Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150675266091?ss ... 1423.l2649

Not that I'm in a position to do so, but I've been hearing about MM basses for such a long time.

You guys have any experience with them?

What are the necks like? Tone? Etc...etc....

Every MM bass I have played had a pretty fat neck, but of course, that is a personal thing, so it may not sway you.

they are somewhat round...very different from a Rick neck. most of these feel like a round jazz..

Well, first off, it's not a Rick, and, it's not fretless... so why is it in this section???


I've never played one of them, so all I can say is that the seeing these with the roundish pickguard in the middle always reminds me of this:

cjj wrote:Well, first off, it's not a Rick, and, it's not fretless... so why is it in this section???


I've never played one of them, so all I can say is that the seeing these with the roundish pickguard in the middle always reminds me of this:

MOTSbass.jpg

Hahaha! My brother has always referred to the "Music Man Toilet Seat Bass", but there is one two pickup model that he does like.

cjj wrote:Well, first off, it's not a Rick, and, it's not fretless... so why is it in this section???

Um, well, er, you got one of those descriptors right, anyway. It be best if you look again, CLOSELY, to the photos.

I third the motion to the toilet reference.

What was he thinking on of when he came up with that pickguard design?

jps wrote:

cjj wrote:Well, first off, it's not a Rick, and, it's not fretless... so why is it in this section???

Um, well, er, you got one of those descriptors right, anyway. It be best if you look again, CLOSELY, to the photos.

I third the motion to the toilet reference.

Well, it is a bit hard to tell if those "frets" are up above the board, or level with it and just fret lines. They are pretty dang narrow, now that you mention it...

Try one of these, CJ.

Ya know what, I am gettin' to the age where I do keep one of those handy...

Hi, I have played a MM Sabre 4 string fretted bass as my primary bass since 1978 or so. Prior to buying that bass, I had owned 2 Gibson 60's EBO's, 2 60's/70's Fender P's, a 70's Fender J, and a '73 4001. Bought and sold all of them, except the Rick, which I still have but never play. I really like the Sabre and will never sell it. All basses I've owned have been fretted, so I guess this post doesn't technically belong here.

I recently played an Ernie Ball MM bass at GC and didn't like it at all. I would buy a new J bass before I'd get a new EB MM.
My advice would be to go try a few of them out in person, if you're looking for a new bass. If you're OK with used, I would recommend getting a pre-EB bass. I think you'll like the older ones better.

The Stingray was Leo's updated P bass and had the circular pick guard. The Sabre was the updated J bass and has a more traditional looking pick guard. All Stingrays originally came with a single pickup and were an early favorite of the pop and slap funk guys. The Sabre didn't sell well back then and was discontinued, but they are getting some interest now. Tom

cjj wrote:
Ya know what, I am gettin' to the age where I do keep one of those handy...

A toilet?

I moved the thread for you Tony.

My 2 cents..............it's not a Rick.

My Stingray is my go-to and has been for two years. I keep it strung up with half-rounds. I can get the action ridiculously low, far lower then any of my other basses. It is absolutely effortless to play. I find the nut width and string spacing to be ideal.

They seemed to get knocked for their tone a lot. I think many inexperienced players tend to just put every knob on 10 and wonder why it sounds like ****. They are definitely "up-front" tonally, but the half-rounds have definitely tamed mine. It thumps like no other.

My favorite fretless player, Pino Palladino, played a MM fretless. Check out this vid for a taste:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrKHf_x1OQE

Notice in this video, he's got a bit more of the treble in the signal. This is more of the tone that is typically associated with MM basses. They can really run the gamut. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCd2h6KPgL8

beatbyrd wrote:

cjj wrote:
Ya know what, I am gettin' to the age where I do keep one of those handy...

A toilet?

Ummm, well...