Music Man /consistant quality?

[willsellout]

Originally Posted by emblymouse

Yes, I'm talking the difference between fabulous and fab++. I get it these are overall great instruments but it's the buying without trying thing I'm concerned with.
I just ordered a $3000+ instrument of brand X, and the B string had a lot of harmonic overtones that really blurred the fundamental, it was there unplugged too. Subtle thing but it really bummed me. Changed strings, still there. I returned it to this company and they said it was within their spec and officially AOK, but they were totally swell and sent me another. Problem gone.
This is the kind of thing I'm talking about. This Bongo is just so damn pure harmonically it almost makes me laugh out loud when I get below E. I was assuming EB just had a good thing going with a mass produced mid priced instrument. My only other experience was with a used Sterling. The tone didn't do it for me but it felt great to play.

That's what I noticed with my Bongo. It really shined down low.

[bass1107]

I have owned 20 Music Man basses and currently have 3 in a very paired down herd. All were exceptionally well made and 19 sounded great. The one exception was a Classic Stingray 5 that did not play or sound like my others. I thought it might be the new two band EQ. Sold it immediately. I have a 1981 Stingray 4 with the old two band and it is awesome. I have owned Spector, Pedulla, Dingwal, Smith, Warwick, Roscoe, Sadowsky, Bee, and others. I always seem to keep the Music Man stuff. In a live rock band setting, it excels. IMO the best production bass and in a rock mix the best to my ears.

[Blue_Whistle88]

While I've never owned a Musicman bass in my life, I must have tried over a dozen in different guitar stores and all of them either felt and sounded great as they were, or clearly needed only a minor setup and/or new strings. Aside from mid-high end ESP basses, I've never seen consistency off-the-shelf like that anywhere else. Their factory QC must be fantastic, but you can also see that a lot of effort just generally goes into their production, and the attention to detail is surprisingly up there with many custom shops.

[Epitaph04]

Originally Posted by willsellout

That's what I noticed with my Bongo. It really shined down low.

The Bongo's low b-string eats b-strings for breakfast.

[Pickebass]

Music Man basses are some of the most consistent instruments money can buy. I have owned well over a dozen and EVERY ONE of them was a great instrument. I have a SR5H and Bongo 5 and I am really impressed with the Bongo. I was a little hesitant at first but its a great bass. I have to admit, it is on the short list of basses I own. If something has to go, it will be one of the last ones!

[miketallica315]

My Musicman SR5 is absolutely amazing. I gave up a 2008 Fender American Deluxe Jazz Bass 5 string and a Warwick $$ for it and I haven't really looked back. I also have a SBMM Ray35 and that as well is quality. I love my Musicman Stingray 5 's.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by msb

I've only owned one , still have it !


... but seriously they are probably the finest production instruments made in America . They offer the largest range of instruments , and continually fine tune the tiniest details . They seem to care about quality , and customer service .

Consistent , and quality , are what they are all about .

This - except I've owned 4, and still have 3 of them...


- georgestrings

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by willsellout

That's what I noticed with my Bongo. It really shined down low.

I'm going to have to check one of those out, since I primarily play a 5er for the lower notes, and like them to be clear voiced...


- georgestrings

[spufman]

Originally Posted by baba

I've owned probably a dozen or more Musicman basses and they all have been consistantly great with one exception: I had one old one with a horribly twisted neck. I got it used, and don't know the history of the bass, but it was certainly way out of the norm.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one without playing it in person.

Ha! The one I bought (without first playing in person) from baba is the one I describe as absolute perfection. Thanks again!

[Modern Growl]

I fine EBMM to be pretty consistent.

[jmattbassplaya]

Originally Posted by baba

I've owned probably a dozen or more Musicman basses and they all have been consistantly great with one exception: I had one old one with a horribly twisted neck. I got it used, and don't know the history of the bass, but it was certainly way out of the norm.

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one without playing it in person.

Same story here. Their QC is far superior to most other mass manufactured brands. The only one who I think is as close or possibly even better would be Lakland.

[baba]

Originally Posted by spufman

Ha! The one I bought (without first playing in person) from baba is the one I describe as absolute perfection. Thanks again!

Oh, that Sterling is amazing. The best one I ever had.

[jlepre]

I've owned over a dozen EBMM from SR5's to Sterling and Bongos. They ALL have the same great quality, and attention to detail.

[steveinohio]

They are fantastic. Hands down. Cant beat em!

[king_biscuit]

Generally they are very well made. You would be hard pressed to find a more consistently well made instrument near the EBMM price range.

[BIGEJ2]

I've owned quite a few EBMM's too. Down to just a Big Al 5 SSS and I'm looking for a Stingray. Only had two with issues, one had a bad pre-amp and on my Big Al, the pickup covers weren't held into the body. The dealer and EBMM's customer service was top notch, both fixed and shipped back to me in no time at no cost.

[cybersnyder]

EBMM has always had high QC. I've never played a dud. There are some that I don't like the looks of, but that's subjective. Fender has really upped their game since '08, but EBMM has been top notch as long as I can remember.