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Stingray Classic Returns
- Thread starter LadyLoveStingRay5
- Start date
It's awesome. It's quickly becoming my "number one" in my collection, which includes several Fender Custom Shop basses. I think I mentioned this before, but I'll do so again: I've owned at least a dozen Stingrays over the years of various flavors. All have been great basses. But this Retro Stingray tops them all. It plays, sounds, and feels best out of all of them. Of course, this is going from memory, but yeah... it's that good. It's exactly what I have always envisioned to be the perfect looking, sounding, and playing stingray. Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards, Paul Denman... all those sounds are in this puppy.
I have a BFR Nitro '76 coming (great deal from Musician's Friend Open Box) so I'm interested to see how it stacks up against the retro 70s ray I just got. I'll probably only keep one of them.
So I just got another Retro 70 tonight. The first one had some issues so I had to return it.
This one is heavy. 10.3 lbs!
But it doesn’t have the dead spots my first one had. Actually all the notes sustain very good. I am going to have to figure out how to use the micro tilt as the g string can only go as low as 6/64 and I usually like 5/64. Anyone know what size wrench to use for the tilt adjuster? Also for the bullet truss rods?
Tone wise this thing is more aggressive sounding than my Stingray Classic. The Classic is warmer and slightly fatter sounding when both are at 50% bass and 50% treble. Not sure which sound I like better, I am going to have to play it more to tell.
I have 30 days to decide if I want to keep it or not. If I keep it I will have to sell off some other basses I own. I want to make sure it worth it. Only time will tell.
This one is heavy. 10.3 lbs!
But it doesn’t have the dead spots my first one had. Actually all the notes sustain very good. I am going to have to figure out how to use the micro tilt as the g string can only go as low as 6/64 and I usually like 5/64. Anyone know what size wrench to use for the tilt adjuster? Also for the bullet truss rods?
Tone wise this thing is more aggressive sounding than my Stingray Classic. The Classic is warmer and slightly fatter sounding when both are at 50% bass and 50% treble. Not sure which sound I like better, I am going to have to play it more to tell.
I have 30 days to decide if I want to keep it or not. If I keep it I will have to sell off some other basses I own. I want to make sure it worth it. Only time will tell.
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Bullet Truss Nut: 1/8 inch.
Bridge Side Bolts: 1/8 inch.
Neck Tilt: 3/32 inch.
String Saddle Height Screws: 5/64 inch.
Grub screws on control knobs: Small blade screwdriver only.
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So after playing it more I definitely noticed a big difference in tone compared to my other Stingrays. The Retro is more thicker, richer and fuller sounding. Aggressive as well. The E string especially. The notes feel like they project straight at you and hit you in the chest. My other stingrays seem more open sounding. The notes sound like they project outward and fill the room in comparison if that makes sense.
Not sure if one it better then the other but they are different.
Not sure if one it better then the other but they are different.
Yes, that's a good observation. Mine has an instantaneous, sharp attack and is very percussive. I really like that in a bass and Stingrays (especially this one!) do that very well. Ghost/muted notes just jump right out. And since I do a lot of that in my playing, it works well for me.
I'll have a chance to play it in a live group setting tomorrow. I'm 100% confident it will NOT be buried in the mix and will compliment the overall sound of the music with it's defined, warm tone.
No way it will get buried in the mix. I agree
So after spending the weekend playing and comparing the Retro to my other stingrays this one is definitely a keeper. It just has a sound that my other Stingrays can't do no matter how I EQ them. The Classic can come extremely close, but the Retro has this extra amount of richness and punch that the Classic doesn't have.
Maybe it has to do with the weight, 10.3 lbs I don't know.
As for the weight I was turned off at first but now I am actually really liking the weight. It balances so well that it really doesn't feel that heavy at all with a good strap. It makes me feel like I am playing a vintage bass.
The sustain on this retro is also very good. No dead spots that I could find and trust me I tried to find them after the first retro I bought had a very bad E string A note.
So now the hard decision. I need to get rid of a few basses to cover the cost, but I think it will be worth it.
Probably going to sell my P bass and old three band stingray as I play them the least.
I will post some pics later when I have more time.
Maybe it has to do with the weight, 10.3 lbs I don't know.
As for the weight I was turned off at first but now I am actually really liking the weight. It balances so well that it really doesn't feel that heavy at all with a good strap. It makes me feel like I am playing a vintage bass.
The sustain on this retro is also very good. No dead spots that I could find and trust me I tried to find them after the first retro I bought had a very bad E string A note.
So now the hard decision. I need to get rid of a few basses to cover the cost, but I think it will be worth it.
Probably going to sell my P bass and old three band stingray as I play them the least.
I will post some pics later when I have more time.
Ok, I just recently bought a Classic. Is the Retro different enough? What do you think?
Could be the extra mass.
Could be the slightly longer pole pieces.
Could be that no two instruments sound exactly the same.
Whatever the reason, these are super cool instruments.
They are very close in sound. The Retro is a tad more bright, rich and punchy sounding.
This video reminds me of the difference in tone. (40) Music Man Stingray Shootout - Sound Demo (no talking) - YouTube
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That's great, happy that you've found a keeper.
I got a message today from the store where I purchased, and returned 'my' white (10.2) Retro , to notify me that they have a black one in stock that weights 8.95..
I really want a white one, but am considering now to go for black.
Unfortunately as the store is across borders, there's no way I can test-drive the bass for dead-spots.
I guess mine was the worst in regards with dead-spots, and it would be really bad luck if I would run into the same issues, right?
Decisions..I'll have to change my avatar too
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both black and white are nice. I choose black.That's great, happy that you've found a keeper.
I got a message today from the store where I purchased, and returned 'my' white (10.2) Retro , to notify me that they have a black one in stock that weights 8.95..
I really want a white one, but am considering now to go for black.
Unfortunately as the store is across borders, there's no way I can test-drive the bass for dead-spots.
I guess mine was the worst in regards with dead-spots, and it would be really bad luck if I would run into the same issues, right?
Decisions..I'll have to change my avatar too
I would give it another try. You can always return it again.
I have a question for all of you bass buyers out there. How do you spend that much on an instrument without first knowing the weight? I always buy new from SW, where I can see the weight and also receive a 10-20% discount on every item, or used where I ask the seller to weight it, if they haven't already. I can't even fathom spending $3000 on a bass and having it show up and be 10+lbs, when it can so easily be avoided.
