Question About reflex

[mbao]

About reflex Bass

This bass quite a new model, do you think, does it sound great?

What's the weak point of this bass?

The reflex HSS's really interesting for me to order and I wanna get more info from you guys.

Cheers

 

[koogie2k]

Yes, it sounds great.
Yes, it does have a weak point. It makes you want to buy more.

 

[keko]

I'll tell You when my reflex arrive, I hope soon!

 

[syciprider]

The Perfect Bass has video demos. Our fellow knucklehead Craig Young also has recordings of the Reflex with a full band. They sound great. Dunno about weak points. Seems like an odd way to select a bass...

 

[smokey]

I can only speak about what I now call "The Beast" my 25th BFR 5 string HH Rosewood neck rosewood board (a small tone report in the thread can be found here)
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/47227-my-10-000th-post-i-present-you.html.
Previously being a one-eyed Stingray 5 fan, in the few short weeks that I've owned it I've been quickly converted to Reflex. Much more tonally flexible than my SR5 single H. Taking the solid rosewood neck out of the equation, I tested a 25th 4H with Maple neck and Maple board prior to my purchase and it knocked my socks off. Definitely a bass to check out with fantastic Active and Passive tones.
Does it sound great? That's an understatement. It sounds phenominal!

Pro points: Awesome tones, great preamp, great string tension (string tree creates more tension over the nut) - tension to me feels more like a 35' scale with string through body than a 34' bridge loaded, extremely flexible bass

Weak points: you will wish that the Reflex preamp is in every other bass you own. It doesn't exactly do all the Stingray tones (Single H - Stingray bridge single coil mode is not selectable, neither is only outside coils mode on Stingray HH). Does this have any affect on my satisfaction of this bass..... absolutely not! It excells in so many areas that any perceived weak points (not that I consider these to be weak points by any means) are diminished.

I know I'm basing my views off my experience of a 25th and not exactly a Reflex, but a figured Maple top is really the main difference between these models.

I think Ed Friedland's Youtube review of a 5 string 25th HH is probably the best tone info you will find without playing one yourself. The fact that he has added the bass to his bass lineup is testimony to how great it is.

BTW - you do know that asking other EBMM enthusiasts if you should purchase a new EBMM bass is like a red rag to a bull
Cheers

 

[Manfloozy]

The "weak" point of the Reflex is that it comes at a slight price premium over other Music Man basses of the same string number and pickup type. It is well worth the difference IMHO however.

 

[TheAntMan]

This bass quite a new model, do you think, does it sound great?

What's the weak point of this bass?

The reflex HSS's really interesting for me to order and I wanna get more info from you guys.

Cheers

Interesting - Usually it is 'what makes this bass great?' not 'what is the weak point?'

What makes you think there is a weak point?

I find the Reflex (25th) a highly versatile instrument with passive/active options and pickup selections and that awesome 4EQ it is a fantastic instrument. I have the HSS and it is a Strong instrument.

The only weak point would be the player, not the instrument.

'Cheers' to you too.

--Ant

 

[oli@bass]

Based on the 25th 4 string HH model, I'd say:

It sounds great.

Weak point: If any, you could be overwhealmed by the many tonal options and go crazy about what sound to use on what song.

 

[mbao]

Interesting - Usually it is 'what makes this bass great?' not 'what is the weak point?'

What makes you think there is a weak point?


'Cheers' to you too.

--Ant

I think this bass's really a perfect one of EBMM and just wanna know the opinion from you guys.

Thanks

 

[mbao]

No more view ????

 

[oli@bass]

If I've counted correctly, then there are currently about 2 or 3 people who already have a Reflex. The model is quite new...

 

[keko]

If I've counted correctly, then there are currently about 2 or 3 people who already have a Reflex. The model is quite new...

Yeah, that's correct!

Maybe 25th owners could write a few words about their basses?

CS convinced me there's no big difference in tone between those two models, actually reflex is serial production of 25th, just without fancy transparent quilt/flame maple tops, and luxury dots over the fret board!

I can tell You my opinion about 25th 4 single H which I tried in my local store.

Just in a few words:

-perfect balance hanging on the strap over the shoulder
-neck feeling is wonderful
-not amplified tone is very bright and clean, no other Music Man bass sounds like that when not plugged in the amp, just fantastic
-passive modes and passive tone control are great (parallel, with slightly muted blend=my favorite)
-active=killer 4 band EQ, thunder tone, perfect for live cut through brutal impact bass sound (my favorite active=serial, slight bass boost, slight low mid boost, slight high mid cut, treble flat)

Tried through tube driven Messa with 210 Messa cab!

Glad if that helps a bit?

 

[Tanner]

Based on the 25th 4 string HH model, I'd say:

It sounds great.

Weak point: If any, you could be overwhealmed by the many tonal options and go crazy about what sound to use on what song.

Based on your personal experience with the 25th I find your reply very interersting. I guess the op's message was lost in translation due to possible language barrier. I have yet to get my hands on a 25th or Reflex fretless in any pickup format, seems like such a cool instrument and perhaps one must see it as the obvious successor to the Stingray series. Ergonomically the single cut body shape is very appealing to me, these basses can get heavy and cumbersome on long gigs so the more compact the better. I got a confirmation from a London dealer that they will get a black one in the early part of 2011 for me to try. If it does what I need from a fretless I will no doubt end up buying it sat I am trying to do more than this jazz trio with double bass for the new year, I'd like to take an offer to back an upcoming male singer and the acoustic bass is not really suited for the style of music. The Reflex might just be the ticket.

 

[mbao]

Thxs to you guys

I ordered Reflex 5 HSS, white fin, Rosewood fg yesterday. She'll arrive around March.

^_^

 

[keko]

Thxs to you guys

I ordered Reflex 5 HSS, white fin, Rosewood fg yesterday. She'll arrive around March.

^_^

Congrats Bro!

Nice choice!