New Stingray Special or New Flea Bass?

[Ryan L.]

Hell, I want one in pink.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Nether!

Buy a Jazz Bass or a Stingray or both but not the new "super duper" Stingray which is not really a Stingray. It has a different pre-amp and a different pickup and it is not going to sound exactly the way a real Stingray should sound.

You can find a used Stingray for under $1,000. And you can probably find a used J on your local Craigs List for much less.

"Save your money don't go to the show. Don't be a naughty Eskimo." (Frank Zappa quote.)

Mine sounds closer to the original pre Ernie Ball Stingrays and Sabres than any 3 band Stingray. . Only it’s lighter and the neck feels 100% better.

 

[JimmyM]

I could say the same for you Jimmy. We all live in our bubbles.

Not really. I'm perfectly willing to accept the idea that not everyone should like only the things I like.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I’ve been hanging out in my office being unproductive and playing this bass unplugged. It is the perfect marriage of Fender and Music Man. There I said it.

 

[JimmyM]

I’ve been hanging out in my office being unproductive and playing this bass unplugged. It is the perfect marriage of Fender and Music Man. There I said it.

Way to go against the grain! In the end, it's you who will be playing it, so buying by committee is never the answer.

 

[Ryan L.]

I’ve been hanging out in my office being unproductive and playing this bass unplugged. It is the perfect marriage of Fender and Music Man. There I said it.

Nice!!

What kinda case does it come with?

 

[Stevorebob]

Approaching 1k difference in price skews the comparison for me....if were talking somewhat same price range give me an Elite Fender

$1,000? I see a $300 difference. Street price for Fender Flea is $1,699; StingRay 4H is $1,999. Or am I missing something?

 

[JW56789]

I'd have to say the American Fenders are probably on a par with EBMM.

But the pic reveals the conundrum that Fender presents for me: The 'tweaks' on that body (the much bigger tummy cut, the deeper lower cutaway, the rounded heel at the bolt-on junction, and it's back-drilled for no pickguard) should be 'global' on all modern (read American Elite) Fenders. Leave the traditional pickguard and older-school body profiles for the vintage repros.
Their product structure is such they could easily offer both with a nice contrast between the repros and the modern, but no . . . .

IF the head had the trapeze downforce bar (instead of that damn button holding down only two strings), this would really be the 'common chassis' that all modern Fenders need to be based on.

Harley-Davidson bet the farm that from their 80's reformation until the end of time that people would ALWAYS want some sort of their traditional wares. As time goes on they are finding themselves scrambling as their traditional customer base is simply aging out of the market, and finding a replacement buyer population is getting increasingly harder and harder. I often look at Fender and Gibson the same way.

Then I look at EBMM who could have easily coasted, and they spent a fortune fine-tuning an already excellent axe, and are doing the most business they've ever done via smart, carefully considered choices. I think this is 'momentum' that most in the market sense, and why this conversation has steered deeply into the StingRay answer.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I've owned everything from Squiers and Teiscos to Alembics, and IF I could only have ONE axe for the rest of my life, my fast, don't-have-to-even-think-about-it choice would be a single humbucker neckthru Stingray Five. All meat, no filler, and as good an all-rounder as I could ever find.

 

[donkeygrl]

I love pink and Fenders But I also love EBMM Sooo.....

 

[FingerDub]

I’ve been hanging out in my office being unproductive and playing this bass unplugged. It is the perfect marriage of Fender and Music Man. There I said it.

Can you feel the compound radius board?

Also, weight?

The more I look the more I like. It's checking a lot of boxes for me. I also love that the bridge is further up the body, which means my left had sits naturally further to the right in the area I play near the most.

Mow please make one in black with a matching headstock!

 

[FerK]

After 8 pages (yes, I read all posts) I think I will be the first to say that I find the Fender absolutely hideous. This is a 10000% personal opinion: I hate both colours I saw so far, I hate that ridiculously slim headstock, and I hate the feeling that it's missing a pickguard. To each his own: I wouldn't pay 200 bucks for it (yes, of course I would get it if I could for 200 bucks, but just to re-sell it).

 

[Stranger Danger]

Not really. I'm perfectly willing to accept the idea that not everyone should like only the things I like.

Ok

 

[Stranger Danger]

$1,000? I see a $300 difference. Street price for Fender Flea is $1,699; StingRay 4H is $1,999. Or am I missing something?

No you’ve got it right

 

[FingerDub]

Nice!!

What kinda case does it come with?

G&G Hardshell Case.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'd have to say the American Fenders are probably on a par with EBMM.

But the pic reveals the conundrum that Fender presents for me: The 'tweaks' on that body (the much bigger tummy cut, the deeper lower cutaway, the rounded heel at the bolt-on junction, and it's back-drilled for no pickguard) should be 'global' on all modern (read American Elite) Fenders. Leave the traditional pickguard and older-school body profiles for the vintage repros.
Their product structure is such they could easily offer both with a nice contrast between the repros and the modern, but no . . . .

IF the head had the trapeze downforce bar (instead of that damn button holding down only two strings), this would really be the 'common chassis' that all modern Fenders need to be based on.

Harley-Davidson bet the farm that from their 80's reformation until the end of time that people would ALWAYS want some sort of their traditional wares. As time goes on they are finding themselves scrambling as their traditional customer base is simply aging out of the market, and finding a replacement buyer population is getting increasingly harder and harder. I often look at Fender and Gibson the same way.

Then I look at EBMM who could have easily coasted, and they spent a fortune fine-tuning an already excellent axe, and are doing the most business they've ever done via smart, carefully considered choices. I think this is 'momentum' that most in the market sense, and why this conversation has steered deeply into the StingRay answer.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I've owned everything from Squiers and Teiscos to Alembics, and IF I could only have ONE axe for the rest of my life, my fast, don't-have-to-even-think-about-it choice would be a single humbucker neckthru Stingray Five. All meat, no filler, and as good an all-rounder as I could ever find.

FMIC is still making instruments that require you remove the neck to access the truss rod. This would be like Ford making vehicles you still have to get out and hand crank to start.

 

[JW56789]

FMIC is still making instruments that require you remove the neck to access the truss rod. This would be like Ford making vehicles you still have to get out and hand crank to start.

Exactly !

 

[MultiScaleMale]

FMIC is still making instruments that require you remove the neck to access the truss rod. This would be like Ford making vehicles you still have to get out and hand crank to start.

*If* they start. Heh.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Exactly !

And I absolutely am no Fender hater. I’m in an adult relationship with Fender. I love them but I see their faults too. Some folks love them like a child loves his mommy though. You can’t criticize mommy or you’re a bad person.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Let’s not forget. Stingrays are Fenders too.

 

[consectaneus]

I’ve been hanging out in my office being unproductive and playing this bass unplugged. It is the perfect marriage of Fender and Music Man. There I said it.

Hawt!