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EBMM Retro 70's Stingray Club

Apr 13, 2012
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3,607
I am sure this is going to be a very small club but really just curious who currently owns a Retro 70.
I absolutely love mine.
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So, real vintage specs then, I'd guess they're medium in gauge.


I bet that 2 band just kills. :drool: If only I could sell a kidney, I might stand a chance of ever owning one...!

Do you think these are higher quality than just the regular Stingray Special? Almost like a custom shop?

Sweetwater has a White one for $533 for 6 months right now !!!

I had a Stingray but I traded it for a super nice G&L Jazz and I have the Sterling and SR5 but thinking about buying one of these Retros or a Custom shop P Bass
 

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Do you think these are higher quality than just the regular Stingray Special? Almost like a custom shop?

Sweetwater has a White one for $533 for 6 months right now !!!

I had a Stingray but I traded it for a super nice G&L Jazz and I have the Sterling and SR5 but thinking about buying one of these Retros or a Custom shop P Bass
$533?
I do find the neck does have a slightly better feel than my Special. The frets feel more smooth at the fret ends.
 
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So the one thing that bothers me about Ernie Ball Music Man Stingrays is the lack of shielding in the basses. I have shielded four so far.
I noticed this right away when I purchased my Retro 70’s especially when I use allot of treble so today I decided to fix it by add shielding. The end result is dead quiet when not touching the strings and treble full up. No buzz/humm at all.
I guess I can’t be too upset with the Retro 70 because it’s supposed to be a reissue of a 70’s bass and I doubt any of them had shielding. Well mine does now!
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Hi Fellow Retro 70's owners. I am actually still reeling from playing mine this morning. I'm amazed and impressed with the quality, tone and play-ability on these. I put some Dogal Stranded Core Flats on mine and I have found one of the best combinations of String/bass I've ever experienced.

Mine is only 8.6 LB and I am so happy to have it. I really like the Black ones but mine is a Natural Heritage (Vault only Model). If I ever have the chance to get a Black one, I will try like heck to make it happen!

Here's some Pics of mine:
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Hi Fellow Retro 70's owners. I am actually still reeling from playing mine this morning. I'm amazed and impressed with the quality, tone and play-ability on these. I put some Dogal Stranded Core Flats on mine and I have found one of the best combinations of String/bass I've ever experienced.

Mine is only 8.6 LB and I am so happy to have it. I really like the Black ones but mine is a Natural Heritage (Vault only Model). If I ever have the chance to get a Black one, I will try like heck to make it happen!

Here's some Pics of mine:
View attachment 5348615 View attachment 5348617 View attachment 5348618
Beautiful Ray you got there. Welcome to the club
 
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What does everyone think about ordering the Heritage Natural from the Vault? It's my favorite color but if I get one with a bad dead spot (happens with Stingray sometimes I know) then according to EBMM's return policy they will charge me 20% restocking + return shipping. Making a return almost $700. I don't have confidence that they will warranty a dead spot either, probably say something like "that's the nature of bolt-on basses" or some such BS.

My other 3 rays have dead spots, but they are tolerable. I'm thinking it might just be best to order a black one from Sweetwater or someone with no-hassle returns and call it a day.
 
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What does everyone think about ordering the Heritage Natural from the Vault? It's my favorite color but if I get one with a bad dead spot (happens with Stingray sometimes I know) then according to EBMM's return policy they will charge me 20% restocking + return shipping. Making a return almost $700. I don't have confidence that they will warranty a dead spot either, probably say something like "that's the nature of bolt-on basses" or some such BS.

My other 3 rays have dead spots, but they are tolerable. I'm thinking it might just be best to order a black one from Sweetwater or someone with no-hassle returns and call it a day.
Call EBMM and ask. Better yet, shoot them an email. That way you will have proof of what they promised. I’m sure they will make it right .
 
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What does everyone think about ordering the Heritage Natural from the Vault? It's my favorite color but if I get one with a bad dead spot (happens with Stingray sometimes I know) then according to EBMM's return policy they will charge me 20% restocking + return shipping. Making a return almost $700. I don't have confidence that they will warranty a dead spot either, probably say something like "that's the nature of bolt-on basses" or some such BS.

My other 3 rays have dead spots, but they are tolerable. I'm thinking it might just be best to order a black one from Sweetwater or someone with no-hassle returns and call it a day.
If you send it back just have them fix the fret issue, that's not restocking it. Most of the problems on an instrument can be fixed IMO
 
If you send it back just have them fix the fret issue, that's not restocking it. Most of the problems on an instrument can be fixed IMO

I'm talking about a dead spot, not a high fret. It's a resonance issue where the neck is absorbing the energy of the note. Most bolt-on basses have it (you can even hear Jameson's P bass on Motown recordings with a dead spot). It can be particular bad with Stingrays for whatever reason, and that's what I'm trying to guard my potential purchase against.
 
The only issue I have with buying the natural finish from the vault is getting a less than ideal two piece body.

I pathologically need to see any burst or nat finish before buying- but I’m sure the EBMM store people would send a photo before purchase. Most shops do- they understand.
They only have 2 left and one's 10 LB. I would ask for Pics of the 9 pounder if wanted one.
 
Call EBMM and ask. Better yet, shoot them an email. That way you will have proof of what they promised. I’m sure they will make it right .

Posting this for the record, but I heard back from EBMM. They refuse to warranty dead spots. Basically told me to deal with it. They also refuse to let me talk to someone with the bass in their hands to ask about dead spots. You just have to roll the dice if you want a natural finish.

Additionally, I would be responsible for $120 return shipping and either 1-2 hours of shop restocking labor at $80 an hour.

With this info, and the fact that they don't provide pictures of the actual vault bass you are buying leads me to just get a black one from Sweetwater or similar.
 
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