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

[RobertB]

i'm looking for something worthwhile and constructive to do with my time. which forum belonging to a company whose product i'm not compelled to buy should i visit today just to let them know it, while claiming that my motives for doing so are altruistic? hmmm ... so many to chose from, so little time.

just some dude who doesn't feel like ebmm's are for him ... yawn.

 

[Eggman]

i'm looking for something worthwhile and constructive to do with my time. which forum belonging to a company whose product i'm not compelled to buy should i visit today just to let them know it, while claiming that my motives for doing so are altruistic? hmmm ... so many to chose from, so little time.

just some dude who doesn't feel like ebmm's are for him ... yawn.

+1 on the yawn. Next.

 

[Jornan]

I have to admit that i like this thread. Everyone here (including me) loves EBMM, and for once it's good to see that some people have other opinions on basses. We need some people like you here, Benjamin.

BUT as a huge fan of MM, I have to say something in defence of course If MM was a car brand, it would be like a Ferrari or a Koenigsegg. They're expensive, looks awesome, sounds and feels awesome and a lot of people love them. But on the other hand, they have some issues that makes them far from perfect for everybody. EBMM has focused on active basses for people who choose their basses from the special sound before they're looking at the price tag. Therefore, MM basses doesn't fit everybody. A Ferrari sounds awesome, but as a family car it doesn't do the job at all. A EBMM sounds awesome to some poeple, but others simply finds them overpriced and not easy enought to use.*

I hope my English is understandable

 

[oddjob]

I just scratch my head over this one. I totally respect the opinions (all of them presented here), but kind of like RobertB I just wonder "why"?!?!?!?!

 

[bizmarckie]

Welcome Benjamin, from a long-time lurker and newbie. I used to be a passive pickup preacher myself, but have changed my ways

Stick around, these are good guys. I can appreciate where you're coming from, but I for one am glad that EBMM does it the way they do. Not for everyone, but hey, neither is living in San Francisco

 

[Manfloozy]

Benjamin, I really do recommend you check out a 25th Anni, or the forthcoming production model. The neck is a Bongo profile, and the passive "option" can be a very realistic mainstay.... you don't need to push the button down and make it active if you don't want to.... but hey, the option is always there.

This bass in the HSS model was a godsend for me personally. I wanted a passive "capable" bass, and single coils, but I also LOVE the Bongo preamp for certain situations. It really is better to have the options... even if you think you might never use them. Let me tell you though, throwing the bridge PUP in series, going active, and adding some bass and low mid may rock your world like it did mine.

Long story short... yes you may be paying a premium for the electronics, but that also includes the NEO pups, etc.... and it really is worth it. I really think that a 25th or production version may really fit your bill perfectly, if you can give it a try and mentally get past the "I'm paying extra for the EQ I may never use" thing.

Just my $0.02. Track down a 25th HSS and give her a go... you really won't be dissappointed.... and if you are, there probably isn't any other advice I can give

 

[Freddels]

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.

Jack, I've never smelled your dog nor seen your furniture but there is no way anyone would ever say that your wife was ugly.

 

[BenjaminStrange]

For those of you who don't understand my intent - I came here because I really like MM stuff. They just haven't made a bass that suits my individual tastes quite yet (although flirting with the passive switch helps). I genuinely have the best of intentions.

I must admit publicly that I didn't quite get BP's joke about my ugly bass (I can admit that; it is rather ugly) - turns out that BP was busy editing his post as I was busy responding.Comedic timing and subtlety can be a bitch on internet forums. A quick pm from BP and all is sorted out. I'm not offended, nor do I hope I'm offending anybody here.

Some (ok, most) of you have different opinions than I do, and that's perfectly fine. Keep in mind that my opinions are nobody's buy my own, and I voice them because I care. Believe me - I want to own a MM. I'd love to snag a Bongo at some point and commit some sacriledge against it in the form of a passive mod - I dig enough about it that I'd be willing to spend the bucks on a preamp that I'll just end up tossing. The Big Al might be on my list if it weren't for the skinny neck, but I'll keep hoping.

I'll stick around for a bit, if only to better educate myself about the peculiarities of EBMM. This forum seems the best place to get quality information - not to mention the inside scoop on limited editions, colors, and such. Most of you seem like swell chaps... and I can ignore the rest.

(As for the guy earlier who didn't like his setup that my shop did on his bass: come back and let us tweak it for you. Every person plays differently, and we keep that in mind when we do our setups, but ultimately how it feels is up to you. If it didn't meet your needs 100%, we'll keep tweaking your setup until it does, or we'll give you your money back. It's also possible that your instrument might have needed some fretwork - and we can't guarantee a setup to be perfect unless the frets are perfect. I hope we explained this when you came in to our shop - if we didn't, then that's on us.)

 

[oddjob]

Ben... it is all good here. Hope you truly find the bass that suits your needs

 

[Manfloozy]

The Big Al might be on my list if it weren't for the skinny neck, but I'll keep hoping.

Ben, seriously... 25th... passive + single coils + thicker neck... its good stuff

Ok, I'll shut up now.

 

[BenjaminStrange]

Ben, seriously... 25th... passive + single coils + thicker neck... its good stuff

Ok, I'll shut up now.

I've looked at those in shops - very nice, but the body shape doesn't quite speak to me the way the Bongo and the Big Al do. I am often attracted to basses that are a bit left of center... or a LOT left of center. In fact, the Bongo was the first bass MM made that caught my attention - and this is after playing quite a few Stingrays and Sterlings. Something about the Bongo is just... so... wrong, in the best of possible ways. I very well might have to snag one of those and do terrible things to it one of these days.

 

[steve f]

Hey Ben,
I understand where you're coming from and respect it.
IMO, there's nothing wrong with constructive criticism and asking if something new and different is possible.
That said, I like the EBMM line as it is and probably wouldn't have much use for a passive version - different strokes.
Get the Bongo, you won't regret it.

Welcome

 

[bovinehost]

For those of you who don't understand my intent - I came here because I really like MM stuff. They just haven't made a bass that suits my individual tastes quite yet (although flirting with the passive switch helps). I genuinely have the best of intentions.

I doubt we've had many conversations, but I know from reading your posts elsewhere that you're a decent guy and not trying to pee in anyone's Wheaties. The ones who reacted strongly probably don't have my perspective.

...BP's joke about my ugly bass (I can admit that; it is rather ugly)....

An Ovation bass, ugly? I know, I know, people say it looks like a toilet seat...no, wait, hold on, that's something else.

I play Bongos, Benjamin, and even I know your bass is ugly.

I'd love to snag a Bongo at some point and commit some sacriledge against it

Hang around long enough and Psychicpet (I think it was him what done the deed) will come around and tell you about gutting a Bongo.

Meanwhile, if there's anything I can do, any questions I can answer, feel free to use me as you will. You know, within reason.

Jack

 

[oddjob]

feel free to use me as you will.

Oh, that opens up a whole new can of worms, Jack

 

[Mogee]

There is always room in my house for a new bass. So get two Bongos and gut one, and keep the other for when you change your mind about the surgery. Truthfully though, I think customization is a really awesome thing. I have built a couple of Warmoth projects and had a lot of fun. I think the more options we have to choose from the better. I would love to see an Ernie Ball custom shop. Even if its not economically viable, or would never happen, its still fun to think about. Look at all our posts about our "dream Musicman." We certainly have fun thinking about it. Sort of like what would I do if I won the lottery daydreams lol. I dream of a day with a Bongo that has a naked neck that I can get in Daphne Blue and have the choice of active or passive. Just seeing BP step up for Erin and at how interested he is in what we have to say makes me a customer for life.

 

[Big Poppa]

You know benjamin and I are really good. I still think my clown face is up there with his chick smoking and liking Phish.

I have to tell you the cheapest shot is some one that hangs here and waits to pile on...I have zero use for them. I believe that benjamin even said he expected to get flamed in his first post...I dont think it was flame...maybe a light carmelization....

I am not going to take marketing advice from a guy who plays an ovation. (that was another joke since things are a little raw)

Please let me remind you that I couldnt give away sub passives and sold thousands of active ones.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Here is how it goes....opportunity is created when you dont feel the market is being addressed.

That answers it all right there.

Every manufacturer cannot make every instrument with every potential option, but it can't hurt to ask for something specific. The worst that can happen is to get a no for an answer (there's not enough demand, that's not what we do, would be too expensive, etc...). Did I ever mention that any bass over approx. 9.2 lbs is too heavy for me? How about a single H in the middle (between the bridge and neck positions)? A satin finished neck?

I think the Big Al and 25th are great with their electronic versatility. Is it overkill? Maybe, but you don't have to use every setting. I personally didn't care for the shape of the Big Al when the teaser photos were released, but now I think it looks really cool and I can't wait to check out the 5-string version when it's introduced.

 

[Colin]

the positive side to these threads is the insight to the market/industry from Big Poppa's replies. That and his humor keep some lines for me BP when I bring the camcorder to NAMM?

 

[TNT]

Wow!!! I'm from the other side of the fence (skinny stringers)!!

There's a lot you guys can learn from us guitar players about this type of conduct. You'll never see us acting in this manner.

Bottom line is this: EBMM instruments are at the "top" of the food chain, every one expects "them" to meet all their needs.

And, hey, even if the "other" bass manufacturers offered every conceivable neck under the sun on their basses, they still won't be happy unless it's a EBMM bass they're playin'!!!

Read between the lines: Benjamin WANTS TO PLAY A EBMM BASS, that's why he is frustrated.

 

[BenjaminStrange]

I am not going to take marketing advice from a guy who plays an ovation. (that was another joke since things are a little raw)

You're probably right - something this odd would never sell:

Yet somehow, something as odd as a Big Al does sell. Hmmm.... What a strange industry we have found ourselves in.