Personally I think it’s one of the best looking headstocks in the business - fonts and all.
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Stingray popularity decline?
- Thread starter nomaj
- Start date
Personally I think it’s one of the best looking headstocks in the business - fonts and all.
I wanted a ray for years, basically since I discovered RATM in high school, took me about 7 years to get one. Sold it a month later. Absolutely hated the ergos of it.
Probably doesn't help sales. Then there's the whole Sterling SUB thing that can get confusing to those not in the know. MM marketing is not nearly up to the standards of their basses.
There are a lot out there but at the cheaper Sterling Ray price point.
EBMM makes great instruments. They look great, sound great, are well built, and now that they have shaved a pound or two off aren't on the heavy side.
It seems the guitar market the last 10 years or so has preferred the organic, lo-fi, passive sound. Short scale basses are in fashion. That's a sound EBMM hadn't done at all until the last couple years.
Fashion changes. The tight, modern sound will come back around.
It seems the guitar market the last 10 years or so has preferred the organic, lo-fi, passive sound. Short scale basses are in fashion. That's a sound EBMM hadn't done at all until the last couple years.
Fashion changes. The tight, modern sound will come back around.
I have to agree on the toy logo look.
Darren Stevens never would've tried to submit this to Larry Tate for approval.
Entire headstock is too busy, just like the Sterling SUB Rays...which are a thing of the past, by the way.
I think it’d look much better with just MUSICMAN StingRay.
It wouldn't stop me from buying one, of course, but then again, they’re simply not for me. Better options for better prices, IMO.
Of course, Music Man fans are every bit as steadsfast as Fender fans...they're not going anywhere and neither are the basses.
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The logo doesn't make that much of a difference - it's one extra font from anything you'd see on a Fender. If people aren't put off by a spaghetti logo and block capitals, one more isn't going to kill them.
Stingrays are great. Haven't touched the newer ones, but it's so nice to have such consistent build quality that the only question I have to ask is if I can afford it and what fingerboard / body color I want since I know I won't have to worry about much else once it is out of the box. The idea of a battery is inconvenient, but actually having one really isn't that big of a deal.
The things are versatile as all get out too. Saw them in all kinds of different contexts working just fine. There was a lot of stuff going on in the 90s from the alt rock scene to industrial, and the 'Ray wasn't out of place in any of them.
Stingrays are great. Haven't touched the newer ones, but it's so nice to have such consistent build quality that the only question I have to ask is if I can afford it and what fingerboard / body color I want since I know I won't have to worry about much else once it is out of the box. The idea of a battery is inconvenient, but actually having one really isn't that big of a deal.
The things are versatile as all get out too. Saw them in all kinds of different contexts working just fine. There was a lot of stuff going on in the 90s from the alt rock scene to industrial, and the 'Ray wasn't out of place in any of them.
There’s no knockin’ any bass until you play it live.
So many factors make a bass the ‘one’.
As much as I bond with Fender basses, there’s an MM out there that would likely change my mind.
So many factors make a bass the ‘one’.
As much as I bond with Fender basses, there’s an MM out there that would likely change my mind.
20-years ago you couldn't give away a P. now, everyone has to have one a claim they were the first. ... I still think the quality and price points for a USA made instrument is the best buy out there. ... Maybe it's time to add the MM, you've always drempt of, to your arsenal. The classic Stingray will never go away. ... "When people say sell, I say buy".
I really don't see them losing Popularity. Im keeping my 1989 5 string. Maybe some are shy by its weight but new ones are a pound or less in weight which is nice. I do think out of the factory made basses they have one of the best over all qualities.
I’m not sure about “professional” bassists (nor do I care), but Stingrays never sit on the shelves of Nashville music stores for long. So....I’d guess they are doing ok....
The 2018s are actually really sweet. A lot lighter and the new pickups sound awesome. The roasted maple board sure didn't hurt.
I'd sure like to try a lefty Stingray but haven't had any luck finding one and I won't buy a bass without playing it first. My trusty Fender MIJ '62 Reissue Jazz will just have to do I guess.
I'd agree that this one at least one major reason.
In the '80s Rics, PBass and Jazz Bass popularity waned in favor of pointy headstocks. Now they've made a comeback. IMHO it forces manufacturers to step to the plate and improve their product.
Everything vintage is still the trend. Even if it’s not actually vintage per-se. Precisions, Jazzs, Rics, and anything hollowbody looking is where it’s at.
Unfortunately, Stingrays never made it into the vintage category.
Unfortunately, Stingrays never made it into the vintage category.
As someone who teaches in a reputable design school, I’m going to respectfully disagree with you there. The Stingray headstock and graphics are beautifully designed (imo), and the type placement is considered and well laid out, especially given the context - that the Stingray is a classic bass and is closely linked with the music of the 70s. Stylistically, the design reflects this, and EB are being respectful of their heritage by maintaining the overall feel of the graphics. They have other options if modern is your preference, but to me this is not poor design, it’s considered but also reflective of a specific era.
I personally love it (even though I’m generally into Fenders).
I think the OP's observation maybe generally true, they did seem more popular in the 90's through the early 2000's. In recent years the mighty P (with flats) and J's seem more popular than ever. I have a love/hate relationship with the Stingray, my 96 3 band has always been too aggressive, twangy, thin sounding G string and not very warm. I think the new ones may addressing these..
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And half the RnB bands around here are using them.
Last I watched a regge fest on tv, there were many there as well.
I've not seen any decline.
Fair enough.
As someone who’s done his share of graphic and typographic design work early in my career (back in the 70s no less!) along with my sister who has an MFA and runs her own design agency, we’ll both have to respectfully agree to disagree in return. To us it’s cluttered, lacking in visual unity and flow, and amateurish looking. And it commits the grave sin (to us) of treating text as if it’s just another graphic element rather than something that’s visually pleasing but still meant to be easily read. But to each their own pet design theories I guess. We’re more in Edward Tufte and Rudolph Koch’s school of design than we are with Andy Warhol or Peter Max.
But that’s the beauty of graphic design. If you can get everyone to agree with what you’ve done, then you’re probably not being original enough.
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