Joe dart .. Ernie ball jazz !

[Wood and Wire]

yeah this smacks of that, its obnoxious, i can hear the "why you need a preamp when you got an eq pedal" coming from it immediately lol.




yeah didnt think about how it would be losing money to do anything else but sting ray specials. at the same time though i think the existence of 1000 dollar sterlings by musicman has cut into their price flexibility a lot by creating direct competition with themselves in their own former price market. that is to also acknowledge that most USA production basses are around 2.5 and musicman on the other hand out of all the companies actually was selling their basses at a lower rate than the majority of their competition for a long time. One of the reasons i think there is a strong musicman loyalty is cause they were offering something that had more options than their competition(fender, gibson) for a lower price. So maybe on the other hand that choice to have 1000 dollar SBMMs was a way to price basses closer to what their value is, and maybe give everyone a pay increase or something. otherwise it could be just how the market kinda works and the normal line had adjusted in price like that because of the change. I cant really fault them either way

But bear in mind that SBMM has absolutely nothing at all to do with EBMM.

They're entirely different companies, owned by different people, manufacturing in different countries.

EBMM currently licenses their instrument designs to a company called Praxis (as they have done in the past, with the OLP branded instruments, and no doubt will do again in the future, with a different company, once the Praxis license expires).

Praxis, apparently, made the decision to name the brand "Sterling by Music Man" in tribute to Sterling Ball (and consumer confusion has been rife ever since), but that's the only connection to Music Man.

All manufacturing is done in Indonesia which, for a variety of reasons, keeps the final cost for the consumer comparatively low.

But that has no bearing on the workload back in America, at the EBMM factory, nor the market value of the instruments they make, or whether they get a pay rise.

I think the general consensus among EBMM players, is that Praxis naming the brand "Sterling by Music Man" was a really misjudged decision. But I've genuinely no idea if SBMM players, or for that matter EBMM feel the same way.



https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-musical-instruments

 

[Fat Freddy]

Loadsamoney.....

 

[wraub]

You can get a legit vintage 70’s fender jazz for that much. Joe dart is a great player, Jack Stratton I can’t stand his overly smug and ironic hipster humor, he comes off as an out of touch d bag. Joe seems able to put up with it. The band itself is comical since Joe Carries the whole band, none of the other guys can really touch Joe playing wise. It’s like theyre all a vehicle for his bass solos, just doing basic stuff here and there to augment the Joe show. Should rename the band joepeck.

The other players in both vulf and Fearless Flyers have plenty of skills, as evidenced by many videos with those bands and their own. Nate Smith alone is fierce, let alone the others.

Check out the Live at MSG video for some skills on display. Notable for being a concert viewed from the stage.


Also, just because I'm a Nate Smith fan-

 

[Thundar]

I love it...except for the Fisher Price knobs

 

[markjazzbassist]

The other players in both vulf and Fearless Flyers have plenty of skills, as evidenced by many videos with those bands and their own. Nate Smith alone is fierce, let alone the others.

Check out the Live at MSG video for some skills on display. Notable for being a concert viewed from the stage.

nate smith is not in vulfpeck, I’m talking about those guys. Jack woody Theo have little chops wise. Solos are nothing spectacular or moving. The only talent is Joe and then the special guests, Antwan Stanley can sing, Joey dosik on sax, Cory Wong etc.

Actually your fearless flyers point proved my point, they had to import mark lettieri and Nate smith since it was chops heavy, those vulf cats can’t keep up!

 

[N4860]

The other players in both vulf and Fearless Flyers have plenty of skills, as evidenced by many videos with those bands and their own. Nate Smith alone is fierce, let alone the others.

Check out the Live at MSG video for some skills on display. Notable for being a concert viewed from the stage.


Also, just because I'm a Nate Smith fan-

Cory Wong is also quite the player. He's got a unique style and seems quite a bit more humble compared to Jack in the interviews I've seen of him.

edit: I guess Cory Wong isn't an official member, I've just seen him playing with them pretty often

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

But bear in mind that SBMM has absolutely nothing at all to do with EBMM.

They're entirely different companies, owned by different people, manufacturing in different countries.

EBMM currently licenses their instrument designs to a company called Praxis (as they have done in the past, with the OLP branded instruments, and no doubt will do again in the future, with a different company, once the Praxis license expires).

Praxis, apparently, made the decision to name the brand "Sterling by Music Man" in tribute to Sterling Ball (and consumer confusion has been rife ever since), but that's the only connection to Music Man.

All manufacturing is done in Indonesia which, for a variety of reasons, keeps the final cost for the consumer comparatively low.

But that has no bearing on the workload back in America, at the EBMM factory, nor the market value of the instruments they make, or whether they get a pay rise.

I think the general consensus among EBMM players, is that Praxis naming the brand "Sterling by Music Man" was a really misjudged decision. But I've genuinely no idea if SBMM players, or for that matter EBMM feel the same way.



https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxis-musical-instruments

oh very interesting! Sorta now understand why the company still is very very very stingy about allowing someone to buy parts now!

so it’s legitimately a competitor, that would different from how like squire operates right?

 

[wraub]

nate smith is not in vulfpeck, I’m talking about those guys. Jack woody Theo have little chops wise. Solos are nothing spectacular or moving. The only talent is Joe and then the special guests, Antwan Stanley can sing, Joey dosik on sax, Cory Wong etc.

Actually your fearless flyers point proved my point, they had to import mark lettieri and Nate smith since it was chops heavy, those vulf cats can’t keep up!

Theo does seem to be more of a singer/songwriter than a chops guy, but he still has some skills, check out vids of his band- nothing too remarkable, but no slouch either. There's a lot more to music than chops.
Plus, he can sing while playing guitar or drums or keys, kinda impressive imo. Same with Jack.
And, tbh, I went through a vulf phase (just as a bass player) but their shtick wears thin after a while imo, and Jack leads that parade. Again, he's got skills and range, but seems to excel at the showman part, has some varied talents (lots of videos and unusual things online) but seems more to have a skill of finding good players who elevate each other, and that's a big part of a producer's job.

 

[BBassBassington]

I'm down for an EBMM Jazz Bass. Not the biggest fan of the simplified layout and clear finish. It looks great but I want an EBMM preamp and they're wicked finishes! IMO that's why you go to EBMM.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Wow, $2,700 can buy you a lot of gear, especially if used.

 

[Wood and Wire]

oh very interesting! Sorta now understand why the company still is very very very stingy about allowing someone to buy parts now!

so it’s legitimately a competitor, that would different from how like squirt operates right?

Squier predates Fender by about 50 years, but once Fender bought that company, they repurposed the brand to manufacturing their budget line of instruments.

I've no idea how those businesses are compartmentalized, but if there's any market cannibalism, it's probably between Squier and Fender Made In Mexico.

At the end of the day, it's all profit for FMIC.

Whilst SBMM could be argued to be in competition with EBMM (in reality they're more directly competing with Fender MIM, G&L Tribute, Ibanez), every SBMM instrument nets EBMM a small profit through the license fee paid by Praxis.

 

[P. Aaron]

For that $2700, I'm also taking a closer look at a USA Spector. I mean if it's the last bass I might buy (at age 61), might as well be a visual knockout too.

 

[Killing Floor]

You can get a legit vintage 70’s fender jazz for that much. Joe dart is a great player, Jack Stratton I can’t stand his overly smug and ironic hipster humor, he comes off as an out of touch d bag. Joe seems able to put up with it. The band itself is comical since Joe Carries the whole band, none of the other guys can really touch Joe playing wise. It’s like theyre all a vehicle for his bass solos, just doing basic stuff here and there to augment the Joe show. Should rename the band joepeck.

Apparently Fender thinks Cory can play ok. Cory Wong Strat.

May or may not be someone’s favorite band but those guys can play.

 

[juggahnaught]

The Joe Dart III will have two single-coils and a humbucker, and will come with three knobs.

 

[DeltaPhoenix]

Joe Dart is a good, creative bassist and I don’t discount that he is worthy of a signature bass at all. Interestingly, Cory Wong has a signature Fender Strat too.

But OK, Ernie. There are over 200 celeb endorsees on your website. Only 9 are female! And let me remind/rant that the most successful MusicMan signature series all time is by a woman. Maybe, just c’mon, maybe before Dart gets a model 3 maybe pick one of your mere 4% of endorsees and give another woman an opportunity to move the needle.

Again, not saying Joe Dart doesn’t deserve 2. Just saying for next time.
St. Vincent’s signature guitar has sold more units than total EBMM basses since its launch. Level up.

I agree with the general sentiment that women players could use more representation.
The St. Vincent guitar is not their top seller, that would be the John Petrucci’s - the 2nd highest selling signature guitar line to Les Paul’s John Petrucci’s Ernie Ball Majesty model is the second highest-selling signature guitar on the planet

Also, the St. Vincent did get a decent refresh - new pickguard style and reverse headstock. I think it looks nice. I don’t have EBMM Basses anymore but I have a few of their guitars.

 

[6-3-2]

Actual sound test video.

I respect him playing Louis Johnson's groove from "I Keep Forgetting" at the end (one of my favorite grooves of all time), but whew, sounds like it could use a tone knob or an EQ LOL. I love clank and growl, but it needs more body to my ears. It almost sounds like the notes are being choked by fret buzz.

 

[Killing Floor]

I agree with the general sentiment that women players could use more representation.
The St. Vincent guitar is not their top seller, that would be the John Petrucci’s - the 2nd highest selling signature guitar line to Les Paul’s John Petrucci’s Ernie Ball Majesty model is the second highest-selling signature guitar on the planet

Also, the St. Vincent did get a decent refresh - new pickguard style and reverse headstock. I think it looks nice. I don’t have EBMM Basses anymore but I have a few of their guitars.

Interested to know. Conflicts with what I’ve read from EBMM, however, there are so many models in her series. That might be the rub. Carry on.

 

[chanson]

Crazy how the most divisive bassist on this site is Joe Dart. Not because he doesn't have talent. Not because he is a bad guy. But because people are appalled by his tongue in cheek corny band, and and his limited run signature basses.

 

[DuluthDank]

When it comes to signature instruments, I prefer ones that are customized and unique to a well known players preferences, but don't go too far off the deep end in terms of unique styling requested by the artist.

Signature instrument done right: Tony Franklin sig. Handy 3 way switch, unique ebony board, and the only set of properly matched PJ pickups Fender sells. And the best part? The only way to really tell it's a signature bass is to look at the custom back screw plate.

I want an instrument built from the wisdom of a gigging player who has put in the effort to find out what works, not an obvious fanboy tribute item with an artist's vanity stylings.

Unfortunately Joe's instruments go to far into the later category for my tastes. Seriously just ditch the comical over sized dials and throw on a tone knob (does a tone knob actually hurt anybody?), maybe offer a finish color or two, and we might be talking.

I really enjoy him as a player and he seems like a cool guy though. And these are only my personal preferences, so who really cares, right?

 

[depalm]

Flea took a Jazz Bass and turned it on a Sting Ray, Joe Dart took a Music Man and turned it on a Jazz Bass…
Someone should tell them to swap basses…