Does anyone make a boutique StingRay "copy"?

[stflbn]

The Musicman special ops squad has already detected you and are likely enroute.

I'd vacate your current location quickly.


Odds are, tomorrow you will not recall what you've done the last few days or any urges for a MM copy boutique bass.


Best of Luck. Gods speed.

 

[ROON]

The Musicman special ops squad has already detected you and are likely enroute.

I'd vacate your current location quickly.


Odds are, tomorrow you will not recall what you've done the last few days or any urges for a MM copy boutique bass.


Best of Luck. Gods speed.

I think it's fair enough that they protect their designs. Especially when they have gone to the trouble of patenting them. They only stop retailers selling blatant copies, eg, the Douglass ones that were at Rondo Music not too long ago. Rickenbacker crosses the line when they go so far as to actually take down auctions and private sales of lawsuit era Ric copies.

 

[OriginalCrash]

What are those woods that the Dragster is made of? I've never heard of 'em before...

Brian

 

[GregShadoan]

Rickenbacker crosses the line when they go so far as to actually take down auctions and private sales of lawsuit era Ric copies.

It is Trademark Law, Not Patent Law (in the case of RIC). Different thing. If they don't go after it, they lose it. While I sort of agree that they should be doing other things like working on the backlog, they really dont have any choice in the matter. SuX for them.

 

[fullrangebass]

Won't look the same, but Check out the Dingwall Z-2. It's a EBMM killer.

Once I got my Z2, my SR5 sounded too dry and one dimensional, so I sold it

Here are two of my Z2's

 

[ROON]

It is Trademark Law, Not Patent Law (in the case of RIC). Different thing. If they don't go after it, they lose it. While I sort of agree that they should be doing other things like working on the backlog, they really dont have any choice in the matter. SuX for them.

I stand corrected.

 

[matthew.murray]

http://www.dalegria.com/en/products_instruments_dragster.html

3+1 tuners are a trademark of EBMM, don't expect to find many other companies copying it.

That's what I'm TALKIN ABOUT!!! Thanks, this looks like exactly what I had in mind, and the wooden MM pickup cover is the daddy mac, not to mention the purple heard pickguard. Now I just have to find a way to play one! Anyone have experience with D'Alegria?

And are you sure about the 3+1 thing? Even if the headstock is shapped a little differently? Not a huge deal, but the tuner configuration is part of the vibe... before anyone says that I gotta get a StingRay to get the StringRay vibe, I already agree. I need to check out some pre-EB Rays, and I will probably end up going the vintage route.

However, I just really like custom things. I love having someone else's art work in my hands. I love supporting luthiers who do their own thing and do it well, especially if they humbly pay tribute to the soul and mojo of the basses of the past. As bassists we are blessed with a huge supply amazing luthiers, and I can think of no better way to thank them for doing what they do than using their pieces. In buying a production bass, who am I thanking?

By the way, there are lots of production basses that I love, too, so don't paint me as a hater. Thanks to everyone for your help, please keep any more ideas coming.

 

[D.Don]

Where do they get those bridges!!!

D.Don

 

[ROON]

That's what I'm TALKIN ABOUT!!! Thanks, this looks like exactly what I had in mind, and the wooden MM pickup cover is the daddy mac, not to mention the purple heard pickguard. Now I just have to find a way to play one! Anyone have experience with D'Alegria?

And are you sure about the 3+1 thing? Even if the headstock is shapped a little differently? Not a huge deal, but the tuner configuration is part of the vibe... before anyone says that I gotta get a StingRay to get the StringRay vibe, I already agree. I need to check out some pre-EB Rays, and I will probably end up going the vintage route.

However, I just really like custom things. I love having someone else's art work in my hands. I love supporting luthiers who do their own thing and do it well, especially if they humbly pay tribute to the soul and mojo of the basses of the past. As bassists we are blessed with a huge supply amazing luthiers, and I can think of no better way to thank them for doing what they do than using their pieces. In buying a production bass, who am I thanking?

By the way, there are lots of production basses that I love, too, so don't paint me as a hater. Thanks to everyone for your help, please keep any more ideas coming.

I am pretty sure that the 3+1 is theirs only. I know Bud LeCompte uses that layout sometimes, but you rarely see other people do 3+1. I just heard that it was their trademark from another TBer so it's not exactly a reliable source.

 

[maurilio]

beside the 3+1, what about a Nordy? the 5 strings is a 4+1....

M

 

[matthew.murray]

Only interested in a four string, but thanks!

 

[Stifflip]

This isn't exactly a copy, but the Bassline Viper is worth checking out:
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[chunkstyle]

yea, modulus makes the Flea or whatever they call it now. you can also get a Quantum which has 35" scale with a single pickup in the MusicMan sweet spot...

 

[Rodent]

3+1 tuners are a trademark of EBMM, don't expect to find many other companies copying it.

IIRC, legally only the marketing of "3+1" trade name headstock is trademarked. if a builder doesn't infringe on the trademark text by referring to their headstock as "3+1" (even though they use 3 tuners on one side and 1 on the other) then there is no legal issue that EBMM go after them for with respect to this specific topic

but I'm not a lawyer (even though I sometimes play one in cyberspace ), so don't take my post here as representing any kind of legal advice

all the best,

R

 

[ROON]

IIRC, legally only the marketing of "3+1" trade name headstock is trademarked. if a builder doesn't infringe on the trademark text by referring to their headstock as "3+1" (even though they use 3 tuners on one side and 1 on the other) then there is no legal issue that EBMM go after them for with respect to this specific topic

but I'm not a lawyer (even though I sometimes play one in cyberspace ), so don't take my post here as representing any kind of legal advice

all the best,

R

Thanks for the correction. As you can see I know nothing about trademark/patent/copyright laws.

 

[DaveAceofBass]

D'Alegria basses are (or I should say were--I don't know if they still are) distributed in the US by one of my former Sam Ash customers--James Carrothers (spelling check). He had partnered with them and the goal was to bring in high end basses with fancy woods for low prices. I've never played one, but he told me a lot about them. He started doing this around 2005.

As for boutique MM-style basses, the Kinal SK5-B is along those lines. I'm having one made now. His prices are pretty reasonable, and he is great about custom requests--will do just about anything. Mike Kinal is a super great guy and luthier, and I cannot sing his praises enough. Bass Player Magazine once called Kinal basses an "amazing bargain". I agree.

 

[Thorsoundcore]

http://www.dalegria.com/en/products_instruments_dragster.html

those actually look pretty sick. cept the 5er.....yikes...
i'm going to look into these guys.

 

[your idol]

That's what I'm TALKIN ABOUT!!! Thanks, this looks like exactly what I had in mind, and the wooden MM pickup cover is the daddy mac, not to mention the purple heard pickguard. Now I just have to find a way to play one! Anyone have experience with D'Alegria?

And are you sure about the 3+1 thing? Even if the headstock is shapped a little differently? Not a huge deal, but the tuner configuration is part of the vibe... before anyone says that I gotta get a StingRay to get the StringRay vibe, I already agree. I need to check out some pre-EB Rays, and I will probably end up going the vintage route.

However, I just really like custom things. I love having someone else's art work in my hands. I love supporting luthiers who do their own thing and do it well, especially if they humbly pay tribute to the soul and mojo of the basses of the past. As bassists we are blessed with a huge supply amazing luthiers, and I can think of no better way to thank them for doing what they do than using their pieces. In buying a production bass, who am I thanking?

By the way, there are lots of production basses that I love, too, so don't paint me as a hater. Thanks to everyone for your help, please keep any more ideas coming.

dude im with you i saw that one and my jaw dropped. its a real killer

 

[humpy thumb]

I love boutique jazz basses ("copies")... my Low End is the best bass in the world for me. Sadowsky, Lull, Alleva-Coppolo, etc. are all great, too.

But does anyone make a high end "copy" of a Sting Ray? I love the sound, but the neck doesn't do it for me. I know that the Lakland 4-94 is close to this, but I want a boutique bass, 3+1 tuners, oval pick guard, single MM pickup in the right place.

Anyone do this currently? Brian Barrett, are you listening? If not, is anyone willing?

Warwick FNA.

 

[matthew.murray]

Wow, bringing up an old thread!

Warwick FNA may have a MM style pickup, but nothing else is close to a Stingray.

Still looking for a boutique Stingray... maybe I should go into business for myself!