because it’s what they did then. If you don’t CBS rush cut the pocket, it’s as good as any other neck joint.
I like the bullet, too. Anytime you don’t have to pull the neck or make dremel mods to the pocket is a win for truss adjustments.
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Stingray Classic Returns
- Thread starter LadyLoveStingRay5
- Start date
I like the bullet, too. Anytime you don’t have to pull the neck or make dremel mods to the pocket is a win for truss adjustments.
I'm completely with you. I can't fathom justifying this after building out my Ray25CA. I picked it up for $230 and I have maybe $400 in upgrades into it. It sounds just like my old pre-EB, plays at least as good as it ever did, and it weighs probably literally 3 lbs less with one more string. I don't have birdseye maple but I'm still sitting at under $700 all in. Makes a compelling case. I actually pick it up a lot more than I do my Bongo 5. I would love another EB but I can't bring myself to swing for a new one.
Mine is a keeper too. But contours and black paint!! You are a brave man.
My Old Smoothie will keep my gas under control.
I had it done by John Kallas (Johnny GoGo). You may know him from people here. He actually has history with Leo and the earliest Stingrays.
And those Ray 24/25CA basses are absolutely fantastic. I also got lucky with my Classic and it clocks in under 9 lbs. I just gigged it this weekend and it handled everything from Sweet Caroline to Enter Sandman with the greatest of ease and sliced right through the mix with two electrics, two acoustics, drums, and keys occupying the sonic space. Stingrays just do it for me and I wish I had one from every era or series they've ever made.
Hmmm. I'm certain I've seen the guts of a Classic with epoxy - will have to hunt through old photos to see if I can find it.
Although authentic, I'd hope they would leave the epoxy off all preamps. Its correct use is protecting components from the environment and achieving certain insulation/isolation properties in safety circuits. If a single component fails then the whole PCB is a write-off. It's the one aspect of my Old Smoothie that I don't particularly like.
The natural finish is the classic incarnation of the first Stingray basses.
Nice ax but .. at 3000$ (I assume, based on the price of the other recently marketed Stingrays) my hands would be trembling while trying to reach the wallet ..
Nice ax but .. at 3000$ (I assume, based on the price of the other recently marketed Stingrays) my hands would be trembling while trying to reach the wallet ..
The Musicman Sterling 4 Classic was almost what you're describing. It had the through body mute bridge, 2 band preamp, plain nut, slab body, old style chrome battery cover and clip (more robust than the plastic flip out), but included the modern 6 bolt neck plate (not as good as the 5 bolt IMO), truss rod wheel and ceramic pickup.
TB member Bibby's Classics below:-
(Talking of the plastic flip out battery boxes, has anyone else had a problem with getting brands other than Duracell to fit reliably?)
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?
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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Those Sterlings look marvelous!
As for the batteries, I've had the same issue! Energizer and other brands have to be coerced into the compartment. My Sterling Ray4 has EMG electronics and I thought it was just because it wasn't the stock battery connector in the box, but perhaps it's a more common issue than I thought.
I didn't know this thread existed and started my own (sorry!), but I'll give my piece here.
I have been chasing that Pre-EB StingRay sound for a while, and would love to have this bass. I'm a massive fan of Bernard Edwards especially, and am still trying to chase his sound from the perspective of technique, note choice, and baseline composition. That said, I'm in college and already have quite enough gear (and just bought my first real Fender which made a noticeable dent in the wallet), so it would really be gilding the lily for me. Especially at $3199... maybe I'll save up enough to look into financing it but as it stands it's a total pipe dream. My modified Sterling Ray4 should suffice for my purposes.
I have been chasing that Pre-EB StingRay sound for a while, and would love to have this bass. I'm a massive fan of Bernard Edwards especially, and am still trying to chase his sound from the perspective of technique, note choice, and baseline composition. That said, I'm in college and already have quite enough gear (and just bought my first real Fender which made a noticeable dent in the wallet), so it would really be gilding the lily for me. Especially at $3199... maybe I'll save up enough to look into financing it but as it stands it's a total pipe dream. My modified Sterling Ray4 should suffice for my purposes.
So you think it is easier to have to pull the neck off to adjust the truss? Because that's the way most traditional Fenders are, unless you want to get your wood chisels out. The bullet truss adjust was a big step forward in ease of adjustment. And what are most companies doing these days??? It's just a "bullet truss" that doesn't stick out the top of the neck.
As for the indentation... use your ears. It doesn't matter where center is. What matters is what sounds best. I actually prefer no "center detent."
THIS!!
Each Ernie Ball version of the original Stingray has been just that….a version that never managed to be a true reproduction. Until now. This new Retro ‘70’s model appears to be a faithful reproduction as nears as I can tell. Although, I’ve not seen the back of the bass; but if the battery cover is like the original (chrome plated metal) then all parts/specs appear to be per the originals. I had a ‘77 (or ‘78?) when it was new and this Retro ‘70’s model looks like it nails my original in every way. I had the Sunburst finish and it was gorgeous. But, along with nailing all of the original’s parts and specs comes nailing the weight of the originals, too. My original was easily 10 pounds.
I wonder if Ernie Ball will ever make a faithful reproduction of the original Music Man Sabre bass. I still have my original and it’s awesome! Maybe I need to consider one of these new Retro ‘70’s Stingray models in Sunburst to complete my classic Music Man collection. Funny thing, the price of the new models are almost 8 times what I paid for my original.
I didn't know it actually served a purpose, beyond making it almost impossible to rip off the design, without destroying it in the process.
Good to know.
I like the modern Stingray's truss rod adjust at the bottom of the neck.
If you don't like any of it, then go buy the modern standard StingRay...thats why this is optional model, not the only model.
BTW, my '78 StingRay is only 9.5 lbs lbs. I've owned many preEB's and NONE were over 10.5 lbs. Oh, and the 3-bolt neck doesn't shift and is rock solid...its not a Fender.
Are you accounting for inflation? I'm to young to know the original prices as I would I've been ~7 years old. But do you remember what the retail price was for a new one back in 78?
