Why I haven't bought a MusicMan - an outsider's perspective.

[spencer]

Come to think of it, MM does this kind of specialization from time to time, as evidenced by their Dargie Delights. Specialized inlays, finish, labeling, etc. - only to sell a handful of instruments. Yet somehow they saw it as being worthwhile to do.

Id prefer everything to stay simple.

You buy a stingray you get a stingray neck
Sterling get a sterling neck,

Other wise I see the used market being flooded with basses that are almost the right combination, "OOh a trans purple stingray, with HS! Oh shoot its got a sterling neck.. " Now the resale value drops.

[BenjaminStrange]

He may have good cred. He is trolling, however. He has come onto the company website and posted inflammatory comments that are extremely disrespectful to EBMM and their business model. That's not trolling?

You might want to re-read my posts. I really like MM, and their business model - they are a company that commands respect in a business that is populated by companies whose policies are questionable at best (Gibson, anyone?). I'm offering constructive criticism and my own opinion, if only to elucidate what many bassists may be thinking (or at least my own thinking).

If you want to be offended, go right ahead. I won't stop you.

[BenjaminStrange]

Id prefer everything to stay simple.

You buy a stingray you get a stingray neck
Sterling get a sterling neck,

Other wise I see the used market being flooded with basses that are almost the right combination, "OOh a trans purple stingray, with HS! Oh shoot its got a sterling neck.. " Now the resale value drops.

Heh... I prefer simplicity as well. Less knobs, please.

[syciprider]

He may have good cred. He is trolling, however. He has come onto the company website and posted inflammatory comments that are extremely disrespectful to EBMM and their business model. That's not trolling?

I haven't seen any disrespectful comments. He is sharing his opinion with valid discussion points. He did not come in here saying this sucks or that sucks.

[bassmonkey]

You might want to re-read my posts. I really like MM, and their business model - they are a company that commands respect in a business that is populated by companies whose policies are questionable at best (Gibson, anyone?). I'm offering constructive criticism and my own opinion, if only to elucidate what many bassist may be thinking (or at least my own thinking).

If you want to be offended, go right ahead. I won't stop you.

I think you are incredibly egocentric if you cannot see anything wrong with your comments. I am offended by them. They are unwarranted and achieve nothing except stirring up bad feeling. Troll away, though, I won't stop you.

[bassmonkey]

I haven't seen any disrespectful comments. He is sharing his opinion with valid discussion points. He did not come in here saying this sucks or that sucks.

I do not see any validity in raising these points on the company website. I just see disrespect and a lack of tact. If he wants to have this discussion he should take it to talkbass.

[BenjaminStrange]

I think you are incredibly egocentric if you cannot see anything wrong with your comments. I am offended by them. They are unwarranted and achieve nothing except stirring up bad feeling. Troll away, though, I won't stop you.

This is exciting - I haven't offended anybody on the internet since... oh, yesterday maybe.

Look, dude - I LIKE MusicMan, both their company and their products. I'm just saying I wish they offered something that I could buy.

Just to be 100% totally, ridiculously clear: MusicMan HAS MY UTMOST RESPECT. Got it?

Now... can we get back to everybody telling me I'm wrong in a reasonable manner?

[syciprider]

This is exciting - I haven't offended anybody on the internet since... oh, yesterday maybe.

Look, dude - I LIKE MusicMan, both their company and their products. I'm just saying I wish they offered something that I could buy.

Just to be 100% totally, ridiculously clear: MusicMan HAS MY UTMOST RESPECT. Got it?

Now... can we get back to everybody telling me I'm wrong in a reasonable manner?

No! Screw you! You troll head!

[bassmonkey]

I'm just saying I wish they offered something that I could buy.

See, this is the bit I don't get. Why are you saying this? Why have you come to the company website to tell them they are wrong in doing what they are doing? Do you really think anyone cares about your opinion on this? I think I'm right, you are very egocentric. And rude.

[Caca de Kick]

I love my passives for what they are, and I love my actives for what they are. I would see no point in having all my various brands of basses exactly the same electronically.

It seems this would be like asking that Les Pauls come with single coils because someone prefers their Strat sounds.

[BenjaminStrange]

See, this is the bit I don't get. Why are you saying this? Why have you come to the company website to tell them they are wrong in doing what they are doing? Do you really think anyone cares about your opinion on this? I think I'm right, you are very egocentric. And rude.

Nope - I'm making suggestions. I did say it was to provide constructive criticism, and make them aware of their own market. I post on their own website for their own benefit, whether they take my suggestions or not. Any good business listens to their market, and responds accordingly. It seems to me that MM is one of those companies that listens better than others, which is why I'm making my own tiny voice heard.

Apparently you care very deeply about my opinion - you're the only one getting upset about it. I'm not intending to be rude.

You may be right about one thing, though: I'm very egocentric. I'm totally awesome.

[BenjaminStrange]

I love my passives for what they are, and I love my actives for what they are. I would see no point in having all my various brands of basses exactly the same electronically.

It seems this would be like asking that Les Pauls come with single coils because someone prefers their Strat sounds.

But Les Pauls DO come with single coils. They also come with various neck shapes, finish options, body shapes, electronics, etc., etc., etc. But there's more to the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul than just pickups (obviously). It's the whole package. Each offer many, many tweaks on that package, and each sell tons and tons of guitars because of it.

[strummer]

Come to think of it, MM does this kind of specialization from time to time, as evidenced by their Dargie Delights. Specialized inlays, finish, labeling, etc. - only to sell a handful of instruments. Yet somehow they saw it as being worthwhile to do.

First, I don't understand the correlation between your wishes (optional passive and log style nack) and the special runs? Sure if GC or the german importer suddenly wants a heap of log-necked instruments, but I'm sure you'll agree with me that it's a long shot.

Now, the passive mode is antother thing, and here is my thought on that: I find it unlikely that Musicman would suddenly launch a purely passive instrument, but as evidenced by the latest preamps they do acknowledge the desire for some to run a bass passive.
And with regards to the Bongo, which you say you'd buy if it came passive, I say just do it! Gutting a Bongo is a simple thing, and as long as you save the parts you can bring it back to active duty if you ever want to sell it. I've played a passive Bongo for a while, and yeah it was ok. less loudness and not fun with long cables, but ok.

cheers

[spencer]

True.. Gut the thing and be done with it..

[Duarte]

I understand that my perfect neck wouldn't be a marketable option - but having two different neck options for each bass doesn't seem that difficult if they all use the same neck pocket.

They do not use the same neck pockets.

Sterlings have the slimmer, 5 bolt, Stingrays use the 6 bolt...they woudn't fit.

Also, if you ripped out the preamp in a Bongo...I wouldn't go blabbing about it here!

But Les Pauls DO come with single coils. They also come with various neck shapes, finish options, body shapes, electronics, etc., etc., etc. But there's more to the difference between a Strat and a Les Paul than just pickups (obviously). It's the whole package. Each offer many, many tweaks on that package, and each sell tons and tons of guitars because of it.

Both Gibson and Fender are significantly lower build quality to an EBMM. There must be a reason for this...