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Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

#722
A bunch of us lobbied hard for the Big Al basses and were rewarded. But apparently the 'bunch' was not big enough to keep it going. I bought two right off the bat, a 5H and a 5sss. The 5H in silver was a good fit; the SSS just confused me on stage but was sure fun at home! I moved it along and with the Big Al being discontinued, picked up a Candy Red 5H as insurance. So I have the 2 single H fivers forever and ever amen.

I hope the Cutlass and Caprice basses are successful enough to keep them in the lineup, but who knows? Not I. I do know it's hard to tool up and actually produce an entirely new bass instead of just new finishes or adding a pickup to an existing instrument. I was not initially excited about EBMM passive basses; I'm a dedicated Bongoloid and always play my BAs in active mode so why would I go passive? But it's been a lot of fun with the two I have and I use them all the time. I prefer the versatility of the Caprice but tend to use the Cutlass for live work because it's punchy as all get-out and only has two knobs and I'm not that smart. Two knobs is so liberating.

And hey - Joe Nerve! How's things?
 
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#726
bovinehost said:
A bunch of us lobbied hard for the Big Al basses and were rewarded. But apparently the 'bunch' was not big enough to keep it going. I bought two right off the bat, a 5H and a 5sss. The 5H in silver was a good fit; the SSS just confused me on stage but was sure fun at home! I moved it along and with the Big Al being discontinued, picked up a Candy Red 5H as insurance. So I have the 2 single H fivers forever and ever amen.

I hope the Cutlass and Caprice basses are successful enough to keep them in the lineup, but who knows? Not I. I do know it's hard to tool up and actually produce an entirely new bass instead of just new finishes or adding a pickup to an existing instrument. I was not initially excited about EBMM passive basses; I'm a dedicated Bongoloid and always play my BAs in active mode so why would I go passive? But it's been a lot of fun with the two I have and I use them all the time. I prefer the versatility of the Caprice but tend to use the Cutlass for live work because it's punchy as all get-out and only has two knobs and I'm not that smart. Two knobs is so liberating.

And hey - Joe Nerve! How's things?
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Allz good. Playing more these days. Taking my clothes off less. Wrote a book (in my sig), that's doing a lot better than I expected. Starting to get some gas for a Cutlass now, thanks very much :).
 
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#727
Ian774 said:
Looks like the Ernie Ball website as been slightly redesigned, showing instruments as « collections » and the Caprice/Cutlass are still here. No discontinuation as some feared.
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I would expect a good 7 year run before anything were to get the chop.

It takes quite a while for new instruments to filter in to people's hands, for prominent musical heroes to adopt them, for fans to take notice, and for the wider pool of musicians to cotton on.

If that all happens, I think we can expect production to ramp up significantly in about 5 years - if not...

I'm not at all worried about the long term future of the Caprice (the Big Al seemed great, but had niche aesthetic appeal, and was probably too versatile - to the point of being intimidating - disappointing, but no great surprise it didn't stick around all that long), but the Cutlass seems to be taking longer than one might have hoped for, to gain significant traction.

I think once they've been around a few years, the Cutlass should get a little more of the attention it deserves.
 
#728
NAMM is upon us. Prepare for Stingrays (4 and 5) with Bongo-esque electronics packages (18v preamp, neodymium magnets) and a bit of a different curve on the belly-cut. I have been told that the SR4s, now also with lighter metal bits, will all come in at or around 8 pounds.
 
#729
bovinehost said:
NAMM is upon us. Prepare for Stingrays (4 and 5) with Bongo-esque electronics packages (18v preamp, neodymium magnets) and a bit of a different curve on the belly-cut. I have been told that the SR4s, now also with lighter metal bits, will all come in at or around 8 pounds.
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I just got the email about the new offerings. Interesting updates. I wonder how the new pickups and preamp sound compared to the Bongo? How do they still produce the trademark Stingray sound? And that smooth rounded body, is the Bongo in danger?

Here is a link -> Ernie Ball Music Man 2018 Product Announcement & NAMM Kick-off
 
#730
jro said:
I just got the email about the new offerings. Interesting updates. I wonder how the new pickups and preamp sound compared to the Bongo? How do they still produce the trademark Stingray sound? And that smooth rounded body, is the Bongo in danger?

Here is a link -> Ernie Ball Music Man 2018 Product Announcement & NAMM Kick-off
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Interesting point.

They've definitely culled a few variations of the Bongo, and I seem to remember Sterling posting about how pained he was, to have to narrow the selection down to the most popular models.

I'd be very surprised if it totally disappeared, because it's Sterling's personal weapon of choice - so I expect at least a 5 string Bongo to be a permanent fixture, possibly a 4 string too.
 
#731
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#733
bucephylus said:
Pretty clear that guitars are better sales products than basses.
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Jeez, right?
I mean I kinda got that with the monthly reserve models and there only being one bass over 12 months, but effectively one bass update amidst all those sweet guitars? I mean I love what they offer now, and as I presently own only a single StingRay, I can't really complain, but not much bass in that roll-out. Any word on the St Vincent?
 
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#735
fourstringdrums said:
The Classic Sabre only lasted about 4 years. It came out in 2013 and got discontinued last year (?)
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Yeah, but it's come and gone a couple of times in the past - it wasn't that big a surprise (and I've no doubt it will return again in the future).

Personally I'm relieved they aren't cranking out an incredible BFR bass every year, let alone one a month (I'd be living in a hedge, in a shelter made of precariously stacked EBMM basses).

What I'd really like to see is a 2 year cycle, where they reissue discontinued instruments :

Say a limited run of Big Al basses (both configurations, 4 & 5 string - no crazy colour schemes, just classic/conservative/safe).

2 years later, it's the Sabre's turn.

2 years later, the EB Stingray Classic (that is, the existing Classic, but with contoured body, and top loading bridge).

2 years later, it's the Big Al's turn again - and repeat.

That way, nobody would have to wait too long to get a brand new version of a scarce instrument (plenty of time to save up, but short enough to put off grabbing a used one), EBMM don't have a surplus of anything hanging around, or risk creating one - orders would have to be made by a deadline - and EBMM isn't loosing new customers to the 2nd hand market.
 
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#736
Wood and Wire said:
Yeah, but it's come and gone a couple of times in the past - it wasn't that big a surprise (and I've no doubt it will return again in the future).

Personally I'm relieved they aren't cranking out an incredible BFR bass every year, let alone one a month (I'd be living in a hedge, in a shelter made of precariously stacked EBMM basses).

What I'd really like to see is a 2 year cycle, where they reissue discontinued instruments :

Say a limited run of Big Al basses (both configurations, 4 & 5 string - no crazy colour schemes, just classic/conservative/safe).

2 years later, it's the Sabre's turn.

2 years later, the EB Stingray Classic (that is, the existing Classic, but with contoured body, and top loading bridge).

2 years later, it's the Big Al's turn again - and repeat.

That way, nobody would have to wait too long to get a brand new version of a scarce instrument (plenty of time to save up, but short enough to put off grabbing a used one), EBMM don't have a surplus of anything hanging around, or risk creating one - orders would have to be made by a deadline - and EBMM isn't loosing new customers to the 2nd hand market.
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Well first I'd like to see them offer the new models with a choice of fretboard not tied to the body color. Then again I already have my Caprice. I'd only snatch up a fretless one if they ever did that lol
 
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#739
kinopah said:
Jeez, right?
I mean I kinda got that with the monthly reserve models and there only being one bass over 12 months, but effectively one bass update amidst all those sweet guitars? I mean I love what they offer now, and as I presently own only a single StingRay, I can't really complain, but not much bass in that roll-out. Any word on the St Vincent?
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They told me hush on Instagram about that, it's been awhile. A cool medium scale with different pickups would be neat.
 

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