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coreman

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Jun 6, 2005
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Hey everyone. I'm in the market for a new bass and have wanted a Stingray 5 forever. I'd been looking at GC for awhile but just got back from one here in Dallas and was told by the guy in the bass department that GC was no longer going to be carrying Stingrays. If I can't get these at GC then where? Is bass central a good place to get one? Only problem with that is I wouldn't be able to play it before buying. In case there's anyone in my area, I live in Dallas, TX. Thanks.
 

Mobay45

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Apr 3, 2004
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Home of the Bongo Birthday Bash '06
Murphy's Music in Irving is a MM retailer but they've had the same black SR5 in stock for a long time. Which GC did you go to? I usually go to the one at LBJ and Welch. I was there a couple of weeks ago and they had a pretty good stock of MM basses. I haven't heard that they weren't going to be carrying them anymore.
 

Wasabi

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May 31, 2005
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Baltimore, MD
coreman said:
Hey everyone. I'm in the market for a new bass and have wanted a Stingray 5 forever. I'd been looking at GC for awhile but just got back from one here in Dallas and was told by the guy in the bass department that GC was no longer going to be carrying Stingrays. If I can't get these at GC then where? Is bass central a good place to get one? Only problem with that is I wouldn't be able to play it before buying. In case there's anyone in my area, I live in Dallas, TX. Thanks.
To me, because the MusicMan QC is so great, you could probably feel pretty confident buying over the net, and if so, I'd say Bass Central is THE place to buy your SR5. They have tons of them, they're a huge dealer, they know what they're doing, and they send you basses that haven't been banged to death by a bunch of Flea wannabes.
 

bassplayer7770

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Apr 8, 2005
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Columbus, Ohio area
coreman said:
Is bass central a good place to get one?

Yes. I have 50% to pay on my new Sterling, and they had exactly what I wanted in stock. I've been very happy with my prior BC purchases as well (Eden WT-400 and two Aguilar GS112 cabs).
 

oddjob

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May 12, 2004
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Monroe, Ohio
Got my RR Bongo from Bass Central and Gard was great to deal with (Beaver was too even though I woke him up one morning :rolleyes: ). I got my DG Bongo 5 from BassNW and they were also awesome to deal with. Can't go wrong either way.

ALSO there is our own fourm member Bassplyr (Doug @ http://www.daddyosmusicshack.com/)- he is an EBMM dealer too and can hook you up (haven't gotten anything from him but have heard nothing but good things).
 

phatduckk

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Jul 25, 2004
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San Mateo, California, United States
i got an sr4 from Bass Central and got a JP5 from Bassplyr (Doug @ http://www.daddyosmusicshack.com/). both were great.

my experience with Bass Cetral was good but more like "hi im a customer sell me something" but with Doug it was super cool and more of a "hey buddy" kind of experience.

I'd buy from either of them again any day. If i had to have something NOW id goto bass central cuz they have a huge stock and can get the bass within a week but if i was gonna be patient or do a custom order (like when the 2 pup sterlings come out) id go with Doug in a heartbeat

is GC really not gonna stock Stingrays? that cant be
 

bassplayer7770

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Columbus, Ohio area
Apparently, my local Sam Ash has also decided not to stock Musicman basses (I didn't see any last time I was there), so it looks like we'll have very few (if any) resources for Musicman basses here in Columbus...
 

coreman

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Jun 6, 2005
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Mobay 45 - it was the Guitar Center off of Central Expressway

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll check them out.

As for Guitar Center not carrying anymore Stingrays, that's what the guy told me. He said that after they sold out the last one they had that they wouldn't carry them anymore. He did say that they would still be able to order direct from Musicman though. I don't know for how long or if it was a permanent deal or what.
 

oddjob

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Hey I am originally from Columbus (lived there for over 22 years and I'm up there atleast once a month - in fact I grew up 2 blocks north of Gabby's - where you guys are playing)- all of the "mega" stores up there suck. The StringShop on High St usually has some decent stuff but go in there informed because the sales staff can be @sses!

Knowing all of that- I would buy from Doug, Bass Central or BassNW.
 
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bassplayer7770

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Columbus, Ohio area
oddjob said:
Hey I am originally from Columbus (lived there for over 22 years and I'm up there atleast once a month)- all of the "mega" stores up there suck. The StringShop on High St usually has some decent stuff but go in there informed becuse the sales staff can be @sses!

I've been there once or twice. It's been a while, though. I'm not sure I ever went there while I was attending OSU. Anyway, parking is a hassle as well.
 

Funky Chicken

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May 27, 2005
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197
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Apex, North Carolina
With respect to GCs everywhere-

I find it hard to spend $1K+ on any stringed instrument that's in the type of condition that I usually find at a GC. Everything that leaves its case at a GC is susceptible to getting banged around-that's just the way a GC usually is. Just stating a fact as someone who has visited no less than 25 GCs all over the country. The EBs usually are accessible to anyone, unlike the more expensive (i.e. PRS) pieces that are hung high and behind the counter.

Stores like Bass Central, NJ Guitar and Bass, and other smaller independents tend to treat their inventory better. Guitars are checked in, set up, photographed, and put in a safe place. They don't get a ton of civilian walk-in traffic, like the people looking for sheet music, clarinet reeds, or PA/Lighting stuff. If the instrument has been handled, it has usually been handled with care.

EB/MM quality control is great-certainly good enough that I would buy one unseen/unplayed from an independent store with a good reputation. My bigger problem would be picking colors/pickguards etc. sight unseen.
 

oddjob

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May 12, 2004
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all_your_bass said:
Anyone familiar with Columbus, I'm going to be up at OSU next year, what decent music stores do they have up there?
There are the usual chain mega stores on the north side of town. Sweetwater music on the east side and The String Shop on High Street right across from OSU. From a selection standpoint the String Shop is probably the best, but then again do your homework before you walk in. There are some other ma and pa places sprinkled around the city and some decent pawn shops (Uncle Sams downtown is pretty cool - it is right around the corner, literally, from Music House (or Haus) - which is small but has some new high end stuff - Alembic, Wal, K Smith).
Hope this helps - enjoy your time at OSU!
 

midopa

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Jan 24, 2004
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You could send Bassplyr here a PM. He hooked me up with a great deal for a Bongo!
 

0557

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Apr 22, 2004
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307
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GA
Bass Central#1

I've known Beaver Felton for 20 Yrs. He's got my vote for the best In bass sales.
Bass Central is probably the highest volume Musicman bass distributor in the Southeast. They will take care of you.
 

bassplayer7770

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Apr 8, 2005
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Columbus, Ohio area
all_your_bass said:
Anyone familiar with Columbus, I'm going to be up at OSU next year, what decent music stores do they have up there?

Other than the typical Sam Ash and Guitar Center (both on Morse Road), there are a few others. As oddjob said, String Shoppe is closest to campus (it's right on High Street across from the Ohio Union).

http://www.stringshoppe.com/
http://www.langmusic.com/
http://www.dematteomusic.com/
http://www.fretshop.com/ (Phil is my preferred tech. He doesn't have a large selection of used, consigned instruments in stock, but he does good repairs and builds his own instruments as well. He also tells it like it is.)

Actually, here's a link that will give you plenty of options...

http://www.cowtownmusic.com/musicstores.html
 

bovinehost

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Jan 16, 2003
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Dall-Ass, TX
From what I've heard, the salesman at that GC has given you some bad info. They (GC) will be carrying EBMM products.

On the other hand, I have bought from Doug at Daddy O's and been very, very happy. Give him a ring and tell him you're on the forum - we're special.
 

pedullamvp5

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Jan 23, 2003
Messages
56
Location
Branson, MO
Great MM Dealer - Shanghai Music

Hey Guys, For those of you still looking for a good deal from a great dealer , give Joel a call @ Shanghai Music & Sound (580) 718-9122. He's located in Ponca City, OK. He'll make "Killer" deals on MM. I have a "Buttercreme" sterling on order from him right now. I know he has a Trans -Orange SR5 w/ matching headstock and maple neck , and several SR's in stock. And Bongo's..... When you call tell him that Randy, from Branson, told you to call. I've done business w/ Joel for years and have always been treated right! I've also ordered a new Peterson strobe tuner from him, He's beating the mail order price....! Give him a call, you'll save some money....! Enough rambling... Later, Randy
 

kevins

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Feb 13, 2005
Messages
559
i got my trans teal 3eq at this place

www.musiccenterinc.com

a huge independant single location store in wisconsin. they completely blew away guitar center


it arrived in exactly three months as said by their estimate and has been since i have gotten it, the best stingray ive ever played on. it arrived with the strings all 1/2 note down and the intonation took 2 minutes to adjust as it was nearly dead on, the neck arrived absolutely perfect too


however as great as this place is their website is out of date and pretty bad so call them instead of visiting the website, the number is on the website


plus i used to go to guitar center to dick around on expensive stuff, the sterling i played there made my shudder at how terrible they set it up

i do remember the strings being 1 inch off the fretboard. i mean its not that hard to adjust a sterling neck either, they could have done it with anything there. and i remember the stingray of the same color being just as badly set up. plus most independant shops will service it for free even
 
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