I in very interested in getting a new bass. I have mainly been looking at musicmans but am open to other options. If you know anything about musicmans please tell me (ie. resale value, price, setup, etc.). Thanks alot.
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Musicman Basses
- Thread starter MusicManBass
- Start date
Stingrays with 1 pickup resale for anywhere between $700 usd to $1000 usd.
New, they can be found around $1200-$1400. They recently went up in price slightly (maybe $100) so some places may have adjusted the prices accordingly.
Setup wise, they perform best with minimal relief, so lowest action can be aquired. The fretwork is excellent, so low action can be used with excellent results.
Any specific questions?
New, they can be found around $1200-$1400. They recently went up in price slightly (maybe $100) so some places may have adjusted the prices accordingly.
Setup wise, they perform best with minimal relief, so lowest action can be aquired. The fretwork is excellent, so low action can be used with excellent results.
Any specific questions?
Firstly, they are awesome basses!
There are a number of options you can look at.
3EQ is present on most basses, but alot of people do seem to prefer the 2 band EQ (as the highs and lows are more controlable apparently)
Id also say, if you can, have a bash at the HH or HS models, i have two HH stringrays (dual humbuckers), the tonal variety is incredible and very useful!
The setup on mine when i got it was perfect, only needed minor adjustment (strings raised a little as i play quire aggressivley).
The basses are quite heavey, but, personally, i prefer this. They are very well balanced aswell.
The neck is also a bit different to many other basses, it feels almost bare, its very lightly oiled, and really really smooth and fast to play.
The resale values are about £700-£800 over here, and in the US i think they are $700-$800, that seems to be common, pretty much regardless of condition or age.
And a final note, they cut through amazingly well in a band situation!
There are a number of options you can look at.
3EQ is present on most basses, but alot of people do seem to prefer the 2 band EQ (as the highs and lows are more controlable apparently)
Id also say, if you can, have a bash at the HH or HS models, i have two HH stringrays (dual humbuckers), the tonal variety is incredible and very useful!
The setup on mine when i got it was perfect, only needed minor adjustment (strings raised a little as i play quire aggressivley).
The basses are quite heavey, but, personally, i prefer this. They are very well balanced aswell.
The neck is also a bit different to many other basses, it feels almost bare, its very lightly oiled, and really really smooth and fast to play.
The resale values are about £700-£800 over here, and in the US i think they are $700-$800, that seems to be common, pretty much regardless of condition or age.
And a final note, they cut through amazingly well in a band situation!
Unless you need the room for your right hand, to slap, or price is a factor, I say go for the HH Stingray. Unlike the Sterling, you're not losing any tone options if you go for more than 1 pickup. The HH Stingray has a lot more sounds than the regular Stingray, but still retains the traditional Stingray sound.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
Here's what I say:
"What are you waiting for?"
I realize there are other basses out there, but I don't know why.
Jack
"What are you waiting for?"
I realize there are other basses out there, but I don't know why.
Jack
I really like all the feed back you have given me but when I went onto the guitar center website, they said $1299.99 for the 4 string (1 pickup), $1559.99 for the 2 pickups 5 string, $1369.99 for the 4 string 1 pickup, $1479.99 for the 5 string 1 pickup. I would like to know why these are different from yours. Also, how do the sterling and bongos compare to the stingrays?
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
I used to sell Music Man basses and while I no longer have current prices, it seems to me that GC sells them for around 70% of retail, which is pretty much what everyone sells them for. But for all I know, those prices might be somewhat high or low, but they're not all out of whack, if you know what I mean.
A quality bass like the Stingray 5, built here in America and backed by the best QS and customer service I've ever heard of, for less than 1500 dollars seems like a good value to me!
The Bongo (I was an early convert) is Music Man's next-generation bass. Very different style, as we all know here, plus some modern pickups and a smack-em-in-the-head electronics package, including an 18v preamp. Ergonomically, it's great. Tone-wise, extremely versatile. I love them. Some people don't like the looks, and the world would be a boring place if we all agreed on 'style', wouldn't it?
The Sterling has a downsized body, slimmer neck and more frets than the Stingray. Also a selector switch for the single pickup model (not on Stingray).
Once you start tossing the dual pickup models into the mix, things become more complex rather quickly, but that's the basic outlook.
Others will be along to add information or argue with me, I'm sure!
Jack
The MusicMan's are excellent basses, with absolutely amazing CS. I'm not sure what type of music you are playing, but the Stingray seems to fit just about anything you can think of. If you are planning on buying new.. once you decide which options you want.. (single or dual pup's, 4 or 5 string, etc).. there are some great bass dealers outside of Chicago that will give you unbelievable service. For MusicMan basses.. I'd check out The Perfect Bass.. an awesome shop that treats it's customers right. Plus.. they will give you a discount just for mentioning you are on talkbass... I believe (I may be wrong).. it's 10% off the normal selling price. Which should be a great incentive not to buy from Musicians Friend, or Guitar Center.
As for the differece between the Stingrays and the Sterlings, the Sterlings have a bit of a downsized body (thinner and little more ergonomic kind of), a thinner neck profile and 1 more fret. If you compare the electronics between the two, when you're only talking about 1 humbucker, the Sterling has a switch that lets you switch between series, parallel, and single coil. Also the Sterling has a ceramic magnet pickpup while the Stingray has Alnico. The Sterling might sound alittle more agressive and a little more modern than the Stingray. But I think that series/parallel switching goes away on the Sterling when you get it HH.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,943
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Buy a Sterling, Bongo AND Stingray. That's what I did. Stingray is due for arrival this Friday. 
Can't freeeking wait.
You'll find if incredibly rare for anyone to be disappointed with a Musicman bass.
If you want to learn even more go here www.ernieball.com/forums .
Can't freeeking wait.You'll find if incredibly rare for anyone to be disappointed with a Musicman bass.
If you want to learn even more go here www.ernieball.com/forums .
Buy a Sterling, Bongo AND Stingray. That's what I did. Stingray is due for arrival this Friday.
Then change your damn signature, hippy!
MusicMan basses are hard to beat, they really shine in a band situation. I have 2, both have the single pup, ones a 2 band and ones a 3. I like the 2 band for smoother, jazz, reggae styles and the 3 band for a little more edgy rock and punk. cant go wrong either way, and I'd definately recommend the HH configuration, its amazing. Good Luck!
MusicMan makes great basses. I have a Stingray 5 and it's build quality is top notch and the tone is exceptional. Get one!
FWIW, The Stingray 5-strings have ceramic magnets like the Sterlings. Personally, I'd rather have Alnico, but I like me some 5-strings, so I have a 5HH Stingray on order.
The Bongo is an amazing beast -- more clean and modern sounding than the others, and a tone best described as MASSIVE, most likely due to the 18v preamp, which wrings every last bit of dynamic potential from the humongous pickups. The 4-band EQ is a blessing for those who like flexibility, and a curse for those who like simplicity. I preferred the dirtier, edgier sound of the Stingray in the end, but there was something about the thunderous Bongo that I really miss.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
And then there is the Secret Weapon - the single H Bongo, with its "simple" 3 band EQ that regularly destroys coastal communities.
I love the 4 band with my dual pickup Bongos, but these days, when I reach for a bass, it's generally a single H Bongo.
Point and shoot? Seach and destroy? Something like that.
There is only one Stingray that competes with the absolute punchy deadliness of the Bongo - the 30th SR4 with the mahogany body.
One of these days, Bart, you're going to come over and play my basses and admit that I'm right.
Jack
LOL. The single H Bongo is the one that I might buy again some day, just based solely on what I've heard about its tone.
FWIW, though, I did A/B the SR5HH and the Bongo 5HH before I sold my Bongo.
As for the 30th SR4, why do you think I was so crazy as to contemplate selling my yet-to-come DD SR5? Because of that damn 20th SR5 with the Alnico pickups and mahogany tone block. :scowl: ARGH! Sterling Ball, how you torment me with your amazing basses!
Some day . . .
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
Oh, I tried to deny its power, believe me. I have one of the original HH Bongos, and what could be better than that?
Well. Let me tell you. A certain company CEO could not STOP torturing me. "I should have put out only the single H models because people want to ignore how good they are." And so on. Then I played his (now I own it, heh heh) and was convinced, along with 100 or so other bassists.
It isn't fair.
It isn't fair that I bought so many dual pickup Bongos and what I really want, now, is the single H. I hate it when he's right.
Yeah, I hear you.
I just sold the best fretless I've ever played and I'm in the process of selling Heinz The Wonder Bass just to get myself a 20th SR5.
SINGLE HUMBUCKER.
I must be nuts.
Jack
That's a little different, though, isn't it, Jack? From what I understand, the Single H Bongo has the humbucker in the "sweet spot" different from the bridge humbucker on the HH, while on the 'ray, the single H is in the same position as the bridge pickup on the HH 'ray. Therefore, while the single H Bongo is a different beast by virtue of pickup placement (among other things) there's not much to be lost by getting a second H pickup on the Stingray, unless it interferes with one's slap, etc. technique. Am I wrong on this???
I have a 5 String Stingray (the 2005 limited edition), and I must say it's one of the best basses I have ever played, the price against the quality stands as one of the best. I'm lucky, because I can run it trough an all valve Ampeg rig which sits perfect for the punch and growl of this bass.
Get it, you won't regreat it. I never heard of anyone with a musicman that don't like it.
Get it, you won't regreat it. I never heard of anyone with a musicman that don't like it.
