40th year Stingray has been revealed!

[Double Agent]

well, I didn't know about that, so that is a valid point! but I stand behind what I said about the whole "more options" thing.. I like most Musicman basses.. so I'm definitely going to e checking these out hehe

I am, generally, a fan of EBMM basses and the SR5 is one of my favorite basses in the world. I was actually expecting great things from them at NAMM. They discontinued so many things, I thought something new and big would be coming. I will have the funds to make another bass purchase soon and EBMM was on my personal short list of options. So, these were a huge disappointment to me, especially compared to the things they have done in previous years (BFR and PDN lines). They are even more disappointing because it is appears they are completely reversing course as a brand on the innovations of the 90s and 00s. I still think they make great basses but I understand why some, like myself, are disappointed in their 2016 offerings. Others may like them and that's fine, I would never begrudge someone's personal choice in something as trivial as a bass guitar. But these are definitely not for me.

 

[Alaotatto]

well..those are indeed valid point, @Double Agent ... looking at it from that perspective, you have a very strong point. I'm just a sucker for PBasses... so that is probably why I liked them so much.

EBMM + PBass = win in my book.. not one bit innovative, but exciting nonetheless!

 

[bassmonkeee]

A valid point for what?. That businesses change their strategy over the course of years? Well, duh.

Let's not go overboard on tying someone to a strategy from years ago. The last four models of basses they've done prior to this were the Bongo, Big Al, reflex, and Gamechanger. The Bongo and Gamechanger are still around. I think it's safe to say that Sterling Ball had put his money where his mouth is with regards to pushing the industry forward. If he felt he would make more money keeping then around, then he would keep them around. He's supposed to go out of business because of a comment he made years ago?

I've heard these have the neck profile of the Bongo. Make a five string version and I'm in. I've wanted a P Bass for years.

 

[Double Agent]

A valid point for what?. That businesses change their strategy over the course of years? Well, duh.

A valid point for why some aren't on board with the changes. When a company makes a direction change that is diametrically opposed to the strategy they've employed in the past, some degree of dissension is to be expected, especially when they have been pretty vocal in their criticism of other manufacturers for doing exactly the same thing. That's all I was saying.

I have my own reasons for not liking them, which I also shared, and those reasons are valid enough to me and have nothing to with Sterling's previous stance towards rebadged Fenders. I actually dig the 40th Ann Stingray, though I won't be buying one since I primarily play 5ers.

 

[mihayloff]

Once again, (Musicman Classic Series) and now this, "Smoothie"..............another not quite exact, reissue. Went all the way to the trouble to make a correct pickup and then didn't go 3 bolt tilt-o-rama neck nor bullet truss rod adjuster.

Kind of a 50/50 40th year reproduction of the original.

Even with reproduction models, it's best to correct what might not have been a great decision in retrospect. 3-bolt tilt with headstock adjuster being two of them. It's like fender doesn't make their reissues so period correct that you have to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod.

 

[Grooveline]

Wow, this thread turned pretty much turned into list your reasons to not like MM or the new basses thread. Can't seem to understand why some people can't grasp the 40th anniversary bass is a replication not a hotroded fancy version. As far as not being an exact replica with the "Old Smoothie" and Classic Series basses I would say MM actually did the right thing making sure the neck was sturdier with 6 screws instead of three. Truss rod wheel over removing the neck to adjust is another great decision. Removing my RW Precision neck to make adjustments is just a PIA I could do without.

As much as I enjoy the way MM has tried to bring new bass designs to the public i'm happy they decided to put out more traditional basses as well. I actually like their stylized take on the traditional P and J finding it much more attractive than some of the basses having the same traditional body with a slightly different headstock. Whose to say that they wont have a different sound than Fenders as well? Pretty much nobody has played or heard one.

I think many here are letting their emotions or own personal thinking get in the way of making rational statements. This isn't a change of direction for the company because the direction was to always make product, sell it and make profits. Yes, it is a change of strategy from the company. Yes, some involved may have been vocal in wanting to move bass design forward and been opposed to rebadges or remakes being made in the likeness of his or others basses. Who benefits though? Somebody with those type personality traits exhibited by a certain person has to eat crow (which as Americans we love to watch people that dont agree with us do for some strange reason) and bring two possibly awesome new bass entries to the market.

 

[mihayloff]

MusicMan tends to ask for more money so that's one difference.

Actually, MM does not. Please explain, but don't include Fender's MIMs in the equation

 

[Antisyzygy]

Actually, MM does not. Please explain, but don't include Fender's MIMs in the equation

I didn't include Fender MIM. If we're comparing budget models MM doesn't do too bad with the Sterling price brackets.

A Fender American Standard will run you around 1300. There are plenty of options available around that price range. The lowest price MM USA you can get is around 1550 and there is one option I can find. Most are 1600+. MusicMan standard offerings are one price bracket above Fender standard offerings.

 

[mihayloff]

I'm not sure I understand all the negativity in the posts above...
This bass is a production model of a 1976 prototype that Leo built for Sterling.

1976 Music Man StingRay Prototype "Old Smoothie"

It's not intended to be a new breakthrough in innovation and technology...

This is actually the first true Stingray tribute since '96 whern they started releasing them every 10 years.

What's the difference between this and the classic series? Only thing I can see is the truss rod stuck in from the rear with a walnut skunk stripe. Please correct me.
FF

and the lack of "Ernie Ball" on the headstock logo. To me this is the first true Stingray tribute since they first started releasing them in '96.

 

[Matt R]

I played one of these this last weekend and am thrilled with it!

 

[TMARK]

I love mine.

 

[Muyy]

Came to chime in that I put in some time on Old Smoothie and the caprice bass. Both sound really good although a bit pricey for me. They both seemed much more playable and likable than the usual stingrays I've played because in my opinion most of those feel too chunky and stiff for me.

 

[Bassmunnky]

Tried the Caprice and Old Smoothie at Hartke Bass Lounge this weekend

Negative opinions on the new stuff just doesn't add up

Played them - they are modern representations of the requirements of great tone and then some

Thank Bassgods for Ebmm

 

[rogerbmiller]

Guess which one is the Caprice:

 

[svtb15]

I love the caprice.. Im thinking of selling mine in order to get a RW fingerboard one though. mine is maple.. Growly and punchy machine..

Guess which one is the Caprice:

View attachment 983502 View attachment 983505

 

[TMARK]

This is actually the first true Stingray tribute since '96 whern they started releasing them every 10 years.

and the lack of "Ernie Ball" on the headstock logo. To me this is the first true Stingray tribute since they first started releasing them in '96.

Smoothie's frets are much lower than a Classic's. The preamp is different as well. Not night and day but different. It never sounds hyped.

 

[Guinness20]

Guess which one is the Caprice:

View attachment 983502 View attachment 983505

This picture has just helped me realise what I don't like about the caprice's looks; the shape of the pickguard, in particular that bulbous curve. This is a fantastic sounding bass and I wish it didn't bother me but for some reason I can't get past it. Maybe the addition of a 5th string would be enough to convince me...

 

[PFAC]

Well, I finally received my Old Smoothie several weeks ago(early October)several months after I ordered one.

I took it directly out of the box at the local music store where I purchased it. It was too late to plug the bass in that night, so the following morning I plugged it in. Very low signal(almost nothing) along with some very loud intermittent popping of my speakers, between what was an even more intermittent full signal. Remember this is straight from the Music Man factory.

Returned to the music store the next day. The input jack was indeed faulty, and furthermore this input jack is not your typical 1/4" input jack. Special order item from what I was told. Anyhow the tech only works part time at that store and the "special jack" wasn't in stock. Part did not show up very quickly, and what eventually happened was a jack was removed from another Musicman bass.

So after the initial wait of several months, I was forced to immediately relinquish my prized brand new bass back the the shop for more than a week.

And me and the bass lived happily ever after, right?

Nope. After getting it back I played it for a few days to get used to it before using it at a show. Without going into details I will say it sounded great. Amazing. I could hardly wait to hear it with band.

Soundcheck was awesome, what a great sounding bass and my hand mates agreed.
As we were getting towards finishing the bass suddenly stopped working. Nothing. Checked the battery and it was fine. WTH?

Needless to say we were all disappointed, especially me.

Well the guitarist had an issue with his guitar and was going bring it to Jon Carruthers the following day, so I asked him if he could have him look at it.

I spoke with Jon the next day after he was able to look at it. He opened the control cavity and was struck by a burnt electronics smell. He basically told me the preamp was fried.
BTW interesting side note Mr. Carruthers helped Leo Fender design the circuit that went into these basses 40+ years ago.
He also said the wiring looked pretty messy and that it was hard to make heads or tails out of it. Perhaps the bass was wired up on one of those "Margarita Fridays"?

At this point I am starting to lose my patience, and I contacted MM directly.
I was told to ship the bass back to the factory ON MY OWN DIME. They would fix it and then send it back on their dime.

That didn't sit right with me so I took it back to the retailer where I purchased. It did not sit right with them either. The general manager was rather upset and insisted that he would take care of everything for me, and there was no way he was gonna let me do that.

Going on five weeks now since I received the bass, and I am wondering as professional bassist if I will ever be able to depend on that instrument?
Seriously folks, I have had more problems with that bass in the few days it was in my possession than I have with basses I have owned for 12 or 13 years!

Did I purchase a $2000 conversation piece or what?

 

[TMARK]

Well, I finally received my Old Smoothie several weeks ago(early October)several months after I ordered one.

I took it directly out of the box at the local music store where I purchased it. It was too late to plug the bass in that night, so the following morning I plugged it in. Very low signal(almost nothing) along with some very loud intermittent popping of my speakers, between what was an even more intermittent full signal. Remember this is straight from the Music Man factory.

Returned to the music store the next day. The input jack was indeed faulty, and furthermore this input jack is not your typical 1/4" input jack. Special order item from what I was told. Anyhow the tech only works part time at that store and the "special jack" wasn't in stock. Part did not show up very quickly, and what eventually happened was a jack was removed from another Musicman bass.

So after the initial wait of several months, I was forced to immediately relinquish my prized brand new bass back the the shop for more than a week.

And me and the bass lived happily ever after, right?

Nope. After getting it back I played it for a few days to get used to it before using it at a show. Without going into details I will say it sounded great. Amazing. I could hardly wait to hear it with band.

Soundcheck was awesome, what a great sounding bass and my hand mates agreed.
As we were getting towards finishing the bass suddenly stopped working. Nothing. Checked the battery and it was fine. WTH?

Needless to say we were all disappointed, especially me.

Well the guitarist had an issue with his guitar and was going bring it to Jon Carruthers the following day, so I asked him if he could have him look at it.

I spoke with Jon the next day after he was able to look at it. He opened the control cavity and was struck by a burnt electronics smell. He basically told me the preamp was fried.
BTW interesting side note Mr. Carruthers helped Leo Fender design the circuit that went into these basses 40+ years ago.
He also said the wiring looked pretty messy and that it was hard to make heads or tails out of it. Perhaps the bass was wired up on one of those "Margarita Fridays"?

At this point I am starting to lose my patience, and I contacted MM directly.
I was told to ship the bass back to the factory ON MY OWN DIME. They would fix it and then send it back on their dime.

That didn't sit right with me so I took it back to the retailer where I purchased. It did not sit right with them either. The general manager was rather upset and insisted that he would take care of everything for me, and there was no way he was gonna let me do that.

Going on five weeks now since I received the bass, and I am wondering as professional bassist if I will ever be able to depend on that instrument?
Seriously folks, I have had more problems with that bass in the few days it was in my possession than I have with basses I have owned for 12 or 13 years!

Did I purchase a $2000 conversation piece or what?

My Smoothie has been rock solid since August. No issues.