Why I haven't bought a MusicMan - an outsider's perspective.

[stingray96191]

i can honestly say that from my perspective. There is no other company making instruments that operates like EBMM. If i wasn't already ( and i was ) I am now a customer for life. They really don't make a bad guitar and even at new Prices you get an amazing value. Used is always a way to go too. My Big AL is 90% passive mode these days and thats not a bad thing... But its nice to have the active boost when its there.

Anyway Welcome to the forum.

Erin

 

[laneline]

Hey BS, you work in a high tech repair shop, instead of lamenting about this
company's product line, seems like a no brainer to me assembling your own bass to your specs wouldn't be that difficult.

 

[BenjaminStrange]

They do not use the same neck pockets.

Sterlings have the slimmer, 5 bolt, Stingrays use the 6 bolt...they woudn't fit.

Aha! This is helpful. As I'm not super familiar with EB products, I was not aware of this fact. So yes, knowing this would make offering too many neck options would be excessively difficult.

Benjamin, By the way, what bass do you own and play thru your mesa?

Yes, I'm still an endorsing Mesa artist, and will be until Mesa gets hit by a meteor. Right now I'm playing an old Ovation Magnum, which has a giant neck, which I have ripped the frets out of. I've also gutted the electronics out of this one as well...

Hey BS, you work in a high tech repair shop, instead of lamenting about this
company's product line, seems like a no brainer to me assembling your own bass to your specs wouldn't be that difficult.

Yes, I very well could build my own bass. Perhaps some day I will, but for now I enjoy playing existing instruments.

I appreciate those of you who receive my comments in the spirit in which they were given. I understand a bit better now how and why MM does things the way they do - and why they most likely they won't make a bass that caters to my tastes 100%, and that's ok. My intentions here were merely to provide MM with a perspective that is a bit contrary to their market that they are already reaching. MM hasn't reached my market yet, and that's ok too.

MM for me, at this point, is kind of like a woman that I would be attracted to, except that there's a deal breaker involved - like she's a smoker, snores excessively, or likes Phish. The neck shape and the fancy preamps are just stuff I can't get over.

I very well might just buy a Bongo and gut it sometime in the future. I like the neck, the pickups, the shape (very sexy), the balance... everything except for all those knobs and lo-impedance signal. The Big Al, for some reason, is even more appealing at least initially, but the neck is just too small for me, even though it sounds and looks great.

Big Poppa - I meant no disrespect at all, and I strove to make that clear. You make some great instruments and run a good company that touches a great many people, and I dig that. My criticism is only meant to elucidate and perhaps inspire, not to tear you down at all. I understand risks involved in running a business such as yours (I've been in some big bands myself - now THAT's risky business), and I know that you have to take risks from time to time to keep yourself fresh. That's why I offered my opinion - to help inform you of a market that you're not quite reaching, so that if you do decide to move in that kind of direction it won't be totally blind. I don't think I've slagged any of your instruments at all. Heck, I work on your instruments from time to time, and I'm always impressed at how well they are built (unlike some other big companies I could mention). I know it's hard to run a big business (been there, too), and you have my utmost respect for guiding MM through what is probably the most unstable market on earth with such success.

 

[Caca de Kick]

You mention diggin' the Big Al, but wouldn't want to pay all that money just to gut the electronics.
To me the best way to go about that then is wait til they hit the used market, that way the sting to your wallet isn't as bad.

 

[paranoid70]

I guess it just comes down to if you don't find what you are looking for with MM basses, look elsewhere. Alot of us guitar players would love a hollow body MM, but if EB doesn't want to spend the resources to develop one, we could find another brand on the market that does. I think the same goes for pure passive basses. It seems they focus on what they do very well rather than trying to hit every possible niche out there.

Nearly everyone on these forums has found something in these basses and guitars that they really love, and many of us play MM exclusively. If it's not for you, it's not for you. Whatever you do, just keep playin.

PS, Phish rules.

 

[Big Poppa]

Benjamin

No problem you didnt offend me I just gave it to you straight.

Step back and read your title...the few here that still go to talk bass respect you and understand The preople who dont know who you are think that you may be a little full of yourself to post as many expert reasons why you dont buy the stuff.....\ You didnt test the waters just came in proclaiming to be the savior.... We are good!

I have to laugh..the bass that you use I can honestly say is such a dog I spit my coffee out. I know you have modded it and dont take it wrong...but My basses my smoke and like phish...but yours has very large open sores around its clowns mouth! (That is a joke...just trying to lighten things a little)

 

[thunder]

The one thing that Mr. Strange is forgetting is that every bass company produces a bass with its own feel and sound and consumers either like it and purchase them or go elsewhere. With this said, what you are doing is walking into a ferrari dealership and asking to buy a ferrari that drives like a ford. If the bass is not your style, then you should not buy it.

 

[BenjaminStrange]

Benjamin

No problem you didnt offend me I just gave it to you straight.

Step back and read your title...the few here that still go to talk bass respect you and understand The preople who dont know who you are think that you may be a little full of yourself to post as many expert reasons why you dont buy the stuff.....\ You didnt test the waters just came in proclaiming to be the savior.... We are good

I have to laugh..the bass that you use I can honestly say is such a dog I spit my coffee out. I know you have modded it and dont take it wrong...but My basses my smoke and like phish...but yours has very large open sores around its clowns mouth!

I don't think I was claiming to be any kind of expert, nor do I think my title was inappropriate, nor was I proclaiming to be any kind of savior. I never insulted your basses nor your company. I just said that I haven't bought one of your basses, even though I would like to, because you don't offer a bass with the kind of options that meet my needs. This is not an insult, nor is it some proclamation of divine providence.

Yes, I know - many don't dig on the Magnums, and with good reason. They are REALLY funky. But I fail to see how calling my bass a "dog" and a "clown" is helpful - the choice in one's instrument is EXTREMELY subjective, and none should be judged based on their choice.

Well, I guess I'm done here. I was only trying to offer some insight from an unreached market, in what I felt was a respectful manner. Constructive criticism is far more valuable than praise, and I thought you might appreciate that. Thank you all for your time.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

WOW! I can't believe the passion I feel by reading these posts. To each, his own... It's great to be a knucklehead, no matter what you play, as long as you play...

 

[Big Poppa]

What part of me making a joke is too precious for you? I even stressed it...relax Right after posting i I added the heeheeheh and made sure you knew it was a joke but you posted before seeing this....check the time signatures)

I really tried to make you underatnd that I would love to be all things for everybody but that it just doesnt work....

As a side not you commented on the sub being cheap...fine...It wasnt it just didnt have to get buffed...the passive one I offered sold maybe 1% THe market did not accept it. I sold a ton of active ones. Kind of like gibson trying to always make a bolt on (see their latest Jimi Hendrix models)...and fender trying to make set necks...As a maker you have to embrace the market segment the public allots you...I havent seen much success is fighting it.....

I m sorry if you took my humor wrong and do appreciate your time and efforts here....stick around!

 

[Jimmyb]

I don't think I was claiming to be any kind of expert, nor do I think my title was inappropriate, nor was I proclaiming to be any kind of savior. I never insulted your basses nor your company. I just said that I haven't bought one of your basses, even though I would like to, because you don't offer a bass with the kind of options that meet my needs. This is not an insult, nor is it some proclamation of divine providence.

Yes, I know - many don't dig on the Magnums, and with good reason. They are REALLY funky. But I fail to see how calling my bass a "dog" and a "clown" is helpful - the choice in one's instrument is EXTREMELY subjective, and none should be judged based on their choice.

Well, I guess I'm done here. I was only trying to offer some insight from an unreached market, in what I felt was a respectful manner. Constructive criticism is far more valuable than praise, and I thought you might appreciate that. Thank you all for your time.

See, this gets on my nerves a bit.

You come along, giving your opinion on what isn't being done right, when to be honest no-one asked for it.

You've insulted one of the company's products, calling it a 'cheap' version, when you've failed to grasp the concept of the whole design ethos surrounding it (ie, the SUB's were produced to show that a good quality American bass could still be put together at lower cost).

Now, you're taking your ball home because everyone has failed to fall over themselves pronouncing you to be the saviour of the bass playing world.

I don't have a problem with you not liking the bass' that EBMM offer, although admittedly I can't quite see why you'd take the trouble to start a post if your intentions were completely good. What gets me is that you come here, pronounce what is wrong (in your opinion) and then as soon as someone disagrees, you act like a petulant child and sulk.

It strikes me as odd, because your posts come across as being written by an intelligent person, so I would have expected you to accept that you will naturally meet some disagreement.....

 

[douglasspears]

you guys are weird. Dude very clearly said he really likes MM stuff, and wants to buy one, but doesn't want to pay for a pre-amp only to take it out. Since there are no non-active MM basses, he's out of luck.

I come read the forums here to learn about MM stuff, but just as much for entertainment....to read the weird stuff some of you guys come up with and watch newbies get chewed out and run out of here. It's really quite entertaining, yet sad and unfortunate.

 

[phatduckk]

I got a mediocre, $100 setup at SF Guitar Works once... it only took 10 days to get it done too

That's a true story. And, no, really, I wasn't the happiest customer. My normal guy is more than twice as fast, less than half the cost & does an amazing job... I just really wanted to see what all the fuss was about and gave you guys a shot.

Point is: as BP said - you can't be everything to everyone dude. You guys might be the hot shot shop in town - but I don't agree. likewise MM might not be your cup of tea.

 

[bovinehost]

you guys are weird. Dude very clearly said he really likes MM stuff, and wants to buy one, but doesn't want to pay for a pre-amp only to take it out. Since there are no non-active MM basses, he's out of luck.

And that's about the sum total of it, isn't it? Benjamin is not a troll, guys, and there are ways to disagree without coming across like someone is kicking your puppy. (BP's response should be required reading as a lesson in reality.)

There are basses I want to like but for one reason or another, I don't. Ben is in this boat, too, and got a perfectly good answer to his questions about 'why' or 'why not'. Let's not treat him - or anyone else - like a leper, please.

I come read the forums here to learn about MM stuff, but just as much for entertainment....to read the weird stuff some of you guys come up with and watch newbies get chewed out and run out of here. It's really quite entertaining, yet sad and unfortunate.

Presentation and approach can be everything, don't you think? If the first time you walk into my house, your initial comments are along the lines of "Your wife is ugly and you'd be better off with different furniture and your dog stinks", well, expect an equal reaction, I'd say.

Which is not what Ben did, but some people have done it that way and the reaction is fairly predictable.

Just sayin' is all.

Jack

 

[T Alan]

you guys are weird. Dude very clearly said he really likes mm stuff, and wants to buy one, but doesn't want to pay for a pre-amp only to take it out. Since there are no non-active mm basses, he's out of luck.

I come read the forums here to learn about mm stuff, but just as much for entertainment....to read the weird stuff some of you guys come up with and watch newbies get chewed out and run out of here. It's really quite entertaining, yet sad and unfortunate.

+1.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Right now I'm playing an old Ovation Magnum, which has a giant neck, which I have ripped the frets out of. I've also gutted the electronics out of this one as well...

Well, you are a braver man than I am. I'd never admit to that..... Well done!

There are basses I want to like but for one reason or another, I don't. Ben is in this boat, too, and got a perfectly good answer to his questions about 'why' or 'why not'. Let's not treat him - or anyone else - like a leper, please.

Ok, but can we treat his bass like a leper? It's a scary beast foir sure!

R

 

[MrMusashi]

hehe.. ive been watching this thread with curiosity and i must say it surprised me in a positive way.
i was fearing it would go to the dogs quickly, but it seems we can keep the discussion civilized, even if we might feel that someone is tapdancing on everything we stand for.

to listen is an artform and many many discussions where curiousity, respect and a little bit of challenging the other party to think about why they do what they do, or why they feel like that have given great results.

now in this thread we have heard the part of a mans wish, we have heard the business side of things and we have heard the sides of people who felt wrongly treated. open your minds and take lessons from these things.. there is one in each of the replies

and with that i welcome mr b stranger to this forum and i do hope you will stick around even if you get some resistance

MrM

 

[jlepre]

...sometimes you feel like a NUT, sometimes you don't...

Pretty simple way of thinking. BP makes the best bass for ME period. Does he make many flavors??? Maybe so, maybe not, but he knows his target audience, and he plays to us perfectly.

 

[douglasspears]

Oh, I should add...there is one thing I do object to in Mr. Strange's posts.

What's wrong with Phish? There is some mighty fine bass playing going on there, courtesy of Mike Gordon.

 

[strummer]

What's wrong with Phish?

I have to admit that line struck me as kind of odd too.