A question for those of you in the know?

[JayDawg]

I know how the Bongo's and Big Al's got their names along with the Sterling by Music Man basses. But I was curious if anyone knew how the others got their names?

Stingray,
Sabre,
Sterling,
Reflex

Heck, even the S.U.B.?

 

[jlepre]

How did the Bongo get its name?

 

[Oldtoe]

Think vintage American muscle, automotive style for Stingray and Sabre.
S.U.B. stands for Sport Utility Bass.
Sterling? Sterling...hmm. Not a clue.

 

[Big Poppa]

StingRay and Sabre were automotive names by Leo
Sterling was my name because I pretty much designed it with dudley of course and at that time people didnt really know who I was and it started with an s (like silhouette)
Bongo was the code name from BMW designworks and I kept it to throw people off...it was disruptive
Big Al was because it was the Albert Lee Shape and I call Albert Big AL

 

[adouglas]

Wait a minute… Leo named a bass after a BUICK?

Gosh.

 

[JayDawg]

Cool, thank BP for the history lesson. I thought the Sterling was named after you but wasn't sure?

So how about the Reflex?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Think vintage American muscle, automotive style for Stingray and Sabre.
S.U.B. stands for Sport Utility Bass.
Sterling? Sterling...hmm. Not a clue.

Actually, I think S.U.B. are BP's initials. Could be wrong though

 

[Holdsg]

U stands for Uber?

 

[Big Poppa]

no is was a joke of mine Sport utility bass...reflex is a trademark we had from the eighties...the cost of global registration is huge

 

[JayDawg]

Cool, thanks again BP!

 

[bovinehost]

Bongo was the code name from BMW designworks and I kept it to throw people off...it was disruptive

I think that was the most fun you could have on the internet at the time.

People were REALLY upset by that.

 

[keko]

Bongo was the code name from BMW designworks and I kept it to throw people off...it was disruptive

Yeah, ...I wrote that on our domestic music forum in my country, ...all the guys was amazed!

 

[Big Poppa]

the whole Bongo experience is something that I am very proud of. It was an intentional thumbing my nose at what I was supposed to do. It is the old hippie in me that says."Who says that we cant be different? Why does it all have to look the freakin same....Whats the worst that happens? I lose r and d money and get peoples panties wadded up. It is a bass and I hope that in the future that it will get easier to offer different stuff...It's butt hard now....the Big Al Reflex and the Bongo and not great sellers. I revere and respect the Stingray...but if that was all I could do I would be selling BBQ's.......Oh wait !!!!! I am selling bbqs....Ok if that was all I could do I would be up at 430 posting on internet forums.....Damn I am...Ok I truly believe that all of the poor sellers are valid instruments and hopefully make somebody happy.

I was playing my single H Big Al yesterday through a three 10 mark bass combo....It made it all worthwhile. I think I will pull the Reflex down today.

I expect that the Gamechanger will take forever but will someday be very important. Not in my lifetime but for the guys and gals who get it...that is why I do it.

I may name the next model Larry.

 

[JayDawg]

I am glad you made those models BP! It's hard for me to believe the Big Al, Reflex's and Bongo's don't sell that well because when I took my Bongo to Guitar Center the other day to play some amps, people were drooling all over that bass. I think one person even asked it for it's autograph!

Well, maybe all of us Knuckleheads can continue to be your advertising of those basses. As long as you build them, we will buy them and play them and help spread the word.

I'm just shy of 2 years of having my truck paid off. When I do, I want to buy at least one Music Man bass a year and eventually own at least one of every model because I am yet to be disappointed with any bass that has ever come out of your factory.

Oh yeah, eventually a Big Poppa Smoker will replace my current Walmart grill too.

 

[TherealAC]

It's a shame the Bongo and Big Al aren't great sellers! They're truly amazing basses! I'll be representing my bongo where ever I go!

 

[OldManMusic]

BP, every gig I play I'm using one of my Bongos or Big Al. I've been proud to own and have played my old Stingray since 1978. I chose it because it wasn't the same bass that everyone had at that time. The looks of the Bongo and Big Al drew me in, but the sound is why they are always on my shoulder.

For those of us that like things a little different than the cloned masses, thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

[keko]

I was playing my single H Big Al yesterday through a three 10 mark bass combo....It made it all worthwhile. I think I will pull the Reflex down today.

Ohh, ...yeah!

 

[adouglas]

I may name the next model Larry.

Dang. I was hoping for Loretta. I've always wanted a bass named Loretta.

Or maybe Shirley.

 

[mfallmann]

No, please name it Nigella !

 

[cellkirk74]

.Ok I truly believe that all of the poor sellers are valid instruments and hopefully make somebody happy.

I was playing my single H Big Al yesterday through a three 10 mark bass combo....It made it all worthwhile.

At least they make me happy. Every time I play my Big Al 5 H I am just stunned because it sounds and plays so good. Thanks for making the difference BP!