Machines

I've sold about 5 basses through BassDirect. I'd say he got better prices than I'd sell for elsewhere but netted me the same cash after commission. For me not having the hassle of haggling or posting is worth the cost. Most of them were posted to Europe which is something id never risk.

This man is single handedly trying to destroy the musical instrument industry by suggesting people can be happy with what they have and not buy any more. DO NOT LISTEN TO THE LIES. BUY MORE BASSES.

After several days of deliberation, I took my Precision (with flats) to an audition last night. It's my 'learn stuff on' bass as i'm less able to mess about with pickup settings and just pay attention to the notes. Most of the songs being covered were recorded on one anyway, so I decided to take it. All of my other basses are either two pickup or active (or both). I decided the audition wasn't about how versatile my bass was, so along came the P. It just worked. Amp generally flat with a little bottom and top boost, plugged the bass in direct due to a lack of plugs for my Zoom B3. Awesome bottom end fatness - I could see the others appreciated it to. I haven't found out if I got the position yet, but either way I just enjoyed playing and not thinking about tonal options.

I've always had good service from PMT Birmingham, but that's in store and i've been going for about 10 years. I have no experience of their other shops, and a few only exist through acquisition of other companies (e.g. SoundControl).

[quote name='sunburstjazz1967' timestamp='1452777933' post='2953371'] You can say that about anything including all the basses in your signature, if no one buys new you can't buy used. [/quote] True, but there isn't currently a shortage of 2nd hand StingRays. Bongos appear quite frequently too. It's the same scenario for Warwick, very high new prices but a extremely good value 2nd hand market.

[quote name='Treb' timestamp='1452772941' post='2953275'] Hmmm, you have a point there. But only if you want a used Stingray. Used Sterlings are almost as rare as hen's teeth 'round here. [/quote] There's one for sale right now.

I think considering how easily you can pick up a used StingRay for around £800 on here, the new ones represent poor value.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1452769451' post='2953208'] Ooh - interesting. Tell us more about this? You bought them unheard based on DS' use of them? Or was it hearing him on recordings? Or on TV? [/quote] i was looking at new pickups for my Cort. In the game was Seymour Duncan, Nordstrand, and Aguilar (also most expensive). SDs wouldn't fit without messing with routing, so down to Nordies or Aguilar. Aguilar were in stock at the retailer, plus I knew DS had given good feedback on them - so went for this. So in fairness, his endorsing of them influenced, but did not make the entire decision. I think I would have likely come to the same outcome without his usage of them, but with more deliberation.

For me, I wouldn't want a signature model as i'd feel like I appeared to be a fanboy who was trying to emulate that artist, rather than have my own identity. I did buy some Aguilar pickups based on Dave Swift's use of them though.

I want another, probably Fiesta Red with a maple board.

I'm in a bizarre position of wanting something new (as GAS does to you) but with a pick of everything in the world, have no obvious target. I'm auditioning for a band on Weds where my Precision would be the ideal bass from a tone and image point of view, yet I want to take something more versatile but without looking OTT as 5 string totally not needed for this music (it's mostly 70s rock covers). That said the Fender Roadworn Precision in Fiesta Red in the Market is VERY nice, and it isn't the first time i've eyeballed them and felt a bit lustful. I could afford if I sold to buy something but I don't think there's anything I want to part with, everything I have is great. I think if anything having so many good instruments is confusing - as you have nothing to aim for anymore (except learning to play better and actually make music).

The humbucker is 2 pickups in one case (so a quad coil really). From the Ibanez website:

A recent audition of mine went well (with positive feedback at the time). But I was told they went with the drummer's friend who auditioned too because he knows him better (so why bother wasting my time ?). I'm glad I didn't pay towards the room at least. The most I took from it was a good chance to try out my Cort for the first time.

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452087767' post='2946234'] That's the same as the wiring on a three pickup Les Paul. Very odd way to do it. [/quote] There's a good reason no-one else does it.

I tried out a 2012 Gibson Grabber in PMT last week. It was without doubt the worst sounding bass i've ever played. 3 x single coils, of which they can only be set on a 3 way as bridge + middle / all 3 and neck / middle pickups. The wide spacing of the pickups meant a very muddy sound I could not get any real definition from it, slap was out of the question.

When I was gigging - I only every took one. I once took two, and changed half way through just to justify it, but there was no real need. If I do get back into it - it will be one again, too much hassle swapping mid set and just seems a bit OTT. The key for me is having basses that are versatile.

I generally see Ibanez basses in metal bands and not much else. Despite being around for 30 odd years with their own models and brand, they don't seem to have the status deserved. The new SR models with Nordstrand pickups look wonderful.

Yes the neck is quite chunky and reminds me of the L-2000 I had. Thankfully I don't have small hands amd prefer wide spacing too.

My Dad picked this Ibanez ATK200 up in August for me after I mentioned in passing it was decent in a local shop. They had it on display for about 18 months with no buyers, so was pretty dirty with dead strings, so got it for a decent price (they're £289 new). After a clean, a setup and some new Dunlop Super Brights, it is truely outstanding. The pickup and preamp are excellent, the only compromises I can find are body weight (about 10lbs) and neck finish (a light sanding has helped this). With the 3 way double humbucker and some EQ tweaking, you can get a Jazz/Stingray and Precision sounds from it - which I was certainly surprised by. I would say it is quite in your face sound, no passive vintage tones here - raw rock tones a plenty. Ibanez don't seem to have a decent following, but this really is a Stingray on a budget.

20 frets on Precisions & Jazz basses. Who ever needs that high Eb more often than an E?

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1451408646' post='2940266'] Hook it up to the computer and use it as a USB audio output - plug headphones into the B3, play song on computer and play along on the bass. Works for me :-) [/quote] I haven't got a computer

For a multi FX unit I don't think anything can match its value. I pretty much use mine as an overly complex tuner and EQ unit with occasional looping. The only thing it lacks is an AUX in for playing along to things.

1) Join a band with people I find agreeable (this will be the hardest one). 2) Avoid GAS a bit more, there were 3 new basses in 2015 I didn't need (2 outgoing though). 3) Learn more theory, for 12 years of playing bass I know pretty much nothing.

I think someone coming forward 10 years later is a bit unlikely. Also if it has a new owner (that probably paid for it) they're also unlikely to volunteer it's reunification.

Just to add confusion, I got an Ibanez ATK for Xmas and it makes a Stingray look boring.