Oh crap! New Musicman Basses

[jd56hawk]

I see you "meh" and counter with a "eh... yawn"

This seems to be yet another odd move by the good folks at EBMM. I prefer them to make oddball designs that either *work* do *do not*. That takes courage. P's and PJ's, nice as they may be, are just more of the same. Why not make a J while you're at it, right?

They're working on two Jazz models as we speak. They kinda look like a cross between the Fender Jazz and Reverend Justice and the headstocks are even bigger. Can't say I agree on the names, though, especially the second one...the Musicman Bop and the Musicman Scat?

 

[UNICORN BASS]

For me it's a gas,gas,gas. Especially the P/J. Wait for a used one though.

 

[TemplesOfSyrinx]

View media item 10026
Love my Stingray!

 

[Alex J]

Personally, I'd consider buying one. They look fine, but more importantly, based on the demo videos, sound great.

I don't really care if Ps and Js have been done before as a design...so what? A good bass is a good bass. And anyway, the Stingray and the rest are still available.

 

[peterpalmieri]

I agree with those that say out of the big production, factory line builders Ernie Ball is the best, necks feel great, fit and finish are wonderful. Fender seems to refuse to put out a 5 string PJ5, outside of the discontinued custom shop Reggie Hamilton. If they come out with Caprice 5 string and it's not a boat anchor I will buy one.

 

[DirkP]

I always wanted a MusicMan Sandberg copy for 4xthe price.... (I know, I know those pickups are copies of a very early Leo Fender design, but Sandberg were the first to reinvent them, or?)

Electra (budget version)
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VS4:

 

[peterpalmieri]

They do specify a 9" oversized headstock, I wonder what the reason is.

Having mass in the headstock has a lot of tonal benefits including avoiding dead spots...

 

[TripleDouble]

I played a Sterling as my only bass for over a decade, but ultimatley never really dug the electronics. I had considered gutting it and installing just a P pickup, and these basses kinda make me wish I'd kept it and done that, it was a really high quality instrument that felt really nice.

 

[Callused Finger]

Perhaps it's an attempt to make some lighter basses.
I've had 2 stingrays and price vs weight always kills it for me.

Love that MM sound though! Which begs the question.. Why?

 

[kubastarr]

Looks very p-bass esque.. and smart

 

[groovaholic]

GM had to close down Oldsmobile so that Ernie Ball could start using their model names?

 

[bassbully]

Always said Leo got it right. Eventually all basses come back to a Fender clone.

 

[jasper383]

I think they look and sound awesome.

EBMM basses are well made, easy to work on, and their customer service is great. I don't understand the resistance.

 

[Ironbar]

Basses

All hell is about to break loose!

Not here it aint'. Those basses scream, "Meh."

 

[spanndrew]

Meh.

 

[bdplaid]

They're not for me - and I'm a PJ guy.
In case Musician is reading, here's what I don't like:

1. According to the pics, the pole pieces don't line up, meaning I question the quality.
   
2. 7.5" neck radius. Even Fender moved away from that. I prefer 16", but 12" is a viable option on many basses. Its much more comfortable, especially when playing upper registers.
3. "Oversized" headstock. Recipe for neck dive. Please, manufacturers, make headstocks smaller, and for 5's, move to a 3+2 config.
4. Based on the video at MM, just doesn't sound Awe-inspiring.
5. We just don't need another "Vintage" PJ. We need an affordable, High-quality modern PJ. For me, it would mean all the above, plus the inclusion of a dual coil rather than the Jazz pickup at the bridge.

That's just after a cursory look.

 

[Skokiaan]

I just love the BS that comes with new takes on old bass layouts....Modern Vintage Series....really? So what it sound like? Vintage or Modern? It's a bit like calling some one a Fascist Communist.
What I do like about this bass, particularly the "Caprice" is the design on the single coil Jazz pickup. Single large Pole pieces under each string (a la Music Man) and the screw lugs are placed at the end of the pickup. A far better idea and cleaner looking in my opinion and it saves you two screws per pickup. I've always favored the 3+1 MM head stock over the 4 in a line Fender design. I'm not too keen on the body shape, it can't decide if it's a Jazz, P or Music Man shape. Which, when I listen to the videos....it exactly what it sounds like, not quite a P, Jazz or MM....but a sort of blend between the three.

So it doesn't quite look or sound like something that already exists. Isn't that the definition of "new" or at least "different"? I applaud MM's offering of variety.

 

[TinIndian]

There is really nothing wrong with these, but I don't see anything particularly inspiring either. I guess they felt the need to fill out that part of the market, a couple of passive bass offerings, but passive basses are not what I look to from MusicMan. I love MusicMan basses but to be honest if I wanted a passive PJ not named Fender, I would be looking at a G&L SB2, not a MusicMan Caprice.

Kudos for them trying something different for themselves, but personally, I really wish that they had kept the Sabre and the color selection they offered prior to this change rather than offering these.
I am sure they will do well with them though.

 

[TinIndian]

Personally, I'd consider buying one. They look fine, but more importantly, based on the demo videos, sound great.

I don't really care if Ps and Js have been done before as a design...so what? A good bass is a good bass. And anyway, the Stingray and the rest are still available.

No they actually whacked several models from their lineup along with a ton of color options.

 

[pickles]