anyone not like musicman basses?

[droskobass]

I have 8 basses and when I'm going into a new situation (new band, audition, gig at a new venue or session with someone I don't know) I always bring my 1998 Sterling.

Its by far the most versatile bass that I own, it plays very well but I advise against cranking the EQ knobs on any music man. The resulting tone is almost a cliché caricature of the bass' true potential.

 

[bovinehost]

Custom SR5, built for Tony Levin....although he actually ended up with a maple fingerboard.

I'd be very surprised to read an interview with TL regarding aftermarket pickups in any of his Stingrays....anyone have that?

I've talked to him a number of times about his basses and he certainly seems perfectly content with factory specs. I suppose it's possible....but I'd like to read it.

Jack

 

[wazzel]

Cons:

-They sound is too active and get lost in the mix when playing live, and it's all electronics with no wood sound - just as artificial as it gets.

I've never had issues with my SR5 cutting through or sounding funny.

-Most 5s strings are way over 9 lbs, which is too heavy for me.

They do weigh a ton

-G string on StingRays have lower volume.

Never had an issue with that. Maybe the bass(es) you played were not set up properly?

-G string on StingRay 5s easily runs off the fretboard.

??? I've been playing SR5's since 95 and never had issues with keeping the g-string on the board.

 

[realdeal]

This is absolutely a valid issue/feature that has been acknowledged by Sterling Ball no less:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



By the way, I have three Stingrays that I love.

Thanks for the link; very interesting, and there have been others too I saw.

With the exception of the 'g' string issue,

Now to that amazingly brilliant quote...

What the *&%$ does that mean?

First off, it's not a deal-breaker for me; I think the Sterling and EB/MM in general is a superb instrument, hand-built quality at a fair price, and mine gets a LOT of gig time.

But there IS an issue with the output at the G string, it IS weaker, and must be compensated for.

I think the Sterlings (and 'Rays apparently) would be a better bass without this difference in output, but as they are, they are still top rate, so no slaggin' on MM for me; I have great love...

But-- Play real, and the "vegetable" thing is as layum as it gets if you ask me....

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I advise against cranking the EQ knobs on any music man. The resulting tone is almost a cliché caricature of the bass' true potential.

+1 , im not a huge fan of the EQ points on the SRs, well, 3 band anyway. Both mine end up being flat the vast majority of the time.

Custom SR5, built for Tony Levin....although he actually ended up with a maple fingerboard.

I'd be very surprised to read an interview with TL regarding aftermarket pickups in any of his Stingrays....anyone have that?

I've talked to him a number of times about his basses and he certainly seems perfectly content with factory specs. I suppose it's possible....but I'd like to read it.

Jack

Bloody gorgeous bass! Would be nice if EB released some non-limited edition basses with nice tops and no PG.

 

[danster]

After playing Kramers, Fenders, Rick's, Aria's, Carvins, and many other brands over the years - I finally own a 2002 Stingray 4 (bought off the 'bay for $600!!! )
Its light weight and does it all. I still have my 70's Jazz and its a gem, but heavy. The Musicman really can do everything and the quality is top notch.
Dan

 

[BadB]

I have a Sterling HS. I compare it regularly to my five Fenders. (I am a Fender guy, and a passive tone guy). P, J, RBIV, MMV, Aerodyne PJ w EMG's. It sounds better than all of them, and is waaaaay more versatile. My only gripes with it are that it is not nearly as comfortable as the J basses are, and the oiled neck gets pretty filthy.

I generally keep the EQ flat on bass and mid, and boost the treble a bit. It is an extremely powerful EQ, and a little goes a long way.

The strings are pretty dead at the moment. It sounds like a completely different bass, probably more to the liking of those that think of them as too aggressive and zingy.

I have to say that this bass has made me a fan of ceramic magnets, active EQ, and the MM/S pickup scheme. Thanks Big Poppa!

 

[CElton]

Am I the only one who doesn't really care for Musicman Basses? I've played Bongo's and Sterling's and Stingray's and haven't been impressed...

I much prefer a Warwick... but at the same time I know alot of people despise them too...

AM I ALONE?

You're probably not alone, but I love 'em. My only beef is they are not 19mm string spacing on the SR5.

They seem to be a "one trick pony" (like my old Alembic) and I seem to demand more from a bass these days.

...and that trick they do, they do so well IMO. I have a pre EB Stingray and I will always have it. I think the EBMM's are great intruments to.

All IMHO and YMMV... Hey, this is what makes the world go 'round. If it's not for you, it's cool.

 

[Ampeg SVT]

Am I the only one who doesn't really care for Musicman Basses? I've played Bongo's and Sterling's and Stingray's and haven't been impressed...

I much prefer a Warwick... but at the same time I know alot of people despise them too...


AM I ALONE?

No your not alone however I do find the HH models to be quite awesome. I just dont care for the H models as they tend to sound thin.

I like my Wick a lot more then the EBMM's but thats just my opinion.

 

[JonathanD]

LOVE the tone. HATE the feel, weight, uneven output from string to string, etc. (Speaking of SR5)

I think they must be hit and miss. Mine is a hit, Strings are even.

The only bass I have is an SR5. However, I love 17mm spacing adn a thin neck. If I wanted a baseball bat in my hand I would ***edit****
Play a warwick or G&L L2500. However the sound of warwick is fantastic.

I would like to say though that I would love to own a Bongo...its just SO DAMN UGLY.

Jonathan

 

[mellowgerman]

I never picked up an EB that I really liked. They're not bad, but I personally would never pay more than 500 for one. I didn't find anything special or extraordinary about the sound or feel. that's just my take on them though.

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

Whats not to like??

 

[Baird6869]

I much prefer a Warwick...

I absolutly can"t stand Warwicks and love EBMM. This is why there are basses other than Fender P's.

We all like different things and that is tres cool IMO.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am a EBMM fan, but I don't have one, and have no plans for getting one any time soon. Hey, you can't have everything.

 

[detracti]

Y'know before they added the neck pickup, I probably never would have had one though.

I pretty much only use positions 4 & 5 on my switch. 5 is the neck pup soloed, and with the right EQ, it gets close to a P, but then you have so much more variation available thru the low & mid knobs. Position 4 is one coil from both pups, that's where the growl comes in.

Both settings sound very deep, rich and textured to my ears.

 

[zonymash]

When I play a Stringray, I wish I were 6 inches taller and had much fleshier fingers. They make me feel and sound wimpy. In the right player's hands, they are wonderful, but I can't seem to sound good on one.

 

[WarMan]

I have a Sterling HS and I haven't experienced any G-string volume issues. I also have a Thumb BO. The Sterling has a faster neck, but the Warwick outgrunts it.

My Sterling HS and Thumb BO are both very well crafted and both are a joy to play. Playing them is like driving a fine sports car. To each his own, but for me I prefer the MMs and Warwicks over anything I've played from any other brands available at GC.

 

[acleex38]

I love the tone of Stingrays when other people use them and I have huge admiration for the Bongos - but I'm seriously uncomfortable playing either of them. I've never tried a Sterling but would like to.

I sure am glad they're out there though for other people to make awesome music on.

(it doesn't help that I'm a neck-pickup kind of guy)

 

[Bassorama57]

Whats not to like??

Not a darn thing Dr. Funk. Amazing how his 'Ray cuts through the mix on my 1/8" laptop speakers. Mondo groovy.

 

[EpicSoundtracks]

yes