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Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

#521
I opened the box and literally played for 2 hours straight. No adjustments needed. Just tuned it up and enjoyed myself for over 120 minutes. This is by far the most perfect bass for me that Ive ever encountered . Not really a P, definitely not a J or even a P/J. This P/H as I call it really is its own unique thing.....and I LIKE IT!!

One word to describe this bass.....SMOOVE!!

Doesn't feel to play like a Fender or even sound like a Fender. Definitely not what one would expect from Music Man with these great passive tones. Who needs more copies and clones? That thing has been done to death. My applause goes to Ernie Ball Music Man for taking a chance and bringing something new to the table. I have found my sound and Im sticking with it.

Selling my Sire V7 Vintage , keeping this Caprice and my Squier CV60's P with flats. Game , set , match!! I WIN!!
 
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#522
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
I opened the box and literally played for 2 hours straight. No adjustments needed. Just tuned it up and enjoyed myself for over 120 minutes. This is by far the most perfect bass for me that Ive ever encountered . Not really a P, definitely not a J or even a P/J. This P/H as I call it really is its own unique thing.....and I LIKE IT!!

One word to describe this bass.....SMOOVE!!

Doesn't feel to play like a Fender or even sound like a Fender. Definitely not what one would expect from Music Man with these great passive tones. Who needs more copies and clones? That thing has been done to death. My applause goes to Ernie Ball Music Man for taking a chance and bringing something new to the table. I have found my sound and Im sticking with it.

Selling my Sire V7 Vintage , keeping this Caprice and my Squier CV60's P with flats. Game , set , match!! I WIN!!
Click to expand...
Congrats, I am glad you found a dream bass and lifetime keeper! :):thumbsup:
 
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#527
I installed Hipshot Ultralight tuners and standard Fender Jazz knobs, which combined to take over a half pound off the weight. 5.5 ounces is from the tuners, and the very slight neck dive it had on the strap is totally gone now.

I miss the look of the chrome knobs, and may not stick with this part, although I do like the super-quick reference I get on pickup volume and tone. I have it set so that the white line pointing straight down means full on. In the pics, neck pickup and tone are full on, while bridge pickup is full off. I do a similar thing with the position of the set screw for unmarked knobs, just using the screw position as a visible reference.

I might look for some lightweight chromed aluminum knobs instead if I decide I miss the stock appearance too much. For now, I'm going with this for a while. And I can definitely tell a difference in the weight!

IMG_0633.JPG
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#529
Inara said:
I installed Hipshot Ultralight tuners and standard Fender Jazz knobs, which combined to take over a half pound off the weight. 5.5 ounces is from the tuners, and the very slight neck dive it had on the strap is totally gone now.

I miss the look of the chrome knobs, and may not stick with this part, although I do like the super-quick reference I get on pickup volume and tone. I have it set so that the white line pointing straight down means full on. In the pics, neck pickup and tone are full on, while bridge pickup is full off. I do a similar thing with the position of the set screw for unmarked knobs, just using the screw position as a visible reference.

I might look for some lightweight chromed aluminum knobs instead if I decide I miss the stock appearance too much. For now, I'm going with this for a while. And I can definitely tell a difference in the weight!

View attachment 2612214 View attachment 2612215
Click to expand...
Very very nice! :):thumbsup:
 
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#531
MixMinisterMike said:
Sweet! Yes there are so many usable tones with these pups that being able to easily tell position is becoming key for me. This isn't a "run at full" p-bass with some occasional treble roll-off... These pups are fantastic!
Click to expand...
Definitely! I'm doing a lot of different combinations with this bass that I've never done before. I'm even soloing the bridge pickup on a solo tune I wrote for my daughter. A strong visual cue for pickup blending is very important to me now.
 
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#532
Inara said:
I installed Hipshot Ultralight tuners and standard Fender Jazz knobs, which combined to take over a half pound off the weight. 5.5 ounces is from the tuners, and the very slight neck dive it had on the strap is totally
I miss the look of the chrome knobs, and may not stick with this part, although I do like the super-quick reference I get on pickup volume and tone. I have it set so that the white line pointing straight down means full on. In the pics, neck pickup and tone are full on, while bridge pickup is full off. I do a similar thing with the position of the set screw for unmarked knobs, just using the screw position as a visible reference.

I might look for some lightweight chromed aluminum knobs instead if I decide I miss the stock appearance too much. For now, I'm going with this for a while. And I can definitely tell a difference in the weight!

View attachment 2612214 View attachment 2612215
Click to expand...
Inara said:
I installed Hipshot Ultralight tuners and standard Fender Jazz knobs, which combined to take over a half pound off the weight. 5.5 ounces is from the tuners, and the very slight neck dive it had on the strap is totally gone now.

I miss the look of the chrome knobs, and may not stick with this part, although I do like the super-quick reference I get on pickup volume and tone. I have it set so that the white line pointing straight down means full on. In the pics, neck pickup and tone are full on, while bridge pickup is full off. I do a similar thing with the position of the set screw for unmarked knobs, just using the screw position as a visible reference.

I might look for some lightweight chromed aluminum knobs instead if I decide I miss the stock appearance too much. For now, I'm going with this for a while. And I can definitely tell a difference in the weight!

View attachment 2612214 View attachment 2612215
Click to expand...
Totally cool and what the instrument needs to tweak it esp. neck weight. We're the Hipshots drop in or did you have to do any boring for hole size? Assumed you changed the bushings as well....For the reference of others what is the catalogue number of the Hipshots? With the white pearloid pickguard the black v/t knobs look great and having the position markers really makes sense with the Caprice, as the tonal options/ blends are especially great with this bass. Congrats and thanks.
 
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#533
copacetic said:
Totally cool and what the instrument needs to tweak it esp. neck weight. We're the Hipshots drop in or did you have to do any boring for hole size? Assumed you changed the bushings as well....For the reference of others what is the catalogue number of the Hipshots? With the white pearloid pickguard the black v/t knobs look great and having the position markers really makes sense with the Caprice, as the tonal options/ blends are especially great with this bass. Congrats and thanks.
Click to expand...
I used the Hipshot HB6, 1/2" size (fits 11/16" tuner holes), shiny nickel finish, clover key. Three bass side and one treble. I had the three bass side ones from a dormant project, and ordered the treble side one from best bass gear. Here is the link on the Hipshot site:
HB6 - 1/2

The bushing is different than stock: stock bushing is press-fit in the tuner hole and the tuner just slides into it; Hipshot bushing is just a bit looser in the tuner hole, but screws onto the tuner threads. There is a tiny bit of play in the bushing/hole interface, so I definitely didn't have to ream the tuner holes out at all ... I might add just a bit of Teflon plumbers tape to tighten it up, though I don't notice any difference in tone, sustain, or the vibrations that transfer to the neck of the bass so far. It also seems pretty much like the fit when I've used these on Fender bass necks.

I did have to drill the single rear mounting hole that the hipshots use. One thing I discovered is that the wood in this neck is extremely hard. I had to push hard to get the pilot holes drilled (after marking the pilot hole depth on the bit with a piece of duct tape of course!). The Gotoh Resolite GB640 and GBR640 (reverse) look like they might have the same hole pattern as the stock tuners, though that's solely going by looking at the pictures. So if you don't want to drill holes and have unused holes showing on the back of the headstock, it might be worth investigating. They are a bit heavier than the Hipshots, I think, but only maybe around an ounce total for the whole set combined iirc.
 
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#534
Inara said:
I used the Hipshot HB6, 1/2" size (fits 11/16" tuner holes), shiny nickel finish, clover key. Three bass side and one treble. I had the three bass side ones from a dormant project, and ordered the treble side one from best bass gear. Here is the link on the Hipshot site:
HB6 - 1/2

The bushing is different than stock: stock bushing is press-fit in the tuner hole and the tuner just slides into it; Hipshot bushing is just a bit looser in the tuner hole, but screws onto the tuner threads. There is a tiny bit of play in the bushing/hole interface, so I definitely didn't have to ream the tuner holes out at all ... I might add just a bit of Teflon plumbers tape to tighten it up, though I don't notice any difference in tone, sustain, or the vibrations that transfer to the neck of the bass so far. It also seems pretty much like the fit when I've used these on Fender bass necks.

I did have to drill the single rear mounting hole that the hipshots use. One thing I discovered is that the wood in this neck is extremely hard. I had to push hard to get the pilot holes drilled (after marking the pilot hole depth on the bit with a piece of duct tape of course!). The Gotoh Resolite GB640 and GBR640 (reverse) look like they might have the same hole pattern as the stock tuners, though that's solely going by looking at the pictures. So if you don't want to drill holes and have unused holes showing on the back of the headstock, it might be worth investigating. They are a bit heavier than the Hipshots, I think, but only maybe around an ounce total for the whole set combined iirc.
Click to expand...
If a person needs the larger bushings Hipshot will generally mail them to you at no cost.
 
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#535
blindrabbit said:
EBMM is *the* best mainstream manufacturer out there, hands down, and their products easily run with boutiques at twice the price.
Click to expand...
I was in the market for a new electric 6 string. Played a lot of guitars and then found Music Man. Bought a Reflex and it's the best guitar I've ever owned. Fit and finish is exceptional. It's in tune and stays that way. Neck doesn't move even with the temp/humidity changes we have up here in Toronto. I pick it up to play it all the time, just because I like having it in my hands. I've had basses like that but never a guitar.
 
#536
I wish this thread would die!

I love my Sterling and neck profile, and I've been thinning the heard for quality over low prices. I've been gassing, even found a Caprice, blemished on GC site, might be mentioned somewhere in the 27 pages!!

Anyway, too many dollars but you can't take it with you and there is nothing like a boutique, at least in my mind, bass guitar hanging around my neck...
 
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#538
Ok, and it may be the wine talking (two or so glasses of Cabernet a night is good, right, with the anti-oxidents, right?), but before when I talked about being a mostly fretless player but being torn about how I could give this bass up if I had to "choose just one" ... I would have to choose this bass if I could only keep one. I'd find a way to make it work. Drop tuned to low-A on the fretless 5 string? Octaver and technique refinement. Pretty pretty light blue and maple four string with a sparkly white pearl pickguard in a doom metal band? "Funk you, I don't give a shout what you think!!!" (My silly version of a metal attitude, lol). Ok, that is all. Sleepy now.
 
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