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Which MusicMan ?

#81
Here's the weird thing with me. I LOVE the traditional Stingray tone as well as the Sterling, Bongo, Big Al etc - but not when I'm playing them.

For whatever reason EBMM basses haven't sounded good (to me) when in my hands but awesome when played by others. I don't know if it's my playing style, right hand attack or what but I've tried several times because a lot of my favorite players use Music-Man basses but when I play them they are thuddy and plinky. The Caprice sounded pretty good and a Stingray Classic 5 almost sounded like all the guys I love when I played it but not quite.

And yet, EBMM guitars are my favorites. I have a Starry Night Cutlass and the just bought a Ball Family Reserve Valentine in ivory after falling in love with one at my local music shop. It was the natural finish and I didn't quite dig the aesthetics but the playability and tones fit me like a glove so the limited edition just made perfect sense to me.

Anyway, when other people play them my favorite Music Man basses are vintage Stingrays or the 2-band Stingray Classics.

I especially love when guys like Bernard Edwards, Tony Levin, Paul Denmon, Flea, Pino and others play them. Oh, and definitely Joe Dart.

 
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#82
Stingray. Had a 5 string that I liked and more recently got a vintage, pre Ernie Ball one. Fantastic basses with great tones and I love the fact that Ernie Ball has continued to makes these instruments with the same quality (minus the neck issues on some of the vintage ones) and tone as the originals!
 
#83
You all are not helpful. I don't get opportunity to play bass with a band that often, so can't convince myself that I have any justification for spending any money or even mental energy lusting after a new bass. But - I can't shake the feeling that a StingRay is the classic bass type that I'm missing most by having only a PJ and J.
 
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#84
Bob Clayton said:
I played an HH at GC today and got some serious GAS
Click to expand...
Yes, I played an HH Black Stealth with rosewood FB and was also blown away, I couldn't leave the store without it. Then on another trip to SamAsh I played another black stealth HH with an ebony FB and was blown away again. It was similar, but different enough that I had to buy it too. I justified the purchase by promising I would use completely different strings on each to accentuate their respective strengths. Both the tone and playability are fantastic. Then again, I have a Ball Family Reserve Stingray 4 with the roasted neck. Even without the second humbucker, that sucker is a tone monster AND a work of art to boot.

When I was shopping for a StingRay 5, I tried every single one that was available in New York City at the time, and they were all pretty much equally good, except one stood out head and shoulders above the rest (mostly the wood, partly the setup), so I bought that one despite the fact that it was the ugliest and least desirable color for my taste. I ended up not getting the gig I bought it for, and the poor bass has sat lonely in its case for over 20 years now, still with the original strings on it, having been used for a single audition and that's about it. It's an awesome bass, I just couldn't train my brain to remember there was that extra big fat string in the way right where the E string is supposed to be. :)

I certainly like the sound of the Bongo, and clearly it is good enough for Tony Levin. But I don't dig the shape, just a personal preference thing.
 
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#87
Jared Lash said:
Here's the weird thing with me. I LOVE the traditional Stingray tone as well as the Sterling, Bongo, Big Al etc - but not when I'm playing them.

For whatever reason EBMM basses haven't sounded good (to me) when in my hands but awesome when played by others. I don't know if it's my playing style, right hand attack or what but I've tried several times because a lot of my favorite players use Music-Man basses but when I play them they are thuddy and plinky. The Caprice sounded pretty good and a Stingray Classic 5 almost sounded like all the guys I love when I played it but not quite.

And yet, EBMM guitars are my favorites. I have a Starry Night Cutlass and the just bought a Ball Family Reserve Valentine in ivory after falling in love with one at my local music shop. It was the natural finish and I didn't quite dig the aesthetics but the playability and tones fit me like a glove so the limited edition just made perfect sense to me.

Anyway, when other people play them my favorite Music Man basses are vintage Stingrays or the 2-band Stingray Classics.

I especially love when guys like Bernard Edwards, Tony Levin, Paul Denmon, Flea, Pino and others play them. Oh, and definitely Joe Dart.

Click to expand...


I know what you mean. I live that Vintage 2 band Stingray tone and the Sabre but not on my hands . They just don't fit me comfortably so I can't get good technique out of them.
But my Caprice fits me like a glove and I get a great variety of tones and colors out of it. Thank goodness for Ernie Ball company being willing to go outside of the box and create so many wonderful basses that break the mold and offer such variety . One things for sure, no one can say they are a cookie cutter make a traditional bass kind of company. True originals in every since of the word . And the quality is 2nd to none . I even like their strings.
 
#88
LOVE my lil' '04 Sterling!! It's a total slap machine and just a dang good all around player. Cuts through and lays down in a live mix like a dream. Soundguys love 'em - so crispy and crunchy with plenty of bottom depth. Nice sizzlin' brillance factor up top, too. Very comfortable. All around well designed player physically and sonically! Slapalicious!! Thanx, Baba! Still play it everyday!


554494_10201184090557107_577540244_n.jpg
 
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#90
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
I have really come to appreciate the quality and diversity in this companies bass offerings.

Which model MusicMan is your favorite and why?
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The Sterling. Mine is a single pickup model, but it has the 3-way switch, that provides Parallel, Single Coil, and Series wiring makes it incredibly versatile. I also like it's slightly downsized body and it's sculpted neck heel.
20161223_081907.jpg
 
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#91
I briefly owned a pre-EB 1977 Stingray, which felt and sounded incredible. Unfortunately, the neck was such a mess structurally that I could never get it set up properly.

I ended up selling the `77 and buying a new Stingray Classic 4H in natural/maple (the only acceptable Stingray color, BTW ;)).

I've never thought of the Stingray as my favorite bass. However, anytime I see something new and sexy, and consider selling the Stingray, I pull it down and plug it in, and remember how fantastic that bass sounds, and what a joy it is to play.

My only complaint about the SR is the weak G-string. It's not a huge issue, but it is there...
 
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#93
I owned an SR5H that was beautiful and I had to sell her during hard times quite a few years ago, but these days I use my SR5HH which I adore for its tonal versatility, feel, sound and downright good looks. The 5 string spacing on the SR5HH is so easy to play with my average hand size and the only other bass close to the feel and string spacing is my Peavey Dynabass 5. The bottom B is thumpy without being "floppy" as in some other 5 string basses i've owned.
The MM is a pleasure to play with it's "unfinished" natural gunstock oiled/waxed neck. I find the HH has a very close tone to my previous 5H single pup and with it's dual HH pups combined with the 3 band EQ the bass has all the sounds that I require from a professional bass guitar. A well made American bass, featuring solid versatile distinct MM Stingray sounds. I'm not a slap player so the double pup suits me fine. I would agree with others that if you slap maybe the single pup would suit best. Giff.
EBMM SR5 Stingray2.JPG
 
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#96
LBS-bass said:
I love my Sterling. Have owned two, briefly owned a StingRay but returned it because it just wasn't my cuppa. Currently, though, I'm gigging with a new Jazz bass and I have to say I love the tone of the Jazz a bit more. I will keep the Sterling but it's now designated for random drop-tuned stuff.
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Have you had the opportunity to play a Caprice yet?
If not , please do.
I sold my Jazz after Ingot my Caprice. It’s like a Jazz bass on steroids. Well, actually I’d say the Caprice is like a good passive P crossed with a J and a MusicMan Sabre.
I think you would like it unless you just prefer active tones .
The Caprice is so versatile . It’s smooth and punchy.
 
#97
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
Have you had the opportunity to play a Caprice yet?
If not , please do.
I sold my Jazz after Ingot my Caprice. It’s like a Jazz bass on steroids. Well, actually I’d say the Caprice is like a good passive P crossed with a J and a MusicMan Sabre.
I think you would like it unless you just prefer active tones .
The Caprice is so versatile . It’s smooth and punchy.
Click to expand...
No, I haven't played one yet! Guess I should give it a try. My Jazz has active and passive modes; I like both sounds. Passive is a little more classic sounding but I like having the boost if I need more power.
 
#98
Geri O said:
Stingray SR5. Especially the 1993 to 2008 models, but the new ones are great, too. Had 4 so far, not a bum in the bunch.

I like the 3-band pres. I set the tones to flat and never touch them. Except to bring down the highs when a less agressive tone is requested.
Click to expand...

I bought my SR5 in 2013 and been very happy with it. Found a light one (9.0 lbs) and weight was the only issue I was concerned about with these.
 
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