MattM

And just snagged this beauty : [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/aeec9b36260a4f78be64491b7b946f87_zps2b677976.jpg[/IMG] Was a bit despondent at missing out on an L2 on this very forum recently through my own fault, however ths guy is within a couple of hundred serial numbers of my old XL2, so delighted

Maybe its just my technique, but I never found anchoring my thumb a problem. Normally play fingerstyle, and just used to rest on top of pickup, neck or bridge depending on tone required. Have have Ps and 'Rays in my time also, same deal, no biggy.

Having a blast with The Trooper by Iron Maiden. Not my genre at all, uncovered vIa an old Ed Friedland clip on YouTube where he attempts badly to play it during a bass demo, but really gives your finger style technique a work out. Three-fingered galloping....yaldy

My fretless squeeze...not an influence honest.... [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/7217576e.jpg[/IMG]

The L2 in question has been sold. I unfortunately snoozed and lost out... Not too many examples in that condition nowadays. Spare parts for Steinys are actually in better shape than ever thanks to Headless USA, Andy Y and the Steinberger Yahoo community, I wouldn't worry about that end too much tbh.

I'm an ex XL2 owner, and found when switching back to a conventional bass like a Ray, the top fret reach is definitely shorter. Not better or worse, just different and takes a bit of getting used to. It is more pronounced when standing as you can adjust position with flp leg rest fairly easily when seated. Changing mid-set between an XL2 and another bass would be tricky as above poster has said. Oh and they are awesome basses, I only sold mine owing to major job insecurity situation, and regret it pretty much every day. The sustain is unbelievable, think the Nigel Tuffnel Les Paul scene in Spinal Tap....

My previous fretted : [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/IMG_0660.jpg[/IMG] and my current squeeze... [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/Rayfront.jpg[/IMG] So, errrrr, cool then?

I kinda dont get on with Jazz necks so the VMJ was never an option. Was fortunate enough to be solvent enough to get a 'Ray fretless lined 3EQ, then swapped for an unlined 2EQ which came up only 30 minutes away on SC. Love, love, love it. 2EQ Ray just seems to work with fretless. You could go down the SUB route (£300ish) and defret I suppose. Would definitely recommend the lined then unlined route although you'd be surprised how much your muscles, ears and hands know anyways if you've been playing for a while, I was over 20 years on fretted before dipping my toe in the fretless waters. Now probably play more fretless TBH.

Buy one, preferably a 2EQ variant for £700ish or lower. You won't regret it, and should the worst happen, you can flip it with no financial pain. I tried one out as a teenager in 86, loved it, had no funds being a poor student. Years later via Westone, MIJ P, various Steinys in my headless phase, and penultimately a SUB, ended up with my dream 2EQ, an '88 stunner. Took a long journey but the wait was worthwhile. There is no finer, more versatile, better looking bass IMHO, it's my sound.

Started out on bass in my mid-teens, then moved onto guitar a coupla years later. I'm a barely adequate acoustic/rhythmn player (own a Tak and a Tele...) but the bass playings probably influenced my guitar style and vice versa. I'm at a level I'm happy with, have played in a few gigging and recording bands on both bass and guitar. Wouldn't say one's easier than the other, playing bass well is kinda like cooking a good steak. On the face of it (to non-musicians and guitards) it's a piece of piss, but its surprising how difficult it is to do the simple things well.

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1342210230' post='1731908'] Anyway - comment away - wonder when they're gonna do a Pino Palladino Ray signature!! [/quote] I'm jammy enough to own this : [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/7217576e.jpg[/IMG] Specked up by a Mr Lindsay of this parish. 2EQ, unlined, tobacco burst (newer 3 tone bursts a wee bit too dark to match Pinos),wheel of fortune, 6 bolt. Gorgeous. If you whacked through stringing, mutes and a flamed/birdseye neck on there, you'd be sorted. Mwah....

If you can get a decent Classic for £1100-1200 ish then they're a good shout if you want the nicer neck finish, mutes, through stringing etc. Check this one out: [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Ernie-Ball-MusicMan-StingRay-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/300737137777?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4605548c71"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Ernie-Ball-MusicMan-StingRay-4-String-Bass-Guitar-/300737137777?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item4605548c71[/url] Otherwise you could get a decent recent-ish 2EQ (minus mutes, through-string, figured neck) for £700-ish, late 80s are great value at around £900-ish. I was extremely jammy with my '88 owing to dodgy eBay photography, but has mutes, gorgeous neck and can't imagine a pre-EB or Classic sounding any better. You pays yer money, yadda yadda.... Oh aye, 4th vote for maxing the bass, treble on about an eighth or adjust to taste. THE definitive bass sound for me....

2EQ 'Ray is my weapon of choice, but my bass no-nos are: Wals : in '86 tried a Wal in Sound Control alongside a Ray. The Ray immediately sounded great, the Wal like a goose farting in the fog (to paraphrase a certain Mr Connolly), coun't get a decent sound despite immense fiddling, ewwww..... Jazz Bass - I'm 6' 3" with large hands - cannot get on with narrow necks, need a bit of chunk in the neck (which some guys don't, fair dos) Singlecuts - why? Coffee table customs - ditto? Precisions - like the neck, monodimensional sound and looks... Anything with more than three knobs on the front - 'good design is when something is as simple as it needs to be, but no simpler' Oddly enough wouldn't play a Ricky but quite like 'em visually, and original Steiny XL2 cricket bats are awesome sounding, despite the neck being too narrow.

I'm fortunate enough to also have an '88 four bolter, and would take it all day long over a 3 bolt pre, or a modern Classic. I was jammy enough to get it cheap as the result of a poorly photod eBay listing, however even at £800-1000 these are still a bargain. Some gratuitous porn below... [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/Rayfront.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/Rayhiresheadfront.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i896.photobucket.com/albums/ac162/MattM1314/RayHiResneckback.jpg[/IMG]

If I'd the choice between a Jazz or a Precision, it'd be the latter, purely for the simplicity and wider neck which suits me better. I've had a Mex in my time which was fine, a decent Japanese should be do-able for £400 or less. Of course, for a wee bit more wonga a 2EQ Ray would be my weapon of choice over either....

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1330617947' post='1560493'] The basslines taht got me into bass are rather well known: 2nd half of "The Chain" - Fleetwood Mac New Years Day - U2 [/quote] Yup me too, also throw in Waterfront by Simple Minds (one handed....dead easy ) and some half-arsed attempts at Geddy Lee, Pino and Mick Karn stuff. Still struggling to nail the latter 28 years on....

I'd buy a SUB and defret at that kinda budget. But I'm a 2EQ MusicMan geek...