Machines

I've only had to change the batteries maybe 2 or 3 times in 10 years but probably sold most basses before they beeded changing. All other times were out of the thought "it's been a while".

[quote name='Woodinblack' timestamp='1469636543' post='3099953'] Who cares if thats what you liked? [/quote] As i said before he is seeking peer confirmation. I don't think you should actually buy anything until you can make a decision for yourself.

The cable creates a circuit.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469623946' post='3099806'] Just been to pmt and the music room on college green. Tried an sr370. Wasn't impressed. The pickups were to big to work with for resting thumb on when plucking and the harmonics wye pretty dead. The tone was decent but overall no deal. It didn't help that the dry up was terrible making a fair assessment impossible. I tried a226 quid Yamaha trbx30 in the music room which seemed is better, but I don't know anything about this bass. That really want much else with posting. I've alresfy tried the sub music man and that was all they had within my passive range. I didn't see the point of wasting time trying a bunch of expensive bases I can't afford [/quote] You can't afford it [i]today[/i], so save up if you find something you like.

It's generally not worth upgrading the pickups on a cheap bass unless you REALLY plan on keeping it, £150 of pickups in a £150 bass won't get you much of a price increase if you sell it, maybe £50 if you are lucky.

Why are you thinking of changing the pickups ? What is wrong with them ?

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469445497' post='3098293'] What's that supposed to mean? You posted saying go and try some instruments out and them ask. Now you want to throw your toys out the pram? [/quote] So did you try out those 2 instruments ? You didn't say that you did, and if so, what was your own opinion ? You are seeking peer confirmation when we could be equally unqualified, and would only relay our own preferences. p.s. SR500 is much better.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469441673' post='3098240'] What do we know about the Ibanez SR370 or SR500 series? I've heard the latter is better but the former is under £300 new. [/quote] I give up.

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469431211' post='3098112'] Trying different bases isn't the issue. How do I know from just playing that the bass is going to be of good quality? I dustiest am off these instruments are playable, but that tells me nothing about the quality of the components. Will the intonation hold? Will the but fall off like my last bad when I changed strings? That's a reason that more pro musicians don't use this level of instrument. After all if they were great quality, why wouldn't they save the money from buying a brand name? [/quote] You're asking us to make decisions for you. Learn yourself based on the feedback we've already given. PMT don't sell rubbish apart from ther Eastcoast (Stagg) range. Everything from there is fit for purpose

[quote name='wishface' timestamp='1469387908' post='3097938'] thanks for the replies. I'm going to have to decide if spending this money is worthwhile at this time [/quote] It isn't as you don't have a clue what you actually want or what people are suggesting. Go to PMT and TRY things. Come back and tell us what you liked. P.s. ignore the name on the headstock

[quote name='Machines' timestamp='1467407049' post='3083561'] Current GAS is an Ibanez SR755. I love split P pickups on 5 strings for some reason and add them being Nordstrands all for 700 quid (200 of which is pickups) Looks very classy and the video i saw not totally unlike a Warwick. I need to try one out as I'm used to wider necks. [url="http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/bass_guitars_detail.asp?stock=14123112154458"]http://www.guitargui...=14123112154458[/url] [/quote] Would you look at that, 2 few weeks later I bought a BTB1606. That escalated quickly.

On 5 strings I prefer 24, but 21 as a minimum on everything else. I like being able to complete the octave on the E, however rarely I need to.

As many as you need to play what you want.

[quote name='bassace' timestamp='1469010684' post='3095017'] Careful, Machines. Mine's now eight years old. Perhaps I'd better think of a change. Didn't realise I had to keep up with the plate. [/quote] Let me be mkre descriptive. A knackered old C class with scuffed alloys, mismatched wing mirrors and hasn't been washed for years.

This is quite affordable: [url="http://www.ibanez.com/products/eb_detail.php?year=2016&area_id=3&cat_id=2&series_id=57&data_id=63&color=CL01"]http://www.ibanez.co...d=63&color=CL01[/url] [url="http://www.andertons.co.uk/electric-basses/pid43253/cid682/ibanez-agbv205atcl-agb-artcore-vintage-5-string-bass-distressed.asp"]http://www.andertons...-distressed.asp[/url]

I like seeing rare and obviously expensive number plates driving around on 12 year old a Merc C class.

It's all about brand name and kudos (like most of the music industry then). Peavey have to my mind, never been cool, despite putting out some very good instruments (T-40, i'm looking at you). They lack any well known endorsers and never seem to put anything out massively original or inspiring, generally safe/beginners gear. However, the US stuff is top notch but I think people just see the name and go "oh, nevermind". Personally I find the US stuff to look too much like the cheap range (or is it the other way round ?) and they lack any instrument that really stands out as their flagship. I think Cort have been in the same boat until recently with the Jeff Berlin models which are very original and seem to sell well.

Much of this is assuming that all bassists limit their operations to the criteria of a normal 4 piece band, or even play in a band at all. Some of us are bedroom dwellers and just like to play with our knobs.

[quote name='Cosmo Valdemar' timestamp='1468586638' post='3091964'] I wish they still made the 4 string version! [/quote] I always thought it looked a bit odd as a 4 string. Like the body was too big and it was meant to be a 5/6. Same goes for the Yamaha TRB

Just one they made, but it's easier to hit a pedal than walk back to the amp. I include this one on my 'basic' patch along with a compressor and mild overdrive.

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1468581040' post='3091905'] PMT seem to be doing very well, but please sort the website! EDIT - It is better than it used to be! [/quote] But it's still crap in comparison to other big companies. It probably looked great when the directors signed it off but it's terrible as an end user. I think GuitarGuitar has the best site around in the UK, Thomann if you include Europe.

[quote name='adamg67' timestamp='1468514352' post='3091511'] That looks really nice. I know how much I like my old BTB456, so I can imagine the new premium ones are just awesome. You get used to the big wide fretboard really quickly, and it helps you to keep your left hand nice and flat when you're playing as well. I've got two Ibanez basses now (the BTB and an ATK300), and I'm after an SRC6 and a RGIB6 as well. For factory made instruments I think they they are the dogs. [/quote] Yes I had a 6 string before but because I didn't use it enough and I never really molded to it. I played it for an hour last night and then played my Cort 5 string afterwards, it felt very easy. I picked up my Precision after and it felt like a toy (only 4 strings, tut).

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1468507821' post='3091436'] The down-side of buying used is that at all the instruments you buy are those that someone, at some stage has rejected it. So, they are all, to some degree, someone else's mistake. Al lot of us do OK with those though. [/quote] Not necessarily, some people are forced to sell their prized instruments due to financial requirements.

I think what you want to use it for is a big factor. If you play in a rock covers band in pubs, a Squier Precision or Jazz will be more than capable and likely never break, nor sound bad. If you want something more than a tool, such as aesthetics like rare woods etc - it costs more but may not produce different results. The BTB1606 I bought I could have got the same pickups in a similar bass by the same manufacturer that was £400 cheaper (and probably sounded almost the same), but I wanted the neck-through construction as well as fancier appearance. I always make sure I am getting something for that money other than prestige, which may explain why I got for far east made instruments that are very good spec over US stuff that is mostly brand name leading the price.

[quote name='sprocketflup' timestamp='1468352236' post='3090389'] Lovely looking thing that. (The bass, the bass) How many reading this thread are thinking the same as me, in as much as that bass with the duff pickup went right back on display the minute you walked out of that shop? [/quote] Lol it didn't as it disappeared from the website as stock for that store . Seriously this is a top notch piece of kit. If it were made in the US or UK it could demand over £2000. The premium fret edges are so smooth and the whole thing just feels classy. The last time I played something like this was an Overwater I had for a while.