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STATUS GRAPHITE BASSES

#21
scowboy said:
I bought a Kingbass earlier this year. Tonally it was all there for me. What I did not expect was how BIG it was. You look at the pictures and you expect a small compact body headless bass. It's not, but it is rather large and first position feels like it's a mile away. I wanted that bass to work out so bad! Nope. I may get another someday but it will be something else from their lineup.

+1 on what everybody else said about craftsmanship, fretwork it was the nicest bass I have ever owned. Simply a work of art.

Here is a picture of it:
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I had the same problem - but it's not because it's so big. It is a small compact body and that's the problem. When you put it on the extremely short upper bout moves the neck way forward putting first position in a very awkward place. If you're Mark King and play it like he does it's perfect. If you're used to the way a Fender sits it just doesn't work. I found it impossible to keep it in a reachable AND a comfortable position at the same time. As a result I found myself reaching for it less and less. A shame really. I loved everything else about it.
 
#24
tttmmoorree said:
So I'm wanting to buy a status replacement neck for my fender jazz because I just can't the the action and playability I desire with the fender neck. Are you able to get a real low action on the jazz basses?
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My opinion - I think that before you spend a wad of money on a Status neck (they are not inexpensive), have your bass set up professionally. Any bass where all the pieces are fuctioning correctly and is properly set up should give you low action and decent playability. I don't know your particular details, but there could be other issues causing your problems. Make sure you're getting all you can out of what you got first.
 
#25
atrapp said:
Status Custom Shop Ltd Ed Eclipse #50/100

I Found this on the Guitar Center used website a few years back.
It would appear that that Status did a 50/50 black hardware at the neck and chrome hardware on the body for the 50/100 mark.

As with any Status bass it plays effortless and the action can be set silly low.
The chrome plated pup covers seem (rf) noisier than standard plastic covers.

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Man I want that bass. I have a regular Eclipse Artist that I play all the time but really want one of these and this from a guy who doesn't GAS much.
 
#26
bassclef112 said:
My opinion - I think that before you spend a wad of money on a Status neck (they are not inexpensive), have your bass set up professionally. Any bass where all the pieces are fuctioning correctly and is properly set up should give you low action and decent playability. I don't know your particular details, but there could be other issues causing your problems. Make sure you're getting all you can out of what you got first.
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Yes, good sense about the pro setup, but my used Status, misused over 20 plus years and quickly setup by an amateur (me) has a more consistent low action across the whole neck than my good Precison setup by a pro. My advice though would be to look for a used Status, which will have ace craftsmanship and great electronics and might not cost much more than a new graphite neck. Keep your good Jazz too.
 
#27
Osprey said:
I bought this Status Energy, dated from late 80s, for about £350 this year. Graphite neck, walnut body. One of the early ones with no truss-rod, but great low action and a range of tones from woody/mellow to bright/cutting. The new Status basses have more sophisticated electronics and some very fancy wood options, but this one will do me untill I can afford a Streamline (have you SEEN those things?) and that will just be fondle it: for playing I can't imagine anything better than what I have.
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S2-Classic right? :cool:
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#28
For 30 years or so now, Rob Green has made the best basses in the world, bar none. If I had to own just one stock bass, it would be a Status for sure.

Weird thing is, I don't own one of his basses at present, because I still love the J bass vibe. But my main two basses do have Status necks, and luckily I'm not in the position of having to choose between these two beauties and something like an S2.

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#29
I do not own a Status at this time, but I can certainly vouch for Mr. Green's excellent e-mail service. He has answered every one of my questions in great detail. I can only imagine how great his customer service must be when one is actually purchasing a bass from him.
 
#30
jet_king said:
S2-Classic right? :cool:
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My bass is flattered you think it might be an S2: those seem to be the instrument of choice for players who want a wood-bodied Status with the greatest versatility. Mine is just an Energy, built, believe it or not as an entry-level Status during the late 80s. They could be headed or headless, 4 or 5 string, with graphite bolt-ons and three-piece walnut bodies. J-type pickups. If you see a used one snap it up: there aren't any better bargains. Mine cost me less than a MIM Jazz last year.

Rob Green's quality of service and customer-service must have been as impressive then as it is now. Not to mention the value for money of his instruments: as a Status convert I can't imagine why anyone wanting a hand-made bass would spend so much more than a Status costs when they could have an individual wooden body, graphite neck-through or bolt-on and electronics that give such a wide range of tones.
 
#32
Osprey said:
Yes, good sense about the pro setup, but my used Status, misused over 20 plus years and quickly setup by an amateur (me) has a more consistent low action across the whole neck than my good Precison setup by a pro. My advice though would be to look for a used Status, which will have ace craftsmanship and great electronics and might not cost much more than a new graphite neck. Keep your good Jazz too.
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I think you'll be looking a very long time to find a Status for $450 (the current cost of a new neck, not including any shipping + customs fees). You certainly got a great deal on your Energy, but I'd say finding something like that here in the US is the exception and not the rule (I take it you're across the Pond where they are much more common). They are slowly gaining ground, but as a high-end import it's still a trickle.

I agree that the setup on my MK was great, but I have several "standard" wood basses that are its equal, both P's and J's. It will certainly depend on the instrument, but it's the most economical way to start.
 
#33
You're quite right that I'm in the UK, so I expect I'm wrong about the prices. The point I was trying to make I suppose, was that to get a bass with a brilliant action it would be simpler to buy a used Status than get a graphite neck which would have to be matched to the Jazz body or (agreeing absolutely with your earlier post) have the existing neck worked on. Maybe you and I both feel that amateur woodwork and playing the bass are two different activities?
 
#36
My Stealth is among the most meticulously crafted ,unique sounding, playable, and reliable basses I've ever played. It's simply amazing.
Every one I've played has given me the same impression.
 

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#37
Osprey said:
You're quite right that I'm in the UK, so I expect I'm wrong about the prices. The point I was trying to make I suppose, was that to get a bass with a brilliant action it would be simpler to buy a used Status than get a graphite neck which would have to be matched to the Jazz body or (agreeing absolutely with your earlier post) have the existing neck worked on. Maybe you and I both feel that amateur woodwork and playing the bass are two different activities?
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Absolutely +1 on the woodwork/playing aspect.

However, IMO matching would only be an issue if the body didn't fall into the guidelines shown on the site. If it's a standard MIA 20 fret Jazz body the Jazz neck should be hand in glove since Rob is designing them as direct replacements.
This is why someday I'll snag a Fender or a tricked up Warmoth body and do it myself. :D

Just to illustrate our situation here I would say this is typical +/- a couple of hundred and this is an older model:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ENGLISH-STATUS-...C-/110591474553?pt=Guitar&hash=item19bfc3fb79

While I had the MK I frequented the Status forum and there is some serious Status bass jewelry happening with those chaps. Having the factory in your backyard really lets you guys stretch. I'd recommend all Status-heads to cruise over there and take a gander at some of the show-and-tells.

Just wow.....:eek:
 
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#39
Osprey said:
I bought this Status Energy, dated from late 80s, for about £350 this year. Graphite neck, walnut body. One of the early ones with no truss-rod, but great low action and a range of tones from woody/mellow to bright/cutting. The new Status basses have more sophisticated electronics and some very fancy wood options, but this one will do me untill I can afford a Streamline (have you SEEN those things?) and that will just be fondle it: for playing I can't imagine anything better than what I have.
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I just took a look at the Streamline:

http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html

and now have total GAS. I've been fantasizing about finding a vintage Steinberger L2 as a "stealth travel bass" but they're hard to come by and waaaayyy pricey. The Streamline is cheaper than a vintage L2, would fit the same bill for my needs as far as portablility and durability, and I bet sonically is more bass than an L2 anyway. Now, what can I sell . . .
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