best places to find new mm basses?

[coreman]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for a new bass and have wanted a Stingray 5 forever. I'd been looking at GC for awhile but just got back from one here in Dallas and was told by the guy in the bass department that GC was no longer going to be carrying Stingrays. If I can't get these at GC then where? Is bass central a good place to get one? Only problem with that is I wouldn't be able to play it before buying. In case there's anyone in my area, I live in Dallas, TX. Thanks.

[Mobay45]

Murphy's Music in Irving is a MM retailer but they've had the same black SR5 in stock for a long time. Which GC did you go to? I usually go to the one at LBJ and Welch. I was there a couple of weeks ago and they had a pretty good stock of MM basses. I haven't heard that they weren't going to be carrying them anymore.

[Wasabi]

Hey everyone. I'm in the market for a new bass and have wanted a Stingray 5 forever. I'd been looking at GC for awhile but just got back from one here in Dallas and was told by the guy in the bass department that GC was no longer going to be carrying Stingrays. If I can't get these at GC then where? Is bass central a good place to get one? Only problem with that is I wouldn't be able to play it before buying. In case there's anyone in my area, I live in Dallas, TX. Thanks.

To me, because the MusicMan QC is so great, you could probably feel pretty confident buying over the net, and if so, I'd say Bass Central is THE place to buy your SR5. They have tons of them, they're a huge dealer, they know what they're doing, and they send you basses that haven't been banged to death by a bunch of Flea wannabes.

[bassplayer7770]

Is bass central a good place to get one?

Yes. I have 50% to pay on my new Sterling, and they had exactly what I wanted in stock. I've been very happy with my prior BC purchases as well (Eden WT-400 and two Aguilar GS112 cabs).

[oddjob]

Got my RR Bongo from Bass Central and Gard was great to deal with (Beaver was too even though I woke him up one morning ). I got my DG Bongo 5 from BassNW and they were also awesome to deal with. Can't go wrong either way.

ALSO there is our own fourm member Bassplyr (Doug @ http://www.daddyosmusicshack.com/)- he is an EBMM dealer too and can hook you up (haven't gotten anything from him but have heard nothing but good things).

[phatduckk]

i got an sr4 from Bass Central and got a JP5 from Bassplyr (Doug @ http://www.daddyosmusicshack.com/). both were great.

my experience with Bass Cetral was good but more like "hi im a customer sell me something" but with Doug it was super cool and more of a "hey buddy" kind of experience.

I'd buy from either of them again any day. If i had to have something NOW id goto bass central cuz they have a huge stock and can get the bass within a week but if i was gonna be patient or do a custom order (like when the 2 pup sterlings come out) id go with Doug in a heartbeat

is GC really not gonna stock Stingrays? that cant be

[Darth Tater]

www.bassnw.com
www.basscentral.com

Are definitely the places to go. Bass Central probably has more Stringrays in stock.

[bassplayer7770]

Apparently, my local Sam Ash has also decided not to stock Musicman basses (I didn't see any last time I was there), so it looks like we'll have very few (if any) resources for Musicman basses here in Columbus...

[coreman]

Mobay 45 - it was the Guitar Center off of Central Expressway

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll check them out.

As for Guitar Center not carrying anymore Stingrays, that's what the guy told me. He said that after they sold out the last one they had that they wouldn't carry them anymore. He did say that they would still be able to order direct from Musicman though. I don't know for how long or if it was a permanent deal or what.

[oddjob]

Hey I am originally from Columbus (lived there for over 22 years and I'm up there atleast once a month - in fact I grew up 2 blocks north of Gabby's - where you guys are playing)- all of the "mega" stores up there suck. The StringShop on High St usually has some decent stuff but go in there informed because the sales staff can be @sses!

Knowing all of that- I would buy from Doug, Bass Central or BassNW.

[bassplayer7770]

Hey I am originally from Columbus (lived there for over 22 years and I'm up there atleast once a month)- all of the "mega" stores up there suck. The StringShop on High St usually has some decent stuff but go in there informed becuse the sales staff can be @sses!

I've been there once or twice. It's been a while, though. I'm not sure I ever went there while I was attending OSU. Anyway, parking is a hassle as well.

[all_your_bass]

Anyone familiar with Columbus, I'm going to be up at OSU next year, what decent music stores do they have up there?

[Funky Chicken]

With respect to GCs everywhere-

I find it hard to spend $1K+ on any stringed instrument that's in the type of condition that I usually find at a GC. Everything that leaves its case at a GC is susceptible to getting banged around-that's just the way a GC usually is. Just stating a fact as someone who has visited no less than 25 GCs all over the country. The EBs usually are accessible to anyone, unlike the more expensive (i.e. PRS) pieces that are hung high and behind the counter.

Stores like Bass Central, NJ Guitar and Bass, and other smaller independents tend to treat their inventory better. Guitars are checked in, set up, photographed, and put in a safe place. They don't get a ton of civilian walk-in traffic, like the people looking for sheet music, clarinet reeds, or PA/Lighting stuff. If the instrument has been handled, it has usually been handled with care.

EB/MM quality control is great-certainly good enough that I would buy one unseen/unplayed from an independent store with a good reputation. My bigger problem would be picking colors/pickguards etc. sight unseen.

[oddjob]

Anyone familiar with Columbus, I'm going to be up at OSU next year, what decent music stores do they have up there?

There are the usual chain mega stores on the north side of town. Sweetwater music on the east side and The String Shop on High Street right across from OSU. From a selection standpoint the String Shop is probably the best, but then again do your homework before you walk in. There are some other ma and pa places sprinkled around the city and some decent pawn shops (Uncle Sams downtown is pretty cool - it is right around the corner, literally, from Music House (or Haus) - which is small but has some new high end stuff - Alembic, Wal, K Smith).
Hope this helps - enjoy your time at OSU!

[midopa]

You could send Bassplyr here a PM. He hooked me up with a great deal for a Bongo!