Introducing Sterling by Music Man

[GoKart_MoZart]

dont be confused.....open your eyes

That's the motto on my family crest!!!

 

[boristhespider7]

I'll chime in and say I don't like calling them "Sterlings" either. When I tell someone I play a Music Man Sterling - especially these guitar players that think the world ends with Fender and Gibson - I want it to be recognized that I'm playing a top of the line bass. Calling the mid-level or budget instrument (or whatever you want to call it) a Sterling is confusing and misleading and and I believe cheapens my actual Sterling basses. Sorry, just keeping it real from the perspective of someone who owns three GENUINE MM Sterlings.

 

[bovinehost]

Well, I think this is a very, very good thing.

As has been mentioned, the SUBs were excellent and hit a certain price point. It seems to me that it's a very good price point to hit. I've always wished that we'd had these options when I was first starting out, back when dinosaurs ruled the earth.

And Sterling, you're so SNEAKY these days! It's fun, checking in on the forum and discovering something that I would never have even guessed at.

The Big Al! The Sterling line!

Anyone who doesn't get how fun this is needs to take more fun pills.

Jackie

 

[Croissant Seven]

Man, you could call them the Kip Winger Signature Series and they'll still sell like hotcakes, and be nicer than everything else in their price range, so there's no need to get caught up in the name.

I'm assuming that they'll fall in the $600-$800 price range, and frankly, if you don't do the research on a purchase of that size, even if you're filthy rich, you shouldn't be concerned about getting confused. The pricing difference between these and the Stingrays will make it obvious enough to a potential buyer. Hopefully.

All I can say is, I'm going to bum rush my local GC on the day these come out and probably make my wife very upset. I've been wanting a MM bass for a long time, but I wasn't satisfied with OLP, never could get my hands on a S.U.B., and can't afford a Stingray 5, so this is very good news indeed.

Now I just hope that I don't have to wait a year to play one...
C7

 

[silverburst]

Will these be shown at NAMM?

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I'll chime in and say I don't like calling them "Sterlings" either. When I tell someone I play a Music Man Sterling - especially these guitar players that think the world ends with Fender and Gibson - I want it to be recognized that I'm playing a top of the line bass. Calling the mid-level or budget instrument (or whatever you want to call it) a Sterling is confusing and misleading and and I believe cheapens my actual Sterling basses. Sorry, just keeping it real from the perspective of someone who owns three GENUINE MM Sterlings.

Why do you care what other people think about your instruments? Sounds like you're more concerned with appearances than whether or not you sound good in the context of a band.

 

[SLUGGO]

I am sure this will be answered after NAMM but....

What will make these the "mid-level" as compared to the current line. These will be SLO made, I assume, but is this simply a difference in choice woods used and mass produced electronics? This is a great idea and sorely needed in the marketplace. I hope they are a huge success!! Good Luck BP and crew!! Enjoy NAMM!!

 

[scrapperstoo]

I am sure this will be answered after NAMM but....

What will make these the "mid-level" as compared to the current line. These will be SLO made, I assume, but is this simply a difference in choice woods used and mass produced electronics? This is a great idea and sorely needed in the marketplace. I hope they are a huge success!! Good Luck BP and crew!! Enjoy NAMM!!

From the SbMM thread in the guitar forum

they look super nice! so where will these be made?

Indonesia and Korea

 

[Big Poppa]

no as as Ive said these are made buy the park family who makes some of the very best imported guitars and basses for some very big comapnies. This is a partnership that is different than their other relationships.

Boris the spider....I love that you have three basses but I am patiently trying to understand after how firm and thourough Ive been on the politely asking that people stop with the naming critique and asking that people refrain from polluting an introduction that I gave to you guys a week earlier than most dealers. Guess what I dont get it. Start a separate thread but hijacking a thread is bogus. Do you think that Im going to change my mind?

One more time..... i voted against the name. My biggest customer and the entire company and various other customers insisted on it. I wish Id neve named the Sterling Bass what I did.....I didnt think anybody knew who I was...I t was a name that began with an S like the Sting Ray and the Sabre and meant quality.....

Let me ask you guys something...If it was named Myrtle and gave you ultimate satisfaction would you not play it beause of the name...would you not marry a woman named Balnche because of her name?
Its just a name Please respect my continued wishes asking that a preview that you get to see doesnt turn into a bitch fest anymore.

LEts all agree the name sucks so others can be spared the redundant unsolicited pompous critique.

 

[Smakbass]

hell id give it a try if it was named jack or pete

 

[RobertB]

But it doesn't suck, and it's not confusing. I think some people are just compelled to find something negative/critical to say when presented with pretty much anything new. Makes me think about how reluctant I would feel about giving these sneak-peeks, if I were in BP's place ... knowing you can count on the hecklers to try to spoil the fun.

I took out the rest of my previous post, because it was definitely moderative, and I swore I wouldn't appoint myself moderator any more. I think sometimes I've done that before I even realize that's what I'm doing.

But anyway, I would agree with GC and the rest of the faction who were insisting you go with this name, BP - even if you initially voted against it. I think it's perfect. And more importantly, I can't wait to try 'em.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I like the name, it makes perfect sense to me.

 

[sloshep]

Call it what you want. If it has the Music Man vibe that's all that matters. There are alot of people playing Iban*z ATKs out there due to lack of funds. These people wanted Stingrays but they just couldn't swing it. Personally it will allow me to own a 5 string to noodle on. Since I doubt a 5 string will ever be my main bass again. I just can't justifying dropping that kind of cash at this time. I love my 30th, but I can't afford to buying that level of bass with a daughter in private school. That just my 2 cents.

 

[bovinehost]

hell id give it a try if it was named jack or pete

I certainly hope so.

 

[Aussie Mark]

would you not marry a woman named Balnche because of her name?

No pics, no Balnche.

 

[boristhespider7]

no as as Ive said these are made buy the park family who makes some of the very best imported guitars and basses for some very big comapnies. This is a partnership that is different than their other relationships.

Boris the spider....I love that you have three basses but I am patiently trying to understand after how firm and thourough Ive been on the politely asking that people stop with the naming critique and asking that people refrain from polluting an introduction that I gave to you guys a week earlier than most dealers. Guess what I dont get it. Start a separate thread but hijacking a thread is bogus. Do you think that Im going to change my mind?

One more time..... i voted against the name. My biggest customer and the entire company and various other customers insisted on it. I wish Id neve named the Sterling Bass what I did.....I didnt think anybody knew who I was...I t was a name that began with an S like the Sting Ray and the Sabre and meant quality.....

Let me ask you guys something...If it was named Myrtle and gave you ultimate satisfaction would you not play it beause of the name...would you not marry a woman named Balnche because of her name?
Its just a name Please respect my continued wishes asking that a preview that you get to see doesnt turn into a bitch fest anymore.

LEts all agree the name sucks so others can be spared the redundant unsolicited pompous critique.

I guess I should have fallen in line and said how great this all is. I didn't mean to contribute to the "hijacking" of the forum. I thought the preview was posted for us to freely discuss. One issue is the reintroduction of a midlevel instrument. That's great. Nobody critical about that as far as I can see, including me. I started on a nice budget instrument many years ago. The other issue was what the series was called and how that may affect the overall brand and those customers who already own and are loyal to Sterling basses and enjoy their cache (like me). That subject is apparently off-limits to discuss here even in an intelligent way (i.e., not a mere complaint session). There could have been some good ideas posted about how to market and dinstinguish the instruments so that midlevel buyers feel good about their purchases while Sterling owners feel the pride in ownership of a top-of-the-line instrument and don't feel alienated by the midlevel line carrying the same name as their particular model. Perhaps that is for another thread. However, I don't think the subject should be taboo. If a thread is started with a new product preview, perhaps specify that you only want positive feedback or disallow comments. Although I don't post that often, this forum has typically been a "marketplace of ideas" where both dealers and customers give and get input and sometimes have their views changed as a result of others' opinions. Barring comments or ideas on a particular subject when they aren't abusive (some of the comments on the name issue were admittedly less than diplomatic) just seems to be contrary to the usual purpose of this forum. And many of us may be "cayenne pepper," but we are ultimately the loyal customers who buy the instruments, recommend them to friends (including beginners), and have (sometimes strong) opinions on the brand we take pride in owning.

 

[Sonnyonbass]

I love it how we all get first looks. That's a really neat thing i think.

And this is indeed good news for people who are a bit on a budget when it comes to bass buying habbits.
You'll sell a boatload of these!

Can't wait to try them out when i visit de US again.
Hell maybe ill buy a Bongo (or Sterling 5) AND one of the new ones....


Again! More decisions!

I hate you guys!

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I guess I should have fallen in line and said how great this all is. I didn't mean to contribute to the "hijacking" of the forum. I thought the preview was posted for us to freely discuss. One issue is the reintroduction of a midlevel instrument. That's great. Nobody critical about that as far as I can see, including me. I started on a nice budget instrument many years ago. The other issue was what the series was called and how that may affect the overall brand and those customers who already own and are loyal to Sterling basses and enjoy their cache (like me). That subject is apparently off-limits to discuss here even in an intelligent way (i.e., not a mere complaint session). There could have been some good ideas posted about how to market and dinstinguish the instruments so that midlevel buyers feel good about their purchases while Sterling owners feel the pride in ownership of a top-of-the-line instrument and don't feel alienated by the midlevel line carrying the same name as their particular model. Perhaps that is for another thread. However, I don't think the subject should be taboo. If a thread is started with a new product preview, perhaps specify that you only want positive feedback or disallow comments. Although I don't post that often, this forum has typically been a "marketplace of ideas" where both dealers and customers give and get input and sometimes have their views changed as a result of others' opinions. Barring comments or ideas on a particular subject when they aren't abusive (some of the comments on the name issue were admittedly less than diplomatic) just seems to be contrary to the usual purpose of this forum. And many of us may be "cayenne pepper," but we are ultimately the loyal customers who buy the instruments, recommend them to friends (including beginners), and have (sometimes strong) opinions on the brand we take pride in owning.

Mate the subject isn't taboo as such. The one proviso to BP showing us things before his dealers and other people see them is that we hold back on the critique. BP has said this so many times that it ceases to be funny anymore. He shouldn't have to state it in every thread. It's called manners!

If we want to continue getting advance previews of stuff, then we need to remember that we're not part of the marketing and R&D teams - we should just be grateful for getting a sneak preview. And who cares if we don't like it - we're a tiny proportion of the EBMM customer base. The most fanatic (obviously) but in terms of BP's bottom line I don't imagine we're a significant proportion of his revenue. But guess what, GC who ARE important in terms of the bottom line love it!

And what you need to remember is that this isn't Talkbass. This forum is paid for and hosted by BP, so as such we need to stick to any rules he may lay down, which includes not calling sneak previews "dumb" (I'm not referring to your post here) or trying to second guess marketing strategy. You wouldn't visit someone's house and immediately start criticising the decor or furnishings. It's rude.

I own a Sterling - and I think it's a great idea. As BP said, the word "sterling" implies quality. There's no Sterling bass in the Sterling line, so when I say I have a Sterling bass, that's what I've got. There's no room for ambiguity. I don't think my bass in somehow worth less now this new line has come out. My bass is still made in SLO and bears the Sterling name, whereas the Sterling range basses are going to be made in the Far East and be called SB14s or whatever. I don't see anyone who owns a MIA Strat complain because the MIM Strats happen to bear the same name. That's far more confusing.

If you really want to have a discussion about this, maybe start a new thread. As BP said, this thread should be about the preview only, not trying to shut the gate on a name change some of us don't like long after the horse has bolted.

Sorry for the long post guys - I've been following this thread with interest and I'm off work today ill - so I guess you guys get to put up with me instead.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

ahhhh - refreshingly well said.

I wish all these numpties would stop nagging about a name, what's in a name, did the real fans liked Prince any less when he changed his name to simbol to hurt the record companies? NO, they bloody well didn't!

Prince was and still is the legend that he is with the name Prince, simbol or even Susan to his mates.

For god's sake give it a rest.

 

[DTG]

my middle name is Mary ......that sucks !! i'd be happy with Sterling