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

**Big Poppa** · 10-10-2009, 10:33 PM

You know benjamin and I are really good. I still think my clown face is up there with his chick smoking and liking Phish.

I have to tell you the cheapest shot is some one that hangs here and waits to pile on...I have zero use for them. I believe that benjamin even said he expected to get flamed in his first post...I dont think it was flame...maybe a light carmelization....

I am not going to take marketing advice from a guy who plays an ovation. (that was another joke since things are a little raw)

Please let me remind you that I couldnt give away sub passives and sold thousands of active ones.

**Smallmouth_Bass** · 10-10-2009, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

Here is how it goes....opportunity is created when you dont feel the market is being addressed.

That answers it all right there.

Every manufacturer cannot make every instrument with every potential option, but it can't hurt to ask for something specific. The worst that can happen is to get a no for an answer (there's not enough demand, that's not what we do, would be too expensive, etc...). Did I ever mention that any bass over approx. 9.2 lbs is too heavy for me? How about a single H in the middle (between the bridge and neck positions)? A satin finished neck?

I think the Big Al and 25th are great with their electronic versatility. Is it overkill? Maybe, but you don't have to use every setting. I personally didn't care for the shape of the Big Al when the teaser photos were released, but now I think it looks really cool and I can't wait to check out the 5-string version when it's introduced.

**Colin** · 10-10-2009, 11:30 PM

the positive side to these threads is the insight to the market/industry from Big Poppa's replies. That and his humor

keep some lines for me BP when I bring the camcorder to NAMM?

**TNT** · 10-10-2009, 11:55 PM

Wow!!! I'm from the other side of the fence (skinny stringers)!!

There's a lot you guys can learn from us guitar players about this type of conduct. You'll never see us acting in this manner.

Bottom line is this: EBMM instruments are at the "top" of the food chain, every one expects "them" to meet all their needs.

And, hey, even if the "other" bass manufacturers offered every conceivable neck under the sun on their basses, they still won't be happy unless it's a EBMM bass they're playin'!!!

Read between the lines: Benjamin WANTS TO PLAY A EBMM BASS, that's why he is frustrated.

**BenjaminStrange** · 10-11-2009, 01:15 AM

Originally Posted by Big Poppa

I am not going to take marketing advice from a guy who plays an ovation. (that was another joke since things are a little raw)

You're probably right - something this odd would never sell:

Yet somehow, something as odd as a Big Al does sell. Hmmm.... What a strange industry we have found ourselves in.

**DTG** · 10-11-2009, 03:12 AM

I have managed to offended many people here, my sense of humour seems to be a bit different...I don’t think that will change now

Guys here might cut you slack cause they know you from tb but the rest of us don’t and wont,
To me your thread title was an insult "you bass is sh1t and I won’t buy one" maybe you should have considered it a bit more.....just a bit of constructive criticism for you.

Funny how guys come here make a big splash and then become back pedal champions after BP reply's

You want a passive music man and don’t want to pay for a pre amp then stop crying about it and get a sub or a cheap bongo (to rip the guts out of) and be part of that 1 %

and my god that thing is ulgy as hell,but if you like it cool and enjoy playing it

**koogie2k** · 10-11-2009, 07:03 AM

Again Benjamin...hope you stick around and find what works for you be it an EBMM or not.

To borrow a quote from Fogman....

**douglasspears** · 10-11-2009, 08:09 AM

for the win!

**oddjob** · 10-11-2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by koogie2k

Again Benjamin...hope you stick around and find what works for you be it an EBMM or not.

To borrow a quote from Fogman....

Koogs, we love you... but that is just scary

**Big Poppa** · 10-11-2009, 08:36 AM

Thanks Benamin...now I got to sleep with the lights on.....

**HornetAMX** · 10-11-2009, 09:21 AM

I've been on the 'net since 1998 and have never been inclined to join TB. The guy who started TB did so from his apartment! He probably has a house paid for by now with all the proceeds from that forum. (unlike some other guy who started another forum from a garage......)

My advice is go buy a Pre EB Stingray and wait for the preamp to fail (preferably right before an important gig) and then you can bypass it and play it passive. It happened to me twice. I've never had a failure with an EB product and I've played SR5's, Stingray's and Sterling basses. I even have a DDII Bongo 5H waiting patiently for me at Bass Emporium. (I've been working long hours and they close at 6 p.m.) Or as others suggested find a passive SUB on Craigslist.

I like your Magnum II BTW. I really dug Ross Valory's tone on the Escape LP, although he used a Magnum IV.

**Grand Wazoo** · 10-11-2009, 11:11 AM

Never had the desire or inclination to join TB, or other similar bass forums, I am not in this for the chit chat, got no time for that if you know what I mean, I am only here because I am interested in EBMM basses, it can be an addiction who knows? to follow the new models coming out etc etc, yeah I can admit it's quite a cult, and a bit of a steep ride for me cause I don't get through to people the way I meant to, but so what? anyways I come and go as I please

On a side note... yesterday I was in a music shop and there was this old 2nd hand Stingray from the late 70's natural, maple neck, strings through, and this one had the serial number on the triangular (3 screws) neck plate rather than on the bridge, not sure what year exactly they had that feature, however they were asking £2500 for it!!, in usa money that'll be around $3960 at today's exch rate! That is fing crazy, the bass was not worth that money for sure and I am thinking, for that money you can get 2 new EBMM's which are a lot more technology advanced and better sounding that that old one in that shop. Someone selling that bass is slightly deluded.

You might recall I did try another older Stingray a few months ago, they wanted £1900 for it but at least that one did sound extremely wicked for a vintage bass and a captivating mojo about it. I am not so sure anymore if with all these good new basses coming out of Poppa's oven if its really worth investing vintage unless you are really rich and a keen collector, if you want a good bass to play get a Bongo play it and stfu!

**MrMusashi** · 10-11-2009, 11:53 AM

vintage is another market that has opened up.. if people want to pay that much for it, its ok by me.
but i also find the new eb basses superior to the old ones.. and every time i meet someone who claims the old basses are waaay better i have to bite my tongue to keep from stepping on his toes..
in my mind there is no doubt, but the same applies for his mind.. and he is wrong

MrM

**DTG** · 10-11-2009, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by TNT

Wow!!! I'm from the other side of the fence (skinny stringers)!!

There's a lot you guys can learn from us guitar players about this type of conduct. You'll never see us acting in this manner.

you do seem to be a very polite bunch of chaps on the other side !! fair play