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New Retro '70s StingRay

#41
I got the Dogal Flats on my Retro '70s Stingray. These are the JH172 with Stranded Core.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I cannot believe how great these are. The tone & Feel are extremely consistent on all frets and strings. The E is super fat. I mean PHAAT as in you can't ask for more fatness from an E string. They do not get lost in the mix either.

If you like 2 band Stingrays and you like Flats, this are the most amazing string/Bass combination on the planet. The D string in the 34" set is a little short for the Retro 70 String-Thru-Body but it works. you just have to use the Ernie Ball recommender technique for the install.

These will definitely be staying on my Ray!
 
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#42
FunkHead said:
I got the Dogal Flats on my Retro '70s Stingray. These are the JH172 with Stranded Core.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I cannot believe how great these are. The tone & Feel are extremely consistent on all frets and strings. The E is super fat. I mean PHAAT as in you can't ask for more fatness from an E string. They do not get lost in the mix either.

If you like 2 band Stingrays and you like Flats, this are the most amazing string/Bass combination on the planet. The D string in the 34" set is a little short for the Retro 70 String-Thru-Body but it works. you just have to use the Ernie Ball recommender technique for the install.

These will definitely be staying on my Ray!
Click to expand...
You should join the club. Pics please
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ebmm-retro-70s-stingray-club.1638438/
 
#45
FunkHead said:
I got the Dogal Flats on my Retro '70s Stingray. These are the JH172 with Stranded Core.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I cannot believe how great these are. The tone & Feel are extremely consistent on all frets and strings. The E is super fat. I mean PHAAT as in you can't ask for more fatness from an E string. They do not get lost in the mix either.

If you like 2 band Stingrays and you like Flats, this are the most amazing string/Bass combination on the planet. The D string in the 34" set is a little short for the Retro 70 String-Thru-Body but it works. you just have to use the Ernie Ball recommender technique for the install.

These will definitely be staying on my Ray!
Click to expand...

Flats are amazing on a 2-band. I believe Stingrays shipped with flatwounds originally back in the 70's. So, they knew. I had Chromes on my 2-band for years until they basically disintegrated off the headstock. I use rounds now, but I actually feel that flats should be considered more the standard for Stingrays. A lot of bass players don't find any use at all for the zingy treble and are put off by it, but flats have a way of taking that zing and transmuting it into an unassuming but articulate top end.
 
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#46
ics1974 said:
Congratulations that is one beautiful looking bass you got there. I have one as well and echo what you said. It’s my favourite bass I own. One thing you should check while you are in your return window is dead spots. A few of us had issues with the Retro 70. Mainly very short sustain on the E string around frets 5-7 or G string 5-7. I returned my first Retro that had this but my new one has excellent sustain on all frets. Hopefully yours is great as well
Click to expand...

Did Music Man make you pay the restocking fee for the return? Their website says it's 10% plus return shipping which is significant enough to make me not want to roll the dice on the heritage natural, even though that is obviously the best color. At least if I buy from Sweetwater etc then it's a no hassle return policy if the Stingray has a bad dead spot, I'll just have to settle for black (which is also an awesome color on a Stingray).

I realize Stingrays have dead spots, it's the nature of the beast. All 3 of mine have one on the G string somewhere, but if the retro has one on the E that is a total non-starter.
 
#48
Siiverado44 said:
Did Music Man make you pay the restocking fee for the return? Their website says it's 10% plus return shipping which is significant enough to make me not want to roll the dice on the heritage natural, even though that is obviously the best color. At least if I buy from Sweetwater etc then it's a no hassle return policy if the Stingray has a bad dead spot, I'll just have to settle for black (which is also an awesome color on a Stingray).

I realize Stingrays have dead spots, it's the nature of the beast. All 3 of mine have one on the G string somewhere, but if the retro has one on the E that is a total non-starter.
Click to expand...
No restocking fee as I bought through Long and McQuade.
 
#50
IronLung1986 said:
Flats are amazing on a 2-band. I believe Stingrays shipped with flatwounds originally back in the 70's. So, they knew. I had Chromes on my 2-band for years until they basically disintegrated off the headstock. I use rounds now, but I actually feel that flats should be considered more the standard for Stingrays. A lot of bass players don't find any use at all for the zingy treble and are put off by it, but flats have a way of taking that zing and transmuting it into an unassuming but articulate top end.
Click to expand...
I very much agree.
 
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#52
I was finally able to try one of these out at a music store this past weekend. Played very nice and sounded great. Honestly had a hard time putting it down. I thought the neck was really comfortable. Really dug the sound of the pickup and 2-band pre-amp. Sounded really good throughout the range of the controls, even when maxed out. Wasn't too heavy either. All of that being said, I really do love all of the improvements that Ernie Ball made for the Special line with the body contours, neck heel, and lower weight hardware. If I could get a Special with a 70's electronics package, I think that would be "cat's behind".
 
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#53
Z-Bass said:
I was finally able to try one of these out at a music store this past weekend. Played very nice and sounded great. Honestly had a hard time putting it down. I thought the neck was really comfortable. Really dug the sound of the pickup and 2-band pre-amp. Sounded really good throughout the range of the controls, even when maxed out. Wasn't too heavy either. All of that being said, I really do love all of the improvements that Ernie Ball made for the Special line with the body contours, neck heel, and lower weight hardware. If I could get a Special with a 70's electronics package, I think that would be "cat's behind".
Click to expand...

I can understand why it isn't the case, but it would be nice if EBMM could offer "custom" options like that. StingRay Special body w/ Retro '70s electronics, for me maybe a fretless 4 string with the USA Sterling EQ.
 
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#55
mikeswals said:
There's already folks posting they put their orders in. Obviously within 24 hours they're selling.

Why would they need to lower the price? I just looked at Sweetwater and the current 2024 standard StingRay Specials are 2699. Want a lower price, buy one of those.
Click to expand...
That’s too high too lol . When people say it’s too high that’s code for I can’t afford it . I see people fork out big cash for Harley’s and boats . If I see a bass I can’t afford I don’t feel like it’s priced too high I figure I can’t afford it .
 
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