I Love Stingrays, but $7,000?

[PBassin]

Hard pass.
Had to google who Cliff Williams is. I can’t say that I can call to mind a single AC/DC bass line, let alone a tone that fills me with a desire to spend $7k to get it.

Quite honestly, that you didn’t know who he is doesn’t really mean anything to anyone but you. Plenty of others recognize him and appreciate his contributions to AC/DC even outside of whether or not they’d drop the money for this bass.

 

[swink]

the could of choose an artist that is more “upfront” in is playing.... cliff is not the guy that you here the most in ac/dc and doesn’t have the most advance bass licks either....

This guy doesn't play upfront.... he knows his place and adds to the overall sound of the band (just as Cliff is doing for AC/DC)

 

[Dluxe]

I love StingRay basses. Here is my recently acquired July '88 SR5 and my well worn August '78.

 

[ToneMonkey]

You could try writing some of it off your taxes.

Just kidding. Don’t do that.

 

[franklindayala]

Well all the profits are being donated to Alzheimer patient resources so I don't mind the price. Just cant afford it. I've seen basses cost more

Wow didn't know that. That makes me appreciate this bass more. I Also cant afford it.

 

[steelbed45]

Had a family member die from Alzheimer's. I applaud EBMM 100% on this, thank you!

 

[r_bnks]

Cliff Williams is not even a good bass player. This is like buying a signed football by Ryan Leaf.

Can you explain why not?

 

[Ric5]

I would never buy a $7000 bass ...

I had a 1968 4001 that I sold off when it got to be worth that much

 

[bobalu]

That's cool man. The money will go to a great cause and you will have a sweet bass. It's awesome that you are going to scratch the money together somehow!

Sterling Ball is pretty good that way - I understand that he does a lot of community and special cause contributions through the Company.

 

[r_bnks]

AC DC is probably the most successful group with the simplest music of all time. I'm not saying Cliff Williams is an absolute disaster - he could keep time (as a bass player should). Every single song is in 4/4 using open E and A strings and some combination of 3 other notes, usually of which are G, C, and D. I mean could he be any more of a one-trick pony than that?

Much is made about Michael Anthony being an average bass player. I've seen it here in threads several times, with the knock that all he played was 4/4. Except Anthony IMO came up with more complex and interesting parts that I've ever heard from Cliff Williams.

The band wrote many good, catchy songs however simple they may been. And yes they did them well. I'm not disputing that Cliff Williams is not a legend, at least for the very fact that AC DC was so famous and have been around for more than 40 years.

To me AC/DC could sort of be considered the McDonald's of rock and roll, they sell the most burgers but they don't taste the best.

A lot of people misunderstand what makes somebody a good player.
Is it 4/4? So what? Is it easy? It seems. But play it like him. Don't just paly those notes.
Play the same way he plays it for 2 - 2. hrs. What he's doing fit's perfectly in their music. No more no less. Is AC/DC would be cool with Marcus Miller or Jaco? I don't think so...
This way you can say Phil Rudd is a bad drummer because he play 2/4 all the time? Of course he's not bad. Wanna play it like him? Good luck with that...

Back to topic: I'm a huge Cliff fan. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I'd like MM basses....

 

[japhy4529]

Uh, $7000? I know I’m in the minority here, but IMO Cliff’s sound is the least audible bass of any band ever. He could be playing a Ric or a potato for all the difference I would hear.

I just snorted while imagining Cliff playing a potato! Thanks for that.

 

[aprod]

Quite honestly, that you didn’t know who he is doesn’t really mean anything to anyone but you. Plenty of others recognize him and appreciate his contributions to AC/DC even outside of whether or not they’d drop the money for this bass.[/QUOT
I think there are many people that don't know who Cliff is. His playing supports the song but there is no recognizable style that sets him apart. That is not a bad thing it is just reality. You could plug almost anyone in the bass chair and the music would not suffer.

 

[Rich67]

Each bass will include
- History of Cliff Williams Black Diploma Style Picture Booklet
- Custom G&G hardshell case,
- Numbered Certificate of authenticity signed by Cliff
- Commemorative enamel StingRay pin
- Vintage style Music Man polish cloth
- Signature Cliff Williams picks
- Hex wrench for truss rod nut
- Replica of the original 1970s Hang Tag.

I didn't know this! Thanks for the intel!

 

[Davbassdude]

Nah! I'll just find a nice SUB bass with a 1.5 inch neck at the nut for $299, Thank You very much!!!

 

[SgtHulka]

A lot of people misunderstand what makes somebody a good player.
Is it 4/4? So what? Is it easy? It seems. But play it like him. Don't just paly those notes.
Play the same way he plays it for 2 - 2. hrs. What he's doing fit's perfectly in their music. No more no less. Is AC/DC would be cool with Marcus Miller or Jaco? I don't think so...
This way you can say Phil Rudd is a bad drummer because he play 2/4 all the time? Of course he's not bad. Wanna play it like him? Good luck with that...

Back to topic: I'm a huge Cliff fan. I'd buy it in a heartbeat if I'd like MM basses....

The reason Wooten or Miller wouldn't be a good fit is because they graduated from A,B,C's to Calculus a long time ago...

I'm not saying the music isnt good. But Wooten or Miller could step in and play quarter notes all day whereas Cliff might struggle....just a little.

 

[carlos 1955]

This guy doesn't play upfront.... he knows his place and adds to the overall sound of the band (just as Cliff is doing for AC/DC)

Well Tony Levin is a stingray endorsee since they started, has great chops, knows is place in a band, does sessions /lessons and played with numbers of artist... Why not choose him over Cliff for a special 26 number edition 7k stingray ??

 

[carlos 1955]

I've never held it against Cliff Williams that he doesn't have a YouTube channel of him playing slap in his living room

No point in having a youtube channel of him playing slap?? what I was saying is with the number of endorsee they have from Tony Levin to Gail Ann Dorsey,and others whom have past whom where stingray players like Louis Johnson or Bernard Edward... the list goes on and on... why Cliff for a 7k 26 number stingray ??

 

[swink]

Well Tony Levin is a stingray endorsee since they started, has great chops, knows is place in a band, does sessions /lessons and played with numbers of artist... Why not choose him over Cliff for a special 26 number edition 7k stingray ??

Because he's Cliff

No point in having a youtube channel of him playing slap?? what I was saying is with the number of endorsee they have ranging from Tony Levin to Gail Ann Dorsey, and not to forget Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards whom where stingray players... the list goes on and on... why Cliff for a 7k 26 number stingray ??

Because the Lead guitarplayer of AC/DC is suffering from Alzheimer's disease and the group is on its last legs. (singer is getting deaf and rhythm guitar has died a while ago)

Think of it as a tribute to Cliff's bass, which has been used intensively by him for forty years and still stands it's ground. If that's not a quality test,......well, than I don't know.

 

[JMacBass65]

I'd order one right now and play the snot out of it if I had the cash. I hope most if not all go to players. But if not, that's ok too, the money is going somewhere important. My mother has dementia, so this is somewhat personal for me.

 

[JMacBass65]

And for all the Cliff bashers, you have no f*ing idea what he's capable of, for all you know he's got jazz chops out the wazoo. He just so happens to have a gig for 40 plus years that dictate something different. He serves the song. Isn't that what we are supposed to do?