New Canadian MM Dealer Represents Well

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I was just in one of the new EBMM dealers in Montreal today (Italmelodie) again and am impressed with their inventory and service on MusicMan basses. Since being appointed as a MusicMan dealer (last summer, I believe), they have always had a good array stock. Today they had 3 Bongos (4HS Electric Blue, 4HH Stealth, 6HH Cabernet), 3 5 Sterling 5's (HH, HS & H, including an Olive Gold and True Gold), 3 4-string StingRays (HH, H & BFR Rosewood necked H), 2 StingRay 5's (HH and H) and they even had a BFR Sterling 4-string. Short of a 25th Anniversary and Big Al (which as far as I know only Tony Levin and BP have yet), they have a very good representation in the bass department (I didn't check the guitars). All basses were setup and played well.

Not only that, they recently expanded the store and have a whole bass "lane" on it's own and it's really nice. That plus two or three regular knowledgeable salesmen in the bass department make for a great EBMM experience.

With all the Guitar Center gripes and some general music store poor service stories, I just thought I'd pass along a positive experience.

P.S. That BFR rosewood necked Stingray was fabulous. The wood grain under the gloss really pops out well. Maybe they should have glossed the whole necks. And it matched the vintage sunburst really well. It was tough to leave without it...

 

[five7]

Maybe they could open a store here in Denver. I would love to try out a bongo and a sterling!

 

[bobalu]

I wish we could have such a MM dealer in Southern Ontario. I've about given up on my quest for a Bongo. The mom & pop store owner in Hamilton actually tried to push me to a Stingray (I already have one btw) when I asked him why he has never stocked a Bongo. His reply was that they were odd looking and would be too hard too sell. How would he know if he's never stocked one. I'm extremely disappointed and sad that I can't find a Bongo anywhere here. I've been looking 7 or 8 months now. Closest I came was a six string at Long & McQuade in Burlington (I want a 4). End of rant.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I think the Bongo is still a tough sell for some of the retailers. If they are not willing to stock them, how can they expect to sell any?

 

[fidooda]

didn't know italmelodie was an EBMM dealer. good to know. The other store on the island doesn't have any bongos.

knowing there's a BFR rosewood there makes me wonder a little. I was told i ordered the first BFR rosewood in Québec and i haven't received any news of it yet :/

 

[RobertB]

Nice! I remember that place (lived in Montreal for abouta year).

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

knowing there's a BFR rosewood there makes me wonder a little. I was told i ordered the first BFR rosewood in Québec and i haven't received any news of it yet :/

Maybe there were a few extra made available for dealers that didn't specifically order them in advance. My guess is that you'll have yours soon.

 

[DanGouge]

I wish we could have such a MM dealer in Southern Ontario. I've about given up on my quest for a Bongo.

Hmm, the Long & McQuade at Bloor & Ossington in Toronto usually has a good selection (as it should, being the flagship store). Dave at Club Bass usually has a decent EBMM selection, though not too many Bongos. Try those two I'd say.

 

[Oh! Henry]

I for one am happy that we have a second option for our EBMM purchases in Montreal. I have always had great service at Italmelodie. The last time I was in there I was looking at cabs, and the salesman took the time to plug almost everysingle cab he had on the floor. It's definatley a great addition to the EB family

+1 to a great selection. I had put my 20th anniversary up for sale so that I can fund the true gold Sterling 5.....but then came to my senses.

 

[GreyDad]

Today they had 3 Bongos (4HS Electric Blue, 4HH Stealth, 6HH Cabernet)

Hey I WANT ONE OF THOSE!!

But how do I get it? I grew up in Montreal, that counts doesn't it? I bought my first bass from Steve's Music Store! I have a DEC!!! I met my wife there! I have relatives there and I paid taxes there, surely that means I can have that Cabernet 6HH Bongo even though I'm a Brit in the UK??

Any chance you can you post a pic of it? Puh-lease??? I can't find anything about it on their website at all, wouldn't mind seeing what it looks like.

Thanks!

Neil

(currently off work with a severe case of Bongo-itis)

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I tried the Bongo 6 (unplugged) and it felt really nice. The neck was thinner that I expected (front to back), but it was setup really nice and it almost felt like it didn't have an extra string, aside from first picking it up and feeling the width of the neck.

The True Gold Sterling 5 is still there and it's a cool colour. I think it would look great on a Bongo. My wife thinks it looks 70's, but what does she know?

 

[Scraggy]

Just for curiosity what was the color of the BFR Sterling 4?

 

[fidooda]

+1 to a great selection. I had put my 20th anniversary up for sale so that I can fund the true gold Sterling 5.....but then came to my senses.

when i saw that ad on lespac, or was it kijiji, i was sure it was yours (the city was the giveway). glad you came back to your senses.

 

[UniTap]

The True Gold Sterling 5 is still there and it's a cool colour. I think it would look great on a Bongo.

Uuhh!!?? Believe me it looks GREAT on a bongo! They got one at Richard gendreau's and it's stunning!

 

[ekb16b]

So which ones are you gonna get?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Just for curiosity what was the color of the BFR Sterling 4?

It was green with a quilted top, if I am not mistaken. It was hung up really high and I almost didn't notice it. There's a BFR thread sticky and it might be one of the ones that are listed as available in the middle of page 2.

Edit: I just checked the MM website and it's Emerald Burst and looks just like the one there although I don't remember if was a maple or rosewood fingerboard.

 

[Scraggy]

It was green with a quilted top, if I am not mistaken. I was hung up really high and I almost didn't notice it. There's a BFR thread around here somewhere which it might be in, or at least a similar finish.

Thanks for the info... For a moment I was afraid that it was my Sterling that I ordered there you saw !! but I didn't read well, you didn't say Rosewood BFR. I am still waiting for their call for mine... Should not be too long!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The rosewood BFR was a Vintage Sunburst 4-string single H Stingray.

 

[bobalu]

Hmm, the Long & McQuade at Bloor & Ossington in Toronto usually has a good selection (as it should, being the flagship store). Dave at Club Bass usually has a decent EBMM selection, though not too many Bongos. Try those two I'd say.

Dave only has a few Stingrays. I've never seen a Bongo at Club Bass (the times I have looked, anyway). I'll try the Bloor St. L&M when I'm in Toronto next. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Oh! Henry]

when i saw that ad on lespac, or was it kijiji, i was sure it was yours (the city was the giveway). glad you came back to your senses.

I doubt there are many floating St-Bruno!! I still want that Sterling, I haven't played them back to back, but to my ears I think I prefer the ceramic pickups to the alnico of the SR5. But then take out the SR5 and play it at a gig, and see how well it sits in the mix, and I come back to my senses. I guess I'll just have to wait a little to save up...... but maybe by then I'll want a 25th aniiversary!!!!

Stupid addiction!!!!