I ask for been looking around at 5-strings and going on Youtube for that and just bass lessons in general and seeing more and more people with Musicman bass's. Got me thinking, are they really that good?
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Are Musicman Basses really that good?
- Thread starter fingerguy
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Bryan R. Tyler
TalkBass: Usurping My Practice Time Since 2002
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- May 3, 2002
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It’s just like anything else- if you like Musicman 5-string basses, then they’re great 
They are pretty common (they can be found at almost any GC) and not too expensive which is why you see a lot of them. They’re solidly built as well, but they are also usually pretty heavy.
They are pretty common (they can be found at almost any GC) and not too expensive which is why you see a lot of them. They’re solidly built as well, but they are also usually pretty heavy.
It’s just like anything else- if you like Musicman 5-string basses, then they’re great
They are pretty common (they can be found at almost any GC) and not too expensive which is why you see a lot of them. They’re solidly built as well, but they are also usually pretty heavy.
Watched a video of Flea being interviewed and demonstrating things and pointed out it's a Musicman given to him free which he finds funny considering the money he makes and they just give him such things. But I know why....free advertising.
I have a 95 Sr5H and a 95 Sr5H fretless. Since 95 I have bought and sold a Ken Smith, Gibson Tobias, Lakeland Skyline 5502 (should have kept that one), Fender Jazz 4 deluxe, Fender Pbass 5 deluxe, Fender Roscoe Beck V, and G&L 5500. I have never considered selling either one of my SR5's. They have a sound and feel I can bond with. I bought the white one first after I saw one at a Gloria Estefan concert. The guy had tremendous chops and the tone of that bass cut through the mix like no other bass I had ever heard in the WVU coliseum. All of the rest of them got buried in the drums.
If you want the SR5 sound and feel on a budget, the Ibanez ATK 305 is very very close. I have recorded both of them side by side with drums and it is hard to tell which is which.
SR5's by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr
If you want the SR5 sound and feel on a budget, the Ibanez ATK 305 is very very close. I have recorded both of them side by side with drums and it is hard to tell which is which.
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Yes they is. One of the most solidly-built production line basses and they tend to record very well.
Yes. MusicMan is my favorite. Excellent build quality that rivals boutique level instruments not only in build but in tone and playability as well.
are music man basses really that good?
isn't that something only you can answer?
isn't that something only you can answer?
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They're not that good. They are the other good. Not as good as this good, but certainly not that bad.
Is that the video with River Phoenix interviewing him?
Music Mans (Men? Yea, I always do that) are great basses. Fenders have come and gone and I tinkered with every one of them in some way or another.
Every Stingray SR5 I've owned and the one I have now and forever has remained almost totally stock, save for a D-Tuner on the B string.
Gotta have one around...
Every Stingray SR5 I've owned and the one I have now and forever has remained almost totally stock, save for a D-Tuner on the B string.
Gotta have one around...
I own two incredible G&L basses but I still want one of these…and it's a Sterling!
So that should tell you something about Music Man.
- Oct 18, 2012
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I had a Musicman Stingray 5 string. Nice bass but it had dead spots between the 7th and 9th frets. I ended up selling it. I have also owned MIA Fender, Alembic and Spector 5 string basses. I didn't really like the feel of the Fender. I like my Alembic Epic and my Spector Legend 5 neck thru the best out of any 5's I've owned. The Spector comes stock with Aguilar preamp and pickups. It sounds and plays great.
Nah theyre terrible instruments.
Since I got my current Stingray 5HH, I've owned about 10-12 other basses. That includes a Warwick FNA Jazzman 5 and a Lakland 55-02, both of which have been sold. It also includes both a G&L L-2500 and a Fender Precision 5 that I have no intention of ever selling. Without hesitation, my Stingray is still my favorite.
I'd never tell anyone that they should own what I like, but I will tell you they are outstanding basses and are worthy of serious consideration. Whether you should buy one or not buy one is up to you to decide for yourself.
I'd never tell anyone that they should own what I like, but I will tell you they are outstanding basses and are worthy of serious consideration. Whether you should buy one or not buy one is up to you to decide for yourself.
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