Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

[svtb15]

Cell phone pic.. I install put a D-tuner on all my 4 strings.. Sometime it's more fun than using a 5 .. I've been playing 5s since 1982 and i'm heading back to 4 strings

 

[Dr. Cheese]

First of all, if that's you playing, great groove!

I don't know, you may need one at church. I can't speak for the Lord, but I know a lot of my congregation would love that mid-punch!

That's kind of a place where I am trying to take my Roscoe Beck. At a bit higher weight, though.

That's me playing, thanks for the compliment. In all honesty, I can use a four in church with no issues. I really like the option of going below E, but it's not necessary. In fact, my U-Bass, which sounds like a double bass, would probably be overkill with a B string. I have no doubt that Caprice would sound great in church.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Cell phone pic.. I install put a D-tuner on all my 4 strings.. Sometime it's more fun than using a 5 .. I've been playing 5s since 1982 and i'm heading back to 4 strings

View attachment 929628

I need to get a D-tuner and stick with it. I always fear getting notes mixed up.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Cell phone pic.. I install put a D-tuner on all my 4 strings.. Sometime it's more fun than using a 5 .. I've been playing 5s since 1982 and i'm heading back to 4 strings

View attachment 929628

Me too. But I'm not 100% ready to get rid of my 5 strings.

 

[Joebone]

Do some research. Sterling Ball is dead set against 19mm spaced fives. Maybe seven years ago, he dared TB members to preorder a certain number of wide spaced SR5s, and he would make them. We did not pony up. He basically called us tire kickers since he felt we proven his point about actual demand for wide spaced Music Man basses.

I know. I was no tire-kicker; I was one of the few who posted a deposit. Call me embittered. Actually, I get his business point and bear no ill will except when the devil on my left shoulder (and hey, I'm left-handed) tells me to post an obnoxious message on the 19mm question… But hey, it's all good...

 

[svtb15]

That can happen. But when in doubt SLIDE! hahah
It takes a gig or two to get it under control..

I need to get a D-tuner and stick with it. I always fear getting notes mixed up.

 

[pedroims]

it sounds great! I hope they have a 5 by next year

 

[1954bassman]

droolThanks Dr Cheese. Thanks a lot. You are not helping matters any.drooldrooldrooldrooldrooldrool

 

[beaglesandbass]

I really want one, I just don't play 4 stringers right now.

 

[HMZ]

I bought a Tobaco burst Caprice a couple of weeks ago. Love it! Light compact and sounds great! I'm not getting any younger so the light weight body makes gigging a lot easier on the back. I've been a P bass guy for many years and this bass is a great addition. Build quality is amazing as EBMM always are.

 

[andruca]

How is it about dead spots? (the major thing holding me back from getting a P/J Fender) How's the P sound? Do higher strings sound too thin in comparison as in a P or are they more balanced? (main reason why I prefer reverse P) Thanx for the review and information. In my case probably waiting for a 5 string version too, if it ever comes (or getting a Sandberg California VT 5).

 

[Guinness20]

I'm a huge Musicman fan, sadly this thing visually just doesn't appeal (not a fan of how big pole pieces look).

Sounds punchy as hell in this demo though:

 

[JimK]

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.

...sounding good, Doc!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

...sounding good, Doc!

Thanks!

 

[WR Jacobs]

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

Even with a buzzing A...Wpw......Do they come EADG not buzzing?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Here is the Fender Elite Precision for comparison.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

How is it about dead spots? (the major thing holding me back from getting a P/J Fender) How's the P sound? Do higher strings sound too thin in comparison as in a P or are they more balanced? (main reason why I prefer reverse P) Thanx for the review and information. In my case probably waiting for a 5 string version too, if it ever comes (or getting a Sandberg California VT 5).

I did not notice any dead spots and the D and G strings did not sound thin to my ears.

 

[RickyWoo]

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.

I want to try one badly. It might give me my fix for my woes with the Ray's highs. They hit the nail on the head in it's design. It's really really great looking.

 

[WR Jacobs]

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.

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.

What a memory!! Playing a Lull "8 years ago" and you still remember the sound!....I wonder about quality or the dealer when an instrument is displayed and it sounds off with an open A buzz....but then again it is a relatively cheap bass.... I'd like to try a used tested ( and set up) and around a grand...I'm assuming it is Cali USA?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

What a memory!! Playing a Lull "8 years ago" and you still remember the sound!....I wonder about quality or the dealer when an instrument is displayed and it sounds off with an open A buzz....but then again it is a relatively cheap bass.... I'd like to try a used tested ( and set up) and around a grand...I'm assuming it is Cali USA?

I was remembering the finish of the Lull's neck and how it was similar to the Caprice. The shop that had the Caprice is probably the best shop in the area when it comes to maintaining stock. They will take care of that buzz.