Okay I have decided on a Stingray 5, now a few questions?

I don't have a Stingray 5 but I have a Sterling and a Stingray. The neck adjustments are easy with the wheel. Weather changes (humidity) causes wood to swell/shrink, so there needs to be small adjustments. If you are buying a regular EBMM (not the by Sterling brand) then they are made in the US. Some people like the unfinished neck and some don't. You can go to the EBMM forum and get advice on how to treat the neck.

When you say you're going to order online are you going to have one built or buy from an online store? The QC is very high and you shouldn't have any trouble with it. Just make sure that there is a return policy at the store you purchase from.

 

The neck adjustment is about a 1/4 turn or less. I think the unfinished neck does have something to do with it too but it's really not bad at all.

 

If you keep your neck oiled you will not have to adjust offen because the oil neck will help keep the moisture out.

 

I owned a ray 5 from 2000 to '05. it was black/maple. I bought it as the band i was in required low tunings for some of the songs, and i bought it to compliment my main bass, a ray 4.

I dont know if it was a bad example but i could never adjust the neck on it to my liking. it didnt help that i was using a .145 as a B (or low A or G in my case) but i was working in a guitar store and between myself and others working there, we agreed it had one of the stiffest truss rods we'd ever encountered on any instrument. we were scared to turn it too much so i dont think the neck ever got worn in enough.

I also popped the nut on it, but that was my own fault (too much rocking out on my .145, and yes it had been filed)

to that end, i love ray 4's (i still own my 4 string, a '98) but i'm always hesitant with 5's

*edit* re: unfinished neck. for the first few years of my rays lives, during every string change ( approx 1-2 mths) i'd wipe the necks down with those tins of wax warwick used to give away with their basses, that along with play wear has turned the neck a nice brown....the 4 went darker than the 5 though...

 

Me too!

 

I always thought of the unfinished necks as feeling fast and smooth. I find that some finishes can feel sticky. The Stingray 5 is arguably the most successful production 5-string ever and you can't really go wrong.

Having to make neck adjustments is normal. With any bass, you should expect to make two a year with seasonal changes.

The one thing that does vary from bass to bass is the weight. Some can be really heavy and they are generally heavy basses. Consider yourself lucky if you can get one around 9 lbs.

 

I never thought I would adjust my own neck until I got my Stingray, it really is that easy to adjust. I also found the unfinished neck to be a little odd at first, but now I wish every bass had an unfinished neck, just feels right to me.

Good luck with your purchase, I have a feeling you will love your new bass.