Machines

Had a 4 string. Was good fun but never really emulated the intended sounds that closely (except maybe the Rick and Modulus). I think the best way is to treat it as many tones, rather than replacements for the targeted basses.

I really wouldn't be losing any sleep over this, if it sounds decent get on with playing it. If you really want matching pickups get a replacement set or even just covers.

I sold my MIM Jazz pickups on ebay a few weeks go for £30. Had them sitting around for 10 years.

I got £30 quid (10%) of my RedSub Coliseum 6 from Gear4Music as it had a headstock ding. I pointed out this was the same bass used in their YouTube demo, and the ding was visible in the website photos if you zoomed in really close. I was happy with that.

Update - it didn't happen. The seller refunded me on Friday with no explanation provided. It was a USA Stingray 5 (2008) with a Buy-It-Now price of £460, be fun if it had have arrived. I left negative feedback as clearly they were time wasters, but it somehow got removed. Sh*t happens.

Picked this up yesterday... tuned F# to E. £200 second hand, but as new condition with the plastic still on covers. Needed a setup tweak (too low choking notes) and the intonation is today's job, but the pickups seem decent enough and it does the job I want. EDIT: Intonation done, no problems.

I did leave fairly amicably, but I don't think they'd have me back. The drummer (band leader) is a bit of a knob and seems to have took it personally, I think the 2 guitarists would be fine with it.

Ironically, I quit my band just a couple of weeks before Corona kicked off as I wanted a break from gigs and late nights. I could have not dropped the mic and had my way and started again later in the year... oh well.

Hassle yes, but I will definitely get my money back. Just might take a week or two.

I thought it was a 50/50 shot. They won't get the money though so it all seems a bit pointless.

Cool saves me making my own thread. Did a BIN last Sat on a bass at a very good price, new seller so was quite aware it was a bit risky (PayPal protection though). Paid immediately, no contact from seller despite 3 emails from me. There are no contact details on eBay, I just have to wait till 23rd so I can open a case against them as i'm fairly confident it isn't going to show up. If it does though, you'll all be extremely jealous.

Yamaha RBX775 owned since new in 2004. Since defretted and refinished, also tuned E to C. Still sounds great. I regretted my modding however and have since bought one exactly like my first premodding.

1996 Musicman Stingray. Traded it for an Lakland 55-02 which was just a bit boring and didn't last long. With my band in 2007 (13 years ago suddenly makes me feel queasy).

What do you want from it that it can't already do? Sounds like you want to upgrade but have no actual target to aim for.

Sound Control Birmingham circa 2004. USA Gretsch Firebird 6131 Firebird new for £299, should have been £1699 but they marked it up as an Electomatic. Even asked them to check... Sold on ebay for a grand a few weeks later.

Yeah it looks decent. I've got a couple of 24 fret basses and never get that high, as long as I can get to the 21st easily i'm not bothered (really hard on Precisions and Jazzes). Perhaps they wanted to make it even more different to the standard Stingray copies to avoid any moaning from EBMM.

Looks like that's to accommodate the 24 fret neck without a really deep neck pocket.

A fair point. I tend to take the absolute minimum amount of stuff so I don't have to keep track of too many items as well as reduce the tedium of packing away at the end. I very much could take a spare bass/fx/cables etc. It's all weight to me. I hate nothing more than lugging stuff into the house at 1AM, one trip please.

Do you take a spare amp and cab ? Do you have a spare car in case you can't get to the gig at all ? I'm trying to work out how often it actually becomes a problem to gigging musicians. Lower quality gear should be more likely to fail than higher, however simpler gear should be less likely to fail than complex.

In years of gigging I've always taken one bass and never had technical difficulties. See lots of advice about taking a backup. Who actually has? This is a question specifically around failure and not just taking one because you want to swap out.

I go between 4, 5 and 6 strings with ease but that's with practise. When you first pick one up it will be different and the B string will get in your way, stick with it and that will get better with time, eventually you won't notice. Also, you can include the 5th string in your actual playing rather than pretend it isn't there.

Both or neck. Bridge alone can be a lot thinner but boost the bass and it's fine. Passive on the neck pickup is surprisingly P bass like.

Sounds like truss rod could be too tight and board too flat.

Mine is quite different, bridges are perfect (other than intonation). The biggest gripe I have, which was not obvious initially - is that the neck pickup appears to be glued in place, with the screws being decorative. I can remove the screws, and it does not budge one bit. I've tried wiggling, leverage, and even stern language. The height does not need to change, but it does appear to create me a problem should I ever wish to upgrade the pickups (very slim chance). I'm sure there is a way to move it, but there's a risk of damage to the top if not done with care.

Great catch. I got mine 2 months ago. I find dropping the bass to around 3, mids 3 and treble 7 gives the best rounded sound, it's quite good passive too. I definitely vote for you stripping the neck.