CookPassBabtridge

That’s good to know. I’m currently debating whether to grab one of the last brand new Japanese Metros before they disappear or just go for one of the MiGs which are slightly cheaper. I was a little worried that some of the issues with the Metro Expresses may affect the MiG Metros but apparently not, which is good.

Oh dear, that’s a shame. I had heard that he’d been flying over to the Chinese factory to personally check the QC processes etc. (not based on any kind of fact, mind). I would hope that Warwick are at least trying to resolve the issues then.

I’ve been keeping an eye on these, from what I can gather they sound really nice but there have been QC issues with the first batches to come out of the factory in China. There’s some good discussion on this thread. I believe Roger is working hard to resolve this though. I am seriously tempted by one of the new German made Metros, the Teambuilt Warwicks that come out of the same German factory tend to be very good indeed so am itching to get my hands on one.

@WHUFC BASS and @Geek99 just to add to the Pug discussion, my boy Pug’s expression is permanently ‘worried’. Both of them though would be doing the same as yours in the build pictures, which in my household is what we sarcastically refer to as ‘being helpful’ (I.e. following you around everywhere and getting in the way).

Blimey, that review reads like one of those advertisement features you get in a newspaper. Nonetheless, looks like an amazing bass. Those three pickups and their respective locations alone should provide a huge amount of tonal options.

Generally I like black, but it ultimately depends on the colour of the bass. I find black hardware has a tendency to look worse when it gets scuffed etc.

Awesome. Funnily enough I also have a Vigier Passion (series IV, 4 string) and agree with everything you’ve said! Worth the OP considering one second hand, definitely meets the criteria.

And what is this bass you speak of out of curiosity? (You have piqued my interest!).

Glad you like your new bass! I agree with everything you said. I have a Teambuilt Thumb BO 4 and it's fantastic. Fit and finish are superb. Although I'm not a huge fan of the MEC preamp - this may be what's making the bass sound a little bright as mine was very harsh and 'hissy'. I replaced it with a Bartolini and it's made a huge difference.

Cool! Your praise is enough to convince me to give the Aguilars a whirl. It'll be DCBs mind, though I'm sure they'll have some of the core characteristics you mention. Funnily enough I have a Warwick SS1 that I''ve never quite loved the tone of, maybe I need to give the Spector Euros a look as I like the body shape and aesthetics too.

Lovely! How are you finding the Eurobolt and Aguilars? I’m a bit of a Bartolini fiend but am thinking about putting some Aggies in an upcoming build. Also, are the P pickups closer to the bridge on the Eurobolt? Wonder why that is...either way looks good to me as I prefer playing toward the bridge anyway.

Goodness me, this thread has proved therapeutic - I was starting to think I had an issue but have concluded I'm completely sane based on my puny list below! (basses I still have are in bold, all are 4 strings unless specified): Stagg PJ - not sure on the exact model, was my very first bass. Lives at my parents' house now. Ibanez SR300DX - my first half-decent bass, gigged it for a bit before I upgraded again. Also lives with my 'rents. Musicman Stingray - saved and saved from my Saturday job to buy one, I never play it any more as the tone isn't what I want these days, but it was the first bass I properly toured and recorded with, so holds a lot of sentimental value and will never leave me. MIM Fender Jazz - have always preferred active basses and the tone never quite did it for me. Spector Legend 5 - bought this as part of an unsuccessful foray into 5 strings. Didn't work out, but it came in a beautiful aqua colour and had great tone. Ken Smith BSR4 - this thing will growl your house down. Warwick Thumb BO - my (current) fav of the lot. It's ovangkol and has the baseball bat neck but it sounds awesome and is the most comfortable bass I've ever played. Vigier Passion - amazing neck. Very modern tone but I think it sounds better in a mix than on its own. Markbass Kilimanjaro - aren't many of these around and there's a lot of competition in this price bracket, but the tone is exactly what I'm after these days. Lovely clean sound. Warwick Streamer Stage I - the sexiest looking bass I've ever owned, but I'm not sure yet whether the tone is for me. I'm lusting after a Marleaux Votan, Xotic XJ and maybe a nice Sadowsky Metro/Fodera J, but am at the limit of number of basses I want to have at any given time. So one or two of the others would have to go. Also - is GAS a sickness us bass players are more prone to or does it affect all musicians? I don't know any drummers that change their gear every 5 minutes

I like how they have clearly just copied and pasted the exact text from the title of the ad when mentioning the item. Also asking ‘how much do you want for it’ twice despite you directing them to the advert detail. Sadly I bet they get a lot of people with that scam though.

Depends on what your priorities are and what weight you give to them - if you want a quick and guaranteed sale but for less money, go trade in. If you want a fair price but aren’t in a rush, use the Marketplace here or EBay (only the latter on a £1 fee weekend though). I’ve never liked Gumtree, my experience is it encourages time wasters, scammers and suspect sellers (e.g. live animals by unscrupulous breeders). Back to basses though - I enquired for a trade in at Andertons and their offer wasn’t terrible. I guess it varies from place to place.

Depending on whether you like the look of them or not...you could get some wooden pickup covers made which wouldn’t be too expensive. A dark wood like ebony would look reasonably close to a regular pickup housing.

That’s cool to know, thanks! I’ll put a John East at the top of my list to consider next time I’m looking for a preamp. Customer care and after sales is a big thing for me. I have a Genzler amp and the service I received was great (queries responded to promptly and helpfully by Mr. Genzler himself) - to the point I’d recommend his products on the strength of his attitude alone.

I would love to try out a John East pre sometime, never played with one before. I also suck at soldering so that’s another +1 for it 😂

Indeed, I've got the opposite in my Thumb bolt-on (MEC pickups and Bartolini preamp) and it sounds great. Am tempted to try some bright Bart pups to go with the pre to hear how it sounds.

So two months later I ended up going with the Seymour Duncan pickups and preamp. Am very pleased with them, they represent a good upgrade on the MECs. Sound is a subjective thing but the easiest way to summarise for me is the SDs are a lot smoother and less harsh. Mids are very powerful but easy enough to dial back if needs be. The treble is pretty subtle though, when sweeping the change in tone isn’t immediately apparent but there is a clear difference between it being off and cranked up. Overall then, I’d say SDs are a good option for those looking to ‘tame’ their Streamer (in a good way). If you’re after something aggressive you may be better off with the stock MEC or perhaps some EMGs.

Yes, yes it is. Lovely basses!

Haha yeah, I’m sure I’d be the same if I had the Arpege, I find it hard enough with just a normal 3-band EQ! At the moment I’m also favouring the rear pickup on my Passion slightly, with mids cranked up, bit of bass boost and bit of treble cut. That black finish does look tasty. There’s a grey finish too I think? That would also be very nice in satin.

Cheers! I agree, the monorail bridge is great. I very nearly went for an Arpege but got the Passion in the end - Arpeges seem to be really rare and I liked liked the pickup position of the Passion. I’d love to know how an Arpege sounds though, the individual preamp for each pickup is a great idea.

Yeah, I'd presume they'd still want the royalties from airplay etc. though?