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Music Man Caprice: True Boutique Quality
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Cross-posting and resurrecting this zombie thread mostly so @Dr. Cheese can continue the streak of having the longest running thread without ever owning the bass in the title, but also to give a shout out to a nice, new to me, sadly discontinued bass.
I've had a Cutlass for a while and have wanted to A/B it against a Caprice. Thanks to a kind head's up from a fellow TBer, I was able to snag a very nice Caprice off the GC Used Gear page.
I spent most of the day yesterday (day off for me) doing back and forth vs. Cutlass along with backing tracks.
I honestly prefer the Cutlass' neck to the Caprice's, my fretting hand likes a little extra room near the nut, but it's not a deal-breaker. I'm new enough to the game to be able to get used to one or the other, it's just a matter of practicing more and getting used to what I've got. Additionally, although I haven't had a chance to weigh it, my Caprice doesn't seem much, if any, lighter than my Cutlass (which is 8.6 lbs) and there is no hint of neck dive on my particular bass. I wear a 3.5 suede Levy's strap, so I'm sure that helps, but if I take my hands away, it just sits there. No movement.
As of now I'm most likely going to keep the Caprice and move the Cutlass. The Cutlass is a great bass, but I just don't find myself playing it much. It is the best sounding "rock" P-bass I've ever heard, but that's not what I need.
The Caprice, neck only, gets close enough that I could get most of the Cutlass tone when I wanted it (the Cutlass is warmer and bigger, to my ear, definitely "more there", there) but I think the Caprice will be more useful to me for everything else and I like the tone with both pickups on. The bridge humbucker is the secret sauce here, as others have stated. I've never really cared for the traditional P/J tone, but this is something different/better. A "fuller" Jazz is a pretty good description, although it's not really a Jazz tone to me.
In the very short time I've had it, I find myself gravitating to a setting that favors the neck pickup so I get that passive EBMM "modern" P tone with the bridge blended in (100% neck/85-90% bridge) to fill out the spectrum. Playing with the backing tracks, it sits in the mix really well, almost Sadowsky-like, but a different sound than a Sadowsky Jazz.
I could see this becoming the primary player and using the other basses (Jazzes, LB-100, Lakland Hollowbody) to fill in when I want what those basses specifically bring to the table. The good @Dr. Cheese said when this thread began that the Caprice could be all the bass one would ever need. He's probably right, but where's the fun in that?
I've had a Cutlass for a while and have wanted to A/B it against a Caprice. Thanks to a kind head's up from a fellow TBer, I was able to snag a very nice Caprice off the GC Used Gear page.
I spent most of the day yesterday (day off for me) doing back and forth vs. Cutlass along with backing tracks.
I honestly prefer the Cutlass' neck to the Caprice's, my fretting hand likes a little extra room near the nut, but it's not a deal-breaker. I'm new enough to the game to be able to get used to one or the other, it's just a matter of practicing more and getting used to what I've got. Additionally, although I haven't had a chance to weigh it, my Caprice doesn't seem much, if any, lighter than my Cutlass (which is 8.6 lbs) and there is no hint of neck dive on my particular bass. I wear a 3.5 suede Levy's strap, so I'm sure that helps, but if I take my hands away, it just sits there. No movement.
As of now I'm most likely going to keep the Caprice and move the Cutlass. The Cutlass is a great bass, but I just don't find myself playing it much. It is the best sounding "rock" P-bass I've ever heard, but that's not what I need.
The Caprice, neck only, gets close enough that I could get most of the Cutlass tone when I wanted it (the Cutlass is warmer and bigger, to my ear, definitely "more there", there) but I think the Caprice will be more useful to me for everything else and I like the tone with both pickups on. The bridge humbucker is the secret sauce here, as others have stated. I've never really cared for the traditional P/J tone, but this is something different/better. A "fuller" Jazz is a pretty good description, although it's not really a Jazz tone to me.
In the very short time I've had it, I find myself gravitating to a setting that favors the neck pickup so I get that passive EBMM "modern" P tone with the bridge blended in (100% neck/85-90% bridge) to fill out the spectrum. Playing with the backing tracks, it sits in the mix really well, almost Sadowsky-like, but a different sound than a Sadowsky Jazz.
I could see this becoming the primary player and using the other basses (Jazzes, LB-100, Lakland Hollowbody) to fill in when I want what those basses specifically bring to the table. The good @Dr. Cheese said when this thread began that the Caprice could be all the bass one would ever need. He's probably right, but where's the fun in that?
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I'm really wanting to get my hands on a Caprice, but the $2K+ asking price of most currently on the market has me balking...particularly because even 6 months to a year ago, you could find them closer to 1/2 that. I get that they are discontinued, and that might contribute to the desirability and price hike, but...I dunno. I wasn't quick enough on the one that was recently listed in the TB classifieds that seemed reasonably priced. I might just have to be patient and wait, which is not something I'm good at when basses are involved. 
Annnnnnnnd…9 days later, you can see how the idea of being patient played out. 
I've only had it a few hours, and have actually had to work (stupid work, always gets in the way), but initial impressions are excellent playability and tone from this bass…love it!
It is pretty much NOS, with barcode/original hang tags/plastic on the original mint guard. I replaced it with a "tiramisu" guard from Chandler Music that I found on Reverb. Didn't realize the seller of the pickguard was also on TB until after the fact, or I would have bought it here instead. I think it looks sharp and unique!
I've only had it a few hours, and have actually had to work (stupid work, always gets in the way), but initial impressions are excellent playability and tone from this bass…love it!
It is pretty much NOS, with barcode/original hang tags/plastic on the original mint guard. I replaced it with a "tiramisu" guard from Chandler Music that I found on Reverb. Didn't realize the seller of the pickguard was also on TB until after the fact, or I would have bought it here instead. I think it looks sharp and unique!
Congratulations! I like the pickguard with that body finish. Enjoy. I had one briefly when the prices were lower, but I ended up returning it for an even trade on a Rickenbacker 4003. Nice basses, though.Annnnnnnnd…9 days later, you can see how the idea of being patient played out.
View attachment 4444819
I've only had it a few hours, and have actually had to work (stupid work, always gets in the way), but initial impressions are excellent playability and tone from this bass…love it!
It is pretty much NOS, with barcode/original hang tags/plastic on the original mint guard. I replaced it with a "tiramisu" guard from Chandler Music that I found on Reverb. Didn't realize the seller of the pickguard was also on TB until after the fact, or I would have bought it here instead. I think it looks sharp and unique!
View attachment 4444819 View attachment 4444828
Thanks!
I don't feel like I got less than I paid for, despite the fact that they are going for more than new original street price now. However, it has tempered my desire a bit to procure a Cutlass, just to compare. I figured the Caprice was a bit more versatile, and I know of at least one member who had both, and sold the Cutlass.
I put Chromes (flatwound 105's) on my Caprice last night and I found the tone I'd been looking for on that bass...
Well, it turns out, I did need a Cutlass, too!
These are quickly becoming my current favorites among some other very nice basses. You know when you get a bass that just feels and sounds "right" to you, and you like pretty much everything about it, regardless of specs on paper or review bias? This pair nails it for me…simple controls, 21 frets, amazing necks, solid and well built, and I love the fact that they sound familiar and "vintage-y", yet different at the same time.
It's funny…a few of the old reviews I've been reading ding them on their price point at the time. I'd love to have snapped up different colors for every day of the week back in 2018 when they were discontinued and were being blown out at $1100, but I think they are quite worthy of their original street price. I'm not sure how I overlooked them then, but I'm happy to have come across them now.
It's pretty unlikely to happen, especially at this point, but I'll join the list of others who were wishing for a 5 string Caprice.
These are quickly becoming my current favorites among some other very nice basses. You know when you get a bass that just feels and sounds "right" to you, and you like pretty much everything about it, regardless of specs on paper or review bias? This pair nails it for me…simple controls, 21 frets, amazing necks, solid and well built, and I love the fact that they sound familiar and "vintage-y", yet different at the same time.
It's funny…a few of the old reviews I've been reading ding them on their price point at the time. I'd love to have snapped up different colors for every day of the week back in 2018 when they were discontinued and were being blown out at $1100, but I think they are quite worthy of their original street price. I'm not sure how I overlooked them then, but I'm happy to have come across them now.
It's pretty unlikely to happen, especially at this point, but I'll join the list of others who were wishing for a 5 string Caprice.
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I have had cobalt flats on my Caprice since the day I got it. I will never put anything else on it. Sounds amazing
How much difference do you notice between the necks of the Caprice and Cutlass? Is it close to P vs. J? I love my Caprice's neck, and I also like the simplicity of the Cutlass, but i don't like a chunky neck.Well, it turns out, I did need a Cutlass, too!
View attachment 4494159
These are quickly becoming my current favorites among some other very nice basses. You know when you get a bass that just feels and sounds "right" to you, and you like pretty much everything about it, regardless of specs on paper or review bias? This pair nails it for me…simple controls, 21 frets, amazing necks, solid and well built, and I love the fact that they sound familiar and "vintage-y", yet different at the same time.
It's funny…a few of the old reviews I've been reading ding them on their price point at the time. I'd love to have snapped up different colors for every day of the week back in 2018 when they were discontinued and were being blown out at $1100, but I think they are quite worthy of their original street price. I'm not sure how I overlooked them then, but I'm happy to have come across them now.
It's pretty unlikely to happen, especially at this point, but I'll join the list of others who were wishing for a 5 string Caprice.
I notice very minor differences between the two necks, actually…the Caprice is 1.5" at the nut, and the Cutlass is 1.625"…it's not the "standard" 1.75" P width. The neck carves are a medium C shape that I think most would find comfortable — not too flat, or too round and bulky. The necks are one of the highlights of these two basses, IMO. I know that neck feel is very subjective, and there are some who probably would have a strong preference one way or the other, but for me, they are more similar than not, and both feel great.
Yep the Cutlass neck is not as chunky as a standard P, I usually prefer J-neck but the Cutlass is very comfy, that's why I call it a rock machine, suits well my very sub-standard pick-technic
The fabled 5-string Caprice...c'mon EBMM, start the custom shop and let me drop some $$$ to make it happen!
The fabled 5-string Caprice...c'mon EBMM, start the custom shop and let me drop some $$$ to make it happen!
I filled my desire for a Caprice 5 with my Sandberg and my desire for that MusicMan tone with my StingRay5 Special. But the Caprice is one of the best 4 string basses I've ever owned and played.
All great instruments but no Caprice
Love to grab mine lately to feed the silly humble covers playlist on youtube :
Cutlass neck profile is not as chunky as a P (front to back). I've heard it's similar to a Stingray profile but with a more vintage radius.
Caprice neck profile is similar to Sterling with 1.5" nut. It doesn't feel as tapered near the nut as a 60's Jazz shape.
The Caprice neck feels more round, while the Cutlass is a bit flatter front to back. If you like a baseball bat sized neck stick with a Precision. If anyone is near San Luis Obispo and wants to try them out, let me know.
I didn't overlook them when they came out and bought a sunburst body/rosewood neck Caprice back then, which is my go to bass these days. If I had known how difficult it would become to find them and the prices people ask for them now I would have bought a natural/maple neck model too. Also, put me down as another who would love a 5 string Caprice. Is there a Sandberg model that is close?
I was lucky enough to find a used Cutlass on Reverb recently for a steal. It was bare though with no case, case candy etc but is in pretty great condition.
I had a White Cutlass when they first came out and while I loved it I ended up selling it for a Fender. I was looking for that sound, and still am, but realize the Cutlass is not a replacement for a Fender P but a different animal. These darn things are very elusive and you really need to strike while the iron is hot when they pop up.
I had a White Cutlass when they first came out and while I loved it I ended up selling it for a Fender. I was looking for that sound, and still am, but realize the Cutlass is not a replacement for a Fender P but a different animal. These darn things are very elusive and you really need to strike while the iron is hot when they pop up.
I had 2 Caprice. Bought a white one recently but returned it and bought this. Feels great , has a lot in common with what I liked about the a Caprice , with the addition of the low B. I'm very pleased.
Sandberg Ida Nielsen 5.
Sandberg VM5 is even closer .
Build quality is equal to Ernie Ball.
My 2 favorite brands.
If I was a 4 string player , I would own a Caprice. Caprice and US Geddy Lee are best passive 4 strings I've ever owned.
