as a die hard ebmm fan I would have to say the Lakland Skylines are more of a match to a usa ray than you are giving them credit for, the proper Laklands being a step up from a proper ebmm imo. [/quote] I'm not doubting the skylines. I'm just saying that they cost more than the SBMM yet seem to come out oft he same factory. I realise this doesn't mean they are made the same way, but even so, they Coe out of a factory that has a good reputation for craftsmanship (if nothing else).

I know we have had this discussion few times but I still think the SBMM Ray's stand up in their own right. I believe (could be wrong though) that they still come out of the same Cort factory that many other brands, including Lakland Skylines come from. The price does seem to have crept up since I got mine a few years ago, but they are still cheaper than the Skylines, and this is with active EQ on all models. I've also read over the years that not all SR's are built equally, and some complaints have been pretty bad, mainly about the necks. Saying all that, I feel it's time I sampled the real thing. I've seen a nice CAR/maple one in guitar guitar. Just need to find the cash.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1408273007' post='2528451'] You could get a Stingray SLO special (regular US Stingray with narrow neck like the Sterling). Even rarer though! [/quote] That's the problem i had. Both these are Sterlings are quite rare on the secondhand market, especially if you want a certain colour.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1408269377' post='2528414'] The one in the pick is not a CA, I can see the arm contour and the 4 knobs? Or am I missing something? [/quote] I was going to say that as well. The CA is adversitied as having 2 band EQ, where this clearly has 3 like the original model. There were a few special runs for certain American chains I believe, but as far as I've read it was only colour combinations that were unique.

Not sure I understand your logic. You have the tone you are looking for, for less than you would have paid for the three previous USA basses, yet you are worried about its resale value?

Oh I get the price comparison bit, totally, but the fact is this thread is/was about the basses with the smaller necks, not the standandard ones.

I used to have a first gen Ray34 a few years ago and thought it was a really nice bass. I'd never played a real SR before so couldn't say how close it was ot the real thing, but as a bass in its own right i could find no fault with it (especially after putting a Norstrand in it) I do still hanker after a Ray34CA though, mainly for the neck. Although liked the Ray34 neck i prefer more jazz width necks. Im a bit confused with the posts that say these are only a couple of £100 cheaper than a real SR. Considering the CA has more of a Sterling neck, and has matching headstock its not the same thing at all (nor the same as a SUB)

I know these basses are very,very well respected but the worst neck I've ever seen was a Sandberg Cali bass. Most of the upper frets had gaps under them. The shop said it had a twisted neck that was causing this. I wouldn't let it put me off getting one but it left a bad first impression.

Must admit im not a huge fan of inlays on a maple fretboard, but i dont mind them as much as a bloody pink bass :-) The tint on the neck looks darker to my eyes, i like that.