I'm surprised at the dark remarks. I thought people were pretty excited to see these come out.
I suppose people will assume that my displeasure has more to do with my EBMM dealer status than it does with anything else, but it comes from elsewhere first.
I've always liked the fact that while there are a zillion Fenderish copies out there (and others), a Stingray is a Stingray. How many times have you seen someone playing a J or a P and asked yourself, "What is that?" I never had to do that with a Stingray.
The company policy of not selling parts or licensing parts helped to keep the clone business down to nearly nothing. More power to them, I say.
So it comes, first and foremost, from my long-standing love for the Stingray. Hell, I didn't even like the OLP concept, although I've made my peace with that.
Secondly, yes, I sell EBMM products and count the boss over there as a friend, so that has to be considered, I suppose. I am ready for my flogging, but I sincerely hope that EBMM shuts this down. The 3+1 headstock is protected, after all....so we'll see.
For a minute there I thought I was back in the "Bass Snobbery" thread.
We all have our preferences. Mine don't run to fancy tops and boutique basses, but I don't hold it against anyone who likes that sort of thing. I'm a 'lunch pail bassist' at best, but I do like a good, solid quality bass....don't want to have to cure fret sprout on a new instrument, that sort of thing. If that makes me a snob, I'm okay with it. (Although I'm assuming that the people who know me will laugh about the 'snob' handle.)
Obviously, if you want a less expensive but still quality instrument, there are SUBs. If you're a serious player (whatever that means), the street price on SUBs should strike you as pretty reasonable. If you want a platform to carry out dark, evil experiments, or if you want a beginner bass, there is the OLP. Both of those options reward the company that builds the Stingray - and other perfectly good instruments.
But the cheap-ass copies? I don't like them. I think it's stealing, and however big the flames get, I hope to hell that EBMM sues the everlovin' bejeezus out of them and makes them stop.
Unreasonable by design,
Jack
