40hz

It really surprised me too, as on paper it would sound like they would be similar, but it really was quite different. The Status necked Ray was just the Ray sound but 'cleaner' (in no way a bad thing, Stingrays are my fave production basses). The Modulus has that weird, ultra-distinctive, peaky, mid-growl - sounding almost like a synth bass. I don't know what to put it down to, but they really were chalk and cheese. I also agree regarding his best tones. For me, the Modulus, followed by the J/J Spector NS2 from Uplift Mofo Party Plan.

Yeah I think this is it - Flea likes using his 62 Jazz in the studio, but doesn't like using them live, due to the fact it doesn't cut as much.

-bla di, obla da

The tone on a lot of these tracks sounds like the passive Jazz to me? Maybe it's a mix of both?

Listened again, front to back. It's kinda of got a summery laid back vibe, which I didn't really pick up on to begin with, but is actually kinda cool on repeated listens, but it's still not overly memorable. Again, Flea's tone - It sounds like he's pushing a Jazz to the limit, trying to get that Ray/Modulus type sound, but getting a weak version of it (before anyone kills me, I love Jazz Basses). His Modulus tone was absolutely explosive and suited his playing style to a 'T' Maybe I'm getting old but it just don't sound right, I tell thee!

Just listened to it all the way through. Meh. Not many wild ideas on the album. It's very, very, very safe. Edit - I also really wish Flea would go back to his Modulus or his Stingrays. His Jazz bass tone is pants, IMO.

I had read on Talkbass that he was aware of the issues and had discussed this/these with Warwick with a view to improvements? Either rate, they are improved from the infamous first run. Sadly that didn't extend to the headstock!

I'd be using a pick with a piece of sponge chucked under the strings near the bridge. I'm pretty sure Carol Kaye used to do something similar to this?

Thank you all for the input. It's been tremendously useful! I heard someone playing a Streamer LX5 on YouTube this morning and the sound absolutely blew me away - so much so I put a wanted advert out. I've had P/J Streamers, but the J/J's just have that 'burp'. Finding one under 9lbs could be a mission, but my previous Streamers were all super lightweight, so could be possible! I'm also going to try the Sadowsky Metro Express as previously suggested, even though the headstock looks absolutely awful. They seem to be lightweight for 5ers - a couple I saw online in my travels, seem pegged at around 8.5lbs. I also understand Roger has overseen a raft of improvements across the board, from the very first ones that earned a bad rep, with improved QC and preamp components.

£1500 tops. The issue is I'm fairly open to most things, and it's hard to pin it down to a particular bass, so my thinking was playing a bunch of random 5ers and seeing if something speaks to me more than others - hence looking for a shop that is likely to have quite a few to try.

Morning all! Again, tried the search function but couldn't seem to hone in on this particular question. In my quest for the perfect 5er, I thought about maybe visiting some stores across the UK. It would be good if I could find a shop that had a very wide range of basses (although I know this is rare). Anyone suggest the best place to do this? Bass Direct is on my door step, however it does deal primarily in very high end gear, slightly out of my price range, so would just result in un-scratchable GAS. Thank you!

This sounds promising (pun intended).

I'm really liking the KZ5 at Bass Direct. Weight looks to be 8lbs 7oz of the fretted one left in stock. One of the sold ones was even lighter than that. Great B-strings as well.

I did think about the Nanyos. Crazy that they still go for so little! Good call!

Thank you for the offer! Not my cup of tea visually I'm afraid (as much as I like Spector).

P-Basses. In my younger days, I'd always shunned them totally for being so boring (as I saw it) and common, preferring flashier basses with more bells and whistles. I then bought a Classic Series 50's and realised what all the endless clichés are about, with regards to 'sitting in the mix perfectly' and 'sounding great with no tweaking required'. They're ubiquitous for a reason and it took me near 20 years to show them some respect.

Just sold my Mesa Boogie to Jon. As always, a pleasure to deal with. The Essex boy in our Jon is strong! Turns up in this beautiful Porsche! Paid promptly, no fuss and a great bloke to boot. You can have first dibs on the S.U.B if it ever gets moved on mate!

Thanks again for the further suggestions and offers (nothing taking my fancy though). In theory a Steinberger would probably be the ticket. Especially as I'm a graphite hound, but I just can't get past the looks. I like basses with Stingray-esque tones, so a humbucker with active electronics is a preference. .

Never tried one, so my opinion is about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike, but their spec is *excellent* Shame the looks don't follow suit. They look like they were drawn by me, aged 15, then magicked into reality.

Don't eat at all as I don't get hungry, likely due to adrenalin, before and immediately after. So for me it's a hearty bowl of Weetabix when I get home! Or Ready Brek (I know! I know! It DOES taste different though) if I can be arsed to make it in the microwave.

Tragic news. Can't imagine how Grohl must be feeling, a second band member and friend, he was incredibly close to, dying. I saw them back in 2002 on the One by One tour. He was gigantic behind the kit. In sound and personality.

They're my favourite band of all time and have one hell of a back catalogue and still do the business live, but it almost hurts me to say these released songs have all been so 'meh'. They all sound like Stadium Arcadium (imo, one of their worst albums) B-sides. I'm not expecting them to be playing methamphetamine fuelled punk funk anymore (as much as I'd love it), but they've shown they can do 180° shifts (Blood Sugar, One Hot Minute, By The Way) and really make them work. I just wished they'd taken a risk, I mean, they might of and these tracks might not be indicative of the album, but my hype for this album is dust in the wind (dude).

Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Lots of great info and stuff to have a look at tonight (post band practice!)

The seafoam/blue coloured one looks great. Thanks for the heads up! Never really considered Maruszczyk.