Music Man StingRay: Block v. Dot Inlays

[ASoggyFry]

(Click each image to view full size fretboard.)

Which looks better on an ebony fretboard (even though one block fretboard pictured is not ebony) and why?

Secondary question: Why do the Music Man block inlays look so different from traditional Fender or Gibson block inlays? Is there a term for the style of Music Man block inlays v. Fender and Gibson block inlays?

Third question: If you think the dot inlays look better, would you say the traditional Gibson/Fender block inlays (as opposed to the Music Man block inlays) look better than dots or not?

 

[jeff62]

The only blocks I’ve ever seen on a MM bass are on a special run. They are all otherwise dots. To me, at least, the blocks look funny on a MM bass. My vote is for dots.

 

[ASoggyFry]

The only blocks I’ve ever seen on a MM bass are on a special run. They are all otherwise dots. To me, at least, the blocks look funny on a MM bass. My vote is for dots.

They offer blocks on their custom shop for $200 or so more. I am in concurrence though that they look funny and off. I must find out why, hence my question in my opening post. Thanks!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

On an ebony board, I prefer no dots or blocks. If the fret board on a Stingray must be 'marred' by markers, I'd prefer dots.

There was a BFR recently in the classifieds, which had blocks and featured a spalted maple top: that looked fine.

Depends on the particular instrument...

 

[nattiep]

They offer blocks on their custom shop for $200 or so more. I am in concurrence though that they look funny and off. I must find out why, hence my question in my opening post. Thanks!

My opinion is they look off because there's no binding to pull it all together

 

[Iristone]

I've always thought of block inlays as a Fender or Gibson thing. They look great on an EB-3 or Jazz Bass, but not even on a P Bass or Thunderbird.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I think blocks on a ray look great. Here's a BFR with black hardware and blocks.

 

[66 Fender Jazz]

The dots work for me on maple neck.

 

[bassdude51]

Dots.

My personal favorite is no fret markers on top, just on the sides.

 

[jd56hawk]

No inlays.

 

[eniac]

The problem with no inlays is that people might assume I actually know what I'm doing up there.

 

[sears]

dots with a dot on the first fret too

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My opinion varies from bass to bass. Most of the time , I prefer dots. EBMM dots are big like their pole pieces.

However I also enjoy a blank board , especially when the wood grain is figured .

Blocks can look nice too. But it has to be on a bass where there isn’t too much going on elsewhere on the bass. Otherwise , it can be too much going on visually .

 

[Al1885]

I'm surprised that there're not many options for customshop. I'm sure the sparkle will look spectacular in person but they don't look too pretty on my screen,

While I'm not mad that they don't offer the abalone block inlays but they look awesome on ebony fingerboard.

Well here are some example of the fingerboard choices. Block Ebony, Dot Birdseye Maple and Tigerstripes roasted no dot fretless.

 

[sovereign_510]

i kinda like both about equally, im a huge sucker for block inlays. arguably i like fender and gibson block inlays better than dots, especially on the jazz bass

 

[Al1885]

i kinda like both about equally, im a huge sucker for block inlays. arguably i like fender and gibson block inlays better than dots, especially on the jazz bass

I’m kinda big fan of white binding than block inlays but they do go hand in hand. I wish that musicman offer more neck binding. I don’t remember seeing more. One I remember for sure is the BFR short scale.

 

[cholyoke]

I don't think EBMM blocks look any worse than Fender or Gibson blocks. Give me dots or give me nothing! However, I wouldn't refuse a BFR just because it came with blocks.

 

[mikeswals]

My opinion is they look off because there's no binding to pull it all together

Musicman recently had a special edition red SR4 that had binding with blocks, looks sharp.
But yeah otherwise blocks (especially short blocks) looks weird without binding.
I prefer no dots if I'm ordering a build, but dots would be 2nd choice

 

[GBBSbassist]

Block inlays are very much a thing that I like until it's on an instrument I'm playing. Then I immediately stop liking them.

 

[GreyBeard]

The only bass I like blocks on is a Jazz bass