NBD: Music Man Stingray fretless

[tubenutq5]

Crappy cell phone pic but there it is.
The American craftsmanship is stunning. Even the set-up was good out of the case.
If I was to ever go to 4-string fretted it would be Music Man Stingray.
I am gonna love this bass.

 

[Runnerman]

Congrats! That's a beauty for sure.

 

[mikeswals]

Woah, looks sweet! And it's 2-band!

 

[fourstringdrums]

Did you get that from Musicians Friend? I Know they have that model in stock.

 

[StayLow]

Awesome! Stingrays are supreme fretless basses, and excellent fretted for that matter.

 

[neo 7]

Nice.....I got my first Stingray about 3.5 months ago, I love it.

 

[bobalu]

Now that's a musical instrument!

 

[west al]

Congrats! Looks great.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Great! Now that you have your nice StingRay fretless, here is your homework assignment:

Learn "Sunset Grill" by Don Henley and "Every Time You Go Away" by Paul Young and post a video (just the audio is ok too, but a video will increase your chances of getting an A) of yourself playing these gems. Good luck!

 

[drTSTingray]

Very nice, congratulations

 

[bassist4dalord]

There are few basses more beautiful than a blank-plank MM StingRay. Congrats!

 

[SirMjac28]

Great color combo congrats and man does Music Man make some pretty basses.

 

[GregT]

Last night I was at a local jam and a guy brought in a fretless Sting Ray he said he bought new in 1980. It had to be one of the coolest basses I'd seen. It was worn and yellowed on the back of the neck. He said he'd had it all over the world and it looked like it. I jokingly asked if he knew Pretty Woman because he was friends with Bill Dees years ago. I hope you have as much fun with yours.

 

[Pandastylebass]

 

[Emanuel Apascaritei]

Congrats. And the only way I could like a Stingray is in fretless version.

 

[73jbass]

The Music Man sweet spot is perfect for fretless! Naked boards are the only way to go! Nice find.

 

[tubenutq5]

Thanks guys!! Yes it came from MF. I have played fretless on and off for many years and I have been lamenting the sale of my last fretless. I did not want to cheap myself out with a low-ball instrument so it came down to a Fender TF or this wonderful Stingray. I love the warmth of the pau fero board. No lines is a must for me.

I did do some set-up after I played it for awhile, specifically lowering the action a bit smoothed out the arch over the pup. Stock strings are a bit too light for me (They are probably 100-40 slinky's nickel plated ?). I will change them out with a used set of DR Fat Beams (105-45). Broken-in strings always sound better on a fretless (IMO). I will probably never change them.

 

[tubenutq5]

I am going to change out the pup/electronics for EMG MMTW so I can have both dual and single coil. As it is it is a bit mellow for some musical applications. Don't worry I will keep all the parts to return it to original condition.
Made a ramp for it and that really increases playability.

 

[j.kernodle]

That's really nice. I've seen that one and considered making a very irresponsible decision.

 

[TMARK]

I was in your shoes last year, deciding between the Fender TF and the Ray Fretless. I went with the TF because of the P/J, and I like passive pickups on a fretless. I still get all gooey inside when I see a fretless Ray. Congrats!