UPDATE Jan 7 Anniversary Bass preview

[bovinehost]

As cool as you think it might look?

It's going to be way cooler than that.

As versatile as you think it might be?

Oh, just wait.

Sometimes I get to thinking that I'm pretty swift about Music Man stuff and that I know a little bit about how BP thinks and how good Scotty and Dargin and Dudley and Drew and Jon are....and then I'm reminded that there are good reasons why I'm a retired Navy swab.

And remember - I thought (still think) the Bongo was a home run.

This is going to be so GOOD.

the evil but friendly,

Jack

 

[Psychicpet]

well, yet again the Bongo is about to hit the road for the next four days across the West and this thread is picking up steam again... right when I'll be hitting and more than likely missing wi-fi hotspots

 

[T-bone]

As cool as you think it might look?

It's going to be way cooler than that.

As versatile as you think it might be?

Oh, just wait.


This is going to be so GOOD.

the evil but friendly,

Jack

Were you trained in the art of torture? Is that what our military dollars went to??

Chuck, don't you have any photo's of Jack by the pool? Wasn't it "naked day" a while back???

tbone

 

[kylierider]

Yeah I'm getting pretty fired up myself to see what this new bass is.

Maybe it a crazy mix of new and old? Stingray type body, maybe with more rounded curves for that modern look. Some cool binding. Oval pickguard, string trough like the days of old but with some crazy new electronics. Three single coils that can be run seperately or all together in single coil mode but with some secret switch that turns two or three of them together into this super bucker pu. All run on this mini watch type battery thatis good for 5 years.

I think I just wet myself...

 

[RocketRalf]

I'm thinking SR5 body shape with oval pickguard. Or perhaps no PG but some crazy top.

 

[Big Poppa]

OK so this seems like a tease....its not. I really want to explain this thing and the thoughts as we go along.

Our philosophy with an anniversary instrument is to not just issue a relic or reissue something already done. Rather it is a moment in time to incorporate things from where we started and different milestones along the way while offering a glimpse of the future. This is a ground up instrument that will be available as a different name and cosmetics after the 25th.....so here is the first tidbit

One of my latest mantras is that we are hamstrung by an industry and consumer base that has separation anxiety with 1953. I also strive for making the stuff as ergonomically pleasing.....Which generally means weight and balance....

That brings us to the bass tuning key. I giant hunk of metal......Been using the same one for 50 years. Our guys went about making a tuning key that had the same gearing and feel but with most of the mass taken out. This design does not require the backing plate or the screws. it also has 4 "wings" instead of two for tuning ease To give you an example on a five string bass this bass will weight one half of a pound lighter than the old ones....and thats just the keys. Keep in mind that when you put a half of a pound about a foot and a half on the end of a neck it is heavy. Now without those giant plates we can make the headstock smaller.....also by stealing from our guitar design we can make a neck that doesnt need a string retainer and actually functions better due to the downward pressure of the compensated nut.......Now we shrink the headstock and end up with a headstock that is only 10% bigger than an Axis guitars with a boatload of weight gone....we can do alot of things with that weight gone or redistributed in terms of body ergonomics and balance points....

The red outline is the sterling headstock shape

 

[Psychicpet]

Sterling.


in all seriousness and reverence......


you guys are unfreakin' real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


can not wait.

 

[INMT]

Awesome small headstock........I'm starting to think this is going to be a real speed machine oozing with tone.

 

[Colin]

awesome info BP. the size difference of the headstock is amazing

 

[bovinehost]

There you go.

 

[Big Poppa]

sorry the back should show also....does it?

 

[bdgotoh]

Very cool BP. Thanks for the preview, we appreciate a chance to see into how the factory works.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Very cool stuff BP! I think you guys are the best there is... but you know how I feel.

 

[syciprider]

 

[Musicman Nut]

Music Man Instruments

This is what the result you get when you Have a bunch of Musicians that play and are incredible talented people, I realize there is Many People at Ernie Ball that make this incredible team and what can you say, They have never produced a Instrument that didn't sound good.
I'm 50 years old now and have owned pretty much every bass out there in my life time and Ernie Ball Music Mans continue to blow me away, So I will continue to Purchase the very best Basses on earth.
again Hats off to the men & women who spend their days as a living to make our living & dreams a reality.
Thanks again BP and the entire Ernie Ball Music man Crew.

 

[Rano Bass]

If that is just the headstock, i can't wait to see what you guys do with the rest of the bass.

keep up the good work (as always)

 

[strummer]

I love this!

The cleaverest tuner design I've seen, and also I can almost feel what it will be like to turn one, and now I know I've always wanted a key with four wings.
Also, it totally retains a classic look while being perfectly innovative!
Brilliant!

This is very very exciting!

 

[Jimmyb]

That's really cool.

I've said it before, but it's not going to stop me from saying it again.

One of the things that I've always loved about EBMM is that they are never content to rest on the past and are always looking at new design, production and manufacturing methods. It's great that for an anniversary model they are looking towards the future. The easy way is to just produce something that's a carbon copy of what was done in the past. Fine, if that's your thing, but there's got to be more fun and benefit to us all by pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

I have a real interest in design and also in sustainable manufacturing and energy production and I'm really excited by BP's continuing quest to produce an instrument made from sustainable materials.

Keep up the great work guys!

 

[GWDavis28]

BP and team, great job from the images posted!!! Then new headstock and tuner design look awesome and excellently thought out!!! Dying to see more images when they are available.

Can't wait to see whats in store for the guitar version!!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[Kirby]

I love this R&D torture! It really makes these instruments all the more special when you know the history behind them. Thanks BP!