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I don't think any of them make more than 1/200th of the number of basses that EBMM does. And the amount of labour per instrument will be less than that of the solo luthiers, who are generally making instruments with more complex construction than a length of wood with a strip of wood glued to it bolted to another block of wood with some stain and lacquer on it. And EBMM have more purchasing clout than a small scale luthier. And the supplies for a small scale luthier still have to come from somewhere so are as exposed to import costs.

If you don't like the limited version, please don't look at Gibson and how they have runs of 10k Les Pauls. Those 10 limited models will absolutely hold their value.

Skavana....... you guessed it: Ska covers of Nirvana (it's the law that ska covers bands need to have 'ska' in the title isn't it?!) Quite a lot of the set are our ska and reggae versions of Nirvana songs, also some straightforward 2 tone covers, and our ska/reggae versions of the sort of stuff most pub punters know and can sing and dance along to (Billy Idol, Green Day, Radiohead, The Cure etc.). We're an 8 piece: Drum, Bass, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Singer, Trombone, Sax x2 (alto and baritone). We gig about once a fortnight, mostly around Sussex - usually pubs and small festivals. 21 gigs booked in for 2025 and a few more will get added. https://www.facebook.com/skavanaband

Strikes me that something like this is a targeted product, and they know their audience. It's a signature model offering and same tone and playing experience as one of the greatest living bass players. But Pino is not well known by younger players and is fretless excluding many potential customers. They know the audience for sales is limited but probably many of whom want this will/can pay. Contrast with the Flea Jazz. Potentially big market... Fender make it in Mexico, keep construction cost down and the markup to 2-300 on a standard version. They make vastly more than MM because of sales volume. It's horses for courses and a nice model like the Pino MM for a niche market will always carry a premium.

Titties & Beer — Frank Zappa

This is why nowadays my "studio" is contained within my Mac.

Well that's the limited to 10 collectors bass, that's hardly comparable with an old '79. Naturally, MM do not need to market that whatsoever. Which, incidentally, are already sold out on MMs site.

Be nice to the guy at the Parcelforce depot, if he wants to have a look at the bass, let him. If he wants to pick it up and have a noodle, let him. For one of my Ishibashi Thunderbirds he did this, I asked how much the duty was and he he just went, 'What duty?' and waved me on my way. Sometime you can get lucky.

We don’t all play in the same manner or buy things for the same reasons. I’m quite confident I haven’t dinted any of my instruments in the last 5 years and I play one of the collection everyday when I’m at home.

Yes, not sure why people are comparing the VERY limited edition "icon" model to the standard one. And from what I can see the fancy replica versions have all sold, so clearly some people considered it a price worth paying. The price of a standard US Stingray is right in line with inflation. The list price in 1976 was $495 (without a case), which is around $2800 today. Would I ever pay that much? No. But playing bass is not my profession and I prefer to buy used.

Still only just over £3k with shipping, VAT and import duty.

The one that Bass Direct are talking about is £5999

I didn't realise that. Every day a school day on BC. Dave

Gorgeous playing by Pino in the video, as you would expect. That touch and tone is spectacular.

How are you today @Stub Mandrel. Back home i hope. Dave

It's £3,499, where are you seeing '79 Stingrays for less than half of that?

I'm broke, but I nearly broke my finger rushing to click on the first link. But of course, it's in Japan and very much not £2.3k 😅

I suspect that most of these things don't really matter to most bass players. To me "nitro finish" just says it will wear away simply by looking at it, and if I'm buying a new bass I want it to look new - I'll add my own "mojo" simply by using it and no doubt the wear patterns I add will be completely different to Pino's. TBH I'm not in the market for this, and if I wanted one, as other have said, there are actual made in 1979 Stingrays available for less than half the price EBMM are asking