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I visited a GC today….

E

eastcoasteddie

Guest
Mar 24, 2006
8,757
12,584
#1
…doddang Fret-Sprout…
4D41C0BD-7B1C-4C14-87B2-6039DB9CCC10.jpeg


I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

I also played a new SBMM Ray35 Red Quilt satin. I specifically wanted to try this one to see if I really, really wanted to have a Stingray-style bass back in my collection. And honestly…I kind of don't anymore, I seem to very much prefer a Jazz over a Stingray.
Interesting because I started playing with Stingray's almost 30 years ago, and had one for 18 years. I only started really getting into Jazz basses 9 years ago. Funny how that stuff happens…

It's a good thing I never pulled the trigger on the Warmoth SR5 style bass I wanted to build. I will have to revisit that idea and either go for a Jazz or one with Nordstrand Dual-Coils.
 
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#5
eastcoasteddie said:
…doddang Fret-Sprout…
View attachment 4979507

I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

I also played a new SBMM Ray35 Red Quilt satin. I specifically wanted to try this one to see if I really, really wanted to have a Stingray-style bass back in my collection. And honestly…I kind of don't anymore, I seem to very much prefer a Jazz over a Stingray.
Interesting because I started playing with Stingray's almost 30 years ago, and had one for 18 years. I only started really getting into Jazz basses 9 years ago. Funny how that stuff happens…

It's a good thing I never pulled the trigger on the Warmoth SR5 style bass I wanted to build. I will have to revisit that idea and either go for a Jazz or one with Nordstrand Dual-Coils.
Click to expand...
Try a Special if you get the opportunity . You might like it. They lean more towards Fender territory. Less sizzle and clank.
 
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#7
I had a similar experience with a handful of Tagima basses at a guitar store recently. Every single one of them had sharp fret ends to the point that they were unplayable. Too bad as they really looked nice.
 
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#11
eastcoasteddie said:
…doddang Fret-Sprout…
View attachment 4979507

I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

I also played a new SBMM Ray35 Red Quilt satin. I specifically wanted to try this one to see if I really, really wanted to have a Stingray-style bass back in my collection. And honestly…I kind of don't anymore, I seem to very much prefer a Jazz over a Stingray.
Interesting because I started playing with Stingray's almost 30 years ago, and had one for 18 years. I only started really getting into Jazz basses 9 years ago. Funny how that stuff happens…

It's a good thing I never pulled the trigger on the Warmoth SR5 style bass I wanted to build. I will have to revisit that idea and either go for a Jazz or one with Nordstrand Dual-Coils.
Click to expand...

Similar experience. Used to really dig the Stingray but anymore I don't find them to do anything that other basses can't do, especially with the plethora of humbuckers that can drop into bridge spots.

Fret sprout is so common at guitar shops. GC too. On the bright side it can be fixed easily by a luthier...
 
Last edited:
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#13
I tested a Warwick Rockbass fiver a handful of years ago at GC. It spent the entire 4 months it had been there up on the top row right under those big, bright ceiling lights getting dried out. The sprout was atrocious, the worst I had ever seen, and my hands got pretty scraped up like op's. That poor bass. :(
 
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#16
eastcoasteddie said:
…doddang Fret-Sprout…
View attachment 4979507

I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

I also played a new SBMM Ray35 Red Quilt satin. I specifically wanted to try this one to see if I really, really wanted to have a Stingray-style bass back in my collection. And honestly…I kind of don't anymore, I seem to very much prefer a Jazz over a Stingray.
Interesting because I started playing with Stingray's almost 30 years ago, and had one for 18 years. I only started really getting into Jazz basses 9 years ago. Funny how that stuff happens…

It's a good thing I never pulled the trigger on the Warmoth SR5 style bass I wanted to build. I will have to revisit that idea and either go for a Jazz or one with Nordstrand Dual-Coils.
Click to expand...

This is why I prefer rosewood...oily and stable throughout the year...never a problem, unlike maple and ebony.
 

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