Yeah I don’t know about the EU and how the retail works over there. There’s going to be a marked difference in quality therefore it becomes a value proposition. Is the OP in the EU or the US?
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New Stingray Special or New Flea Bass?
- Thread starter Mantis Tobaggan
- Start date
I tried out the Stingray Special at Sweetwater's Gearfest last year. I've never owned a Ray except for one of the all black SUB models of the 2000's which ruled, but I've always felt like Stingrays were excellent playing and sounding instruments. The Special is no exception. They really outdid themselves. It's one of the best feeling instruments I've ever held. I suck at bass, and I felt unstoppable while holding it.
Well I was really into the idea of the special already. Ray's have been the one constant in my life. I played it and just couldn't stop. I usually only play an instrument in the shop for 10 minutes if I like it cos I dont wanna be "that guy"... but an hour later I didn't want to put it down. So... I bought it.
I said Stingray as well. I love the shape of the Jazz bass, but I do not like the color choices, especially with a maple neck. The roasted maple neck on the Stingray is incing on the cake.
I'll try one as soon as I see one.Unfortunately I was not in a position to buy... but the one I tried was silver.
The silver looks good but the pink just isn't pink enough.
I'm a Fender guy all day, every day. But, get the Stingray. A real Stingray will do the Stingray thing better than a Fender will.
love the color of the Flea bass, but aesthetics are always on the back burner for me and I expect the Stingray would slay in every other department
Except in the fine print EBMM is one of the manufacturers that does not do the 15% off deal
If you can’t get a deal on a Music Man, you’re just not asking the right people or shopping at the right places.Except in the fine print EBMM is one of the manufacturers that does not do the 15% off deal
That may be on the paper but it’s not what’s actually happening. If you ask for it, you will get it. Assuming you’re serious about the purchaseExcept in the fine print EBMM is one of the manufacturers that does not do the 15% off deal
I own one of the new Stingray Specials and last week I played one of the new Flea basses.
IMHO there is no contest, the Stingray hands down. Much better neck and fretwork, much better sound and flexibility, and lighter weight.
IMHO there is no contest, the Stingray hands down. Much better neck and fretwork, much better sound and flexibility, and lighter weight.
Except in the fine print EBMM is one of the manufacturers that does not do the 15% off deal
I won’t dispute the validity of this restriction as I haven’t seen it, but I had indeed called GC (at the national number) about purchasing a SR special using the 15% off and it was offered up without question.
The problem is you cannot be selective about weight when ordering from GC (short of returning the bass) which defeats one of the very good reasons to buy the new SR special. This issue sent me looking elsewhere, and I was able to find a 4H under 8 pounds!
I have a Stingray 3EQ from 2008 and while the sound isn’t quite the same, the new Stingray Special is definitely the preferred package.
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While I’d opt for a StingRay over the Flea for many reasons (I play fives, I like MM quality, I like MM dimensions and layout, blah, blah, blah...), I’m glad to see Fender do this. This was the bass they made Flea when they created their last Flea bass — the production basses has JJ pickups, but the basses they made for Flea had a single M.
While I’m more comfortable with StingRay 5 dimensions, I assume there are many who are more at home with the topography of a Fender Jazz. I won’t buy one, but good on Fender for stretching in this direction — conventional shape with less-conventional electronics.
While I’m more comfortable with StingRay 5 dimensions, I assume there are many who are more at home with the topography of a Fender Jazz. I won’t buy one, but good on Fender for stretching in this direction — conventional shape with less-conventional electronics.
Stingray Special hands down. HH version.
Why would someone purchase a Fender, which is living off the laurels of a gone-by era? That is to say, why spend money and effort on designs and technologies that are re-packaged as "Vintage," "Elite," or "Professional" as a marketing gimmick, regardless of whatever "signature" affixed? IMO the ENTIRE Fender line-up is overpriced by $250-$350. Flea's "signature" strings from GHS are the exact same GHS round wound Bass Boomers (Medium) without his "signature" for example.
Why wouldn't a player, looking for a "new" bass not purchase the EBMM 2018 Stingray Special? This is to say, why wouldn't someone purchase THE bass that has moved the benchmark for the entire mass produced bass industry for the next 25-30 years IMO? Not to mention EBMM's quality control(s) from the get-go.
I've stated it before, and I'll say it again, the new EBMM 2018 Stingray Special has relegated my other Stingrays to back-ups; it's that good hands down. (2014 4HH, and 2017 5H)
Note: If a player likes/loves their Fender's that's fine and cool. Play it until your heart's content. Whatever works.
Why would someone purchase a Fender, which is living off the laurels of a gone-by era? That is to say, why spend money and effort on designs and technologies that are re-packaged as "Vintage," "Elite," or "Professional" as a marketing gimmick, regardless of whatever "signature" affixed? IMO the ENTIRE Fender line-up is overpriced by $250-$350. Flea's "signature" strings from GHS are the exact same GHS round wound Bass Boomers (Medium) without his "signature" for example.
Why wouldn't a player, looking for a "new" bass not purchase the EBMM 2018 Stingray Special? This is to say, why wouldn't someone purchase THE bass that has moved the benchmark for the entire mass produced bass industry for the next 25-30 years IMO? Not to mention EBMM's quality control(s) from the get-go.
I've stated it before, and I'll say it again, the new EBMM 2018 Stingray Special has relegated my other Stingrays to back-ups; it's that good hands down. (2014 4HH, and 2017 5H)
Note: If a player likes/loves their Fender's that's fine and cool. Play it until your heart's content. Whatever works.
I hope someone from Fender show this thread to the management.
Because maybe you don't want that typical Stingray sound. You can't compare Stingrays to Fenders. They have a total different sound. It's just a matter of taste. You can't get a P or J bass sound out of a Stingray and visa versa.
