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adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
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On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Okay, like all of us who went to the desert bash, I came home with some bad gas. Part of it was that fantastic Mexican feast, but most of it was being surrounded by a WHOLE LOT of MMs and MM fanbois (and grrls).

So tonight I went to my local GC, mostly to buy a small mixer, but also to (finally) check out the much-hyped Markbass gear.

Naturally, the first thing I do is head over to the bass section. Hmmm....yep...the usual suspects....black/black/natural SR5, yawn, a Stealth Bongo, and....

What's this? A used SR5 with....FIVE knobs? A real, live piezo? Gee, what a perfect item to test the LMII....

So I plunk down and start fiddling, and am impressed with the Markbass gear. I'm also impressed with this SR5.

Along comes the sales guy, who happens to be the assistant manager (you can see where this is going). We chat for a bit about how cool MMs are and how good the Markbass stuff sounds. I ask about the F1 (which he has not yet heard of). I continue noodling.

Just to test, I ask "does this price include a case?"

"Do you need it to include a case?"

"Maybe." (grin)

Enough of this. I thank him and ask for his card out of courtesy, saying that I'm not there to buy a bass, just a mixer. So he walks me over to pro audio and finds the mixer.

"Here it is. Ninety bucks. I'll give it to you for free if you buy the bass."

Hm.

Aaaagh....

Hm.

"Nope. I really can't bring home another guitar."

Hm.

Hm.

"Tell you what, give me another few minutes with the bass." (I'm toast.)

So I go take it off the wall again and ask him to show me the Bose display (since I use the Bose gadget as my bass amp).

"Over there. Since you know what it is, you must know how to use it."

"Indeed I do."

Noodle, noodle, noodle.

Hm.

Hm.

It's trans red, which I like, but has a white pearl guard, which I don't (I hate those white PU covers, and, DANGIT, you CANNOT swap them!!!!!!). Natural fretboard. MHS. Mint. No more than a couple of years old, 'cause it's got a compensated nut.

It's got strings with red silk on 'em. New, but not Slinkys.

Noodle, noodle, noodle.'

"Is the case the original MM case?"

"Of course." (bastage.)

Hm.

"Okay, here's the offer. The bass, case, a fresh set of EB strings, and the mixer, and knock a couple of sawbucks off the ticket."

"Let me check..."

So now I own a

Trans Red SR5, MHS, natural, piezo, white pearl.

It's used so I think I can post the price, but I won't without permission. It was about what it would have cost on ebay, given the piezo.

Ah, hell. :rolleyes:

I know, I know....no pics, no bass....no time right now. Need to WW the neck and change the strings, and learn a couple of songs for tomorrow's practice. Soon enough....
 

Kristopher

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Apr 18, 2007
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751
Location
Tempe, AZ
Dang, nice story. Looking forward to pics, and to hearing how the piezo sounds with the low B.
 

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
Messages
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Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
Dang, nice story. Looking forward to pics, and to hearing how the piezo sounds with the low B.

If it didn't kill, do you think I would have strayed from the True Path of the Bongo? :p

Anyone who hasn't heard a Music Man bass with piezo, go find one. Really. No kidding.

You think the straight MM tone is great? Pfeh. You don't know what you're missing.

Listen, the thing adds HUNDREDS of dollars to the cost of the bass.

It's WORTH EVERY PENNY.

Can I get an AMEN from you piezo users? Mingus, you out there?
 

Big Poppa

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Feb 9, 2005
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Coachella & SLO, California
SOunds like a great bass I actually like the red white combo reminds me of the Super sport that burned to a crisp.....sobb sobbbbbsoobbbbbbbbbbbbbb why did you have to remind me!
 

oli@bass

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Jul 23, 2007
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4,272
Location
Switzerland
Aside from the pics... could you post sound files to prove how great the piezo is? I have no idea how it could add to the SR sound...
 

bassmonkey

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Aug 4, 2005
Messages
908
Location
Perth, Australia
Congrats.

That's the great thing about the UK. We don't have shops like GC with tons of MM gear. Therefore I never find myself in the situation you describe. :(
 

Jimmyb

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Dec 17, 2005
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2,562
Location
Cheshire, UK
Congrats.

That's the great thing about the UK. We don't have shops like GC with tons of MM gear. Therefore I never find myself in the situation you describe. :(

Yeah, that's really great isn't it? :(

I found myself in a GC in Boston back in May, I was that impressed by the number of EBMM's they had, I also bought a Dargie SR5 (I can't even play the bass!!)

Congrats on the bass, it's great to get a bargain.
 

fsmith

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Joined
Oct 30, 2003
Messages
2,297
Location
Halethorpe, MD
You know you should never go the grocery store on an empty stomach. :rolleyes:

Hook, line and sinker.... he had you from hello. :D

Sounds great, can't wait to see pics.


So tonight I went to my local GC, mostly to buy a small mixer, but also to (finally) check out the much-hyped Markbass gear.
...

What's this? A used SR5 with....FIVE knobs? A real, live piezo? Gee, what a perfect item to test the LMII....

Just to test, I ask "does this price include a case?"

"Do you need it to include a case?"

"Maybe." (grin)
...

"Nope. I really can't bring home another guitar."
...

So now I own a Trans Red SR5, MHS, natural, piezo, white pearl.
 

stretch80

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Joined
Dec 1, 2004
Messages
358
Location
massachusetts
Congrats!

You know, those "unplanned" basses sometimes are the ones you'll love best!

Like a puppy that won't let you go home without it.
I got my SR5 at a GC the same unplanned way, and it's now my #1 bass with a bullet. Your Bongos better watch out!

I agree with BP - red/white is a classic look.

Have fun!
 

adouglas

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Aug 12, 2005
Messages
5,592
Location
On the tail end of the bell curve in Connecticut
thhhssssSSSP.


I returned the bass last night.

It was (and is) a great bass, and I hope that whoever buys it gives it a good home. I did my part by replacing the brand X strings that were on it with proper Slinkys and doing the full Birchwood-Casey neck maintenance drill.

I loved the bass.

The band loved it.

But.....

I was unable to talk myself into not returning it (or something like that).

Fiscal responsibility simply got the best of me in the end.

The fact is that my Bongo does everything I need a bass to do. I came to this conclusion after playing the Bongo again.

That SR5 was sexy and cool, but it was, truth be told, extraneous. I looked at the receipt, looked at the bass, looked at the receipt, looked at the bass, and came to the inescapable conclusion that money in the bank is better than another bass in the corner.

For now.

We'll see what the future holds.

A BFR Bongo that really floats my boat will be a no-brainer purchase for me.


 
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