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Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
So is this going to become the Caprice mega thread?
I've ordered one, and it gets here Tuesday. Can't wait! I play more fretless than fretted, but I play some blues/soul types of things that are best with frets. I had a nice early 70s Precision that sounded amazing and played like a dream, but weighed 12 pounds. I have some back issues, and it got to where I couldn't even do a full set with it. I have a lightweight Ibanez, but the tone and the look aren't what I want when playing in a blues band.
So I have a Caprice in Diamond Blue that weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces on the way. I may replace the tuners with Hipshot Ultralights (plus detuner) to get even lighter, especially if there's any neck dive.
The tone of the neck pickup in the Premier Guitar review really nails how my P sounded, plus the bridge humbucker seems to have a thicker and warmer sound than typical J bridge pickups. Cannot Wait!!!!!
I've ordered one, and it gets here Tuesday. Can't wait! I play more fretless than fretted, but I play some blues/soul types of things that are best with frets. I had a nice early 70s Precision that sounded amazing and played like a dream, but weighed 12 pounds. I have some back issues, and it got to where I couldn't even do a full set with it. I have a lightweight Ibanez, but the tone and the look aren't what I want when playing in a blues band.
So I have a Caprice in Diamond Blue that weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces on the way. I may replace the tuners with Hipshot Ultralights (plus detuner) to get even lighter, especially if there's any neck dive.
The tone of the neck pickup in the Premier Guitar review really nails how my P sounded, plus the bridge humbucker seems to have a thicker and warmer sound than typical J bridge pickups. Cannot Wait!!!!!
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Thanks! And thank you for all the demos and posts about these ... they were super helpful and turned me on to an option I hadn't considered!
The Caprice is a great bass and I am happy to turn other people on to it.
I'm with you all the way in the Caprice. It surprised me too. Which set of Hipshot Ultralites are you getting? The Music Man's require a specific set because if the Undersided key positioning of the G string. Gotoh actually make really nice light weight keys.
As a wise-man once said:
"Caint hardly go wrong with an Ernie Ball Bass"
"Caint hardly go wrong with an Ernie Ball Bass"
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
The tuning keys are already lightweight.. Overall, you will only save about 1 to 1.6 ounce.. I've done the weighing already..
That's great news, thanks! All I'll do then is grab a detuner. I have one for a Fender size hole ... will have to see if that will work.
svtb15
Inactive
- Mar 22, 2004
- 13,004
- 4,741
- Disclosures
- I play it all. Whatever works for the gig. Q+
The MM weigh less than the Fender American Vintage reissues with the LONG stem.. The MM has a shorter stem.. i don't recall the exact weight But my digital scale had the Fender keys weighing about 2.5 ounces more. . Take into account the shorter stem of the MM.. It will be less
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I put a Hipshot BT1 on mine. There is a tiny little bit of neck dive that scared me when I first strapped on the bass (I abhor neck dive), but once I started using it I don't even notice it. I'm not sure if I'd even call it neck dive, more like it just doesn't balance perfectly.
I've played a little more than a dozen gigs since I got mine, and haven't had any urge to use any other bass. Should note that I own a P, a Jazz, a Ric, a Jag, a Bongo, Stingray, Big Al.... and I could keep on going. I LOVE the way this bass feels. It just hangs right on me, and the neck is super ridiculously fast, smooth, and comfy.
I have to be honest and say that I don't really know (even after the 12+ gigs) what this thing truly sounds like yet, so anything I say regarding that must be taken with that in mind. In my new band I'm not using my regular amp, nor playing at volumes I'm accustomed to. I'm also using IEMs, so that's pretty much what bass I'm hearing. My bass sound is sadly no longer mine, it's our soundman's and whatever he works through the front of house - which I never get to hear. Still have to work this out...
What I can tell you is that it seems a bit more aggressive than my Fenders, and a touch warmer sounding. I favor the neck pickup more than the bridge, and it's the opposite with my Jazz and Jag basses. I'll add too that it doesn't really mimic a Fender to me. It's not light years away, but it definitely has its own sweet character to it.
I'm loving it, and not going back to any of my other basses any time soon.
Coming in 2018, I think was mentioned earlier in this thread, or maybe in a different one ...
My bass shipped from Sweetwater! It was delayed a bit due to the craziness around their GearFest, so it's not getting here Tuesday. Here are three of the pics of it that they sent me. Absolutely cannot wait to hold her in my arms (so to speak, lol)!
DAMN. That is GORGEOUS. Should be illegal. If this is your first MusicMan, you will be blown away.
That is my favorite fingerboard and color combination. My local dealer has one like that.
Contact hipshot about the d-tuner direct. Their customer service is second to none. They had to make a custom one for my Bongo and there was no extra charge. They will hook you up with exactly what you need.
Oh and congrats on a beautiful bass!
Oh and congrats on a beautiful bass!
Thanks!!!
Let's see ... it will be my fourth Music Man (I've previously owned one fretted and two fretless Stingray 5's), and will sit happily alongside a modified (Nordstrand-equipped) Sterling Ray34 fretless that punches far above its cost.
I'm so excited!!!
