New Ernie Ball Tim Commerford Models

[MotorCityMinion]

Glad to see these signature models but it makes me ask ….. Why haven’t we seen a Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards, Gail Ann Dorsey , or Paul S Denman model?

Not trying to troll here. Perhaps they are happy with stock models. They may not want to associate their name with a model that has features that others may gripe about. They may not want to give away their secrets. They may not want others playing the same bass they do. They may not want to sell out.

As a bass player wanna be for almost 40 years, I've never heard of Bernard Edwards, Gail Ann Dorsey or Paul S Denman. I suspect that the folks at Ernie Ball suspects this as well. As a manufacturer, spreading yourself too thin with numerous models in the pipeline comes with consequences.

As for selling out. There's a certain pro bass player out there that for over 3 decades has slapped his name or endorsement on any product that he could, as fast as he could. I lost faith in his choices and brand loyalty. Good for him perhaps, but for me, he's lost credibility.

 

[nick4bass]

I have a blue shorty from the first run and I love it, but I remember thinking why not string-through body? My 12 pound slab 1979 Stingray had a string-through body bridge. My Birdsongs do also. I don't think it really affects sound or playability, but any long scale strings can be used. And they finally offer natural, my No. 1 choice finish! But $3k is too rich for my blood.

 

[Jackcrow]

I definitely like the more classic style with the bridge and through body strings. I dont know how you justify spending so much more over a regular Stingray though. I mean $800ish more for a bridge with mutes and a finger ramp? And the passive version is the same price. And as others have said, they aren’t even really replicas of the bass he’s most commonly associated with. Interesting choices.

 

[Deano Destructo]

Maybe somebody can help me understand why we can’t simply get the bass from Ernie Ball that most folks strongly associate Tim as having used. Natural finish, maple board, active electronics, black hardware & pickguard. They could even release it in a single H and a dual HH configuration. If they really wanted to get crazy they could do one version with a 2band eq and the other with a 3band.

Honestly at this point I can’t fathom why Ernie ball hasn’t just created a Fender Mod Shop style ordering system as most of their parts are completely interchangeable outside of a few very basic routing options. If they did so and I could order a non-signature version of the above I’d happily drop $3k for it or any other configuration I’d desire.

 

[Jackcrow]

Usually “signature” basses are either exact copies of basses that famous players used, or a bass with special configuration or features that are unique to that player. Seems like they kind of split the difference here.

 

[SleepyShark]

It seems EBMM is accomplishing a couple of things with the limited-run signature models.

It allows them to make a very limited number of basses with some new or quirky features, which entices people who didn't like the default Stingray and wouldn't buy one otherwise.

It also lets them create an artificial scarcity for collectors, so they'll sell out quickly at a markup. No hate here, that's just smart business.

Also, Tim Commerford is a legend and it's awesome to see him some recognition. Many of us learned to play by learning his lines.

As a huge Fender fan, I'm a much bigger fan of how EBMM treats their brand as a whole.

 

[Deano Destructo]

As a huge Fender fan, I'm a much bigger fan of how EBMM treats their brand as a whole.

Agreed. However, I’ve been waiting literally years for this announcement (since the launch of the Stingray Special) and find it super disappointing we don’t get a true “signature bass” (as Fender does) and instead get a bass with “quirky” features designed in partnership with Tim.

 

[Ant B 2021]

Good looking, good sounding (from the vids) basses. I was out of the gate to get my Darkray (#6 of 100). Not a significant mark-up for the granite gray and for the Darkglass electronics. (I think the same mark-up as for a Special in one of those cool sparkly finishes). I love what EBMM are doing. Variety is the spice of life!

 

[Smooth_bass88]

They will probably sell out in a few hours. The ramp and mutes and passive eq should be standard options on all Stingray models.

The mutes used to be standard equipment on US StingRay basses. Back before they became unaffordable boutique instruments.

 

[Yellow Bang66]

Ernie Ball is really hitting it out of the park right now with their new models .

The 2 Short Scales really have my interest. Mutes, finger ramps…..yes!!



Glad to see these signature models but it makes me ask ….. Why haven’t we seen a Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards, Gail Ann Dorsey , or Paul S Denman model?

Yeah! didnt he play fairly recent/new models? I mean how much different could this one be?! Nice try,but no, Id rather have someone more "vintage" than this...

 

[Eldon Tyrell]

Agreed. However, I’ve been waiting literally years for this announcement (since the launch of the Stingray Special) and find it super disappointing we don’t get a true “signature bass” (as Fender does) and instead get a bass with “quirky” features designed in partnership with Tim.

I know how you are feeling. I also have been waiting for ages for a Timmy C Signature Stingray bass. I was very surprised to see short scale models associated with his name as I cannot see him playing these.
My fav would have been the HH model in a natural finish with black hardware, like in the Premier Guitar rig rundown video from 2016 when he started playing Stingray basses again.

However, the passive full-scale version (natural finish, black hardware and ebony FB) comes close enough (I know, not active, no maple FB) and has some cool features like the height adjustable finger ramp, and the return of the old school string-through bridge and the mute pads (like for example on the Stingray Classic). It is an interesting mix of old school elements and more recent elements (e.g., the neodymium pickup, the five bolt neck joint, the toasted maple neck and the 18v preamp (for the active model)).

Well, as it is close enough to the one I always wanted, I decided to place an order and hope to get it soon! Should be shipped either today or early next week. Cannot wait

 

[Ant B 2021]

I know how you are feeling. I also have been waiting for ages for a Timmy C Signature Stingray bass. I was very surprised to see short scale models associated with him name as I cannot see him playing these.
My fav would have been the HH model in a natural finish with black hardware, like in the Premier Guitar rig rundown video from 2016 when he started playing Stingray basses again.

However, the passive full-scale version (natural finish, black hardware and ebony FB) comes close enough (I know, not active, no maple FB) and has some cool features like the height adjustable finger ramp, and the return of the old school string-through bridge and the mute pads (like for example on the Stingray Classic). It is an interesting mix of old school elements and more recent elements (e.g., the neodymium pickup, the five bolt neck joint, the toasted maple neck and the 18v preamp (for the active model)).

Well, as it close enough to the one I always wanted, I decided to place an order and hope to get it soon! Should be shipped either today or early next week. Cannot wait

Cool, Dude! Looking forward to the pix already.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Not trying to troll here. Perhaps they are happy with stock models. They may not want to associate their name with a model that has features that others may gripe about. They may not want to give away their secrets. They may not want others playing the same bass they do. They may not want to sell out.

As a bass player wanna be for almost 40 years, I've never heard of Bernard Edwards, Gail Ann Dorsey or Paul S Denman. I suspect that the folks at Ernie Ball suspects this as well. As a manufacturer, spreading yourself too thin with numerous models in the pipeline comes with consequences.

As for selling out. There's a certain pro bass player out there that for over 3 decades has slapped his name or endorsement on any product that he could, as fast as he could. I lost faith in his choices and brand loyalty. Good for him perhaps, but for me, he's lost credibility.

Nope !! My statement was all about the history of the bass and who played them and put them on the map. 2 of the players I mentioned are deceased.

I suspect that the people who haven’t heard of them by name have heard them play.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

View attachment 4350216

I think a lot of people will skip the video and miss this cool detail - the ramp can be lowered in order to be flush with the pickguard using a screwdriver.

That is pretty damn cool.

It’s interesting, although the ramp isn’t radiused, taking away half of its usefulness.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I heard that instead of paying Tim Commerford, Ernie Ball must provide everyone in the United States with forty cents and a bean ration.

 

[Deano Destructo]

Anybody else notice that in the demo you never hear him playing one of the passive models?

He’s seen holding one but never actually playing it…

Tim Commerford Stingray = active electronics (IMO)

Also, interesting that they went with the 9volt electronics on the active models and not the 18volt commonly found on the Stingray Specials.

 

[Peteyboy]

I've never heard of Bernard Edwards

Super influential Brooklyn funk bass monster/writer/producer from the 70's til his death in '96. Influenced Suger Hill Gang and John Deacon, among a bazillion others. Dude almost died onstage playing his bass, but made it back to his hotel room and expired of pneumonia. No bass player more dedicated to the craft.

 

[grrg63]

Geez, they're making way more effort at giving everybody what they want than most of the big companies would; 34" or 30" scale, active or passive, not to mention that awesome bridge and an adjustable ramp, and people are still complaining. Very expensive of course, but it is MIA.

 

[Rabidhamster]

I have mixed feelings. On one hand I get that people would want the bass they associate with why they would want a signature model to begin with.

On the other hand Tim Commerford already has the Tim Commerford stingray, so it’s probably more exciting to get an instrument he doesn’t already have.

 

[SleepyShark]

So for anyone who isn't 100% happy with this signature model - what would you prefer? I'm genuinely curious, not trying to attack anyone.

If it were just a blonde stingray, that's something they have historically offered, albeit not at the moment.