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Stingray Classic Returns

#401
ics1974 said:
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
Click to expand...

I am returning it. Just filled out the forms.
The weight of 10.2 does not help but the main reason are the two dead spots.
The E-flat dies in <2 seconds and flows into a (I checked it on my tuner) B-flat high ringing tone.
The D dies in <3 seconds flowing into an A.
4000 dollar is just too much (for me) to accept weight -and dead-note compromises.
My 1998 Stingray EX (Japan), 9.2 pounds - has also dead spots on both E-flat and E, but not as prominent (3-4 seconds).
And it was 'only' 900 dollar.

It's a shame, really.
 
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#403
MDStingray said:
I am returning it. Just filled out the forms.
The weight of 10.2 does not help but the main reason are the two dead spots.
The E-flat dies in <2 seconds and flows into a (I checked it on my tuner) B-flat high ringing tone.
The D dies in <3 seconds flowing into an A.
4000 dollar is just too much (for me) to accept weight -and dead-note compromises.
My 1998 Stingray EX (Japan), 9.2 pounds - has also dead spots on both E-flat and E, but not as prominent (3-4 seconds).
And it was 'only' 900 dollar.

It's a shame, really.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear that. I had high hopes as well.
 
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#407
MDStingray said:
I am returning it. Just filled out the forms.
The weight of 10.2 does not help but the main reason are the two dead spots.
The E-flat dies in <2 seconds and flows into a (I checked it on my tuner) B-flat high ringing tone.
The D dies in <3 seconds flowing into an A.
4000 dollar is just too much (for me) to accept weight -and dead-note compromises.
My 1998 Stingray EX (Japan), 9.2 pounds - has also dead spots on both E-flat and E, but not as prominent (3-4 seconds).
And it was 'only' 900 dollar.

It's a shame, really.
Click to expand...

It is a shame but you made a good decision IMHO. You should be happy with it and compromise where you feel acceptable.
 
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#408
Well, all I can say is that mine is about as perfect as it could possibly be. Honestly. Besides being a little on the heavy side. I've had at least a dozen Stingrays over the years of various flavors (old Stingrays 4 string and 5, Specials, BFRs, Classics, fretless, 30th Anniversary, American Sterlings, Sabres, American SUBS, etc) and all have been great basses. But I'd take this one over all the rest even at twice the price.

I'm trying to put myself into the shoes of those of you who got a "dog." I do get it. In fact, because of a little incident with a Sterling by Music Man bass I purchased a couple years or so ago, I may never buy another Sterling by Music Man again. Yet... Sterling by Music Man seems to be doing just fine right now. So I assume that my incident was not the norm. A fluke. Even though several other people reported the exact same problem at the time, that particular variation of the Stingray is still offered by Sterling by Music Man. And that being the case, there is no way that they are all totally screwed up like mine was and people are still buying them.

I guess what I'm saying is that there will always be dogs. Even on really expensive basses. I assume even companies like Fodera occasionally drop the ball (I'd assume VERY rarely, though). Point being, I'd doubt that the "dogs" reported here are going to be the norm. YES, it's annoying. And no, it shouldn't happen. But I think we'd best wait until a lot more people get this bass in their hands before we call the entire line a POS. It's not an overreaction for someone to be really ticked off because their new bass isn't cutting it after laying out that kind of money. But it IS an overreaction to assume ALL the basses are going to have the same issues. I've had a couple of Fender Custom Shop basses over the years that I was very disappointed with... yet, I still buy them and right now all three that I own are absolutely killer basses. So folks, please lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think we all know that Music Man doesn't put out junk in general, even though there are some bad apples. And when a bad apple does make it out the door, EB has a deserved reputation of going out of their way to rectify the problem.
 
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#409
Christcr said:
So folks, please lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think we all know that Music Man doesn't put out junk in general, even though there are some bad apples. And when a bad apple does make it out the door, EB has a deserved reputation of going out of their way to rectify the problem.
Click to expand...

I completely agree.
The Stingray has always been, and will always be my all time favorite bass-guitar.
 
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#410
Christcr said:
Well, all I can say is that mine is about as perfect as it could possibly be. Honestly. Besides being a little on the heavy side. I've had at least a dozen Stingrays over the years of various flavors (old Stingrays 4 string and 5, Specials, BFRs, Classics, fretless, 30th Anniversary, American Sterlings, Sabres, American SUBS, etc) and all have been great basses. But I'd take this one over all the rest even at twice the price.

I'm trying to put myself into the shoes of those of you who got a "dog." I do get it. In fact, because of a little incident with a Sterling by Music Man bass I purchased a couple years or so ago, I may never buy another Sterling by Music Man again. Yet... Sterling by Music Man seems to be doing just fine right now. So I assume that my incident was not the norm. A fluke. Even though several other people reported the exact same problem at the time, that particular variation of the Stingray is still offered by Sterling by Music Man. And that being the case, there is no way that they are all totally screwed up like mine was and people are still buying them.

I guess what I'm saying is that there will always be dogs. Even on really expensive basses. I assume even companies like Fodera occasionally drop the ball (I'd assume VERY rarely, though). Point being, I'd doubt that the "dogs" reported here are going to be the norm. YES, it's annoying. And no, it shouldn't happen. But I think we'd best wait until a lot more people get this bass in their hands before we call the entire line a POS. It's not an overreaction for someone to be really ticked off because their new bass isn't cutting it after laying out that kind of money. But it IS an overreaction to assume ALL the basses are going to have the same issues. I've had a couple of Fender Custom Shop basses over the years that I was very disappointed with... yet, I still buy them and right now all three that I own are absolutely killer basses. So folks, please lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think we all know that Music Man doesn't put out junk in general, even though there are some bad apples. And when a bad apple does make it out the door, EB has a deserved reputation of going out of their way to rectify the problem.
Click to expand...
I agree. Even though mine didn’t turn out as expected I am still considering trying another some day.
 
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#412
Came in today. Under 9 pounds. Looks like a two piece body. There is the TYPICAL mild dead spot around frets
IMG_7069.jpeg
5-7 on the G string but honestly nothing more than I’d expect from a bolt on wood 34 inch scale neck.
IMG_7066.jpeg
 
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#415
eqvolvorama said:
Came in today. Under 9 pounds. Looks like a two piece body. There is the TYPICAL mild dead spot around fretsView attachment 5248112 5-7 on the G string but honestly nothing more than I’d expect from a bolt on wood 34 inch scale neck.View attachment 5248111
Click to expand...
Beautiful instrument! And the light weight is kind of surprising, at least considering my impression that Classics tend to be heavier basses (though that hasn't stopped me from drooling over them or from wanting to try a five string someday).
 
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#418
Nebadon2000 said:
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 .
Click to expand...

Ah yea, I remember this post now that you mention it. I stand corrected.
 
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