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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#5,804
Maybe this is not the right place for my question, but anyway...

Would you rather buy a 2020 Stingray Special 4H or a 1979 original (excellent condition on the pictures), at the same price, without the possibility to try any one of them?

Thanks :thumbsup:

MM vs MM.jpg
 
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#5,805
_Obra_ said:
Maybe this is not the right place for my question, but anyway...

Would you rather buy a 2020 Stingray Special 4H or a 1979 original (excellent condition on the pictures), at the same price, without the possibility to try any one of them?

Thanks :thumbsup:

View attachment 4241799
Click to expand...

For the same price, given what I've recently seen for pricing of vintage MM basses, I would say either the vintage one is underpriced or the SR Special is overpriced. I would go for the vintage simply because it should be easy to sell if you decide you don't like it and it should pretty easy to find a new SR Special.
 
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#5,806
_Obra_ said:
Maybe this is not the right place for my question, but anyway...

Would you rather buy a 2020 Stingray Special 4H or a 1979 original (excellent condition on the pictures), at the same price, without the possibility to try any one of them?

Thanks :thumbsup:

View attachment 4241799
Click to expand...
It depends on a few things. The Specials are not nearly as aggressive as their predecessors. If you want the aggressive StingRay thing, go original. If you want something a bit tamer, go Special. For the most part, the Specials are much lighter than previous StingRays. If low weight is a necessity, go Special. Older StingRays in good condition, especially a ‘79, are harder to come by. If collectibility, resale value or vintage vibe is your thing, go original.

My preference would be the ‘79. YMMV.
 
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#5,810
Since you asked, here’s my $0.02:

If I am deciding between the two based on the quality, playability and my preferences for a bass, I’d go with the Special— hands down.

Having owned a classic vintage instrument; once the novelty of owning it wears off you’re left to live with it... Compared to the equivalent modern instruments, the vintage ones— in use— often fall short. Naturally, YMMV

Keep us posted on the outcome~
 
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#5,811
I thought I'd post this here because maybe it will get more views and responses.
Ok here is my gripe EBMM.
Several videos just popped up on my YouTube videos suggestions. The first one was for the new 2021 Stingray colors.
The second one was a new 2021 guitar. I forget which guitar it was but doesn't matter. All of the new 2021 bass colors are okay. But this guitar line had very nice tops and lots of nice upgrades. And is a normal production model.
I'd love to get an "upgraded" Stingray with the same things they offer on guitars. If you want EBMM bass with all the bells and whistles you have to wait for a BFR to pop up. I'm wondering why they build so many guitars with all the awesome tops, blocks, binding and just over all bling and not basses. We bass players love that stuff too. I'd love to see a new line of Stingrays with upgraded tops, and the bling that the guitar line has. Actually I really think that bass builders started the boutique bass thing with beautiful tops and lots of wood options before guitar builders did. But I could be wrong.
Scott Ball, are you listening? I'd be first in line.
 
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#5,812
Bass7755 said:
I thought I'd post this here because maybe it will get more views and responses.
Ok here is my gripe EBMM.
Several videos just popped up on my YouTube videos suggestions. The first one was for the new 2021 Stingray colors.
The second one was a new 2021 guitar. I forget which guitar it was but doesn't matter. All of the new 2021 bass colors are okay. But this guitar line had very nice tops and lots of nice upgrades. And is a normal production model.
I'd love to get an "upgraded" Stingray with the same things they offer on guitars. If you want EBMM bass with all the bells and whistles you have to wait for a BFR to pop up. I'm wondering why they build so many guitars with all the awesome tops, blocks, binding and just over all bling and not basses. We bass players love that stuff too. I'd love to see a new line of Stingrays with upgraded tops, and the bling that the guitar line has. Actually I really think that bass builders started the boutique bass thing with beautiful tops and lots of wood options before guitar builders did. But I could be wrong.
Scott Ball, are you listening? I'd be first in line.
Click to expand...

I'd bet they sell many more guitars compared to basses so that's probably their main focus. The guitars do tend to have very nice tops to them, however, they are also usually a lot more expensive than the StingRay basses, and people already complain about the price of their basses. Maybe they did their research and saw that they sell a lot more guitars and can sell them at a higher price so it makes sense to focus on that area.

I agree that I would love to see some more basses with the cool tops and finishes (like the gator burst cutlass guitar perhaps), however, I am not going to judge them for not doing it if they think that they won't sell.
 
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#5,814
Benko said:
There is probably no market, or let say too small.

But I thought they did a bit that with some of the new color like the Amethyst.

They could have a custom shop though (that i don't get cause it's a solid biz on Fender side)
Click to expand...

I seem to recall that they used to have something of a mod shop kind of thing where you could basically pick your finish, fingerboard, pickup configuration, etc. So not a complete custom shop but much more than what they offer now. I believe they did that for many years but they stopped doing it for some reason. I think it's safe to assume that they made that decision for a valid reason and that it was not making them money to offer it.
 
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#5,815
_Obra_ said:
Maybe this is not the right place for my question, but anyway...

Would you rather buy a 2020 Stingray Special 4H or a 1979 original (excellent condition on the pictures), at the same price, without the possibility to try any one of them?

Thanks :thumbsup:

View attachment 4241799
Click to expand...

Looks like you are making progress on your hunt! :)

I would say that objectively, the Special is the better and more rounded instrument. To me, there are improvements in ergonomics (weight, balance) and tone. Of course it's cool to have a vintage instrument, kind of a collector's item. But how much that is actually worth to you, only you can decide. Good luck!
 
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#5,816
Taustin Powers said:
Looks like you are making progress on your hunt! :)

I would say that objectively, the Special is the better and more rounded instrument. To me, there are improvements in ergonomics (weight, balance) and tone. Of course it's cool to have a vintage instrument, kind of a collector's item. But how much that is actually worth to you, only you can decide. Good luck!
Click to expand...

I'm looking all over around EU for an Aqua Sparkle 4H....so, waiting for Your call :)
 
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#5,817
Bass7755 said:
I thought I'd post this here because maybe it will get more views and responses.
Ok here is my gripe EBMM.
Several videos just popped up on my YouTube videos suggestions. The first one was for the new 2021 Stingray colors.
The second one was a new 2021 guitar. I forget which guitar it was but doesn't matter. All of the new 2021 bass colors are okay. But this guitar line had very nice tops and lots of nice upgrades. And is a normal production model.
I'd love to get an "upgraded" Stingray with the same things they offer on guitars. If you want EBMM bass with all the bells and whistles you have to wait for a BFR to pop up. I'm wondering why they build so many guitars with all the awesome tops, blocks, binding and just over all bling and not basses. We bass players love that stuff too. I'd love to see a new line of Stingrays with upgraded tops, and the bling that the guitar line has. Actually I really think that bass builders started the boutique bass thing with beautiful tops and lots of wood options before guitar builders did. But I could be wrong.
Scott Ball, are you listening? I'd be first in line.
Click to expand...

Yes! I think we have two basses next drop that bling... Kingpin - Stingray 4 and Crescendo - Bongo 5.

If you could have anything what would that be? We are all ears!
 
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#5,820
Scott Ball said:
If you could have anything what would that be? We are all ears!
Click to expand...

Well, with a HH Special and Old Smoothie already in the stable... just that the vault gear could be shipped to the UK - I’d have bought one or two and feel I missed out... but i get over pretty quick after a play on mine - so genuinely thank you Scott :thumbsup:

EDIT - I see you’ve just started shipping international! A SLO please, lol!
 
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