You should read our previous comments on this and you’ll understand the mix up. He replied “Warwicks were extremely popular back then also” I said yes especially the $$. If I said musicman in there. That was a typo.
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Does Anyone Still Play Music Man Basses
- Thread starter PleyswethSqwerl
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- ernie ball musciman
I think it's another flavor, like Rics. That was a popular flavor in the 70-80s not seen as much now but never really fell out of style.
The Music Man when they rolled out in 76 they were all over the music scene. First non boutique commercially made bass with a preamp in it. A hit with the Funk crowd and rockers later on. But again after the novelty of the new bass settled in, it fell into line like the Rics. Both basses had their following in particular styles of music that were new and popular at the time. And like everything else, the popular musical styles that ushered them in waned over time so did the popularity of those instruments. Its less but not gone. In fact the popularity of them are on the rebound lately.
The Music Man when they rolled out in 76 they were all over the music scene. First non boutique commercially made bass with a preamp in it. A hit with the Funk crowd and rockers later on. But again after the novelty of the new bass settled in, it fell into line like the Rics. Both basses had their following in particular styles of music that were new and popular at the time. And like everything else, the popular musical styles that ushered them in waned over time so did the popularity of those instruments. Its less but not gone. In fact the popularity of them are on the rebound lately.
I did, this forum doesn't update the page fast enough on a popular topic to stay current.
I have a very different thesis. It stands that based on the active threads here on the biggest bass site in the universe that EBMM basses remain extremely popular, owned and played.
Never a day goes by that one or more of the EBMM threads isn't refreshed several times.
P bass is to Stingray as McDonalds is to In N Out. Been around longer, there's more of them (because they've been around longer).
EBMM makes better products than FMIC. Pricey? Damn straight. Worth it?
You bet your booties they are.
Never a day goes by that one or more of the EBMM threads isn't refreshed several times.
P bass is to Stingray as McDonalds is to In N Out. Been around longer, there's more of them (because they've been around longer).
EBMM makes better products than FMIC. Pricey? Damn straight. Worth it?
You bet your booties they are.
This falls in line with the responses I was hoping to get. I don’t see music man on sites that I look at or on YouTube so I was asking. Do people still use them a lot? You gave a coherent answer. Thanks!!!
Yes, finally sold my last fender p bass. Me? Just a preference of sound. A p bass is just a little too thuddy. A jazz just lacks thud and kick. My MM gives me the balanced sound I like. Again, it’s just opinion.
It's not so much about tone as nowadays I can tone match just about anything either live or in post at least to my ears. I comes down to feel. I've not owned a Fender Customshop (yet) but as good as the USA made Fender feel P, J and PJ ( I own them all) they feel assembled rather than made. A MusicMan bass feel like they are "Made". That's what people and I spend extra $$$$ for. 
I could be wrong, but I heard music man are made out of Basswood. Not saying basswood is horrible. I personally don’t like that wood. Back in the day they used to be made out of Alder with flame maple the musicman “classic series.” You guys are the expert on musicman. I could be totally wrong and I acknowledge that before I get scolded, but I heard today’s music man is made of Basswood correct me if I’m wrong.It's not so much about tone as nowadays I can tone match just about anything either live or in post at least to my ears. I comes down to feel. I've not owned a Fender Customshop (yet) but as good as the USA made Fender feel P, J and PJ ( I own them all) they feel assembled rather than made. A MusicMan bass feel like they are "Made". That's what people and I spend extra $$$$ for.
The Bongos are made of basswood. The others are not.
Ok guys!!! After doing a quick research of musicman “In my opinion” you’re getting ripped off. They are using Basswood the most cheapest unreliable wood for a bass body and charging people almost $3000. They are so ashamed of saying that it’s Basswood because they know consumers will probably stop by and get that they classify it on Sweetwater site as “Select Hardwood.” If you are OK with paying almost 3 grand for a bass that uses basswood. Cool to each his own. I personally don’t like that wood, but that’s just me others might.
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Read my newest reply they won’t say what the other ones are made of they say “select hardwood”
Still play my Sterling 4 banger. Was my #1 in my last band. GREAT axe!
Going back to an old Jackson Concert V as #1 cuz I need a fiver in my new project.
All of my basses get regular play almost every day. The one played the least is the 4001, but just had her gone through and re-set up. Love 'em all!
Going back to an old Jackson Concert V as #1 cuz I need a fiver in my new project.
All of my basses get regular play almost every day. The one played the least is the 4001, but just had her gone through and re-set up. Love 'em all!
Some are swamp ash some are probably alder. As far as I know, only the Bongo is Basswood.
I’d like to know what this one for $2699 is. It says “select hardwood.” That can be anything. I’m sorry I couldn’t work out that kind of money without knowing what I’m paying for.
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It's hard to say because of the missing context. How did you hear it, in a store? at a friend's place or on the "radio" meaning over the air. If in person, is it dry, DI, what kind of amp? I'm not about to start a flamewar with "tone wood" but I'll say this, yes it exists. If you check your tone with your eyes on the graphs you'll definitely see the difference but the problem is even when you play the same model, same batch, same kind of wood, it would look different on the graph too.
So many things affect the tone more noticeably before the topic of Tone w... you know what I was going to say.
That said if you play a EBMM Classic series, you'll play it slightly differently than your other EBMMs especially the newer ones. For one, it's heavier and the Birdseye Maple necks are really gorgeous to the touch. The biggest factor would be the slab body. Love it every time I pick mine up and play.
I’m not saying that it doesn’t sound good I’m saying I won’t pay $3000 for very cheap wood like Basswood. That is like a 200% markup for what that stuff cost. If it’s made of alder or swamp ash. Those woods are known for their reliability and withstanding the test of time. Basswood is not. Squire and other manufactures use it because it’s so cheap to get. It may sound OK I don’t know. I just wouldn’t pay almost $3000 for something using it is all I’m saying. however, if a company can buy such cheap wood and can get consumers to pay for it at an astronomical amount, then they have done their job and marketing. I can’t be mad.
The biggest and the most immediate thing you can hear is the materials on the Fingerboard on a fretless. Personally, I love ebony but they are all have their flavors and they are quite pleasant to the ears. I'm just surprised that the synthetic materials like Ebonel and Richlite can produce such sweet tone.
The Stingray 5 was my main bass for many years. I still have one as well as a Stingray 4 and I occasionally play them, but neither are my number #1.
I think of Music Man (and in particular, the Stingray) as one of the top 4 historic basses, which also includes the Fender Precision, the Fender Jazz and the Rickenbacker 4003.
I think Music Man popularity might have waned a little, but that may be in part to:
1) Having so many choices now, including designs and models based on Music Man (for example, Sire just released the very MusicMan/Lakland inspired Z Series basses).
2) The price of new USA made Music Man basses being significantly higher than their competitions' counterparts, making them less affordable to the average person.
I recently played a new Stingray 5 Special and it was a very nice bass.
I think of Music Man (and in particular, the Stingray) as one of the top 4 historic basses, which also includes the Fender Precision, the Fender Jazz and the Rickenbacker 4003.
I think Music Man popularity might have waned a little, but that may be in part to:
1) Having so many choices now, including designs and models based on Music Man (for example, Sire just released the very MusicMan/Lakland inspired Z Series basses).
2) The price of new USA made Music Man basses being significantly higher than their competitions' counterparts, making them less affordable to the average person.
I recently played a new Stingray 5 Special and it was a very nice bass.
- Oct 22, 2015
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The chief reason for not taking my 79 to any-old-where is because it's the Real Deal. There are definitely people out there who recognize a collectable instrument, and are not adverse to collecting one without permission. Mine sees camera time, and that's it.
