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Music Man Session Series

Albert Ross

Albert Ross

Jul 18, 2022
382
2,338
#1
Anyone know anything about these basses?

Image 1-28-26 at 2.03 PM.png
 
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#2
I might be misrembering or confusing them but i beleive they talked about it at NAMM that this is essentially going to be an overseas guitar more aligned with the sterling level of quality but without the Sterling on theheadstock (note that it also doesnt say ErnieBall).


Expect these to be above the highest teir of Sterling offerings... what i don't know is its one of those epiphone elite things where you are partially just paying to not have the "lower end" branding on the headstock and spec wise not much is different.

Edit:

Found a video explaining it:

 
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#4
Albert Ross said:
Anyone know anything about these basses?

View attachment 7421010
Click to expand...


It's basically the pre-Special StingRay (circa 1996 - 2018) reissued, but no longer made in the U.S.A. instead made by Praxis / Sterling By Music Man, in Asia.

Almost the inverse of the old EX models (U.S.A. StingRays sent in component parts, and assembled in Japan).

If you look closely, it's identical to the 1996 - 2018 StingRay, except it no longer says Ernie Ball on the Music Man StingRay decal, on the headstock.


This range gives me hope that we may see a return of the Cutlass, and Caprice, also as lower cost Asian import models, still branded Music Man.
 
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#13
Wood and Wire said:
It's basically the pre-Special StingRay (circa 1996 - 2018) reissued, but no longer made in the U.S.A. instead made by Praxis / Sterling By Music Man, in Asia.

Almost the inverse of the old EX models (U.S.A. StingRays sent in component parts, and assembled in Japan).

If you look closely, it's identical to the 1996 - 2018 StingRay, except it no longer says Ernie Ball on the Music Man StingRay decal, on the headstock.


This range gives me hope that we may see a return of the Cutlass, and Caprice, also as lower cost Asian import models, still branded Music Man.
Click to expand...
I wonder if they'd ever release a Big Al H made in Asia? :hyper:
N4860 said:
Very cool. Hopefully they eventually offer a 2 band pre model as well as I'm sure that would satisfy a lot of the people that are interested in basically a classic stingray without having to spend thousands.
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Better yet with the Alnico pickup! I believe that the pickup is harder to get by and swap than the 2-band electronics, especially the 5-string versions that come in 2 shapes.
 
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#14
Wood and Wire said:
It's basically the pre-Special StingRay (circa 1996 - 2018) reissued, but no longer made in the U.S.A. instead made by Praxis / Sterling By Music Man, in Asia.

Almost the inverse of the old EX models (U.S.A. StingRays sent in component parts, and assembled in Japan).

If you look closely, it's identical to the 1996 - 2018 StingRay, except it no longer says Ernie Ball on the Music Man StingRay decal, on the headstock.


This range gives me hope that we may see a return of the Cutlass, and Caprice, also as lower cost Asian import models, still branded Music Man.
Click to expand...
Don't do that. Don't give me hope that we'll see new Cutlasses or Caprices. I got a Caprice about a year ago, and I adore that thing. I'd love to have a backup that I don't need to spend close to $3k on the used market for.
 
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#15
Iristone said:
I wonder if they'd ever release a Big Al H made in Asia? :hyper:

Better yet with the Alnico pickup! I believe that the pickup is harder to get by and swap than the 2-band electronics, especially the 5-string versions that come in 2 shapes.
Click to expand...

I'd be shocked if they ever made an import version of the Big Al. I would love that though. Especially with the SSS config.
 
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#16
JazznFunk said:
I was skeptical at first, but if this is EBMM/SBMM's move to really up the fit/finish level of the offshore line, it could get them closer to a Lakland Skyline/Sadowsky MetroLine level of consistency and feel/sound. I'd consider it. I'd consider it even more if there were ever a fretless option!
Click to expand...

I think they are made at Cort-Tek. It's the same place that makes PRS and many other brands. They are known to be very high quality for the price
 
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#18
Every time I see a StingRay (non EBMM) I get GAS, but I tell myself no. Then I usually buy one anyway and regret it. I don't know why I'm so weak to these basses, but I mentioned elsewhere I really need to look and not touch with these basses 😆

One day I'll find a StingRay that I like, or go full EBMM and decide once and for all if it's the style or quality that was always the issue for me.
 
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