dave_bass5

[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.

[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1406975036' post='2516344'] +1 - almost caved a couple of years ago on the '60s P except I didn't like the "fiesta red" ( = pink) finish. That black one with the block inlays...I probably shouldn't be allowed in the same shop as one of them! [/quote] My thoughts exactly. I love my CV's but hate the look of the P. I even got a VM for its looks over playability (as it now has my CV Jazz neck on it). Guess money will be laving ym credit card very shortly :-(

The last three P pups in my Squier CVP have been Wizard Thumper, Fender 62 Original and Fralin. All sounded good and all seemed to be in the same ball park. Considering the Fralin costs almost twice what the Fender costs i m not sure these boutique pups are always worth it. There are differences between most pups but i think a lot of it is so minimal that its not worth paying too much unless you really have to.

I got one of the standard Deluxe models last month. Sonically its all that its cracked up to be, but i really feel it looks cheap and, dare i say, not worth the money. I appreciate these things are not made in bulk, but to me it looks like the parts were brought at Maplins. I do think the special edition is going to look better, and wish i had waited now. I suppose thats the price you pay for boutique effects. I dont regret getting it though, its really been an eye opener to me. Best pedal of this type i have ever owned.

The beta sounds interesting but I'll wait for the final release ;-).

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1406123656' post='2508542'] That statement could be taken in a number of ways... [/quote] Not really, at least not to those that know me ;-) [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1406123656' post='2508542']Thanks very much for the offer... are you not constantly using yours, though? Where are you?[/quote] Well, the plan is when the new amp arrives (again) ill not need it, so i dont plan on using it for at least a few gigs. Ill probably use it next on the 1st -2nd Aug and then hopefully not for a while (or ever). Im in central London but can post it to you. Si. My DG is a Vintage Tubes Deluxe. I didn't want to get a fuzz box as such, just something to warm my Markbass amp up, and this it does really well. It can do proper fuzz/OD but its not as wild as the BK's apparently. Its really added something to my tone, without sounding obviously like a OD effect. The Era knob really makes a difference, and i just love how this works with the levels knobs. Its very easy to get different tones out of this box without the overall level changing. I can go from clean to really dirty without any real volume increase. I could never do this with my BDDI.