Educate me on the EBMM basses.

[JayDawg]

Hey all, this is my first post. I have always loved the sound of Music Man basses and have now decided to take the plunge and save up and buy one after a post on TB. I have played Ibanez Soundgear basses since 93' but their customer service has never been the greatest. On the other hand, I have heard from several people that EBMM has great customer service so I will be a future customer in hopefully a year or less.

I have a few questions though.

1. What are the main differences between the Stingray and the Sterling? I like both of the body styles but other than that, are there any other differences?

2. Does EBMM sell parts directly to the customer if I wanted to customize my bass or will they do custom work?

3. What kind of warranty is offered with these basses? This is really why I am leaving Ibanez. Just bought a 20th Anniversary Soundgear bass in mint condition and it developed a hum somewhere in the electronics? The bass has been babied and originally Ibanez said they would warranty it but then later changed their mind. I just spent slightly over 1k on this bass and really wish I would have purchased an EBMM now because I have a project coming up where I kind of need a high end bass that will really give me a good quality sound for recording a live play.

Also, please feel free to share with me any stories about your basses or anything that you think would help me gain more knowledge on these basses. Even if it seems small or insignificant.
Thanks all,
Jay

 

[syciprider]

First of all, welcome to the forum. You heard right about EBMM's CS. They are top notch and really stand behind their product. Speaking of product there is no better time to get into EBMM basses. BP and Co. are radicalizing the way people perceive basses and breaking many paradigms along the way.

As for your questions:

1) SR: 21 frets, parallel pick up only
Sterling: 22 frets, series, single coil and parallel pick up switching

More info on EBMM's corporate website.

2) EBMM will replace major parts on a 1 for 1 basis. You turn your part in they send you the replacement. No cottage industry of OEM parts in private hands here

3) They stand behind their product within reason. Buy with confidence.

 

[Bean]

I can personally say that EBMM customer service is one the best! I picked up some knobs and pickguards by calling them directly and, of course, had some silly questions, but Scott and company went more than out of their way to make sure I was well taken care of.

Great people over there!

 

[Bean]

Addendum, I think the small things like pickguards and knobs are as much as they'll sell.

As syciprider mentioned, the big parts are another issue. I am most assuredly not the final word on EBMM policies.

 

[Powman]

I suggest doing a search on the differences between a Sting Ray and a Sterling. In addition to what syciprider wrote, the neck size on a Sterling is more narrow and the pickup magnets are different resulting in a different sound. But you need to hear them for yourself to decide which is best for you. Both sound great, its all personal taste.

Generally speaking the Sterling is more aggressive, but a few tweaks of the eq knobs and moving your plucking hand closer to the neck can change the sound quite dramatically. So you can't really say one is better for a certain genre of music over the other. It really is personal opinion.

 

[Aussie Mark]

In addition to what syciprider wrote, the neck size on a Sterling is more narrow and the pickup magnets are different resulting in a different sound.

Also, the Sterling has a smaller body than the Stingray.

 

[JayDawg]

Thank you all for the replies. I have played the Sterlings and Stingrays before but it has been a while. I do remember that I really liked the sound of both. My only negative thing about the basses was that they seemed heavy but then again, I have played Ibanez Soundgear basses since 1993 and they are a very light bass so I probably got spoiled in that department.

I am thinking I will probably buy a couple of Sterlings as I liked there sound and feel a tad bit more than the Stingray plus I like the thinner necks.

I now just need to find a place that sells them. I have a Guitar Center 2 hours away but due to poor customer service from them, I refuse to ever buy from them again. I did a search on here of dealers in my area and unfortunately, Guitar Center is the only ones. Does anyone know of any places that sell EBMM's online in other States?

 

[Bean]

Try ThePerfectBass.com.

 

[Bean]

I now just need to find a place that sells them. I have a Guitar Center 2 hours away but due to poor customer service from them, I refuse to ever buy from them again. I did a search on here of dealers in my area and unfortunately, Guitar Center is the only ones. Does anyone know of any places that sell EBMM's online in other States?

Where are you?

 

[Aussie Mark]

Does anyone know of any places that sell EBMM's online in other States?

If you like the feel of the Sterling, please consider the new Big Al model - same neck, small body, but 18v electronics, active/passive switch, and 3 pickups!

Dealers that are regularly mentioned here are good people to deal with for buying EBMM basses online are

Bass Central
MusicMan Basses

Dubaldo Music
Ernie Ball / Music Man / Guitar / Bass

The Perfect Bass
The Perfect Bass - Bass Guitars, Amps, Gear!

 

[JayDawg]

Where are you?

I live in Sterling, Colorado although that's not why I want a Sterling bass.

I'm originally from San Diego, California but my wife is from here and we moved here in 03'.

 

[keko]

One more proposal, as ex-sdgr player You are for sure more pickup balance pot player instead pickup switch player, I believe?

So, why don't consider about Bongo dual pickup Music Man basses?

You'll get great wood work, premium pickups and killer 4 band EQ preamp with pickup balance pot!
What do You think about that?

 

[five7]

Drum city/guitar land is right off off I-70 and Kipling here in the Denver area. They are a MM dealer. They will treat you like royalty.

 

[JayDawg]

I will check out the Bongo's too. I'm not to wild about their body design but if they sound good, I can get by the looks. Also, 57, thanks for the heads up. I will make sure I check them out when I visit Denver next. I actually have to visit next week to fix my one bass at one of the stores that is an authorized repair center for Ibanez. I will also stop by and check out drum city/guitar land.

 

[five7]

I will check out the Bongo's too. I'm not to wild about their body design but if they sound good, I can get by the looks. Also, 57, thanks for the heads up. I will make sure I check them out when I visit Denver next. I actually have to visit next week to fix my one bass at one of the stores that is an authorized repair center for Ibanez. I will also stop by and check out drum city/guitar land.

You are welcome to come by and check out my bongo and stingray when you are in denver. Pm me and I'll give you my phone number.

 

[keko]

I will check out the Bongo's too. I'm not to wild about their body design but if they sound good, I can get by the looks.

If they sound good... ... man, You'll feel Your underwear shakin' when try one!

Be sure to try some dual pickup with piezo, or should I say triple pickup bass!

 

[adouglas]

When you first pick up a Bongo you may well be blown away by the ergonomics. It is far and away the most comfortable bass I've ever played.

This is not obvious from just looking at them. Most electric instruments are basically just thick slabs of wood. The Bongo is highly sculpted and has a very thin edge that makes it super-comfy. My Bongo 5H is also very light.

Oh, and it sounds like this, which makes me happy in my pants:

 

[IvanHardy]

if you like the thinner necks just get a stingray slo special.

 

[Duarte]

if you like the thinner necks just get a stingray slo special.

Although if you like thinner necks and not the StingRay, get any other EBMM model...

I would really recommend that you try a Bongo before making any decisions, and I've yet to try a Big Al, but I've heard greeaaat things.

 

[J0ttem]

I'm not to wild about their body design

You do like the design, you just don't know yet