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  • Sterling by MusicMan

dandegeit

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Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
161
Location
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
hey

What do you guys feel about ordering a bass and buying it unplayed. I like playing many then deciding. So far I've played many a sterling and only really fit with one or two. Problem is that I love the idea that I could have a guitar that only my hands have touched.

I am nervious about buying am:confused: unplayed bass. I know the quality is there in everyone but I find suttle differences in each one I touch. What happends if I get it and it's not for me?

Is there such a thing or am I making this **** up. I like the payablility of one in town but its not a colour I considered before.

Can you guys that order basses all the time comment on this? I know that many stingrays dont all play the same. From one to the next they are slightly different to me in feel.

Thanks

dan
 

Mobay45

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Apr 3, 2004
Messages
4,597
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Home of the Bongo Birthday Bash '06
Of all of the MM basses I've had or have, I only played one before I bought it.

That one was the first one I owned, a black 'Ray with a rosewood board.

That's one of the major advantages to buying a MM bass. Product consistency.
 

PzoLover

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 16, 2006
Messages
650
Location
Vancouver
Zackly Right

Mobay45 said:
That's one of the major advantages to buying a MM bass. Product consistency.
Special order is no prob with MM basses; no need to diddle finding a 'good one'; matter of fact, I'd be more concerned about a bass that's been everywhere or been wanked on by everybody and their dog.
 

syciprider

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Joined
Dec 23, 2005
Messages
2,995
Location
The 951
Like Mobay, the only MM I played pre purchase was my first one.

The two I have now were purchased on well placed faith.

I've played my share of abused MMs in GC and while there are always the ones whose playability has been compromised by the petting zoo environment, by ignoring the bad set up and focusing the nuances of construction, I can easily tell that MM sweats the details and puts out consistently outstanding product
 
Last edited:

AnthonyD

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
Both of mine were bought special-order and unplayed... No problems - build quality is top-notch and they leave the factory ready to play.

it's the way to go to ensure you get exactly what your looking for.
 

phatduckk

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Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
i would definately buy buy another brand new sr4 or sterling unplayed. i know i love those basses and have 100% faith in their build quality and Ive played/owned a lot of them - so i know I like the sound and feel etc.
 

bassmonkeee

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Joined
Apr 25, 2004
Messages
4,628
Location
Decatur, GA
dandegeit said:
hey

What do you guys feel about ordering a bass and buying it unplayed. I like playing many then deciding. So far I've played many a sterling and only really fit with one or two. Problem is that I love the idea that I could have a guitar that only my hands have touched.

I am nervious about buying am:confused: unplayed bass. I know the quality is there in everyone but I find suttle differences in each one I touch. What happends if I get it and it's not for me?

Is there such a thing or am I making this **** up. I like the payablility of one in town but its not a colour I considered before.

Can you guys that order basses all the time comment on this? I know that many stingrays dont all play the same. From one to the next they are slightly different to me in feel.

Thanks

dan

Did you set each bass up to your desired specs with your desired strings before you decided which ones "spoke to you?"

If not, I think what you are experiencing is different setups/string age more than a difference between instruments.

I've owned 3 different fretted Bongos and one fretless Bongo. Once they've been in my possession, they've all felt the same once I set them up to my liking. Apart from weight variables, they are as close to clones as I've seen in production instruments.
 

armybass

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Joined
May 31, 2003
Messages
844
Location
Colonial Heights, Virginia, United States
I almost never play a bass before buying/trading (and that is a lot of basses bro). That is one of the main reasons I have stuck with basses like EBMM. They are so consistant in quality and playability that I know that I can set a EBMM bass up in minutes and it will be perfect for me.
 

4metta

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
258
Location
Miami, FL
I wouldn't worry about Musicman. Order away. I bought my SUB sight unseen. It was ordered.
 

dandegeit

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2006
Messages
161
Location
Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Well I went downtown this afternoon and played 4 sterlings right out of the box. Just like all your comments they were pretty similar. Rosewood and maple was the most pronounced difference.

I decided to not wait any longer. The wait was too long for me. That and I found this one that worked great for me.

View attachment 2546

Sterling HS, Maple, Pacific blue burst, White Ice pick guard

Ill take better pictures soon. I am sooooo exited. Like xmas. been waiting way too long lurking and living through all of you guys.

DANO
 

Aussie Mark

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Joined
Nov 9, 2003
Messages
5,646
Location
Sydney, Australia
In these days of online stores and ebay, there are a few people who buy a bass every now and then without playing it first. Most of the basses I currently own were purchased sight unseen. Besides, I never know how they'll really sound or feel until I put suitable strings on them and set them up to my liking. EBMM quality control is so consistent I doubt you'd ever get a dud if buying new.

If you buy something online you don't like, you can always sell it again.
 
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