Musicman Neck-through...is it really new?

[wintremute]

Sweetwater is saying that the Musicman Neck-throughs are a first.

musicman-sting-neck-through | Sweetwater.com

Is this true? Do you think it will make much of a difference?

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Yes, they are actually new. I do not think it will make much of a difference but you damn well bet I want to try one (desperately.)

 

[Korladis]

They're certainly gorgeous. Love that the back of the neck matches the body in finish, too.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

What would make you doubt they are new?

 

[Gorn]

Are you saying that they've made neck-through Musicmans before or neck through Musicmans are no different from bolt-on Musicmans and thus, are not new?

 

[two fingers]

Wow. Neat!

I still can believe they would retool enough to try this before trying 19mm spacing though. I bet there weren't a ton of bassists sitting at home saying "I would love to try a MM but DANG they don't make a neck though."

I KNOW there are lots of bassists who would love to play a MM but can't because of string spacing. Same with G&L while we're at it.

These new basses are sexy and all but I don't think they will increase their market share with this move.

 

[Root 5]

I think MM might have discontinued the neck thru Stingray.

 

[eyeballkid]

Ive never understood this frustration about the 19mm string spacing. Ive owed a metric ton of basses that have had all kinds of spacing, neck widths, and profiles and Ive NEVER said I "cant" play this because of the string spacing! Neck profiles and the balancing of the bass are much bigger factors to me. Ive played really narrow Ibanez's and wide spaced basses too and ALL of them I can adapt to. Ive got big fingers too. Whats the problem for all these guys?

 

[Gorn]

Ive never understood this frustration about the 19mm string spacing. Ive owed a metric ton of basses that have had all kinds of spacing, neck widths, and profiles and Ive NEVER said I "cant" play this because of the string spacing! Neck profiles and the balancing of the bass are much bigger factors to me. Ive played really narrow Ibanez's and wide spaced basses too and ALL of them I can adapt to. Ive got big fingers too. Whats the problem for all these guys?

I think pick players and 5 string players are more sensitive to string spacing. I exclusively play four string basses with my fingers. The only bass I can't play (well) because of the spacing is a Hofner.

 

[eyeballkid]

ok... that makes a little sense... at least on 5 strings. I am a 95% finger player, but never had problems with a pick though, but everyone is different. Whats the spacing now?

I think MM might have discontinued the neck thru Stingray.

they just discontinued certain colors, not the whole line.

 

[Handyman]

I think MM might have discontinued the neck thru Stingray.

Nope, not discontinued. They did down the number of available colors, though.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[eyeballkid]

but may introduce new colors for the next model year. they do that alot with special edition basses.

 

[Immigrant]

Nope, not discontinued. They did down the number of available colors, though.
Invalid Link Removed

I like how that link looks as though it was pasted from the future.

 

[lfmn16]

Ive never understood this frustration about the 19mm string spacing. Ive owed a metric ton of basses that have had all kinds of spacing, neck widths, and profiles and Ive NEVER said I "cant" play this because of the string spacing! Neck profiles and the balancing of the bass are much bigger factors to me. Ive played really narrow Ibanez's and wide spaced basses too and ALL of them I can adapt to. Ive got big fingers too. Whats the problem for all these guys?

I think there is something wrong with me too. I just pick up a bass and start playing. In my old age I can't remember all the things I'm supposed to worry about.

 

[scowboy]

I think pick players and 5 string players are more sensitive to string spacing. I exclusively play four string basses with my fingers. The only bass I can't play (well) because of the spacing is a Hofner.

I'm playing my present five string, a Warwick Corvette $$5 which has something like 16.5mm spacing and using a pick now more that ever. I think it's totally overblown the way people obsess about some of this stuff. I also have another five string which has almost 19mm spacing. I can switch between them pretty effortlessly.

I would also add in my case that I've been a big time lover of Stingray 5's in particular and the one thing that I am starting to get sensitive to is weight. I can no longer tolerate 10+ pound basses hanging around my body for too long. If EBMM could focus on something they should do a chambered SR5 or just get lighter materials even at the price of a slight cost increase.

 

[tonemachine]

Ive never understood this frustration about the 19mm string spacing. Ive owed a metric ton of basses that have had all kinds of spacing, neck widths, and profiles and Ive NEVER said I "cant" play this because of the string spacing! Neck profiles and the balancing of the bass are much bigger factors to me. Ive played really narrow Ibanez's and wide spaced basses too and ALL of them I can adapt to. Ive got big fingers too. Whats the problem for all these guys?

I second this. I'm not even sure what spacing my basses are (but I do know that my custom 5 that I LOVE is 19mm and at least some others aren't 19). I do recall playing a Carvin 5 string 20 years ago where the spacing was almost like guitar-narrow but beyond that I don't notice much difference.

I would love to try a neck-thru MM product. If anything, the neck would require less neck/tuning adjustments (for humidity) if they're like any other neck-thru basses that I own. But maybe a neck thru version wouldn't feel as slinky and sound as Musicman-y?

 

[scowboy]

I think there is something wrong with me too. I just pick up a bass and start playing. In my old age I can't remember all the things I'm supposed to worry about.

To your point it is really about the "feel" right? I think you all know when you pick up the right bass and it's instant "ahwwwwwww". I have a 7 pound boutique four sting in my possession right now. I love to look at it and I can't believe I've got a 7 pound bass hanging around but it has yet to make me go "awwwwwwww".

 

[friendlybass]

Well they're still too pricey for me! If anyone wants to donate to the FriendlyBass BHPD fund pm me

 

[two fingers]

Ive never understood this frustration about the 19mm string spacing. Ive owed a metric ton of basses that have had all kinds of spacing, neck widths, and profiles and Ive NEVER said I "cant" play this because of the string spacing! Neck profiles and the balancing of the bass are much bigger factors to me. Ive played really narrow Ibanez's and wide spaced basses too and ALL of them I can adapt to. Ive got big fingers too. Whats the problem for all these guys?

I use a lot of motion on my right (plucking) hand when playing. You might even say I play "aggressively". Narrow basses don't work for me because I tend to hit other strings when bringing my plucking fingers or pick down hard. My only point is that there are more if us than there are bassists who insist on neck through in my view. I just don't see neck through grabbing up lots of sales for those sitting on the fence about buying a Ray. However, I would own a 5HS by the end of the week if it came in 19mm. And I think that 19mm would get quite a few potential buyers over the line.

 

[eyeballkid]

hmmm.. ok.. so is this a problem just with the 5 Strings? cos the 4 bangers seem pretty wide to me.

sorry for the highjack..

on topic, I LOOOOOVE Stingrays, but I havent been enticed by the neck thru idea because i think it would tonally alter the bass in a way I wouldnt like.. what say ye?