Free from Fender, what a relief (kinda long, sorry)

[Big Poppa]

Crow

THe talk bass thing happens no matter what....extremely biased fans of another brand get enraged because we are equally biased.......I think it is very funny. IT can scare people off and that is unfortunate as I really try o be honest and open and it gets me whacked way too often over there.

They really have a problem with me calling out certain makers for not making instruments...I didnt even get to mention the Skyline that are made in Korea that are in some cases more than my USA stuff....just a little lighter fluid for a lazy sunday!

 

[The Crow]

I also think it's so awsome that the owner of the company comes on the forums & chats with it's members the way you do BP. I remember a thread here, quite awhile ago about I believe it was one of the NaMMs where there was the Ernie Ball Blimp, & that it crashed into the Peavey booth, I nearly split my gut open laughing so hard at that, don't think I've seen anything funnier on any forum anyplace.
I dragged the Bongo out again, along with the Fender 5, but as much as I try, I just can't come around to a 5. The 4 string basses (all of them) just feel so natural to me. I have big hands, but stubby fingers, guess that's why. If anyone had a 2005 Bongo LE 4HH in pristine condition that wanted to trade for a 5, I'd probably jump on in even Steven in a heartbeat. Don't think there are many out there now in the condition this one is in. Has probably been out of it's case & only played in my house for maybe 20 hours max.
I think every company has to find it's niche. MusicMan certainly has. I honestly think that if Fender came out with a radical new design, people would shun it as not a "Fender". Fender is J & P basses, Tele & Strat guitars, they try something else, won't last.
Not sure why you find the JC "humorous" BP, it's roughly based on the ES 335, Vintage Sunburst (MM has Vintage Sunburst), it does have a set-neck, there is absolutely NO dead spot between the 4th & 7th frets on the G string. Hell, even Roger S has dead spot issues. The one complaint I have with it is the location of the front strap button, don't like it in the least, so I use it primarily for Blues sets where I can sit to play it, & last 2 bands I was in were primarily blues/jazz/r&b.
You won't get anything from me to close this thread Bovine, I've found that the "usual suspects" on this forum have been more than respectful to my opinion. It might have to do with the fact that I'm not here to slam Ernie Ball products, just make it known that I like them, but so far, just not for me. Hell, I got slammed on the TB forum because the person with more posts than anyone else posted a picture of his new bass. While everyone else was praising how great they thought it looked, I said I did not like it, & it was like TROLL how dare you not like his new bass.

Crow

 

[JimB52]

I've owned pretty much every model of bass made by the major US makers, and like pretty much every one of them, some more than others. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, maybe even euro for euro, I'd say EBMM models are the best overall value. They're the only bass I've ever bought new, and would certainly be among the last to go if I ever had to divest.
I could go on, but you guys all pretty much know the rest.
Jim B

 

[philthygeezer]

I've owned pretty much every model of bass made by the major US makers, and like pretty much every one of them, some more than others. Pound for pound, dollar for dollar, maybe even euro for euro, I'd say EBMM models are the best overall value. They're the only bass I've ever bought new, and would certainly be among the last to go if I ever had to divest.
I could go on, but you guys all pretty much know the rest.
Jim B

Speaking from experience, they are also the only brand that I would purchasing without physically playing first.

 

[r goldsmith]

I can hear it

As much as I love the Fender sound (based on their trademark sound from historic recordings), I just know that when I gig with them I'm usually thinking about how I can get them to sound good - it always seems a bit of a struggle. With EB they just sound great straight off the bat, and I can be heard, and I can concentrate on my playing.

Oh and I've noticed there's plenty of guys over on the Fender FDP forum who own EB basses too.

 

[bovinehost]

I've said this many times before, but let me reiterate - this is by no means a little club for people who own ONLY Music Man basses. Were it so, neither Big Poppa nor I could belong.

It is, however, a place to discuss Music Man basses.

Okay, I feel better. Carry on.

 

[Soul Man]

Well, since I started this thread it has taken on a whole new direction - this will be my last word:

Once again, thanks BP for thinking different, I'm glad I finally found your products.

 

[AnthonyD]

Interesting read...

One man's pleasure, another man's pain - I don't think in terms of "this is better than that" - prefer to think in terms of "this is different-er than that"...

I have an appreciation for a handful of other basses relative to their historical significance and contribution to the art, but when it comes to playing, I gots what works for me.

 

[Big Poppa]

THe Crow....remember real men play four strings....the low b is compensating for something....

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I love my low Bs. Whatever it is I'm trying to compensate for, I like it rumbled!

 

[Rano Bass]

I guess it's safe for me to say i like'em both

I've had a love/hate relationship with that jazz for nine years.

 

[PzoLover]

you been baptized

First of all, this is NOT a bash Fender topic. I'll explain.

Since I am still a newbie here, I have a lot to learn about the EBMM "family", and that means everyone here.

Being new, I have been reading a number of old posts and was especially taken by something Big Poppa had mentioned regarding Fender.

This isn't the correct verbage but BP mentioned that Fender continues to reinvent the same instrument over and over. It hasn't left the 50's. Well, Fender still makes some very nice products but he is 1000% right. Nothing wrong with a P or J bass but why not break away?

I became tired of Fender in general and bought a Lakland Skyline Duck Dunn model because of the neck. I have smaller hands so the neck profile was a bonus for me. I really like the bass (color and inlays) but really it is still a Fender design. It's a Lakland Fender. I like it but I makes me feel like something is missing.

A local shop has a used Stingray. I always thought they were cool but no local shop carried new MM products so I never have a chance to look things over. Well, for fun I messed around with the SR in the shop and loved it (well, almost, the neck was too much for me). Cool looking body, cool headstock and great feel and overall design. Loved it.

A week later I saw Celine Dion in Las Vegas and her bass player Marc Langis had an Envy Green Bongo - WOW!

Once I was back in town I bought a used OLP MM2 from a friend which I thought would be fun to practice on. That was it. I again loved the design and knew I had to make a change.

Whereas I really have nothing bad to say about the quality or playability of my Lakland, I have this strange feeling of calm between my ears because I have just purchased a used Sterling (as noted elsewhere in the forum). Winds of change have blown.

Just knowing that I have purchased an instrument that was designed and developed with a large chunk of FORWARD thinking makes me feel pretty damn good.

Escaping the Fender influence is a wonderful feeling and maybe this sounds naive but I wonder how many others like me still are (were) under the spell that there is only "one" bass..........?

O.k., sorry to ramble, maybe this is a musical/spiritual revelation that I am experiencing but man, as a lover of music I feel "free."

Whew, what just happend to me? ::eek

hey soul Man,
congrats on just being born again
you remind me of the day I brought my first SR5 home when she arrived after a long wait for the special order ... a day later I was back at the store ordering the second one and the bass dept manager, who was open minded but still a F***R guy asked me what I liked about #1 and I said "she is very fine and comfortable with incredible sound and she darn near plays herself needless to say, I was hooked on my SR5 HP and eventually traded my J5 for a third SR5 ... there's probably a F***R bass in many MusicMan player's history books and now we have been converted, we're pretted excited about "seeing the light" .... welcome to the bright side of bass player street and may you never lose your excitement over being "born again"
all the bass,
/PL

oh yeah ... one more thing ...
sorry about Celine Dion ... she's quite a fine singer but I worked in a mall once and heard too much of her from the overhead speakers ... I guess she inspires wimmen to shop ::eek

 

[carpedebass]

THe Crow....remember real men play four strings....the low b is compensating for something....

OH NO! I don't even own a 4 string! My hands are much too big for those little necks...and you know what they say about guys with big hands....

 

[The Swedish Owl]

I don't currently own a Fender or an EB/MM, but If I had to choose between them, EB/MM would always be my first choice. There's just something about the Stingray (Sterling, Bongo) tone that is more "my" tone. That kinda' in-your-face punch, still having loads of booty to spare.

The only reason holding me from getting a 'Ray is that I can't afford one right now, being a student in Sweden most expensive city. And perhaps that my Warwick is essentially a variation of an S/H Bongo.

After seeing pics of the new 2008 models, I might have to reconsider buying that upright I've been looking for. A HH Sterling 5 or a Single H (or HH) Bongo 5/6 is just too tempting to pass. I've also been waiting for the "right" LTD finish to pop up.

BUT LET US NOT FORGET WHO ORIGINALLY DESIGNED THE STINGRAY!

 

[oli@bass]

BUT LET US NOT FORGET WHO ORIGINALLY DESIGNED THE STINGRAY!

Never. As well, as never forget who improved on it. Even while it was being created by Leo: Sterling.

I think a clear distinction must be made between the original designer of and idea/concept and the company that finally produces it for the masses. Leo's designs are great, inspiring, yet, not all of them are delivered in adequate quality and a contemporary package as the current incarntion of the StingRay.

 

[AnthonyD]

We can spend all day talking about the piece of wood... Everyone's hands are different and there are no wrong opinions.


We can also spend all day talking about the company behind the piece of wood - F*nder and EBMM are two very different companies...


And these are two very different discussions...

 

[fly]

Never had the opportunity to actually play a Sterling, but I eagerly await the day...

you'll be blown away.........great basses.

 

[carpedebass]

you'll be blown away.........great basses.

No doubt, I'm sure!