Should I get a Status S2?

[Adethefade]

Only you folks are going to understand - I've tried talking to my wife but she glazes over after the first syllable.

Owning all the Jazzes, Ps, Stingrays, Ricks & Steinbergers I can fit in the airing cupboard; should the next classic bass that I buy be a Status S2?

For...

They sound amazing
They look amazing
Headless is a joy when you're tight for space on stage.

Possibly against...

I played 5-string only for years, but I now love 4-string spacing so I use Hipshots for dropped D. Not possible with an S2 headless.
Not sure I'd want to go back to 5-string to solve the problem above
After a pint, I might play songs a tone too sharp by accident.
I am besotted with Stingrays right now - anything else will have to feel & sound pretty special
I've never played an S2

All input from my bass-playing chums welcome...

Ade

[police squad]

yes. I recently bought a 1985 series 2000 and love it.

[Conan]

My main bass from 1986 till two years ago was a series II. Utterly awesome basses and far more versatile that many people think. I played in funk, pop, soul, metal and blues bands with that bass and never found it wanting.

Go for it! If you buy a used one and find, for some inexplicable reason, that you don't get on with it - you will be able to sell it on easily enough for what you paid for it. What's to lose? Expect to pay around £1200 for an eighties or nineties model.

[Grangur]

Find one and try it out. Who are we to tell you what to play?

Question: Is the airing cupboard a good place to keep wooden instruments? IME the wood will dry out and crack when exposed to prolonged excessive warmth.


Edit: Answer - No, don't buy another bass until you've found a better place to keep them.

Edited May 18, 2017 by Grangur

[v8bass]

S2 s are fabulous basses Ade as are most Statii

Think what Mrs Ade would say is check the string spacing and probably satisfy the Stingray urge first :-)

I don't have a problem switching between 4 s , 5 s or 6ers , but spacing if too tight I do find a pain ( helps that I'm rubbish and don't give a * if I miss a note either )

Best bass I ever owned was Status S2 6 string , too good for me by miles when I had it but on reflection the one I shouldn't have got rid of , incredible set up , tone monster and looker to boot

If you need to " try " a 5 string Status with 18mm and 34 " scale headless ( not S2 , unfortunately ) drop me a pm and I'm sure I can sort something out

Remember bass is a disease and careful with humidity in that airing cupboard ;-)

Cheers

Gary

[Adethefade]

Thanks fellas, I really appreciate your input. I thought the airing cupboard would cause a panic - but it's OK, we got a combi boiler years ago so it's just a cupboard really. I'll PM v8Bass since we're both down the dusty end of the country. If I try one though, it'll probably be a no-brainer.

[acidbass]

Yes

[Bigwan]

I'd buy and live with a Series 3000 before spending too much money...

[Jus Lukin]

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Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Bigwan]

[quote name='Jus Lukin' timestamp='1495096728' post='3301180']
Isn't there a droppable bridge piece for headless basses? I'm sure I've seen one with a lever which pulls away from the body. I'll hit Google in a bit and see if I didn't dream it.
[/quote]


You may be thinking of the Steinberger Drop D bridge...

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[Bigwan]

That's the drop D monorail bridge Ibanez had on some of their 4 string basses in the 90's/00's. Not headless though.

[Jus Lukin]

-

Edited February 24, 2022 by Jus Lukin

[prowla]

The S2 Classic is a nice bass.

Here's a trio of Statii

[gazhowe]

I'm fortunate to own a Status S2 and a couple of Stingrays. They are all wonderful to play, sound great and look fantastic (IMO) - so much so that I'm playing both the S2 and a Stingray at gigs even though my band set list doesn't mean that I have to change basses. I do prefer my S2 over my Stingrays however it's a very close call and both makes are top quality instruments that are very special in their own way.

If you're thinking of buying new then both makes are a significant investment. I traded in a Stingray and a Jazz to help pay for a new S2 but I've never had any regrets. I would suggest you go for a S2 if that's what your heart is set on rather than buy a different model Status with a view to trading up later, otherwise you would just be delaying getting what you really want. I appreciate the risk involved if you don't like it so buying 2nd hand may be the way to go but I doubt you would regret it regardless of whether buying new or 2nd hand.

Let us know what you decide to do please.

Regards

Gaz

[uk_lefty]

Yes.

[Adethefade]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm sure an S2 is now on the cards. The only question is 4 or 5-string. If there was a drop D option on a 4-string there's be no contest, but then headless bridges are pretty quick to de-tune. I'll try to get 10 minutes on a 5-string and see how it feels. In the mean time I'm saving. They seem to command a price in the used market so a new one may be the best option.

[BrunoBass]

I'm thinking about getting a Status too, probably an S2, and with a bonus coming my way my desire could soon become a reality.

But where to try? Do Status have a showroom or somewhere you can try befire you buy? It's a lot of money to spend to find I don't get on with it. I believe there is just the one standard neck profile; which other basses would you Status players compare it to?

I'd order direct as I have a specific idea of what I want.

Edited July 17, 2017 by PaulGibsonBass

[ambient]

I think they look amazing, though I've never played one. I do really like carbon fibre necks, I owned a Modulus Quantum 6 for almost 4 years.

Wonder what a pair of fretted and fretless 7 string basses would cost .

[martthebass]

I don't get on with fivers and don't own a bass with a drop D detuner; if I'm doing any low D work I tend to take the Streamline as it's so quick and easy to change tuning accurately, so don't worry about the headless 4 option.