Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality

[TheCouchBassist]

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:

My local GC (which is actually a very good store) just got this exact bass in.
Its an absolutely beautiful instrument.
I would think it could win over some of the Fender crowd (of whom I am one).

 

[ThePresident777]

It simultaneously looks like the two most overdone basses in the world, total hipster item.

 

[dlb1001]

I was impressed by the bass, too, after I got a chance to check it out. I think it is first lightweight EB bass I've came across. I have a Sterling, a Stingray and a SR5, which are on the heavy side.

 

[Stevorebob]

It simultaneously looks like the two most overdone basses in the world, total hipster item.

That's it, then. No one can like this bass. It's h i p s t e r.

 

[joel the bass player]

I still want to try these out, but might have to wait a while to see one.

One nice thing about the Cutlass is that the pickup could be easily swapped for something different if the stock one wasn't quite to your taste, since it looks pretty much like a stock P shape. But the bridge pickup in the Caprice is a Music Man shape so you would have to do routing or get someone to stuff a standard j pup into a different shaped cover. If the pups sound good then it wouldn't be an issue, other than for those that like to tinker.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I still want to try these out, but might have to wait a while to see one.

One nice thing about the Cutlass is that the pickup could be easily swapped for something different if the stock one wasn't quite to your taste, since it looks pretty much like a stock P shape. But the bridge pickup in the Caprice is a Music Man shape so you would have to do routing or get someone to stuff a standard j pup into a different shaped cover. If the pups sound good then it wouldn't be an issue, other than for those that like to tinker.

Unless you like to tinker for the heck of it, I cannot imagine changing the pickups.

 

[gjohnson441496]

That was a good review and good playing as well. I had to double take at the end to see if you were using a pick! Keep it up, please.

 

[Guinness20]

No idea when I'd get to try one out, would like to play one though. Don't particularly like the way it looks but sounds great bet it plays great too!

 

[ThePresident777]

That's it, then. No one can like this bass. It's h i p s t e r.

It's precisely because no one can like this bass that it's hipster. Liking things is sooooo lamestream.

 

[Corevalay]

While I am a Fender guy at heart, I've always had a soft spot for EBBM basses. I've owned a few Rays and Sterlings, but ended up selling them all. This bass really intrigues me. The weight is also very nice as my last Stingray was 12lbs, the biggest reason that I got rid of it. I love that they're passive as well. Maybe one day, I'll grab one of these!

 

[Mr_O'B]

I absolutely love the tone of the Music Man Caprice! Great demo!

 

[engedi1]

When they come out with a Five String Caprice I will be seriously tempted.

 

[Buzz E]

I played it as well. If you close your eyes you'll swear it sounds and feels just like a Fender, but it's really smooth!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

That was a good review and good playing as well. I had to double take at the end to see if you were using a pick! Keep it up, please.

I did not have a pick so I used my thumbnail for the pick sound.

 

[WR Jacobs]

So that means you were checking the Caprice out NOT at GC

 

[golower]

Sounds good on the demo

 

[Dr. Cheese]

So that means you were checking the Caprice out NOT at GC

Oh no, it was at a great locally owned store.

 

[tbz]

Not surprised tbh.

As others have mentioned EBMM makes the highest quality, mass produced American basses around. IME their worst specimens are still above average, compared to the competition. Their best stuff ends up feeling boutique. Their PDN and limited instruments are almost always in the latter category.

Much respect to Sterling and Co. They clearly put the product before profit.

 

[twinjet]

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's that groove at 2:34? I've heard Victor Wooten play it, but I don't know what it's called.

Also, has anyone been able to A/B this with a G&L SB-2?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

What's that groove at 2:34? I've heard Victor Wooten play it, but I don't know what it's called.

Also, has anyone been able to A/B this with a G&L SB-2?

That was "Glide" by Pleasure. The bassist was the great Nathaniel Phillips. It was from the Future Now album from 1979.

A comparison with the SB-2 would be nice. I think the Caprice would shine because it has a very effective tone pot.