Aussie Mark said:
Is it better than the "Steamer"?
Depends on the Streamer (since there are several different lines). It has a little more umph than a Stage II it is about right on line with a Stage I, it is thicker and more versitile than a LX or ProM (which I own) - and kicks the Standard and RockBass all over the place.
Now the big play comes to Pickups - The Vamp is pretty much a 3 pickup bass - 3 jazz pups. The back pup that looks like a bucker or soapbar is actually 2 jazz pups under 1 cover.
The electronics, while I love my ProM, are, IMO weak for the money you are shelling out... thus my Bongo purchase. EB/MM is by far the best bang for the buck on the market - hands down!!!
For example, the local GC has a Streamer Stage 1 5 string (wide spacing). The bass is beautiful!!! Plays wonderfully. Sounds great. List at $2895 - ouch. They just sold a Bongo 5 HS. A little different looking. Plays just as good (I actually liked the neck profile better). Had more headroom. Had more eq-able sounds. And, those sounds were everybit as good (in some cases better) than the Stage 1. Best of all it's list sticker said 1599. Big difference. HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Vamp 4 I tinkered with was just awkward. It didn't feel balanced... in fact it was quite heavy (I would say in the 12 pound range). Don't get me wrong... it was nice, but it was just nice... nothing mindblowing (not to mention I felt like I was playing a BC Rich on steroids) which for that kind of cash it better blow my head off, my neighbor's, their cousin's, their cousin's aunt's, their cousin's aunt's bus driver's... etc.!!!!!
And here is the kicker... a Vamp 4 Set Neck (cross between a bolt on and neck through) list at 2499 - this is their base model. The Vamp 4 Limited (neck through - top of the line) list at 4199... CHOKE!!!!! GASP!!!!!How many Bongos and Rays is that?????? I realize that you are stupid if you pay list but this at least gives you an idea of where the prices are truely at.