Build/Quality question

[LoveThatBass]

I have a new Sterling bass and love it. After reading some posts on another forum I am somewhat concerned. Maybe you good people here on this forum and at Ernie Ball can dispell my fears. It has been said that Musicman Basses are "Very Good" but the thing that consistantly keeps them from the Excellent category are neck problems.
Can anyone tell me what the percentages of neck problems are with the Musicman basses?
Please advise,
Gary

 

[Moondog]

Bullpoop.
I currently have three MM's w/no problems

 

[prickly_pete]

I have a new Sterling bass and love it. After reading some posts on another forum I am somewhat concerned. Maybe you good people here on this forum and at Ernie Ball can dispell my fears. It has been said that Musicman Basses are "Very Good" but the thing that consistantly keeps them from the Excellent category are neck problems.
Can anyone tell me what the percentages of neck problems are with the Musicman basses?
Please advise,
Gary

EBMMs have no more neck problems than any other high end bass. Some people say that the oil finished neck requires more frequent adjustment, but I haven't really found that to be the case. Where I live, my basses require almost weekly adjustment anyway -- every bass I've ever owned has, and I am very picky about setup. Besides, adjusting the neck on a EBMM bass is so easy thanks to the truss rod wheel, that you can literally adjust the neck between songs at a gig What specific neck trouble have you heard about, anyway?

Also, you will find that the fretwork on EBMM basses is as good as any bass made -- much better than most other basses in its price range.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Here is the link:
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=470792&offset=20

Only two posters mention problems. Most seem to praise the basses.

 

[Moondog]

Ah that explains it . . a Fender Forum . . .

 

[Oldtoe]

I had to send my Wal neck back to England after I got it. It's wood, and stuff happens.

 

[prickly_pete]

Here is the link:
http://www.fenderforum.com/forum.html?db=&topic_number=470792&offset=20

Only two posters mention problems. Most seem to praise the basses.

Well, those guys sure don't provide much info. What problems specifically are they commenting about? How have these basses been treated, etc... I'll bet the necks just need a truss rod tweak, I would not let those two birds scare you away from an EB bass.

 

[MingusBASS]

Ya know, I was thinking about buying a $10,000 bass with a rotten wood top but the neck was too stable. Part of the reason I have purchased several ebmm basses is because I love warped necks!

*end sarcasm*

I have had no problems with the necks of my EBMM basses. Don't worry, even if something would be wrong with your bass the Customer Service is top notch and they'll fix it. Now you can sleep at night and not wet the bed because of the constant fear that your bass will suck.


have a nice day
Andrew

 

[LoveThatBass]

The only poster that concerns me is Bill Bolton as he has typically been one of the more knowlegable posters on that forum.

 

[scottbass71]

Maybe they are talking about Pre-eb basses because there were some problems with some necks but that was twenty years ago!!!

 

[midopa]

I recall reading that there were in fact problems with necks in the Pre-EB era, but you certainly won't see that in any EBMM bass today - they're all top notch w/ excellent customer service to back it up!

 

[LoveThatBass]

Maybe they are talking about Pre-eb basses because there were some problems with some necks but that was twenty years ago!!!

Good question. I just posted that question to them on the Fender Forum under (Gretschluvr).

Midopa, may I quote you (anonomously) on the forum post?
please advise,
Gary

 

[oddjob]

I recall reading that there were in fact problems with necks in the Pre-EB era, but you certainly won't see that in any EBMM bass today - they're all top notch w/ excellent customer service to back it up!

This says it all... EBMM service is better than anyone else I've delt with over the past 5 years (that would bve Warwick and Fender... and Fender's CS, gave me fits). When it comes to pure bang for the buck EBMM is the best.

 

[prickly_pete]

A+++++ customer service!

 

[LoveThatBass]

Thanks guys!

You have put me at ease with my choice. I went into Guitar Center to buy a Fender American Deluxe Jazz or order a Fender American Deluxe Zone bass in Walnut (heard there were some issues with initial neck instability that corrects itself after a bit of use). Well to shorten the story. I picked up several basses. Among them a Stingray. Liked it but the neck was wider than my MIM Fender Deluxe Zone bass I traded in. Then just before leaving a Trans Red MM caught my eye but it blew me away as the neck seemed to fit my small hands like it was made for me. The rest is history. I now own the Trans Red EBMM Sterling. Each time I look closely at it, change strings (trying new ones) or adjust the pickup I am totally amazed at the quality of the components, ease of adjustments, and how the strings wind and tighten properly due to the bevelled Schaller tuners.

 

[bdgotoh]

I've owned around 18 MM basses over the years and none had neck problems I can remember - other than fretwear from being played! The three I have now seem a bit more stable than some of the other basses I have.

 

[Assumer]

I have taken my sterling to China, Brazil, and all over the US without even a neck adjustment. Had it two years. Great bass, great neck.

 

[kilgore777]

Thanks guys!

You have put me at ease with my choice. I went into Guitar Center to buy a Fender American Deluxe Jazz or order a Fender American Deluxe Zone bass in Walnut (heard there were some issues with initial neck instability that corrects itself after a bit of use). Well to shorten the story. I picked up several basses. Among them a Stingray. Liked it but the neck was wider than my MIM Fender Deluxe Zone bass I traded in. Then just before leaving a Trans Red MM caught my eye but it blew me away as the neck seemed to fit my small hands like it was made for me. The rest is history. I now own the Trans Red EBMM Sterling. Each time I look closely at it, change strings (trying new ones) or adjust the pickup I am totally amazed at the quality of the components, ease of adjustments, and how the strings wind and tighten properly due to the bevelled Schaller tuners.

Congrats on your purchase!

The longer you own it, the more you will love it. I've had my Sterling for 5 years and the neck is still perfect.

 

[LoveThatBass]

Well they just seem to keep coming over there at the Fender Forum. Some say they have never had a problem while others say they "Hear that Sterlings sometimes have twisted necks". I hate it when people pass on what they hear instead of what they know. I guess we have all been guilty of that at one time or another but it is really frustrating.