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

[TheAntMan]

I can't believe I read it either. IMHO EB has made big improvements as far as the origional MM SR. Almost a full circle. From great technical feats as the 25th, The Bongo and Big Al. Then back to it's roots with the up and coming Classic.


MM was born an active bass and IMO should stay that way.

I read the whole thing also and was ready to light a match, but in the end decided not to.

EBMM offers more than the market is even ready for. To state that they are not responding to demands by not addressing someone's tiny 'niche' market is ridiculous. Especially when the individual in question is not even in the market to buy.

Oh, well some folks just like to stir things.

--Ant

 

[Big Poppa]

I think Bens intent was pure....just the fact that he really cant buy one no matter what the cost kind of makes me happy I didnt retool.

 

[bovinehost]

I think Bens intent was pure....just the fact that he really cant buy one no matter what the cost kind of makes me happy I didnt retool.

That was a close one.

 

[Stephen]

Well, if a market of 1 (as in ONE) is enough to retool the production line after development is done voicing the pick ups, sourcing the wood and mixing the colors needed, I guess it's time to bump the Dream Bass that will never happen thread.

Bottom line: freelance luthiers need to eat too, don't they?

 

[zombi]

Finally. I reached the end. That was exhausting.

Kudos to Ben for offering a different opinion. That is, after all, how we got here right?

Ernie Ball offered a differing opinion to Leo and the rest is history...

 

[TheAntMan]

I think Bens intent was pure....just the fact that he really cant buy one no matter what the cost kind of makes me happy I didnt retool.

ROFL!!!

--Ant

 

[johnfrazier]

I understand that my perfect neck wouldn't be a marketable option - but having two different neck options for each bass doesn't seem that difficult if they all use the same neck pocket. All that would need to change would be the label on the headstock, which... damn. I just remembered that all their headstocks are different. That would throw a twist into things at the factory, fo' sho'. Still, it would be nice to have at least one option for a neck profile on each instrument. Fender and Warmoth pull this off - perhaps MM could too, if they so desired.

As for the SUBs, I saw those and saw them as being a cheap MusicMan, not the same as the standard line with just a passive circuit. They were not the most elegant of instruments, you must admit - the passive circuit was not the primary reason that they didn't fare well. Having passive only MM basses would require some slightly different routing, which, if they are CNCed, wouldn't be that difficult. Those basses whose controls are mounted on a pickguard or control plate wouldn't really require any different routing at all. I know that doing anything deviating from standard processes can be expensive in a factory environment - I used to work at the Mesa/Boogie factory. But we would do custom stuff all the time there, and it didn't interrupt things too spectacularly.

I'm not complaining without merit - I think that MM is doing a fine job banging out damn good instruments, but there's just a couple of things that's prevented me from buying one through the years. I've been SO close to buying a Bongo and just ripping out the preamp... and the Big Al is quite tempting also, except the neck is far too small for me (plus I'd have to gut the preamp out of that one, too). So close, but yet so far.

Dude, you're only a business plan away from your ultimate solution: building your own bass.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I'm aware that there's a passive switch on some of those basses - but I don't want to be paying for an expensive preamp that I will never use.

I was looking at those basses as if they were designed as passive, but come with an active switch for free!

 

[Freddels]

Ernie Ball offered a differing opinion to Leo and the rest is history...

I think EBMM continued Leo's legacy. Leo was always tinkering and trying to improve his products. EBMM has done the same in the spirit of Leo. They have tinkered and improved the traditional and have forged ahead into the new.

 

[zombi]

I was more talking about the strings and the actuall beginnings of Ernie Ball more than the musicman line itself...

But yes, I believe with the guitars and basses they have followed in both Ernie and Leo's footsteps as far as development and innovation go.

 

[RaginRog]

Hey Bennie...are you Strange??


Seriously, I can see what your saying....I'd even consider a passive Stingray or Sterling if they made one. I prefer active because I don't really use many pedals, so I like being able to make adjustments on my bass rather than using pedals or adjusting the settings on my amp.

 

[RaginRog]

He may have good cred. He is trolling, however. He has come onto the company website and posted inflammatory comments that are extremely disrespectful to EBMM and their business model. That's not trolling?

He's just asking a question(not really flamming the product)....and came right to us knuckleheads for an answer...He said he'd BUY an MM bass if they had a passive only model...I've known a couple of bassists who've made the same comment.

 

[RaginRog]

I think Bens intent was pure....just the fact that he really cant buy one no matter what the cost kind of makes me happy I didnt retool.

You mean you guys don't shut down for 2 weeks every summer to retool....like my old employer/automaker (and bail-out beneficiary) does??

 

[RaginRog]

That was a close one.

He could always buy a used one and gut it....make it passive....or buy a passive SUB bass.

 

[TheAntMan]

He's just asking a question(not really flamming the product)....and came right to us knuckleheads for an answer...He said he'd BUY an MM bass if they had a passive only model...I've known a couple of bassists who've made the same comment.

I think his post goes above and beyond that simple point...

You seemed to have stated it quite clearly in just a few words without any negativity. Hmmm..yup...seems pretty straight forward.

I find his status " subverting the dominant paradigm" interesting and revealing. Seems to fancy being a self appointed enlightener of the uninformed. But hey, that's just my take on it, for what little it is worth.

BP seems to be taking him at his word, so as long as BP is cool with him, then I'm cool.

--Ant

 

[Big Poppa]

I have no problems with Benjamin

 

[tkarter]

I read all of this and come to the conclusion I like my bongos just fine.

tk

 

[AnthonyD]

I'm with Tom...

 

[five7]

I'm with BP.

 

[DTG]

dear mr Ford
I would really likr to buy one of your cars but i want one with a pink steering wheel.Me and my mates all really like pink one's.we all work in a gas station so i think we should know about things like this.
I know i could but one and rip out the wheel you supplied but i dont feel i should have to pay for an expensive wheel just to rip it out.....did i say i really like your cars btw !!
so,when you start making cars with a pink steering wheel i will buy one.but not just now because i dont have the money to do buy one.

.......i will let you know if i get a reply from ford

thats pretty much what i got from it all,but please take the above in jest

Dave