EBMM Music Man Basses...why so much $?

[MoeTown1986]

A regular old every day Fender Jazz is $1800, so how is that any different? Especially considering how much better quality an EBMM is.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JBassADMWB

BANG! Agreed. The worst (ha!) EBMM I've played felt better than the best Fender I've played.

 

[Quilbert]

Fender are trading off their name, Sandberg basses are around the same price but the build quality and options are on a different level altogether. even the passive 'p bass' is fantastic.

 

[MisterMagician]

This thread transformed from The topic of Musicman to Fender bashing rather suddenly, all things considered.

 

[EricMordus]

$1650. And worth every penny!

 

[Guinness20]

They cost so much COS THEY'RE SO AWESOME!

 

[huckleberry1]

Fender are trading off their name, Sandberg basses are around the same price but the build quality and options are on a different level altogether. even the passive 'p bass' is fantastic.

The next bass I plan to purchase, good eye, ole man!

 

[huckleberry1]

I purchased a EBMM Stingray Classic 5 for 2 reasons that seem leveled toward this argument. This particular bass is a re-creation of a vintage instrument that is already tried and true, the retroburst finish and exquisite birds-eye neck is so beautiful that I get goosebumps looking at it everyday I see it. When I play it, there is a sound that the OP claims is sonically almost identical, I disagree with your finding, there is a quality crooning from that timber that could never be confused with a knock off. I payed handsomely for it, but you know what, it's money in the bank...

 

[dreesq]

I have been looking for a Reflex 5 but they are very expensive and nearly impossible to find used. The prices are high, but I think EBMMs are worth it for a domestic high quality instrument

 

[Quilbert]

I have a stingray for 10 years and it's never let me down. It has a great big fat maple neck and a tone that can cut through any mix, even when it's turned down low, don't quite know how it does that. Very versatile.

 

[thumpslap]

i played one for the first time today, i named it beans. cause i got so much gas now! that thing is sweet.

 

[yodedude2]

okay, i'll play. to the o.p.:

"'the problem is all inside your head,' she said to me. 'the answer is easy if you take it logically.'"

 

[totallyfrozen]

So you don't understand the economics of business or you don't appreciate the cost vs value of the stingray. Doesn't sound like an issue other than it being against your personal beliefs. EBMM are far from overpriced. they are one of the most consistent values in their price range.

I honestly doubt EBMM could even get these to retailers for $750 and still turn a realistic profit.

But wait. We're supposed to believe that corporate profits are evil!

Did you already forget the Occupy Wallstreet movement?


Sent from my iPhone 5c zipped in a sandwich bag using TalkBass mobile app while floating in the pool!

 

[Jaco Taco]

Considering you can buy basses that are $3k or $5k or even more, I don't view a bass that is under $2,000 as expensive. The last time I bought a bass that cheap was in the 80's and it was a Rickenbacker 8-string, which is worth a lot more now (needless brag).

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

American workers with their pesky first world wages are more expensive than the third world countries that a lot of the competition uses.

I'm glad that there are high quality American made instruments available for purchase, and not everything is made in a sweatshop with horrible working conditions for unsustainably low wages.

Careful... that kind of talk gets folks upset
- oh and I completely agree.

 

[mcnach]

I've always been a fan of Music Man Basses and would love to buy a new Stingray, but I just can't justify spending in the ballpark of $1500. I once bought a brand new, trans teal and maple fingerboard with a transparent pick-guard Stingray for around $750. It was a gorgeous instrument and reasonably priced at the time, but I see the same bass on eBay going used for more than I paid new. These are not vintage instruments, they are Stingrays from the 90s. Why are EBMM Basses so expensive...I'd say overpriced? I mean, I see some of the Indonesian SBMM versions going for what I paid for a new EBMM. I understand inflation, but double? Seems ridiculous to me. What do you say?

Because they can.

Or... Because enough people pay that much happily.

Look at the price of saxophones, tubas, pianos... and then you will realise how lucky we are! ;-)

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

In the "mass production" market, I believe that EBMM makes the best US bass out there, period. They have very tight quality control, use quality materials and are very responsive to customers and changing trends while keeping their core instruments consistent. If I were in the market for a "mass produced" bass right now, they'd be on the top of my list. Are they "Boutique"? No. Are they particularly affordable? No. Are they worth it? Well, that depends on YOU. If the OP is unhappy that he can't find one cheap, then he needs to either be patient searching for a used one or start looking at the next tier down - G&L or Fender.

 

[dkelley]

This is why I sought out and own two USA Ernie Ball Musicman S.U.B. basses. Total used cost of both together was roughly a grand. Both 5 strings. One is fretless with Pau Ferro board. Both are active 2 band with USA pickups USA preamps USA parts USA builds.

 

[nicopiano]

EBMM are great instrument, but since I've seen/felt/heard little difference comparing it side by side in the music store, I choose the SBMM for half of the price.

It's either the EBMM that are too expensive or the SBMM that are too cheap.

 

[Frenchy-Lefty]

You could buy a brand new Ford Taurus for $15k in 1995 and now it is $25k for a new one. It is simply called inflation.
EB is a great company, makes great basses which all considered (offer, demand, quality, other similar products...) are correctly priced.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

EBMM are great instrument, but since I've seen/felt/heard little difference comparing it side by side in the music store, I choose the SBMM for half of the price.

It's either the EBMM that are too expensive or the SBMM that are too cheap.

Yes - best to ignore the other differences.