Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

[Dr. Cheese]

My favorite store just got a Music Man Caprice in today. I was pretty skeptical because the P/J has been done more times than anyone can count. The Caprice is not ground breaking, but it is incredibly well executed. The fit and finish is absolutely boutique in quality. The finish of the neck reminds me of a Lull Jazz I played at Bass Central about eight years ago. The fretwork is flawless. The neck size reminds me of a Sterling. I am guessing the weight is 8 lbs. The only issue I noticed was a buzz on the open A that I am sure can be easily fixed.

The large pole piece pickups are incredibly loud and clear. I am pretty sure there is a dummy single coil out of sight on the Caprice because it is dead silent. The pots are all first rate and very responsive.

This bass is a great player. It would be a great bass for someone who only wants one bass. I absolutely loved playing it. I have to be careful because I love playing around on fours, but I really prefer fives when gigging. That said, this a bass worth saving up for. A young guy could probably be gigging this bass thirty years later without missing a beat.

The Caprice can hang with Sadowsky, A-C, you name it. This is a $1,700 bass that feels like a $3,500 boutique.
Needless to say, it crushes any Fender P/J I have ever heard or played. The same goes for class Yamaha P/Js too.

 

[IronLung1986]

Yea, I'm not surprised it's a great bass. Anyone who's heard Sterling talk knows how much pride he takes in being part of the Leo Fender heritage. He has more of a right to produce a Fender style bass than most in my view.

 

[Lesgo]

I stumbled upon one while wasting time at GC over the weekend. I grabbed it and plugged it in not even knowing what it was, and I was stunned. It is an amazing bass. I don't know that I'll ever be in the market for something that high-end, but I have been daydreaming about it ever since.

 

[blindrabbit]

EBMM is *the* best mainstream manufacturer out there, hands down, and their products easily run with boutiques at twice the price. It isn't surprising to hear that the Caprice is yet another gem from this fine company.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

EBMM is *the* best mainstream manufacturer out there, hands down, and their products easily run with boutiques at twice the price. It isn't surprising to hear that the Caprice is yet another gem from this fine company.

The Caprice is even a step up from a lot of other Music Man basses I have played because it is competitive with a bass like Sadowsky in terms of weight. My guess is that the Caprice I played is 7.9-8.5 lbs. It would be very comfortable for a four hour gig. The Caprice I played was very close to perfect.

To be clear, I am not GAS-ing for this bass. I like it, and it would be cool to have one, but I mainly play fives, so it would not be a primary player for me, but it is so well put together, it would be hard for any bassist not to like it.

 

[Daniel Piper]

That one was competitive in weight.

Some will be boat anchors. Just like with every other model they make. Some light, some heavy.

 

[Daniel Piper]

The Caprice looks nice though.

 

[Rocksolid]

I'm gassing. No question.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That one was competitive in weight.

Some will be boat anchors. Just like with every other model they make. Some light, some heavy.

Oh well, being consistently light would probably make it a $2,100 bass instead of a $1,700 bass because EBMM would have to be much more picky about wood.

 

[Stevorebob]

I'll buy one when they offer a 5-string version.

 

[Daniel Piper]

Agreed.

Oh well, being consistently light would probably make it a $2,100 bass instead of a $1,700 bass because EBMM would have to be much more picky about wood.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I'll buy one when they offer a 5- string version.

As it stands, I may even order a four string next year. A five would be a no-brainer.

 

[zortation]

Small body is small.

 

[mmbongo]

I'll buy one when they offer a 5- string version.

WITH normal 19mm spacing.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

WITH normal 19mm spacing.

You know Sterling Ball will make it 17.5mm just because he can.

 

[davegt666]

My Guitar Center got one in Sunburst.

It's a great player! Pretty light. Sounds good too. Would make a great stage bass.

 

[Rocksolid]

I love a PJ. I seem to be gravitating more to passive basses these days. I have a Sadowsky Metro Hybrid PJ that I love, but I can't help but think this is more in line with where the tone in my head is going.

 

[GnomishViking]

As soon as I saw one of these online I fell in love with the design.

 

[Bass'd on a true story]

I've been saving up for that bass for a month now. I personally like the Cutlass even more. These basses are truly a cut and a half above the competition at that price point. I had to triple check that they don't have an active pre in them.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

As soon as I saw one of these online I fell in love with the design.

I was not sold when I first saw it, but once I played it I was blown away!