jlepre
Well-known member
So is that all the news from NAMM? Not earth shattering...in my opinion. I was hoping to see at least one new 5 string, or at least some new colors
- Thread starter PeteDuBaldo
- Start date
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
I think the new chili red is it for new colors. And, if I am looking at it correctly, it has to come with a tort guard.
I'm in the market for a "vintage style" 5 to go with my Bongos. I'd have jumped at either of the two new models in a 5 string version. But, like you, my days of buying four strings is over.
I'm in the market for a "vintage style" 5 to go with my Bongos. I'd have jumped at either of the two new models in a 5 string version. But, like you, my days of buying four strings is over.
...or a new Music Man Bass-concept like the Reflex, Big Al or Bongo. But this is only a Precision copy like sooo many other on the market...
bradfordws
Well-known member
Agreed! That "PJ" might be nice as a 5 string. I guess this is the indication of how "hard the high end guitar market is" - as in the new models are pretty basic and Fender-ish as was mentioned earlier. I have zero interest in the 2016 offerings and will have to wait until next year. If I DO make any MM purchases, it will be on the used market - still looking for a Sterling 5H in silver or blue burst - or I might snag another Sabre Classic at the right price. To quote my other thread - "What a disappointment!" I'd be very curious to hear the numbers on how well those two new basses sell - the P and the PJ. Then there's that prototype Stingray replica - not sure what to make of that. I have zero interest in that one either. It's cool to show the original at the show, but to put it into production? I'd be very curious to hear how that one sells too - seems like it would be a small number of folks who would want it - IMO of course - and yeah, I know, what the heck do I know - I'm not in the business of making guitars / basses.
Meypelnek
Well-known member
I am just surprised that I did not find a single video about the new basses on YouTube. There's so much footage, however looking at EBMM I only see good old John P. and his beard speaking about the 27th incarnation of his dream guitar (and upcoming "The Astonishing") and the lovely Anne Clark. With this said the design of the St. Vincent guitar keeps growing on me. It's a weird but beautiful Big-Al-like design.
At this point I can only agree: A 5 string Caprice (not Cutlass - can't get used to the body shape) would have been interesting to me. Colorwise I really, really like the chilli red. A Sterling 5 H with a maple neck in that finish would be killer!
At this point I can only agree: A 5 string Caprice (not Cutlass - can't get used to the body shape) would have been interesting to me. Colorwise I really, really like the chilli red. A Sterling 5 H with a maple neck in that finish would be killer!
aLaoTatto
Member
hahaha! that is too funny!
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Right. Like every other one on the market. Except with a different body shape, different pickguard shape, different neck profile, proprietary pickup, and the known quantity awesome Ernie Ball neck finish, bridge and build quality. Pickups that the people known for active basses think don't need need a preamp.
We get it. You think it's just a P Bass. You've said it multiple times now. That doesn't make you right. It just means you are making the most general observation possible.
I'm hoping they follow the four string version with a five like they did with the Big Al. I'll buy one. I've wanted a P Bass for years, but didn't want to own just another P Bass.
bradfordws
Well-known member
I'm waiting for NAMM 2017.
Big Poppa
Well-known member
all the basses sold very well....especially ole smoothie.
bassmonkeee
Well-known member
Glad to read that. I hope they are great sellers.
the explode man
Well-known member
Is that really it for this year though? No additional PDNs or other limited finishes? It seems like the bass side of EBMM has just been absolutely gutted. I also thought that with stripping all the other stock finishes, that would mean you'd be doing some fun stuff on the bass side. Sure, there are two new basses, but I don't think it's unfair to say that these are really nothing new at all - they're basically clones of other generic bass forms.
And just generally, all the PDNs lately have all been going for 'classic' tobacco burst looks from the 60s (with a couple of bright spots like the 'sparkle' finish). There's nothing coming out like the Dargie Delight of old, or the Mystic Dream or other awesome finishes that come out for the guitars every single year.
You know, I really can't fault you guys or be angry at the company for not putting out cool stuff. As has been said before, the market has already voted with their wallets. Is this just the reality now though? EBMM can't take risks on bass any more?
JayDawg
Well-known member
So what are the prices on the new passive basses? I'm kind of intrigued by the P style one. I think it's the Cutlass?
CW Zing
Well-known member
The cutlass in white/tort maple imagines well fer me. I'd buy it
A passive P/J, lightweight, great looks, with the top-notch EBMM build quality - what's not to like?
Loving all the new models. Old Smoothie looks the distinguished gentleman indeed, featuring many of my favourite EBMM specs.
And the new Chili Red colour - absolutely stunning on that neck through!
Loving all the new models. Old Smoothie looks the distinguished gentleman indeed, featuring many of my favourite EBMM specs.
And the new Chili Red colour - absolutely stunning on that neck through!
Big Poppa
Well-known member
you know this thread is eating at me.....we didnt gut anything....we discontinued things that you guys liked and I liked and in many cases we didnt sell a single one in a year forget the twenty colors. We come up with three basses. We didnt do enough.
Now lets cartoon on Petrucci and the THOUSANDS of guitars he has sold and kept us alive.
Lets also throw my words back at me with the not knowing how tough the guitar market is....You guys think that I make that up?
The Dargie we had a single dealer to run it through and what did we sell? 100-125? Across the entire line? Do you think we made money on that? It was a nice gesture. we also made 3,000 more instruments a year and turned a profit We could afford to do it.
Do you know why we make the PDN's? To give the indy music stores and international people something special that the chains dont have. There have been opaque, sparkle, bursts, special woods. We get dealer input too.
Now the numbers. We sell more Petrucci guitars than anything 40% of our total production. Basses used to be 90% now guitars are 75% of our sales.
Dont forget I designed the reflex bass and the big al and the sterlings and you think I like admitting that nobody wanted them? How about the Game Changer?
If I could make payroll off what the forum wants I would...it would be much easier. Brad you bought the Sabres...I wish everybody did...that tanked too...
Now lets cartoon on Petrucci and the THOUSANDS of guitars he has sold and kept us alive.
Lets also throw my words back at me with the not knowing how tough the guitar market is....You guys think that I make that up?
The Dargie we had a single dealer to run it through and what did we sell? 100-125? Across the entire line? Do you think we made money on that? It was a nice gesture. we also made 3,000 more instruments a year and turned a profit We could afford to do it.
Do you know why we make the PDN's? To give the indy music stores and international people something special that the chains dont have. There have been opaque, sparkle, bursts, special woods. We get dealer input too.
Now the numbers. We sell more Petrucci guitars than anything 40% of our total production. Basses used to be 90% now guitars are 75% of our sales.
Dont forget I designed the reflex bass and the big al and the sterlings and you think I like admitting that nobody wanted them? How about the Game Changer?
If I could make payroll off what the forum wants I would...it would be much easier. Brad you bought the Sabres...I wish everybody did...that tanked too...
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cybersnyder
Well-known member
The Caprice, in particular, has my eye. Definitely, can't wait to try one.
bovinehost
Administrator
I was waiting for you, sir. I really love the basses. I like the idea of reaching back to some of the things Leo did (that didn't sell at ALL, of course, especially the Stingray guitar - I played one of those for a few days back then and, ahem, well, you know, it looked really cool) and updating them, redesigning them, making them a bit more modern in the process and the wife says she likes the pale blue a LOT. The single coil bass pickups are just awesome. They deserved their own platform. The Cutlass is my new favorite. The body wouldn't look too small hanging off me. (Silly thing to worry about, but a Sterling 4 on me makes me feel like Land of the Giants.)
Well, "I" did. So that makes one of me. I think the Big Al will someday be one of those really cool collector basses that everyone wishes they'd bought "at the time". (Just FYI, I'm working at a REAL studio this coming weekend and will have exactly one Bongo and one Big Al. I expect great tone even if I'm kind of a hack.) Anyway, you know how we bassists are. We SAY we want innovation and new designs and outstandingly weird colors but then we mostly just buy black P basses. The adventurous amongst us buy solid color Stingrays and think we're really pushing it. I wish it were not so, but you and I both know it is. I really hope the more classic designs on the Cutlass and Caprice grab people's attention.
I'm surprised the Bongo is even a production model. Happy that it is, but surprised.
Will the production Old Smoothies have the Canadian emblem on the headstock?
I really want one of those but my yard has many thousands of dollars of new plumbing in it, which I admire almost every single day.
Jackie
the explode man
Well-known member
I really didn't mean to be rude or talk down about the lines. I sincerely apologise for coming off brash and it's really cool to see the top brass come in and clear the air on what is a bit of a sensitive topic. I was just trying to say that it really sucks that the market didn't support you guys and was just kind of asking if that's the way it really was on the bass side. I didn't mean gutted in a bad way - I know you guys are doing what you can do and have to do to survive.
Even if you say no one wanted them, it doesn't mean that they weren't phenomenal instruments. This is hardly a failure on your part. I was just feeling down not because you guys don't make phenomenal gear, but because the people that are buying won't support the best goddamn basses on the market.
And I know you guys still have that stylish edge with all the cool stuff you're doing with the guitars. It's just hard to sit on the bass side of the fence and wish I could take home a bass with those finishes.
I'm sure you guys have considered it, but is it just not feasible to do select orders on finishes? Even with a 30-40% markup, I'd be all over that.
Oh well, I guess I'll just have to be patient. I really do wish you guys all the success in the world. I can't tell you how much joy I've had playing my Sterlings. Hopefully the Petrucci's and all of your new basses sell enough that you guys will start to get adventurous again!
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scottbass71
Well-known member
My take is this and I am not a fanboy for BP or Musicman but he did steal a bit of my thunder.
I think Musicians are their own worst Enemy
Look at all the Innovation that Musicman has produced like Sterling has stated the Game Changer, Reflex, Big Al, Bongo, etc
But they didn't sell some are still with us some are not.
I don't know about the rest of the forum but every month I get Bassplayer Mag and a get disheartened that a lot of the basses they review are basically copies of either Pbass, Jbass or Musicman.
I remember the early days of the forum the Crap that was thrown around about the Bongo ( remember that Jack!!!) even before so called experts had played one.
I also remember a lot of threads wanting the Sabre bass reissued - guys/girls you got it and nobody bought it.
With Regards to the Caprice and Cutlass they are MM version of a P and a J but as I stated previously thats what Musicians obviously want because they don't seem to want the innovative stuff the Sterling and the team gives us (not degrading those 2 Basses) , which is a real shame but the company at the end of the day has to make a profit to be viable and I would hate to see a world without Ernie Ball Musicman musical Instruments.
I have never heard of a company that discontinues a product that sells a lot.
PS. Thanks Pete for the Photos and I still have that flame bass you sold me years ago.
I think Musicians are their own worst Enemy
Look at all the Innovation that Musicman has produced like Sterling has stated the Game Changer, Reflex, Big Al, Bongo, etc
But they didn't sell some are still with us some are not.
I don't know about the rest of the forum but every month I get Bassplayer Mag and a get disheartened that a lot of the basses they review are basically copies of either Pbass, Jbass or Musicman.
I remember the early days of the forum the Crap that was thrown around about the Bongo ( remember that Jack!!!) even before so called experts had played one.
I also remember a lot of threads wanting the Sabre bass reissued - guys/girls you got it and nobody bought it.
With Regards to the Caprice and Cutlass they are MM version of a P and a J but as I stated previously thats what Musicians obviously want because they don't seem to want the innovative stuff the Sterling and the team gives us (not degrading those 2 Basses) , which is a real shame but the company at the end of the day has to make a profit to be viable and I would hate to see a world without Ernie Ball Musicman musical Instruments.
I have never heard of a company that discontinues a product that sells a lot.
PS. Thanks Pete for the Photos and I still have that flame bass you sold me years ago.
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