Stingray popularity decline?

[Pet Sounds]

I wonder if the OP still feels the same way. I can tell you that the wife and I go to a lot of rock/metal music festivals (Louder Than Life, Rocklahoma, Welcome to Rockville, etc) on a regular basis and it’s probably almost 90% Stingrays these days. It’s about 5% Ps and Js, and another 5% for everything else.

The sad part is, the best “Stingray” isn’t even a Stingray. IMO, the USA Sterling is a far superior instrument. Even if you look past the neck (which is 1.5” nut and is better) and the smaller body (which I prefer), the fact that it gives you that 3 way switch to go from Parallel, to Single coil, to Series makes a huge tonal difference and is an improvement over the Ray. I love my Sterling.

Glad you like your Sterling! My first EBMM bass was a Sterling, a beautiful Blue Dawn model with a maple fretboard. I just didn't like the sound, try as I might. A few years later, I tried again with a gorgeous creamsicle orange Sterling, this time with rosewood. As much as I wanted to love them, they just didn't work for me. I much prefer old 2-band StingRays and Specials. To each his own.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Glad you like your Sterling! My first EBMM bass was a Sterling, a beautiful Blue Dawn model with a maple fretboard. I just didn't like the sound, try as I might. A few years later, I tried again with a gorgeous creamsicle orange Sterling, this time with rosewood. As much as I wanted to love them, they just didn't work for me. I much prefer old 2-band StingRays and Specials. To each his own.

That makes 2 of us. If you find the Sterlings, original 2bands, and pre Special 3 bands too clanky and bright, An Old Smoothie and/or a Short Scale Stingray Special with flats is about the warmest and most round of a StingRay sounds that you can get.
The right flats on the 2bands will smooth the sound out some as well.

If you want closer to Fender territory, the Big Al, Relex, Caprice, Cutlass, and some of the Joe Darts are where I would look .
You want a modern voice, Bongo is your bass.

 

[beatdatthang]

No, the sad part is, you probably really, really believe this to be true….

If you prefer the Sterling basses over the Stingrays for whatever reason, that’s fine and I understand the Sterlings to be good instruments as Squiers to Fenders and the G&L Tribute things to the domestic G&L basses. Different strokes, and so on as nauseum….

But to assert that the Sterlings are superior instruments to Stingrays will get you more funny looks and pity than anything else.

I think people think I’m talking about SBMM. I’m not. I’m talking about the USA EBMM Sterling basses. I would never compare the import SBMM to a US EBMM. I’ve owned both and I know the difference. The only thing the US Stingray has over the US Sterling is a bigger body and fatter neck. That’s it.

Clearly, this is all my opinion hence why I said “IMO” in my original post.

 

[PolkaHero]

I think people think I’m talking about SBMM. I’m not. I’m talking about the USA EBMM Sterling basses. I would never compare the import SBMM to a US EBMM. I’ve owned both and I know the difference. The only thing the US Stingray has over the US Sterling is a bigger body and fatter neck. That’s it.

Clearly, this is all my opinion hence why I said “IMO” in my original post.

They don't make these anymore, correct?

 

[beatdatthang]

They don't make these anymore, correct?

As far as I know. I think they stopped production a couple years ago.

 

[Jeff Scott]

If EBMM is a public company, you should buy stock in it.

Looks, to me, like she already has.

 

[Pet Sounds]

That makes 2 of us. If you find the Sterlings, original 2bands, and pre Special 3 bands too clanky and bright, An Old Smoothie and/or a Short Scale Stingray Special with flats is about the warmest and most round of a StingRay sounds that you can get.
The right flats on the 2bands will smooth the sound out some as well.

If you want closer to Fender territory, the Big Al, Relex, Caprice, Cutlass, and some of the Joe Darts are where I would look .
You want a modern voice, Bongo is your bass.

You and I are definitely sympatico on this topic, though I'm quite fond of the old 2-band StingRays. I don't really get any unpleasant clank or zinginess out of mine. I have a rosewood 2-band (early Ernie) that is very warm and round without losing definition, and it's wearing old rounds.

 

[Pet Sounds]

You and I are definitely sympatico on this topic, though I'm quite fond of the old 2-band StingRays. I don't really get any unpleasant clank or zinginess out of mine. I have a rosewood 2-band (early Ernie) that is very warm and round without losing definition, and it's wearing old rounds.

The only problem with it is the crushing weight.

 

[bassdude51]

This thread is almost 7 years old and has 19 pages. My post probably has already been said by someone.

I've seen threads like this one over the years with TalkBass.

Whether if the Stingray's popularity is on the decline, I have no idea. American made basses are very expensive now and difficult for us to buy. A new 'Ray is around $2,700 + taxes putting it over $3,000.

Some have said that the Stingray is "a one trick pony". This might be an issue with a 'Ray's popularity. The P Bass is also called "a one trick pony" but it's sound is more traditional bass whereas the 'Ray has a strong barking midrange kind of a sound that is very difficult to tame.

Over the years, I've owned 5 'Rays. I sold them and I'm never going to buy one again. Speaking for myself, it's sound is not for me.

Great bass! Extremely well made. They look really cool. There are genres of music where it is essential.

As for a decline in popularity. Who knows?