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Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

I tried a bunch of EBs after playing the Caprice and finally chose the Stingray Classic. Main reason is that I have 2 Fender P's already and wanted something a little different. The Classic has the character of a passive bass (plays well with pedals, warm tone, output is not super hot) and it just really grabbed me. My runner up was the Caprice. Probably one of the best mass made passive basses out there besides the Fender AVRIs.

Was really impressed by the Ernie Ball build process and quality of the instrument. These things are made as well as anything and they are under 2 grand. The Caprice is easily the best P/J bass I have played. It's not really close. I think a lot of P/J fans are going to flip when they play this thing.
 
I noticed that too. Dude must be like the guy on Game of Thrones. No joke, if he is that size, he needs a Kala California solid body.

nah, I'm 5'7", but I'm like the shortest guy I really know - one thing is for sure, though, I've served on six submarines in my 22 years in the Navy, and I've never hit my head on anything :D
 
Warning for Dr Cheese: your head may explode if you continue reading.

I restored my two Caprices to the color/fingerboard combo nature intended. They both sound and play amazing.

I'm about to sell a USA lakland, an NYC sadowsky, and a dingwall. These EBMMs stay.
 

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Warning for Dr Cheese: your head may explode if you continue reading.

I restored my two Caprices to the color/fingerboard combo nature intended. They both sound and play amazing.

I'm about to sell a USA lakland, an NYC sadowsky, and a dingwall. These EBMMs stay.

I may have to ignore this thread before I destroy my budget buying one!
 
After reading some posts, I had to go back and play that Caprice again. Let me just say the Caprice is the baddest four string in the world! Sorry Jazz and Stingray. The only possible exception is the Yamaha BB2000, and it weighs a ton usually!

I think I have uncovered the secret of getting a monster Caprice slap tone, and it is counter intuitive of my usual approach. The trick is the to dial back the bridge pup and let the split pup shine. It then becomes an almost active sounding, super hot, mutant P-bass with a really aggressive slap tone. Whenever I touch a Caprice, I want one. I feel like twenty something guy hugging a hot girl. I want it all!:smug:
 
@pickles those look awesome with the necks swapped, especially the black one!

I'm still waiting to try one out, and these posts aren't helping! The company has a "loaner" Caprice that has been checked out to an employee for the past couple months. I have a buddy working there who's signed up for it next, just so I can have a chance to (be)hold it. I can't justify driving 3-4 hours to the nearest Guitar Center that carries them just to try one out while they are built in my town, but dang guys... you sure make me want to.

Edit: Anyone try one strung up with flats yet?
 
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Nothing wrong with having it all. ;)

New video, video, video.........



This is the tone I get with both pickups on. It is a good tone, but a tad more harsh than a Jazz or Stingray tone. I will have to record to hyper P slap although you can hear a little of it on my OP at the start of this thread.
 
I went back and to my OP video and the one I just posted, and I think I was too critical of the Caprice's slap tone with both pickups on. It has more midrange clang than a Jazz, but it is good sound on its own merits. It seems there is nothing about the Caprice that I don't like. Heck, even the fact it is a four is cool, because I do enjoy playing fours although I am mainly a five stringer.
 
@pickles those look awesome with the necks swapped, especially the black one!

I'm still waiting to try one out, and these posts aren't helping! The company has a "loaner" Caprice that has been checked out to an employee for the past couple months. I have a buddy working there who's signed up for it next, just so I can have a chance to (be)hold it. I can't justify driving 3-4 hours to the nearest Guitar Center that carries them just to try one out while they are built in my town, but dang guys... you sure make me want to.

Edit: Anyone try one strung up with flats yet?

The black one came with half rounds. Sounds great!

BTW I suspect that loaner is never coming back ;)
 
Read this whole thread and really interested in a Caprice!:hyper:
I have a couple of questions, what does the neck finish feel like? My absolute favourite finish is the satin that is on current Ric 4003W, silky smooth satindrool. Is it like that, or glossier like the fender 'satin'?
And what is neck thickness front to back, is it like a Jazz neck?

Shamelessly paging @Dr. Cheese :D
Thanks!