That seems exceptionally light. A shame that the bass has other issues.
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Stingray Classic Returns
- Thread starter LadyLoveStingRay5
- Start date
That seems exceptionally light. A shame that the bass has other issues.
Same for me - Balance, although the Ray is heavy, is spot on!
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I've never played a bass that didn't have some weaker notes around frets 5-7 or so on the G string. The notes there don't sustain as long and quickly give way to harmonics. It's annoying but normal. Sometimes there will be one note in that area that's particularly bad, and sadly that's also very common. Even the most expensive high end basses are susceptible to these issues, bolt on and neck through alike. On my Stingray the 7th fret D on the G string is noticeably short. Not a straight up dead plunk but it does grab my ear with how short it sustains.
I was able to fix this issue on my Stingray years ago by sticking a 5 gram tire balancing weight to the tuning machine of the D string. Right on the clover. It's similar to the Fat Finger or headstock tuner idea but more subtle and lower maintenance. A Fat Finger is way overkill usually, and makes the whole instrument feel dead to play. 5 grams was enough in my case to get the note working well enough that it doesn't catch my ear anymore.
A dead spot anywhere other than that area midway up the G string is totally unacceptable. 5th fret A on the E string is one of the most important notes on the bass and there's no way anyone should put up with a weak note there. My Rickenbacker had a dead open E of all things.
The weak G string is a separate issue unique to Stingrays. It's a real issue but can be fixed with setup, string type and string gauge. My Stingray has Super Slinkies (100-80-65-45) on it right now and the G string is a little bit weak. I know for a fact that if I put Fender nickel plated steels (105-85-65-45) on it the weak G will vanish and the string will be equal in volume and strength. I know because I used Fender NPS for almost 10 years for that exact reason, and the strings were all perfectly equal. I went back to Super Slinkies because they don't do the warbling/chorusing thing up above the 12th fret. I use compression now to deal with the weak G.
I was able to fix this issue on my Stingray years ago by sticking a 5 gram tire balancing weight to the tuning machine of the D string. Right on the clover. It's similar to the Fat Finger or headstock tuner idea but more subtle and lower maintenance. A Fat Finger is way overkill usually, and makes the whole instrument feel dead to play. 5 grams was enough in my case to get the note working well enough that it doesn't catch my ear anymore.
A dead spot anywhere other than that area midway up the G string is totally unacceptable. 5th fret A on the E string is one of the most important notes on the bass and there's no way anyone should put up with a weak note there. My Rickenbacker had a dead open E of all things.
The weak G string is a separate issue unique to Stingrays. It's a real issue but can be fixed with setup, string type and string gauge. My Stingray has Super Slinkies (100-80-65-45) on it right now and the G string is a little bit weak. I know for a fact that if I put Fender nickel plated steels (105-85-65-45) on it the weak G will vanish and the string will be equal in volume and strength. I know because I used Fender NPS for almost 10 years for that exact reason, and the strings were all perfectly equal. I went back to Super Slinkies because they don't do the warbling/chorusing thing up above the 12th fret. I use compression now to deal with the weak G.
Thanks for your detailed explanation.
You can't help but wondering, that an instrument-manufacturer the size of Music Man that are in business building Stingray's for almost 50 years, has an R&D department that at least could give it a try to come up with something that has no dead/weak spots. I have a hard time believing it is an unsolvable mystery. An enigma.
True, but the Stingray weak G string issue is not the same as a dead spot. Dead spots are a resonance issue that goes back to the wolf tones you get on cellos and upright basses. That's not unique to EBMM and they'd be hard pressed to engineer it out of the electric bass as no one ever has. The weak G string issue though, yes, they could/should take more seriously. They've traditionally either denied it or rationalized it. I think there was some blurb with one of the Ball brothers when they released the Special that it was supposed to address the weak G string, which surprised me at the time. I don't know where the quote is but it was the first time I've ever heard the company take responsibility for the issue.
One thing I heard that might work is installing a Drop D detuner to add mass to the headstock.
That might be true, but I am a bit reluctant to moderate a bass that I spent 4K USD (In Europe, USA made instruments are a lot more expensive) on to make it 'good enough'.
I am still in doubt whether to keep or return it.
my honest opinion. Spending that amount of money you should be overjoyed with your new bass. It should be perfect. An option is to return it and order another one with your fingers crossed.
Part of me wants to do the same
From Big Poppa aka Sterling Ball in 2005
On weak G string
This trait has been around since the first day of the stingray. Its is NOT a byproduct of wood. It is due to the active preamp used on the bass. The output isnt actually lower the response is thinner sounding or not as fat. IT is one of the things you get used to with a Sting Ray or not. Believe it or not it was a complaint of mine in the beginning when I worked with Leo. The emerging slap and the old school country click players loved it. That thin snappin G sound helped the Sr taked off. You can try flats and it will help, but chances are that you will bet used to it by playing .
On weak G string
This trait has been around since the first day of the stingray. Its is NOT a byproduct of wood. It is due to the active preamp used on the bass. The output isnt actually lower the response is thinner sounding or not as fat. IT is one of the things you get used to with a Sting Ray or not. Believe it or not it was a complaint of mine in the beginning when I worked with Leo. The emerging slap and the old school country click players loved it. That thin snappin G sound helped the Sr taked off. You can try flats and it will help, but chances are that you will bet used to it by playing .
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The problem I have is not so much the 'thinner' sound, not at all actually, but that some of the notes on the G-string die within a few (2-3) seconds.
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I used to be fussy about dead spots but it's pointless - all basses with a bolt-on neck have them.
Ordered one of the natural finishes from the vault. I spoke with customer service beforehand and they said they had a light one at 8.68 lbs and would be sending me that one... fingers crossed.
Congratulations. It should be a real beauty!!!
I was addressing comment that EB ignored and denied Weak G until recently
My Special does same with a couple notes on G within 3 or 4 seconds which I commented on a few post back
No worries - I'm glad you shared your experiences with us. This is part of what makes TB a cool virtual hangout.
I once sold a WONDERFUL bass because I let a dead spot get to me and I’ve regretted it ever since.
Interesting comparison I found to compare with the same player. Not sure if same amp though as the videos are 7 months apart.
Retro 70
Listen to the string mutes on the new Music Man Retro '70s Stingray - YouTube
76 Stingray
Vintage 1976 Music Man StingRay (Pre-Ernie Ball) | Bass Demo - YouTube
Retro 70
Listen to the string mutes on the new Music Man Retro '70s Stingray - YouTube
76 Stingray
Vintage 1976 Music Man StingRay (Pre-Ernie Ball) | Bass Demo - YouTube
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Wow, that is light, especially for a natural/ash. Should be killer. Mine sure is... although a bit over a pound heavier.
