Why no signature bass?

[steevo]

Why is it there isnt a signature edition MM bass. I know alot of famous bassists probably play bog standard instruments and it would be pointless putting out a standard bass with a signature on the head just because they can, but with the amount of guitarists with a model and with MM being famous for its basses, im surprised that one hasnt turned up.

 

[Golem]

`
Huh ???? You mean such as .....

"StingRay 4 CLASSIC LTD EDITION SLEDGE BASS
- ENDORSED BY TONY LEVIN!

Endorsed by Tony Levin, Custom, Metallic, special effect
flake finish, Birdseye Maple Neck with High Gloss finish,
Maple or Rosewood Fretboard, Includes Certificate of
Authenticity Signed by Tony Levin! Black Pickguard,
2-Band EQ, Mutes, Thru Body, Case. Retail $XXXX "

Now, I don't know if this ax actually bears Mr Levin's
scribble, but thaz unimportant ... unless you're some
kinda pimple faced noobster rock geetard wannabee ....

--------------------------------------------------------------

Perznally, I have a few signature models, signed by
Bill Roberts, Dan Clement, Stu Spector, H.P. Wilfert,
and not by silk screen, but actually hand signed, by
the individual who REALLY matters, to me, in so far
as these basses are concerned ... meaning that they
are signed by the builders of the basses.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

It speaks for itself does it not - Look at the guys using EBMM on tour and in the studio...it's the MM Bass Platform with the artist finding their sound within that...I'm getting all deep and stuff, but hey, I'm thinking if the "Bass Goddz" I dig are using EBMM stuff off the rack and doing "THAT"...what can I do when I pull it off the rack...

Alot it seems

Just sayin

 

[Mabongohogany]

If they do, put me down for (1) of these:

 

[Gravesend Black]

EBMM instruments are cool enough to sell it without any loud names on the headstock.

Take X bass - put the X name on it and thousands of "X-wannabees" will buy it. But MM does not need that I guess. It is to good already)



But it would be good if EBMM will add more musicians into the Artists gallery. There are much more noticeable bands and players over the world who uses EBMM instruments but not represented there. God Is An Astronaut for example)

 

[keko]

If any EBMM bass deserves signature model, ...that should be for sure Dave La Rue's Bongo 4 HS.

OK, ...maybe John Myung's Bongo 6 too, but it's too early for that?

Let's say that Tony Levin already endorse Classic Sledge Stingray, ...but still missing a signature on the bass!

 

[steevo]

Loads of words spoken here with not much sense.

My point is that surely not every big name MM bass player uses stock instruments? Other companies make money off of endorsements and im sure MM/ernie ball are no different and with the popularity of the stingray surely it would be worth while to have a signature edition. First one that springs to my mind is a Pino Palladino model.

 

[Holdsg]

the sense-able thing is this.

other mfgs use sig models to boost sales.
EBMM allows the instruments to sell themselves without such gimmicks.

that make sense?

 

[njhammer]

From what I see out there with other manufacturers, "signature" models are generally manufactured to the specs of a signatory's modded bass. Is there anyone out there playing a modded SR that, if EBMM were to make it a signature model, would make it worth the company's time and money? I don't see it.

As for the EBMM signature guitar models (Luke, Morse, Lee, Petrucci), I believe these were designed by EBMM to the signatory's specs rather than a standard EBMM guitar having been modded. Just my 2 cents.

 

[keko]

As for the EBMM signature guitar models (Luke, Morse, Lee, Petrucci), I believe these were designed by EBMM to the signatory's specs rather than a standard EBMM guitar having been modded. Just my 2 cents.

Yeah, ...I could agree with this from quote, ...in that case, only John Myung play completely customized Bongo 6 HS, right?
But that model is not in a serial production!

 

[strummer]

Loads of words spoken here with not much sense.

My point is that surely not every big name MM bass player uses stock instruments? Other companies make money off of endorsements and im sure MM/ernie ball are no different and with the popularity of the stingray surely it would be worth while to have a signature edition. First one that springs to my mind is a Pino Palladino model.

Um, yeah, let's have a Pino model, it's not like he's got a signature F*nder like every other bass player.
Listen, there is a lot of sense spoken here, you're just not listening.
The guys that matter, like Tony Levin, seem to get along fine with stock models, while others may have a bass or two made passive, but in essence they are stock. The pros may get fancy colours, binding or some weird wood, but buying any EBMM instrument gives you one as good as any pro's play. get it?

 

[strummer]

From what I see out there with other manufacturers, "signature" models are generally manufactured to the specs of a signatory's modded bass. Is there anyone out there playing a modded SR that, if EBMM were to make it a signature model, would make it worth the company's time and money? I don't see it.

As for the EBMM signature guitar models (Luke, Morse, Lee, Petrucci), I believe these were designed by EBMM to the signatory's specs rather than a standard EBMM guitar having been modded. Just my 2 cents.

And this. Remember, Sterling Ball is a kick ass bass player who was involved in the development of the original Stingray, but I don't think Sterling knows enough about how a pro guitarist wants their instruments, so he asked some bad-ass players to help out. Sort of anyway

 

[Aussie Mark]

You got a sunburst SR4? Take off the pickguard, and you've got a Cliff Williams sig model. Simple.

 

[Mabongohogany]

Plus:
You can sign it with the same Sharpie used for touch-ups!

 

[Golem]

`

..... the sig model Sharpie ?

 

[bovinehost]

Loads of words spoken here with not much sense.

Well, in reality, at least a few of the people who have responded have either spoken with Sterling or even with me. Much more likely me. I have a lot more spare time. In any case, it's kind of been covered already, but I'll blather on a bit and see if I can add anything to the conversation.

Signature Stingray? Nah. It's a Stingray! Originally developed by Leo, perfected by BP and the crew at EBMM, very much the same beast it was in the late 70s. Who would get a signature model? It's already an icon and even guys like Flea (way back when) played pretty much off-the-rack models. What would make it a "Flea" sig? No one knows.

I kind of think - if you want to talk about who "deserves" a sig model - that Tony Levin would be in the running, but I asked him about this once a long time ago, more or less just having fun because he was sitting with a bunch of guitarists who DO have EBMM sigs (Luke, Petrucci, Morse, etc) and I was sort of implying that he was easily as big a rock star as THOSE guys, heh heh, where was his sig?

I paraphrase, but he said, basically, what would a Tony Levin sig SR5 be? Because he likes that he can go anywhere in the world, concert or session or clinic, grab a Stingray 5 off the wall and be completely at ease. In other words, Tony Levin doesn't require anything special other than being Tony Levin, which is big, of course. But basses? Give him a Stingray 5 and he's already Tony Levin.

I've had much the same conversation with Dave LaRue, come to think of it. Dave and Tony get some nice stuff, things that are one-offs and special in some ways (always cosmetic, if memory serves), which is nice. They're Tony Levin and Dave LaRue. But either one of them, I think, would agree with what I'm telling you. Grab one off the rack. If you can't do it with that, it ain't the instrument's fault.

My point is that surely not every big name MM bass player uses stock instruments?

Depends on your definition of "stock". Big name players get some cool finishes and so on, but in general, the basses are what you and I play. Which, if you ask me, is pretty damned nifty.

Does that clear it up somewhat?

 

[kwinsmith]

I know John Myung's Bongos currently have 5 string necks on them, and his on board controls don't do anything. I wouldn't like to see something like that as a "signature" bass.

I would like to see a five string width neck option on a six string Bongo with all the knobs working properly. It doesn't need to be a signature bass that way...just a 6 with super narrow spacing.

Make it a Stealth, unlined fretless 6 string, 4 band, and I would order one next week!

 

[bovinehost]

I would like to see a five string width neck option on a six string Bongo with all the knobs working properly. It doesn't need to be a signature bass that way...just a 6 with super narrow spacing.

Make it a Stealth, unlined fretless 6 string, 4 band, and I would order one next week!

You wouldn't believe the things we've been through with string spacing.

Just keep in mind that each one of us has a "perfect" bass in mind.

That doesn't mean it's going to be a big seller. Although, frankly, I would buy at least three of "my" perfect bass.

Imagine how the company would be rolling in dough if I bought three.

 

[kwinsmith]

Yeah. I totally understand that. I'm sure it's all been discussed before.
I can still throw that into the ring, here, though.
I think it fits in with how a signature bass for someone in particular really wouldn't do well if it were available to the public. JM's non-functioning knobs on the front of the bass would probably keep _everyone_ remotely interested in such an item from buying one.
The width would be more marketable than knobs that don't do anything.

Hence, still not a sig bass.

 

[Big Poppa]

How come Im not commenting?

Because unlike guitarists bassist usually do use off the shelf stuff....less variables

I wont put another artists name on the instruments that they had nothing to do with the creation of...Stingray Sterling Bongo Big Al (even though is is a homage to big albert lee a guitarist)

Also do me a favor...next time you are at your favorite store and count how many basses are on the wall and then tell me what percentage are sig models...near zero..>The stores only have so many hooks...

There are a bunch of other reasons but my idea of sig models are the involvement with a specific artist that would result in moving the bass forward and a bass that the retailers would actually stock Myungs basses are great for him but really way too specialized....also you guys are asking for a sig 6 string with a 5string neck..you know how many 6 string basses we sell? By far and away the lowest sales item in my entire company.....

The cheapest and biggest trick is for an instrument company to tie an artist up by appealing to his ego by putting his name on the headstock...The bassist thinks he or she will get rick and famous...then they get bummed that nobody buys or sells them.