NBD/OBD: EBMM StringRay SLO Special

soxhats · #1 02-23-2013, 08:42 AM

New Bass Day... Old Bass Day:

In August last year, I bought a StingRay SLO Special from Bass Central. Black cherry burst with matching headstock. Just gorgeous. What a player. And check out the weight: 8 pounds 10.8 ounces.

I was so taken with this bass that I posted in a thread here about StingRays: "This is the SLO Special I got from Bass Central a couple of weeks ago... I just can't believe this thing. I owned a regular StingRay that looked exactly like it, but I found that bass heavy and clunky, and the neck too chunky for me. I sold it. This one... is the lightest StingRay I've ever encountered. And the neck is to die for. All of this is a long way of saying: For some people, the SLO Special is a gift from the gods..."

Two months later, I sold it.

Why? Who the hell knows. I can't figure out the comings and goings anymore. I am sure the reasons made sense at the time. "Too many basses." "Not using this one in my current bands." GAS for some other bass surely was a factor.

I sold the StingRay to a local TB member here in Raleigh. We remained friends. A couple of times, he dropped me an email to say how much he loved the bass. I died a little. The other night, I was re-watching John Fogerty's "The Long Road Home" show on AXS TV. And re-admiring how David Santos rocks his black/maple StingRay. That got me thinking about how much I love the StingRay (and Sterling) sound. I watched some old videos of me playing old and sold Music Mans. (Men?)

I emailed the guy I sold the StingRay to. "You won't believe this, but I find myself GASing for a SLO Special again." He responded: You won't believe this, but I need to fund an SVT and was going to sell this bass and just stick with my P Bass.

Late afternoon yesterday, we met in a shopping center parking lot -- the exact spot where we did the deal in October -- and I bought the bass back for the same price. Randy had done an outstanding job caring for the StingRay -- it's as flawless as the day he got it four months ago.

I just spent a couple of hours playing my new old bass. And remembering/relishing how lovely it is.

Hope I keep it this time.

redhed · #2 02-23-2013, 08:47 AM

Man, don't ever sell a Stingray! Congrats on getting it back.

DudeLeap · #3 02-23-2013, 09:20 AM

Cool story, looks like it all worked out for you in the end. Cherry burst looks sharp.

Snakeman1066 · #4 02-23-2013, 09:27 AM

I love the sound of Stingrays' but the neck has always kept me from buying one....to me they always felt like the fat end of a Louisville Slugger...

is the neck on the SLO special that much thinner to warrant a second look by me?

soxhats · #5 02-23-2013, 09:33 AM

Absolutely. I can't do regular StingRay neck. The neck on my SLO feels like a thinner P -- not the 1.75 bats that I also dislike but the more modern 1.625 feel. Not as thin and round as Sterlings I've played.

soxhats · #6 02-23-2013, 09:37 AM

I so often see the SLO Special described as having a Sterling neck. Must be variations. The one on mine feels like some sort of hybrid between a Sterling and a StingRay. Which works for me. YMMV.

parsons · #7 02-23-2013, 09:42 AM

The SLO is supposed to come with a 1.5" nut. Every one I've played had it.

Glad you got it back. The local guitar center had one tagged new at 1299 in gold that was an HH model and I should've grabbed it. Went back a week later and it was gone

natrontheape · #8 02-23-2013, 10:00 AM

I just picked up an HH slo special and I friggin love it! It's my first EBMM and the tone is absolutely gut wrenching. I love the sound. Here's a crappy cell phone pic of mine.

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natrontheape · #9 02-23-2013, 10:01 AM

The neck on this baby is the bees knees.!

**mjac28** · #10 02-23-2013, 10:04 AM

Great story beautiful bass

soxhats · #11 02-23-2013, 10:17 AM

Thanks, all. I do kinda like this thread. :-) Maybe I should start a club for folks who have re-bought basses. There's another good story on the board now from someone who bought back her '71 P.

Fenwick · #12 02-23-2013, 11:30 AM

Haha cool story, glad you got reunited with your old friend.

soxhats · #13 02-23-2013, 11:36 AM

Thanks, Fenwick!... Back on the neck question: Definitely 1.5. But this one has more of a "D" shape than Sterlings I've played, which were more of a "C." For me personally, I prefer this neck.

randyg · #14 02-23-2013, 12:49 PM

Thank you , Steve. That Ray is a great bass with a neck that is to die for. Feels a little wider than a Jazz and the front to back thickness is perfect. I will most likely own another one someday. I just hope I don't regret selling a 8 pound bass to buy a 80 pound head! By the way , if you ever get tired of that red Rick......

SR Addict · #15 02-23-2013, 12:56 PM

Good stuff, man. I've only ever sold all my old guitars and the likes back to music stores, so I have no idea where they are now. Nor do I want to know, haha!

P. Aaron · #16 02-23-2013, 01:21 PM

Glad you got your bass back & it rocks! Congrats!

soxhats · #17 02-23-2013, 02:54 PM

Thanks!

soxhats · #18 02-23-2013, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by natrontheape

I just picked up an HH slo special and I friggin love it! It's my first EBMM and the tone is absolutely gut wrenching. I love the sound. Here's a crappy cell phone pic of mine. Attachment 320040

Hottt!

soxhats · #19 03-23-2013, 01:48 AM

I gigged with the bass tonight for the first time since I bought it back.

For cripe sake. How could I have sold it?

The error in judgment disturbs me. Not sure I should have authority over my own gear transactions... need an independent third party with power to approve or reject.

**petch** · #20 03-23-2013, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxhats

I gigged with the bass tonight for the first time since I bought it back.

For cripe sake. How could I have sold it?

The error in judgment disturbs me. Not sure I should have authority over my own gear transactions... need an independent third party with power to approve or reject.

Now that is funny!! Seriously, I'm glad you got your baby back!