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Which Basses Have You Checked Out Lately?

#21
I was a GC this week end looking for a metronome and, because nobody was in the bass corner, I had fun.

I've never played a Warwick and decided to give it a try.
Got my hands on various models of all string-age.
I was pretty disappointed by the handling... I really want to like a thumb but maaan that's a thick neck and it is not very well balanced.

The big disappointment, IMHO, came from the Pedulla Rapture there, good setup but not very good sounding.

The amazement came from a Ibanez SR506 :eek:
I'd like to have my hands on a 6 and I think I'll try by this one before I go big $$$. I might try to find a 1006 LE if I can... :scowl:

Then I got my metronome... :)
 
#22
Michael Jewels said:
Dave, Dave, why do you torture me? :bawl:

Seriously, your description, plus that photo are almost irresistible to me! :bassist:

That looks so good, and it's in my favorite finish: sunburst, tort guard and dark fingerboard! :cool:
Click to expand...
It's really an amazing bass. I couldn't put it down until I heard the price. :(
Believe me, the torture is all over here. From where I sit right now, it's 20 minutes to that bass. Might as well be 20 light years.
 
#24
Went to a local shop today and tried an OLP MM2 4 string, was incredibly surprised by the fretwork, playability, and the sound, was sitting there new for $220. Lately I've played nothing but passive basses so I'm very tempted to go and pick it up tomorrow.
 
#25
I've been playing a lot of Fenders recently, after discovering I love flats but need rounds too. the only way for me to be happy is to get 2) J's, 2) P's and 2) MM's and put flats on one and rounds on the others.

So i've been debating which J's and P's will sound better with rounds or flats.

So I've played the following Fenders in the last 3 weeks.

Custom Shops:

1959 Relic in White

Americans:
1975 RI Jazz (Must Buy, IMO.)
1962 RI Jazz (Great J, probably the flats candidate)
1962 RI Precision (Must Buy, IMO, perfect flats P)
60th AV Jazz (No S1, Needs better pickups)
60th AV Precision (Good Rounds P, needs a better pickup and no S1)

Mexicans:
1960's Classic Jazz
60th AV Precision

Musicmans:
HH Stingray
1993 Sterling

I've tried the boutique thing a few times, and i'm just not finding one that speaks to me. I'm starting to prefer passive basses. My Custom Jazz is pretty much all I need for now.
 
#26
Last week I received the Modulus lined fretless Q6 I ordered 4 months ago, bubinga top, EMG electronics. And for a week, I've been a very happy customer. The pre-amp produces a wide range of very useful sounds, the neck plays easily, the bass is kinda heavy (10 lbs.) but balanced. I'd grade it a solid A on sound, feel, and looks.

This week, I got the credit card bill...
 
#27
Transparent Purple Pedulla Pentabuzz at the local GC. Setup was all screwed up, so they let me set it up (they trusted me? sheesh!) and after I got it set up, it was the most beautiful sounding thing I'd heard in years...wow! Even better than the sound that Egan gets out of his...I swear...and the money in my pocket...BUT...unfortunately...NECK DIVE!!! YIKES!!!
I was so disappointed and my neck was so sore after only playing for an hour and a half!!! Dang!

I couldn't buy it, I wouldn't be able to afford the Chiropractor bills!!!
 
#28
I stopped into my local shop to buy some new strings, and while I was there checked out the Rickenbacker 4001. I have fallen in love with them. I tried a USA through neck Spector, again gorgeous, but my piddly hands would have a hard time going around that 5 string neck.

Its a wonder they let an 18-year-old manhandle all of their seriously expensive basses without saying anything.
 
#30
Wow. Where to start. I've just had a busy day in London and I've tried:

1972 Fender Jazz. Lovely, neck was too skinny. Guess I'm just not a jazz guy.

1961 Fender Precision. Wow, this thing was NICE. I asked he sales guy if they took souls as payment. Looked exactly like Pino's. Red refin and tort guard.

Sadowsky metro RV5. The only 5 I tried out today, and boy, I know why everyone is raving about these.

Lakland Bob Glaub. Again, another nice bass, neck felt damn near perfect. Would be a great choice for flats.

1978 Musicman Stingray. Man, I've never played a pre EB Stingray, but this was also nice, but not as nice as my '86 (IMHO) but, I wanted it.

Ended up coming home with an EBS multi comp. Nice pedal.
 
#31
Flintlock said:
I stopped into my local shop to buy some new strings, and while I was there checked out the Rickenbacker 4001. I have fallen in love with them. I tried a USA through neck Spector, again gorgeous, but my piddly hands would have a hard time going around that 5 string neck.

Its a wonder they let an 18-year-old manhandle all of their seriously expensive basses without saying anything.
Click to expand...

For all they knew, you coulda been a RICH 18 yr old. ;^)
 
#33
I went to GC on Friday actually, here is what I tried:

Peavey Grind 6 String - I wanted to like it b/c a 6 string for $250 is right up my alley but this was the worst set up bass I have EVER PLAYED. The C string was resting on the neck pickup. Pretty embarrassing to have so poorly set up equipment. I didn't love the feel of the B string either.

Musicman Stringray - I have always loved the look, so I wanted to play one. I just couldn't get into the spacing on the neck, too wide for my jazz hands. Great bass though, top quality and sounded good. I love that there is plenty of room for popping even w/ the pickguard.

Musicman Sterling - Neck felt better for me, great fit and finish, however for some reason I couldn't get comfortable playing on it. I think b/c I have been playing my P more than anything lately the single pickup was hard to get used to as a thumb rest. I also didn't feel like I could anchor myself well on it. I want to love a Sterling, I think I am going to try again.

I really want to try a Ric though.

PS at the Union Square GC in Manhattan they had to Fender Jazz Bass 24's for $499 each, I am not interested as I love my MM, but it's a great price. They looked new, not sure if they were used or just on sale.
 
#35
I recently tried a Sadowsky NYC..I thought my Metro sounded better so I sent the NYC back. I may order another one (NYC) with different body and fingerboard woods. The guys at Sadowsky are excellent to work with and gave me no hassle when I decided not to keep the bass.
 

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#38
I finally went to check out Russo Music in Hamilton, NJ. I've heard a lot of good things about that shop and I was not disappointed. Nice layout and good selection of basses. I played a few and this is what I experienced.

Modulus Quantum 5 - Not for me. The neck is too thin (distance from the top of the fingerboard to the back of the neck). I prefer a bit more meat on necks. Plus, the bass didn't feel well balanced.

Ibanez Semi-hollow - This played pretty well. I prefer 34+ inch scale necks, but this had a good feel to the strings.

Warwick Streamer 5 string - Ahh!!! Very nice bass. Well balanced. A lot like the Spector NS except for the neck.

Warwick Dolphin - Not bad, but there are other Warwicks that I like better. The balance was off for my tastes.

Warwick Thumb - Nice bass. Good feel and playability.

Warwick Corvette Standard - Uh-oh! GAS!!!! What a great bass. There's something about the shape and feel of the neck that makes me like this best of the Warwick line. If I had the $$$ in my pocket, this would have come home with me.

Warwick Rockbass Corvette - It was okay, but the Corvette Standard is just so much nicer.
 
#40
joelb79 said:
So i've been debating which J's and P's will sound better with rounds or flats.
Click to expand...

I just picked up a rosewood Fender Deluxe P-Special and threw flats on it. It's fantastic. The pickups are really good (especially for a MIM fender,) the preamp isn't defeatable but I think it stays out of the way once you figure out how the mid knob works, and I think the body woods compliment the flats well.

Plus it was only $350 out the door with case and a set of flats. :D
 

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