Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Who can blame them? Remember OLP?

I read good things about Sterling - and that EB are as concerned about quality of those so they are inspected in the US before shipped worldwide, as I read.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Ibanez has a factory in Pennsylvania.

The OEM pickups for both are made by DiMarzio.

Personally I think MusicMan guitars are kind of ugly (except for the St Vincent and Mariposa). I’d rather play an Ibanez.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think that place in Bensalem, Pennsylvania is just an import warehouse where the Hoshino Gakki company takes in returns and does repairs
I don't think any of the equipment is made there

I have had several conversations with the Techs there about warranty stuff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoshino_Gakki
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

None of the construction stuff (neck through, set neck, poly versus nitro) is particularly expensive.

MM is low volume, there is some need for extra cash there. Overall I do not think highly of the ethics of MM at this time and in my opinion they charge high because they get away with it.

Doesn't change the fact that the quality is good, e.g. I like their guitars better than PRS.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I had a Sterling AX40D for a while. Despite the wannabe Floyd Rose style bridge, it felt, played and sounded like a $2K Axis, which I've also owned. Excellent fretwork, same DiMarzio "Axis" pickups, very well balanced overall and incredibly toneful. If it wasn't just a tad small for my 6'4" frame and larger hands, it would've been a keeper and I would never have lusted again for the more expensive Axis. That said, I've seen some Sterlings that weren't nearly as nice as that one in terms of sound and playability, but all have been at least "good" or better.

I agree that MusicMan commands an unusual premium, despite really "meh" looking designs for the most part. But people are willing to pay for the name and the uniqueness. It's an elite "club" of sorts, similar to what PRS and maybe even Parker guitars were in the '90s. Plus, the quality certainly is excellent, easily comparable to anything from PRS.

Is a top-of-the-line Ibanez a better value than an EBMM? Depends.

I'm a long-time Ibanez fan, but their designs and finishes are not that spectacular or even original at this point. I would argue that there are plenty of guitars at $1200 or less that could compete with most of the boutique stuff in terms of fit, finish, and features, regardless if we're talking EBMM or Ibanez. It's only when you get into really specific, feature-laden models, like the John Petrucci stuff, that it's hard to duplicate elsewhere for less money.

Talk about an elite 'club', ever been on their forum? Wow.

What I get out of mine, is that it is an ideal 2 humbucker strat. Smaller body, better balance, less weight, and great neck. My 2 EBMM are my favorite instruments by far, though.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I said elite, but I didn't mean "elitist"...LOL!

I'm a big fan of EBMM. They are top-of-the-line guitars in every way and even their proprietary bridges are excellent. Plus, they really take care of their customers. I have no beef with EBMM (other than the fact that some of their designs are rather unrefined) and EBMM owners are pretty cool overall.

Someday I'll pull the trigger on one of the newer JP models for myself. I've even been eyeing one of the new Sterling Majesty models for my wife who said she might want to learn guitar! Check this out:

MAJ200XFM-MPP-6__00808.1582391156.jpg
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

^^^That is an awesome shape. I don't usually love their headstocks but on that guitar it's a very nice fit.
Of course for me it would be charcoal grey/black and have a double-locker.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I said elite, but I didn't mean "elitist"...LOL!

I'm a big fan of EBMM. They are top-of-the-line guitars in every way and even their proprietary bridges are excellent. Plus, they really take care of their customers. I have no beef with EBMM (other than the fact that some of their designs are rather unrefined) and EBMM owners are pretty cool overall.

Someday I'll pull the trigger on one of the newer JP models for myself. I've even been eyeing one of the new Sterling Majesty models for my wife who said she might want to learn guitar! Check this out:

MAJ200XFM-MPP-6__00808.1582391156.jpg

Wow, quite a guitar to start learning...:D Last time I knew someone buying a guitar for his wife to start learning, it was a Hellyo Kitty Squier. They divorced since, cause I belive the boss at work banged the wife. I can't help but wonder whether the Squirer was a great move, because he didn't spend much on a well...you know what, or did the poor guy lose his wife because he went cheap on her lady's first guitar? :D
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

No one cares, but I've done some work on a couple Majestys, and those are NICE guitars. Kudos to Music Man.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Besides the Silhouette Specials that I have, I really dig the Albert Lee and the Steve Morse Y2D (3 pickup model). I do think these designs could never be made by another company. They tend to take some pretty big chances on design that I wouldn't see from a company like Fender.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Majesty - OMG, they are $4500 here in europe.
I saw a demo on Anderton's with Petrucci doing it and also the signature Mesa - although nice that money I'd rather spend on an acoustic Taylor 900 series or something.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

If I ever buy another tube amp, it'll be either an old Peavey JSX (always liked those), one of the newer PRS amps or JP's signature Mesa...that thing is amazing!
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

MM makes a great guitar, old room mate/guitar instructor had one Id play with every so often, BUT like MastaC, Im 6'4" and I feel like Im playing a ukelele. There was a local band, singer/guitarist sa.e build and it looked tiny on him. Now as for Ibanez, love them, esp the prestige necks. They fit me all around just so much better
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I bought this guy last year. It's a 1997 model and I got it used and had it shipped over from Ishibashi in Japan. The only thing I did was send it to my tech for a fret level and dress and that was only because it had 20 years of play wear on it. The neck is straight as an arrow and it's an AWESOME guitar. This is the exact same configuration that Keith Richards was playing with the Silhouettes he played in the late 80's (minus the EMG pickups).

I paid about $1800 Canadian for it including shipping. Worth every penny.

517d7249717845e36ded1f41f8810550.jpg
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I don't know how we ended up talking about Gibson but I'll talk about the one Gibson USA that I own. 2012 LP Jr Double Cut. I got it brand new and it cost as much as a Fender American Standard at the time. Just to make it playable I had to have the nut replaced and recut. It would not stay in tune for more than one song with 10's on it. It all came down to the factory nut being so poorly cut that the strings were binding and it was throwing out the tuning CONSTANTLY.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

If I ever buy another tube amp, it'll be either an old Peavey JSX (always liked those), one of the newer PRS amps or JP's signature Mesa...that thing is amazing!

there is a YouTuber that reviews all these cheap guitars through his Mesa Blue Angel
Everything sounds awesome
now he just got one of those Hughes and Kettner super amps
again everything sounds awesome

had that experience back in the late 90s at a local shop
they had a Prosonic that I ran a PRS McCarty thru
it was heavenly sounding
then so was the Fender American Strat
the Squire Strat
everything into that Amp was glorious
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

there is a YouTuber that reviews all these cheap guitars through his Mesa Blue Angel
Everything sounds awesome
now he just got one of those Hughes and Kettner super amps
again everything sounds awesome

had that experience back in the late 90s at a local shop
they had a Prosonic that I ran a PRS McCarty thru
it was heavenly sounding
then so was the Fender American Strat
the Squire Strat
everything into that Amp was glorious

Well, my Music Man and Blue Angel is a pretty amazing combo, indeed.
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I like MM bases, especially the pickups. I probably (definitely) can't afford one.
Picked up a neck through Indonesian Ibanez with similar pickups, 24 frets, quilted maple top (looks close to book matched to my untrained eye).
Short money from a pawn shop.
So I suppose that I'm biased.
f140a8dd15264c225f2e7137bec28c2e.jpg


Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Love the 8bby basses

Got 2
SR500 a bolt on that looks like yours
And a SR300 in jetstream green with a maple neck
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

Like I said, found this in a pawn shop. Let it alone for a few days. Then went back. The owner of the pawn shop said someone must have miss priced it.
He sold it to me for $5 less than list, plus tax.
Like I said, neck through.
Played it through my Peavey TNT 130.
Can't wait to play it through the 700 watt Firebass head into a 4x10, 2x15 stack.

Sent from my Alcatel_5044C using Tapatalk
 
Re: Musicman vs Ibanez pricetag - how much of a scam is that?

I'm a huge Music Man fanboy. Meanwhile I never played an Ibanez electric I liked (I do really enjoy a lot of their acoustics though).

I'm not a huge guy, and typically enjoy the Music Man's narrow neck. That being said, I also have a JP15 which is the anti-thesis of what I normally like: shredder, full-floating bridge, maple fingerboard. But damn. I LOVE THAT GUITAR. There. In all caps. It's just incredible. The 15s feel very...er.. sorry for the buzz word, but to me they feel 'organic'. Yeah.

The Albert Lee HH is also my favorite stock rock guitar out there. It's plug and play for me. I do love it with other pickups, but even stock it's just fine.
I've had a couple of Axises (axi?), 4 Albert Lee (I've still got one), a JP6 (not for me, though it was a reaaally comfortable guitar), that incredible JP15... I've also had a JPX-7 and honestly, it'd be super cool if I could get a 6-string version someday... maybe one with the Rosewood neck. Oh I also had a Valentine which was a GREAT guitar. I'd love to get a Sabre too; I do wish it had the Stainless Steel frets though.

I just don't play guitar at all these days anymore unfortunately. I think I'll keep at least one of my MMs. My two favorites were stolen unfortunately (a Coral Red AL HH and a Rosewood neck/top Axis Super Sport with piezo), which still hurts...
 
Back
Top