Help with moving to Music Man world

[rickharrison]

I've been playing an american p bass for a little while and I want to broaden my sound by moving into the music man world. I have a couple questions. I'd like to find a dealer where I can play a stingray, bongo, and sterling. I think a stingray would be the most versatile for me at first and then I'd like to get possibly a bongo later on.

Do they still make the stingrays in HS configuration? When I was looking on guitar center I didn't see any HS on their website. I would like to be able to have a wide range of a punchy humbucker sound with the bridge pickup and a precision tone with the single.

Also, with finishes I seem to be drawn to the pacific blue burst. Are these easily able to be found? I did not see this as a possible finish on any of the stores websites. I would love to play a pacific blue stingray HS in person. Any suggestions on where I should go? I live in central pennsylvania and was planning on going to king of prussia soon to check out sam ash and guitar center there.

I appreciate all the help. Thanks

 

[keko]

Do they still make the stingrays in HS configuration? When I was looking on guitar center I didn't see any HS on their website. I would like to be able to have a wide range of a punchy humbucker sound with the bridge pickup and a precision tone with the single.


I appreciate all the help. Thanks

I think it's better choice for You dual HH model, 'cause single neck pickup sounds closer to the J Bass style neck pickup (I mean better )! I own Sterling HS, so trust me please.
On the HH model neck H could be closer to P tone I think so, and You still have bridge H anyway, including all 5 switch positions which can give You 3 more great tone combination (both H&H, inner coils 2+3, outer coils 1+4) This last is for Sterling, but for Stingray should look at schematic switch diagram.

 

[mynan]

They make Stingrays in the HS pickup configuration.

Pacific Blue Burst is still an available color.

Ernie Ball Music Man Instruments

 

[rickharrison]

Yea, I know I saw it on the website, but I was unable to find the color on any of the dealers web sites. I will just have to do some hunting.

So Keko, you are saying on the HS models, that when you are set to just using the single coil pickup it sounds more like a fender jazz?

I will definitely just want to play both a HS and HH

 

[keko]

Yea, I know I saw it on the website, but I was unable to find the color on any of the dealers web sites. I will just have to do some hunting.

So Keko, you are saying on the HS models, that when you are set to just using the single coil pickup it sounds more like a fender jazz?

I will definitely just want to play both a HS and HH

Warning: Don't write here the "F" word, some influenced people really don't like that! (try like 7en..r, or something )

According Your post, I just Bold it and agree that must try both before buying, that's for sure!

As You can see I play Sterling HS and Sterlings are equipped with ceramic pickups, while Stingrays with alnico pickups, so maybe alnico single neck pup will make You happy, who knows?
But from my point of view, standard P pickup is alnico too and it's wired in serial (those two split parts), so I'm not sure is H neck on Stingray wired serial or parallel, that will tell You someone from Sterling Ball, but on Sterling dual pup models H pups are wired in serial, that's for sure!

Anyway, should try both and decide!

 

[cellkirk74]

You can order your stingray in any colour and pickup-combination You want with your nearest EBMM-dealer.

The american forumites will be able to tell you where to play some EBMM-basses close to your home. Where do you live?

 

[mynan]

Yea, I know I saw it on the website, but I was unable to find the color on any of the dealers web sites. I will just have to do some hunting.

EBMM doesn't make instruments for dealer stock. Every bass is made to order, so if you are not seeing an option at the dealer it is because the dealer didn't order that option. The good news is that any dealer can order an instrument with any available option for you...even your local GC. The only bummer is that not every dealer has every option in stock for you to try before you buy.

Warning: Don't write here the "F" word, some influenced people really don't like that! (try like 7en..r, or something )

It's really not an issue...more like a running joke.

 

[rappa29]

BassCentral in Orlando, FL has the biggest EBMM inventory I've ever seen online or in person. I'm talking about physically in inventory. When I went there to buy my first EBMM bass a few years ago, they brought out 4-5 Sterlings in different finishes and configs (HH, H, HS, maple, rosewood). All I had to do was ask to see more and they would've brought out any Ray or Bongo in any configuration\finish I wanted to check out! At the time I was looking for an HS Sterling. Ultimately ended up with an H Stingray!

They do business internationally and nationally all the time.

I'm not affiliated with them other than being a satisfied customer. You should at least give them a call.

I know you said you'd like to play a specific configuration in person. GC should have at least 1 of each in standard configs, H, HH, (Sterling, Bongo, Stingray).

 

[rickharrison]

Now, I have always been the one that wanted to play THE guitar/bass I'm going to buy. Are music man's made so well/standardized that if I find for example that I want a stingray HH that I can order one in another color and it will basically sound exactly the same?

I've always been one to just worry about ordering an instrument that I havn't actually played? Should I just find the model and pickup configuration I want and then have the color ordered if they don't have it?

 

[mynan]

Now, I have always been the one that wanted to play THE guitar/bass I'm going to buy. Are music man's made so well/standardized that if I find for example that I want a stingray HH that I can order one in another color and it will basically sound exactly the same?

I've always been one to just worry about ordering an instrument that I havn't actually played? Should I just find the model and pickup configuration I want and then have the color ordered if they don't have it?

We are talking about instruments that are made of wood, so there are going to be some minor inconsistencies, but with an EBMM you are getting a top notch production instrument from a company whose quality control is legendary.

 

[rappa29]

We are talking about instruments that are made of wood, so there are going to be some minor inconsistencies, but with an EBMM you are getting a top notch production instrument from a company whose quality control is legendary.

What he said!

When I was shopping for a Stingray 4H, I played many Stingrays at Guitar Center and local shops. Their playability varied due to poor setups or being demo'd too much (especially at GC), but the one thing that was consistent with every one I played...they all had 'the Stingray sound'. And that's what I wanted. Ended up scoring a deal on a message board. Bought it based on seeing only pictures from the seller. Guess what? When it arrived and I plugged it in, it sounded just like every other Stingray I'd played in person. The bonus was that it was setup better than any Stingray I'd played in person! So I didn't even need to do that!!

I would not hesitate to buy an EBMM bass from any major online retailer, unplayed. Heck I bought mine from a message board classified. Of course I'd buy from Bass specific shops first (Bass Emporium, Bass Central, Bass NW) then GC if I wanted to take advantage of any special financing they might have.

Or better yet, score a deal here or other message board. They're out there!

 

[DaddyFlip]

The key is where do you live?

I'm like you; I want to find one in the store and take it home- like buying a car. Can't go wrong with Brandt at The Perfect Bass in Baton Rouge, LA... five hours away from me, but that's where I shop. They have a big selection with a wide range of options in the store. Were I not 100% committed to buying exclusively from Brandt (because he EARNED my business), Bass Central has some delicious offerings that I would buy over the internet in a heartbeat, sight unseen. EBMM will support the product if you choose to purchase in this way because EBMM has authorized internet dealers. Just make sure you check their website and buy from an authorized dealer.

 

[rickharrison]

I'm from central pennsylvania so my first plan of attack was to hit up guitar center in king of prussia.

 

[T Alan]

Screw GC.
I've special ordered every one of my MM basses thru Bass Central FL.

 

[bizmarckie]

Oh man, I totally misread the title. I thought someone was moving to a place called "Music Man World"...

I love my Music Man Basses, both bought online untouched by me until I got them home. One is an HS, the other an HH... They're different, but not so much to me that I would say "Bleh, I need to sell one and keep the other..." I like them both... a LOT. I know that doesn't help, but really, I don't think you can go wrong either way. As I read on here alot: "I end up using the bridge H solo'd most of the time anyway" (paraphrase of course).

Have fun in the search, it's like hunting... or so I hear.

 

[bovinehost]

Music Man instruments are the ONLY instruments I will buy without playing first.

I have nine EBMMs and eight of them were bought or acquired without ever having touched them beforehand.

The QC is outstanding and completely consistent. Even if they need to be adjusted a little (weather, humidity, whatever), it's easy to do and painless.

 

[Funky Chicken]

A couple of things-
First of all Music Man QC is second to none. Once you decide on p/u configuration, finish, etc. you can feel confident buying an EBMM bass online. Most of the better independent dealers will get on the phone with you and walk you thru a particular instrument describing its weight, wood figuring, and other details.
You might check out Magdon Music in Olyphant, PA. They are an independent dealer with a stellar reputation. Not a huge EBMM dealer but they could order you anything you want. I have done business with them on both EBMM and other brands and always had a great experience. Ask for Jack Gretz.
Second-I will offer up that Guitar Center, while improving, tends to stock the more pedestrian bass offerings in terms of finishes and configurations. Lots of Black, Sunbursts, and Naturals, but very few of the second tier colors. GC may be a good place to play the different models but you will find a better selection at independent dealers where there is somebody thinking about cool combos to order and reacting quickly to tight order windows for things like LEs. I'm not anti GC, but I do think that the little guys consistently have the cooler EBMM instruments in inventory.

 

[rickharrison]

Lets say I decide that I like the stingray with the HH config. If I wanted to order a sr4 pacific blue burst with HH, how long would that take to come in you think?

 

[rappa29]

Lets say I decide that I like the stingray with the HH config. If I wanted to order a sr4 pacific blue burst with HH, how long would that take to come in you think?

I'm tellin' ya'. Call Bass Central. Beaver and the gang will do you right, answer all your questions, etc. They will spend as much time as you need talking to you on the phone. They have 3 SR4HH's, Pac Blueburst on their website, which are more than likely physically sitting in their warehouse.

I don't know how long it would take to get to PA but my friend who lives in TN, ordered an SR5HH and got it in 2 days!

YMMV.

Call them first thing tomorrow!

 

[TheAntMan]

I'm tellin' ya'. Call Bass Central. Beaver and the gang will do you right, answer all your questions, etc. They will spend as much time as you need talking to you on the phone.
. . .
Call them first thing tomorrow!

+1

Bass Central is the place. Drove up there (3 hours), went in there, check out some EBMM basses, loved the 25th and had the bass delivered in 3 days. They are very cool and helpful.

--Ant