Off Topic New User, quick(ish) Hello!

[Stephen]

So, hello everybody!

I have been reading these forums for quite some time now and think I should introduce myself before spilling all the questions I have ...

I live in a rather remote corner in germany, where there is little to no access to EBMM basses in general, and literally no access at all to a Bongo or Big Al, which means I will have to rely on the wisdom of the great InterWebs to be able to make up my mind about my first quality instrument in about 20 years.

I have picked up playing again a few months ago, with a cheap bass that would allow me to see whether my fingers will start moving again (looking good), and without burning too much money if they didn't. In these months I have developed an ever growing lust to play for the hell of it, and get back into a band-worthy shape ASAP.

While I was doing research on my entry level instrument I kept stumbling over music and sounds that just jumped on me and it always involved a Stingray, Sterling or Bongo. It became very clear to me that there will be at least one EBMM bass in my house if I would be able to get some halfway decent grooves out of my hands after all these years. And then the Big Al was introduced ...

So far I have started with a set of slinkys, but I'm sure I will see another set of those as factory equipment on a new bass in the next few months.

So, again, hello everybody!

Cheers, Stephen

 

[Bart B]

Hi man! Welcome!,another european bass player on the forum

You should try to make a trip to the music store in Köln if it's not too far from your location, they have bongo's, stingrays and sterlings over there.

Cheers!

 

[five7]

Welcome! The Big Al is the best bass I have tried lately. Very cool. I will have to wait to buy one though.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I live in a rather remote corner in germany, where there is little to no access to EBMM basses in general

You guys have some gorgeous limited edition EBMM basses in your stores that no other UN nations have access to. Why not take a drive on the autobahn and visit your store? Even living in a "remote" corner of Germany (which is about the size of an average sheep ranch in Australia) rocking down the fast lane of the autobahn with no speed limits will get you there pretty quick I'd imagine.

 

[Dargin]

Welcome! I'm lovin the Big Al right now...

 

[strummer]

Hi!

 

[oli@bass]

Hi Stephen, try to find the time to head down to Station Music - The Southern Proshop. They have a huge selection of (rare) EBMM basses. Contact Lothar Walter to make an appointment, he's a really nice guy who's quite knowledgable.

That said, I bet your first won't be your last!

 

[Davecg2]

hey stephen, welcome and good luck with your next EB bass. itll be a tough choice, but whatever you pick youll love it.

 

[Kristopher]

Welcome!

I don't know about the availability and pricing in your area, but be sure to check out the Sterling by Musicman basses if you can, they are quite a bit less expensive but still excellent quality instruments.

 

[djaxup]

Hi fellow Kraut

The official german distributor for EBMM Instruments (Musik Meyer http://www.musik-meyer.de/) resides in Marburg. Beyers Music in Bochum had no problems to order my bongo directly from them, and they had two bongos in store to try out.
Musicstore in cologne is your best bet to actually get your hands on just about any type of EBMM bass.

The choice is a tough one. For me, the uniqueness of the bongo did the trick, but i guess no matter what you decide to use, you will be satisfied with it. That's the cool thing about their instruments. You just can't go wrong from a quality viewpoint.

Musicstore had a very nice orange Bongo with an all rosewood neck, but a bit more expensive i think.

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the Addiction! Looks like you are getting some help here and that is great. Good luck in your next purchase....it won't be your last!!

 

[Stephen]

Thanks guys!

My point with stores that stock EBMMs is this: I have 3 authorized dealers within one to one-and-a-half hours driving distance. I already visited 2 of them, with no luck (no Bongos in store, neither even knew about the Big Al), so I rang up the third store before going there, which saved me another wasted afternoon. So, I won't travel through half the country without an appointment, and to be able to get one I will have to narrow my choices down a bit or I might end up spending my budget on fuel, even in a country the size of a sheep farm (and I'd rather not! )

Now, what am I looking for?

In short: 4 strings, fretted, versatile, and for a Bongo or Big Al it will have to be noisy colour.

Sterling by Music Man: a Ray would be interesting, but there is the pricing issue over here (I' leave it at that, to keep Big Poppa's blood pressure down).

Sterling: I dig the ideas behind this bass, but would have to try one. From what I have heard and seen so far, the Sterling seems a bit too aggressive for me?

Stingray: 3 band EQ, Single H or HH, safe choice here, and just about the only one I could pick up from a store without ordering one (that BFR Rosewood HS at Station Music is sweet!)

Bongo: Probably my first choice - the team at EBMM thought out of the box and then went the extra mile in development to get it right in just about every single detail (which puts them in front of any other company I know, including a lot of excellent luthiers over here). But I still need to learn about the different models, which is not that easy ...

Big Al: Love it. Takes the whole electronics thing another step further and looks insanely cool, too. Definitely needs an upfront colour since you don't just strap it over your shoulder but you wear this thing (which means I would have to order one anyway, all I see over here are shades of black). Oh, and which fingerboard would it be?

Well, that's a start here!

Cheers, Stephen

 

[Aussie Mark]

I won't travel through half the country without an appointment

Gee, you guys have changed a lot in 70 years

 

[Stephen]

Gee, you guys have changed a lot in 70 years

LOL, nice one ... and that meant only my own country!

 

[Big Poppa]

Dont forget the 25th and the bass that it will become

As far as the Sterling being aggressive.....Im the only Sterling thats aggressive....I actually think that the sterling is a little more versitile...the series setting is big bot not aggressive

Contact Musik Meyer ask for Philip and tell him your story and see where he can send you....I know they have all in stock in Marburg......What about a ROAD TRIP!!!!

 

[Basscake]

A fellow Kraut!

Welcome Stephen!

Where the heck is Spielberg?!?

Maybe there other members around your sheepfarm. *cough* sorry ... i mean remote corner.

For the basses: You've got to try them. There is no way around. Descriptions are nice but no substitute for your own judgement.

Station Music is always worth a trip and Lothar always has fresh coffee...

Even living in a "remote" corner of Germany (which is about the size of an average sheep ranch in Australia) rocking down the fast lane of the autobahn with no speed limits will get you there pretty quick I'd imagine.

*lol*
Since I moved from Germany to Australia I also have a different idea what a "remote corner" looks like. If there is still a sealed road it can't be so remote...

 

[djaxup]

I can only speak for myself, but being able to reach just about anything in an hour makes you think twice about a 7 hour drive.

Where do you live approximately? Worst case would be far northern east corner, but even then, berlin is not too far away. I can tell you, the bongo IS worth a travel. If you are arranging an appointment with a bongo, make sure you get to play it on a really good rig. Maybe warn the staff in advance. Music Store folks usually are cool people...

 

[Stephen]

Yup, I guess that's what I'm going to have to do somewhen next month: travel.

I have been to another, smaller store today, who is listed as a dealer that usually should have at least 4 EBMMs on display. Not only did he have nothing in stock (neither guitars nor basses), he also seemed pretty much clueless about the current product line ...

Anyway, this is going to be some sort of treasure hunt for me, so thanks again to you guys - Station Music seems to be a good place. I will also consider calling the distributor, who I'm sure could help ... maybe I'm a little disgruntled right now, but as it is I would rather drive an extra hour and seal that purchase with a dealer who is a little more ecstatic about it. *gnarf*

And BP, I will try and get my hands on a Sterling again - I'm still judging from Ed's review on YouTube (and a couple of songs from there) and my impression was that this puppy not only barks but occasionally bites when picked. That being said, my preference now would clearly be a Bongo or Big Al - with limited funds I have settle for only one of them - and for the time being I will try and focus on that ... when the 25th follow-up hits the shelves I will hopefully have a MM to compare it to!

Oh, and (my) Spielberg is a snug little village in the south western part of germany, roughly where that pointer below is. Lots of trees and, admittedly, more cows than sheep here ...

Cheers, Stephen

 

[Basscake]

Oh, and (my) Spielberg is a snug little village in the south western part of germany, roughly where that pointer below is. Lots of trees and, admittedly, more cows than sheep here ...

Have you contacted Rockshop in Karlsruhe or Soundland in Fellbach?
And station music of course.

By the way. I'm moving back to good ol Germany. Karlsruhe to be accurate. You're welcome to try my SR5 and my old SR4.
But i't won't be before November...

 

[djaxup]

The big Thomann ist only a two hours drive from your position.

They have various EBMM's in stock, including two bongo 5 (HH and HS)
MUSIC MAN BONGO 5 TP
And all sorts of Sterlings/Stingrays.