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Does Anyone Still Play Music Man Basses

#41
Looking at contemporary bands nowadays, most favor traditional basses like P's, J's, and MMs. As far as I can see, MM basses are as popular as ever. Even in modern metal, yeah many of those bands play multiscale Dingwalls with low tunings, but MMs are still a go-to in those genres. For example, Ryan Lerner of the band Tetrarch favors MM basses (whereas the lead guitarist and singer/guitarist favor ESP/LTD instruments).

One look at the artist roster on Music Man's website shows a lovely cross-section of legacy musicians like Tony Levin (whom we all know, admire, and/or are influenced by) and modern/contemporary players like Meelie Traill that most folks on TalkBass would look at and say, "Who?!?!?!"

The P, J, and MM are a holy trinity of basses for a reason. They're timeless as Strats, Teles, and Les Pauls.
 
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#43
The 90s through early 2000s was a time when rock and pop musicians were still forward looking in instrument design and aesthetic. These days design and technology from 40 years ago is considered "modern" in the bass world. I'm not one to talk, as my #1 and #2 are a P and J.
 
#49
PleyswethSqwerl said:
I’m curious does anyone still play music man basses, and, or is it their No. 1 go to in 2024. Now before I get berated by lots of people. I only ask this question because, it seems like in this day and age the general consensus is: P bass, J bass, or a P/J. When I look on YouTube and I see people doing videos I only see these basses. When I look on forums I only see people talking about these basses.

From 1999-2006 I saw a plethora of musicians specifically “bass players” using Music Man’s. It was the holy grail of basses when bands such as: Korn, limp Bizkit, Breaking Benjamin, At the drive in, The Mars Volta, Chevelle, etc. were at their peak. Since the hype around these basses seems to have fallen into “dereliction” or atleast from my view or what I can see {emphasis added}.

Has anyone else noticed this or am I inherently mistaken? I love music man but in today’s world of bass they seem to be “played out.” Am I wrong?

Thoughts!!!
Click to expand...

My number one right now is a stingray special 4HH. I have an L2500 for when I need a fiver but my stingray is so good that I’m thinking of swapping it for the right SR5.
 
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#50
PleyswethSqwerl said:
Your assertions are overly broad and not reasonably calculated to lead to an eminent factual conclusion. This post was not written to ask you to stop playing MM basses because of some disreputable “general consensus.” “General consensus” and its colloquial use was merely to assert that from what’s being promoted on the web in the bass world these days. The MM bass falls low on the totem pole or is less profoundly talked about or played in demo videos or videos on YouTube. Simultaneously there are less forums on talk bass talking about these instruments anymore.

Thus I was stating “generally” have they fallen into dereliction. I was not asking anyone or asserting anyone else asked anyone to stop playing them {emphasis added}.
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You lack a general sense of humor. And you put way too much stock in "general Consensus". I play what I like. These days, my main gigging bass is an EBMM Bongo 5 HH. The only thing keeping me from buying a Stingray is the lack of funds. I absolutely love EBMM products.
If the fascists decided to seize all EBMM instruments from the general population, they'd have to pry my Bongo from my cold, dead fingers.
Don't worry about what other people play.
Play what makes you happy.

And "General Consensus" was a play on words taken from your OP as satire. Really...if you're going to word every post as an undergrad thesis, you should also learn to roll with the punches when in dialogue with others...
 
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#52
Lance Bunyon said:
You lack a general sense of humor. And you put way too much stock in "general Consensus". I play what I like. These days, my main gigging bass is an EBMM Bongo 5 HH. The only thing keeping me from buying a Stingray is the lack of funds. I absolutely love EBMM products.
If the fascists decided to seize all EBMM instruments from the general population, they'd have to pry my Bongo from my cold, dead fingers.
Don't worry about what other people play.
Play what makes you happy.

And "General Consensus" was a play on words taken from your OP as satire. Really...if you're going to word every post as an undergrad thesis, you should also learn to roll with the punches when in dialogue with others...
Click to expand...
The bongo is actually the best by MM in my opinion
 
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#53
I'm generally a P bass guy. I played at an all day event last month with 2 stages and constant changing of bands after 30 min sets. I had my 1979 Stingray (with rounds) that day for a change, and 3 bass players came up to me interested in the bass, and wanted to hear about it and check it out. The 3 guys played a 5 string EBMM, a Jazz and a P. They remarked how my Ray sounds fat and aggressive for our rock tunes.
So, I think Stingrays are highly respected and often used these days. It's a little different sound for sure. There is something about the P bass sound that is so RIGHT.
 
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#57
fishdude101101 said:
You're right, but those basses don't sound like Stingrays....at all. Do they still make a normal stingray?
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First to OP; Yes I use a Stingray Special as my *1 it is my only Bass:)

Yes the Special [all EQ at detent] Sounds different than 'Normal' Stingray not quite as Bright and Snappy as many consider it's 'Signature tone'[ but still noticeably a Stingray

But that is only one tone a good Bassist can get from 'Normal' Stingray there are plenty demo's of multiple great tone to hear available

With my Special if I need or want very similar to 'Normal' just back off Bass a tad and bump up treble to about 2 O'Clock [treble is centered at 4khz were bright and snappy comes from Pre Special Voicing

I enjoy the 'Coherency' of notes with Special's natural voice and all the great tone's I get and hear in the Wild and many Videos

Always sounds like a Stingray to Me in my experience and what I have heard from others

So yes I disagree with your assertion with the 'At All';)
 
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#58
Nebadon2000 said:
First to OP; Yes I use a Stingray Special as my *1 it is my only Bass:)

Yes the Special [all EQ at detent] Sounds different than 'Normal' Stingray not quite as Bright and Snappy as many consider it's 'Signature tone'[ but still noticeably a Stingray

But that is only one tone a good Bassist can get from 'Normal' Stingray there are plenty demo's of multiple great tone to hear available

With my Special if I need or want very similar to 'Normal' just back off Bass a tad and bump up treble to about 2 O'Clock [treble is centered at 4khz were bright and snappy comes from Pre Special Voicing

I enjoy the 'Coherency' of notes with Special's natural voice and all the great tone's I get and hear in the Wild and many Videos

Always sounds like a Stingray to Me in my experience and what I have heard from others

So yes I disagree with your assertion with the 'At All';)
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To me live a stingray is a tone monster. For recording not so much. The P sits in the mix in a “recording” better than “almost” any bass. However rays are awesome live. I think if you made one with a custom jazz bass neck a P body and the MM bucker. You’d have the perfect “live” bass
 
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#60
You could ask the same question about Warwick. My opinion is that the Stingray Special has a modern clean tone that takes well to some drive/distortion. If I cover some Alice in Chains, STP, or similar I use my Spectior p/j. When I play some TOOL, NIN, Fiilter, Marylin Manson style I grab the Special and run a touch of either dark glass, yyz shape shifter, Lusithand or bass butler distortion over it.

I do not prefer the Special tone on its own as I do a Spector. But I love the special with some grit.
 
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