Who got you hooked on MM basses?

[dinosaur]

I know it sounds like an over-familiar refrain already, but I'm another one that has largely Tony Levin to thank for my interest in the world of Music Man.

I've been an active follower of his work since I first got into Peter Gabriel around the time of the 'Us' album in 1992. That was only increased when I discovered King Crimson with 1995's 'Thrak', followed by various Levin solo projects.

Again, this reiterates what others have said already, but his tone is fantastic, and his distinctive style is so minimalistic/economical, it gives non-technical players like me more confidence.

I've wondered over the years how many people have been brought to the Music Man fold through their appreciation of Levin.

james.

 

[bottle12am]

I was always amazed by Flea's tone. It's how I first found out about MM.

Last year, when it was time to upgrade, I wanted a solid, respectable bass -- not a wannabe, not a boutique. Just something that commands respect on stage and would be problem-free in the studio.

I limited my choices between C**vin, F**der, and MM.

F**der had two strikes against it, with questionable build reputation and it's corporate status (I hate corporate America, fyi).

I've heard from other bassists you can definitely get a great F**der if you sit down and play a bunch til you find 'the right one'; but I'm a lefty who lives in BFE so I don't have the luxury of driving store to store and sampling.

C**vin's prices had steadily been creeping through the years. By the time I built the one I wanted (I was actually trying to build it to MM specs), the 'factory direct' bass I wanted was within $100 of the MM Sterling I designed and had to custom order through a store, anyway.

For a co. which prides itself on customer service, I was having a heck of a time getting straight answers from C**vin. Didn't help they kicked me off their forum calling their web master a code monkey.

So the last logical choice was MM. I went to the web site. Laid back forum. The subject at the time of conversation was Big Poppa at the Open House. A Honcho who gets drunk with his clientelle and throws a party for them?

I loved the attitude. I figured if the basses were half as cool as the atmosphere (Open House, fellow forumites, etc), this was the spot for me.

I rolled the dice and ordered, as there were no Sterlings to be tested in BFE.

When I got it in my hands, I knew.

The Sterling plus my GK800RB and Ampeg cab gave me the EXACT sound that has been ringing in my head for the past 16 years. It finally was out of my head and coming through my fingers and the speakers.

There is absolutely nothing more I could ask for as a bass player. Period.

Thank you, Flea, the Forum, and BP!

 

[tkarter]

I was always amazed by Flea's tone. It's how I first found out about MM.

Last year, when it was time to upgrade, I wanted a solid, respectable bass -- not a wannabe, not a boutique. Just something that commands respect on stage and would be problem-free in the studio.

I limited my choices between C**vin, F**der, and MM.

F**der had two strikes against it, with questionable build reputation and it's corporate status (I hate corporate America, fyi).

I've heard from other bassists you can definitely get a great F**der if you sit down and play a bunch til you find 'the right one'; but I'm a lefty who lives in BFE so I don't have the luxury of driving store to store and sampling.

C**vin's prices had steadily been creeping through the years. By the time I built the one I wanted (I was actually trying to build it to MM specs), the 'factory direct' bass I wanted was within $100 of the MM Sterling I designed and had to custom order through a store, anyway.

For a co. which prides itself on customer service, I was having a heck of a time getting straight answers from C**vin. Didn't help they kicked me off their forum calling their web master a code monkey.

So the last logical choice was MM. I went to the web site. Laid back forum. The subject at the time of conversation was Big Poppa at the Open House. A Honcho who gets drunk with his clientelle and throws a party for them?

I loved the attitude. I figured if the basses were half as cool as the atmosphere (Open House, fellow forumites, etc), this was the spot for me.

I rolled the dice and ordered, as there were no Sterlings to be tested in BFE.

When I got it in my hands, I knew.

The Sterling plus my GK800RB and Ampeg cab gave me the EXACT sound that has been ringing in my head for the past 16 years. It finally was out of my head and coming through my fingers and the speakers.

There is absolutely nothing more I could ask for as a bass player. Period.

Thank you, Flea, the Forum, and BP!

Now that you are hooked. Have you heard a single H Bongo?

tk

 

[maddog]

Now that you are hooked. Have you heard a single H Bongo?

tk

Don't let Tom tempt you. Your ears may thank you but your wallet won't.

 

[tkarter]

It would be the perfect world if every bass player had a single H bongo.

IMHO

tk

 

[maddog]

It would be the perfect world if every bass player had a single H bongo.

Yes.

 

[bass&cookies]

i think the first time i got hooked was playing a sub at guitar center.
then i tried ray, and was blown away by how awesome it sounded. i promised my self i would get one someday. then i did

 

[shamus63]

Don't let Tom tempt you. Your ears may thank you but your wallet won't.

For a minute there, I thought you were speaking in the third person.

 

[lowliferumble]

In 1979 I saw the band "Angel" , bassist used what was to me at the time a very bizarre looking P-bass. What was with the funny looking egg shaped pick guard . I also saw John Deacon of Queen using one live and absolutley had to get that sound. If I was pressed for the defining moment , it would have to be the first time I ever held a six bolt SR in my grubby mitts. I knew what I had to own and play. The only drawback is one can not ever own too many.

 

[skabassist13]

This guy.

Mike Herera of MxPx. The first band I was really into. I always loved his tone and the way he put bass into songs. Found out he used a StingRay, and it was loved at firs sight pretty much.

 

[bassmonkeee]

I would agree with that...but this guy's tone:

Got me curious about trying one, and when I tried out one of these:

well...THEN I was hooked.

Pretty much exactly what you just posted.

 

[grooveguru]

Back in 76 or 77 I was on the road playing in West Virginia and the band had a night off. So we went to check out another band and they had a bass player who was funky as all get out and he had the 1st StingRay I had ever seen or heard. He really impressed me and when I got back to the room and called my wife to be and I kept going on about his bass and I ask her to contact a music store that I dealt with in State College, Pa. to see if they could get me a StingRay. Being that they weren't a Music Man dealer and StingRays were new on the market he said let me check on it. Well a week or two later the owner called and said that he found me one. I had to wait until I got back off the road a few weeks later to actually get it. Very cool bass indeed. Still had "Pat. Applied For" stamped in the bridge. I ended up selling it a year or two later and hadn't played a Music Man until about 3 years ago when I ordered a case from Bass Central and they accidently crossed my order with a guy from out west who ordered a Sterling. Imagine my surprise when I opened my "empty" case and saw a new Sterling in it. I called and made arangements to get the bass to it's rightful owner but not before I played the thing for a few minutes. It knocked me out. Well I'm back in the fold as I just ordered a new Bongo 5 HS in Egyptian Smoke from the boys at BC and it should be here on Thursday!

 

[tkarter]

That was a message from a higher source than man my friend.

tk

 

[smallequestrian]

Honestly, it was sure dumb luck that came upon the Lavender Pearl SR5 Fretless, but it was this board and Jack that really hooked me.