is a MM the right bass?

[Tajue17]

hey whats up everyone.. this is my first post here as I found this place doing searchs for MM basses.

okay heres the deal Im in my mid thirtys and after my last band broke up 4 years ago I got the call they want to get back together. sounds good and this is cool because I always wanted a MM stingray and this could be my last chance to own one cause I wasn't really looking for anymore bands because of my age and my family thing, I actually pulled all my bass gear outta consignment for this last hurrah hopefully it lasts.

so my washburn XB920 is messed up with crazy static when I plugged it in (broken ground wire) so I have to take out my 76' Ripper, they love the bass and even tell me the vintage look is a plus which I can dig too cause we're playing rock & roll/old school early 80's punk music (not real crazy fast stuff) and now I'm wondering if I'll look stupid on stage with a $1000 MM (brandnew shiny one is outta the question and will probually get stolen from me) and should I just go for another bass I always wanted a jetglo rickenbacker which will also cost a grand but somehow its more excepted in the dives I guess.

heres what Im wondering about Ebay (where else is there a selection of MM basses used) and getting an older wood colored stingray or a brand new Ric for 999.00.

I know the ric an MM are two totally different basses but for what Im doing should I go for the kick azz sound mixed with raw guitar or vintage looking fatness where its there but you can't really hear everything Im doing (I play pick and fingers)

thanks for any advice.. Boston, Ma

 

[Aussie Mark]

I own quite a few very nice basses, including, like you, a Ripper and an excellent Ric, but a Stingray or Bongo are my "go to" basses whenever I have a gig where I want to sound as best as I can. The Ripper is probably the most versatile of the several Gibbys and Gibby-flavored 'hos that I own, but as good as it is, it can't compete with any of my MMs. I'm not just saying that because this is an MM forum, because I have said the same thing in other non-MM forums.

I didn't own a Stingray until I was 38 years old, so don't let your age influence your thinking.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>heres what Im wondering about Ebay (where else is there a selection of MM basses used) and getting an older wood colored stingray or a brand new Ric for 999.00.

Welcome to the Forum.

Rickenbaker make great Basses. But so does EB.

I've owned and played a 76 Ric.

There's some great EB Basses on Ebay. My favourites are the 1985 to circa 1990. They're going for a song at the moment but IMO, prices are going to skyrocket. Most have nice fat necks with flamed Maple and birdesye. Grab one while you can.

.

 

[FireAarro]

Err, I don't think you'll get much support for the Ric on an MM forum. I mean, people will respect it, but I'm sure they'll probably all tell you to get an 'Ray

 

[Tajue17]

okay okay

thats cool, nah I said they where two different basses Im just wondering about the venues and style of music I'll be playing and basicly should I get the MM.. the ric is a lot mushier than the MM cause the MM has a sound that can't be beat and its the most versitile but the Ric is a Ric. Im just wondering about this situation Im in now---> sometimes you look up on stage at a band and see all epiphones and one guy with a PRS it just doesn't look right but I might be thinking a little bit different than some of you.

okay how about this Music Man Ash or alder clear body with Maple or Rosewood neck whats the best combo, also what are the best years I should look for and are the brandnew ones just as good as the older ones (not nessesarily vintage ones)??? this is a one shot deal so which one should I get for Rock/ punk style? thanks again for the posts

 

[BigStrings]

I was 57 years old before I got my first MM bass and although I'm so glad to have stumbled onto my Sterling, I also feel kind of cheated that I didn't have it 30 years ago. I think your overplaying this stage appearance thing, play the bass that does the most for you. Bands are a come and go kind of thing but a good bass will likly be in your life forever.

 

[Morrow]

I would not call the Ric sound mushy.You do have a greater tonal spread with one and with the toggle you can have a bright sound on one pickup and a nice thump on the other and have three preset tones available fast.

However....Rics do not have that active midrange bark that Rays are so famous for.If you have always wanted a Ray this sounds like a good time to get one.

 

[Tajue17]

cool thanks for the advice.

 

[Joshua]

I was 36 before I got my first MM (last year).

If you are worried about the "look", I can't help ya. Never notice that stuff myself.

As for the sound, it is really personal preference. Both rics and MMs are high quality axes, so assuming all is working well when purchased you really aren't in any danger either way.

And in regards to the different varieties of Stingrays (note there are other MMs as well!), I guess it comes down to new and used, and 2 band or 3 band (assuming you aren't talking about 5 strings). The catch with used is of course knowing what the bass has been through. That's your call. I went new. For eq, I went 2 band as it is more reminiscent of the vintage SRs. Tone is also subject to personal preference though.

Most folks don't hear a ton of difference between maple or rosewood fingerboards, but traditionally maple is thought to be a bit snappier or brighter. I went with maple, but that was only based on getting the eq I wanted. I would have taken either (and am one of those "most folks" in general).

Good luck!

 

[phatduckk]

ive played in lots of punk rock dives with a new ray and sterling and have never gotten any "that bass is too expensive to be here vibes" ... plus it all depends on color. you probably dont want to get a sparkle one but white, black etc shouldnt make people think twice

also basscentral.com has a handful of used ones. a few naturals which look sweet (http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/used.shtml)

 

[Tajue17]

well I bought a MM stingray today.. I played the rick and the musicman, a 1979 and 78 precision, a carvin LB20, and a few Jazz's. the rick had a unique sound that if I could get it loud enough and not distorted out of my GK400 it would sound awesome for what I was doing. the 1979 precision was nice also but I couldn't play it with a pick good with a strap on cause of where the pick-ups where (I have no idea why?) and it was also a little neck heavy, anyway the rick was brandnew and I had played that before I asked for a strap so Im asumming it could of been a little neck heavy also plus the neck felt a little sticky and maybe tough to slide up the neck fast which I do alot.

the Music man was $900.00 used and it is a golden Ash with black pickguard with rosewood fretboard, it had dead sounding strings but I got a free pair of boomers with it, it played very nice and looked brandnew except for a tiny bit of surface rust on the polepieces (?) and needed the chrome shined but with the strap on the bass and playing while standing this bass was perfect and its funny how a different bass can make you go from sloppy to hitting every note perfect--> it just felt perfect! I have to figure out what year it is it is model M10350 (on the neck plate) so I will try to find the place here where you can look it up.

anyway I was always told to avoid brandnew stuff and get something already broken in after I played it and looked it over plus I like having a used looking bass other than something shiny and new (I fell like a show off with new stuff so I like things already dinged up)

thanks for all the advice and I want you guys to know something about yourselves,,,, I have been to other forums on different subjects and I apprieciate that you guys didn't tear down the Ric and insult the bass and you let me decide even though I came to a MM forum and asked for the comparison. thanks for all the posts and Im sure I'll be here more often now with the stingray. Ted in Boston...

 

[Morrow]

Congrats on the Ray.

I think that you might find that some of the Music Man fans around here also own other basses.( I just picked up a Ric myself and have also been a longtime Fender player ).But there is something about the build quality of EB MM basses that sets them apart.

Nothing barks like a Music Man.

This is the place to come if you have any questions about your Ray. -Welcome

 

[AnthonyD]

You made the right choice...

For me, it's about how it makes you feel inside. I returned to being a bass player about 6 years ago, playing casually with some new friends and doing the occasional church and coffee-house thing. I picked-up an Ibanez and thought I was all set.

Then about 2+ years ago I bought a Tacoma Thunderchief CB10 acoustic bass and I absolutely love it! The workmanship, the sound, the feel - everything. So I start looking at my Ibanez thinking it's not doing the same for me - something is missing. The casual but determined search for a new bass was on...

I started by revisiting some of the basses that I owned (and liked) in my youth, having played these models during the 1977 - 1985 timeframe:

• Gibson Ripper/Grabber - now hate the feel and the sound
• Fender Precision - now hate the feel
• Ric 4001 - still like the feel, but hate the sound
• BC Rich Eagle- today they're nothing like they used to be

I then moved on to anything I could get my hands on, including a Fender Jazz and various models from Ibanez, Warwick, Washburn, Gibson, Yamaha and Spector. Then came to the Ernieball SR4 and the Sterling.

I was real close to buying the SR4 because I found an acceptable color & configuration "in stock", but ultimately went for the Sterling because it immediately felt right in my hands and it gives me the sound I have always had in my head. And it was worth waiting for...

Sapphire black with a black ice pick-guard, rosewood fretboard and a matching, painted headstock. Whether jamming with friends, playing in front of the occasional "live" crowd, or doing my own thing with my "virtual" band (CD accompaniment!) in my private room, this bass does "it" for me.

I wish the same for all, as I expect most in this forum have found!

 

[Tajue17]

this bass is insane! now Im gonna get a sunburst stingray with maple neck.. Im a post freak though so look for my question about the new basses... Hee Hee

 

[phatduckk]

rock on ... hope you enjoy your new bass