Fernando Rosa managed to create a fantastic profile for himself during the covid lockdown with his videos. Music Man could not have a better pitchman for Classic Stingrays!
Fernando is possibly the coolest guy on Instagram and also on Earth.
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Stingray Classic Returns
- Thread starter LadyLoveStingRay5
- Start date
Fernando is possibly the coolest guy on Instagram and also on Earth.
I just pulled the trigger on one. Black and maple inbound.
I'd would hope thinner, if they recreated the neck shape like the originals.
Part of me really wants to go for the natural. That’s my favorite look for a Ray, and a 2-band IS unique enough to “justify.”
I would hope a Company of EB Status would not put reject strings on 2500+ Basses for Players to try, Demo', purchase Etc.
On my 'Special' OEM Slinkys sound great still after 2 1/2 months as did the ones on my EBMM 25th Anniversary[AKA Reflex] back a while
Even on my 2019 Fender Ultra P the OEM 7250's were fine and sounded excellent
But my guess is most buyers will swiftly replace Slinky Rounds with their favorite Flats
Natural is awesome on a Stingray. I love my Classic.
Ahhh, the wonderful 3 bolt neck with micro neck tilt.......(cough!)........and the wonderful bullet truss rod adjust.........(cough!).
What else does it have? The battery that stays on all of the time? And the 2 band eq with the no flat response indentation notches?
I wonder if these also come in the weight range of the originals? A friend of mine in Australia has an old original Stingray and it weighs just under 15 lbs.
Sorry for my negative post. But aren't we all getting tired of "re-fried bass guitars" with rich man's list prices?
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If I end up with a 4 string Ray again, I could see it being one of these. However, I agree with many of the comments I quoted here. The changes Ernie Ball has made over time are all improvements, not just changes.
The bridge has been improved with each iteration. The flatter radius of the fingerboard is arguably better. The wheel truss rod replaced the bullet truss rod, and I don't understand why there are new instruments still requiring allen wrenches for truss adjustments. The new pickups and preamp help keep up with the concept of a "modern" tone while keeping the spirit of "that Stingray sound." Even the body contours of the Specials are better. I do think the three bolt/microtilt neck gets a bad rap because Fender's implementation of it was poor. But, it is also unnecessary, and 6 bolts is better.
I have to admit, it would be nice if they offered the Specials with a "76 Option" that put the original pickups and pre in the more refined instrument.
It’s interesting that in 1978, Musicman stopped shipping Stingrays with flats, moving to GHS rounds. My new Stingray in 1980 came with rounds - that really was the sound of a Stingray as far as I was concerned - I’m pretty sure Louis Johnson didn’t use flatwounds!! I’m pretty sure Bernard Edwards did have flats on his in the late 70s (based on the sound and also that it was a 1977 bass).
I think a lot of people will want the roundwound sound - I’ve got flats on my Stingray Classic and fretlesses (those are for reasons of not wanting to damage the fretboards overly).
If I get one it will be a natural, and will retain the roundwounds!!
Chatted with EB customer service and was informed 0.812” at the first fret and 0.960” at the twelfth. Thinner at the first and thicker at the twelfth than a Classic (mine measures close to the 0.830” / 0.930” of a regular Stingray).
They 'sorta/kinda' tried that with the Classic and many here on TB seemed to like it but alas not enough
Read a post on EB Bass Forum where EB Rep said Specials/3 band pre Specials out sold Classic's 10-1; He also said that the Classic may return but not as it was; this was maybe a couple years ago so here we are.
I'm not thrilled about that 3-bolt neck plate. I'm all for a "retro" sting ray, but why not include some subtle improvements from lessons learned through the years (i.e. compensated nut, better neck plate, maybe even contoured body)? None of those things would really take away from the look and would certainly make for a more comfortable and stable instrument. not trying to be a downer, but at that price point I just want at least some semblance of quality of life features. just my .02
Because you can still go buy the current 'regular' model with all those features.
I’ve got nothing against a “true” recreation of the original, but I agree that I would love a “modern retro” option that had the sculpted heel, compensated nut, body contours, easy access battery, and truss rod wheel. Keep the 2-band, muted bridge, retro script, “missing” fretboard dot(s), etc…
I think most people are talking about a Classic 2 band ray with those kinds of options. I loved my classic 5 but couldn't deal with the slab body. If you want the classic sound and look but with modern options and comfort no we can't go buy that unfortunately, especially us 5 string players.
I’m sure that’s true, and exactly in line with my post. I suspect the Retro will get outsold 10:1 as well. But if you can sell 11 basses instead of 10, maybe make the 11th bass cheaper to produce by just making it a Retro 2-band Special where only the electronics package (and maybe color choice) is different.
A 2 band Special would be killer. Especially if it’s at the same price as the 3 band Special. A 2 band HH would be awesome as well.
