Also, forgot to add in my previous post, they said would be 4 to 5 months until these were at dealers.
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This is interesting... Sire MM Bass???
- Thread starter LAST_C
- Start date
Make sense if you could use the passive tone to roll off a bit more of that sizzle. Free up the mids for shaping the top of the bass response.
Between that and the jazz neck pickup, you'd have quite the versatile little bass. Just the ticket for gigs where you like to keep your gear close.
I really kinda sorta wanted to dislike this bass (due to being a blatant ripoff) but it does tick a lot of boxes for my personal bass preferences:
-22 frets
-HS pickups
-Contoured neck joint
-minimal lower horn (looks might grow on me eventually)
-active controls (though I do wish there was a passive option)
Weight, sound, string spacing (5-string), build quality, and neck profile are yet to be determined and might influence any final purchase decisions. Gotta say it's tempting. I already have a SR5 and an ATK805 so it might be a bit redundant but you never know...
This stood out while I was looking at the z7 specs...
"Composed of Alnico and US-made coil pick up impressing a vintage bass sound ..."
Wonder who makes it?
-22 frets
-HS pickups
-Contoured neck joint
-minimal lower horn (looks might grow on me eventually)
-active controls (though I do wish there was a passive option)
Weight, sound, string spacing (5-string), build quality, and neck profile are yet to be determined and might influence any final purchase decisions. Gotta say it's tempting. I already have a SR5 and an ATK805 so it might be a bit redundant but you never know...
This stood out while I was looking at the z7 specs...
"Composed of Alnico and US-made coil pick up impressing a vintage bass sound ..."
Wonder who makes it?
Now a 4:16 video of the Z3 has been posted. That tone is legit! At under $500, this is one heck of a deal!
Well, in the current video it seems the Z3's bass control is also a push/pull to switch between active/passive... what do I know?
The more I look at these the more I'm into it.
IMHO the lower horn looks really good with the rest of the bass. Would likely have bought one of these instead of the sterling ray 5 of it had been available.
IMHO the lower horn looks really good with the rest of the bass. Would likely have bought one of these instead of the sterling ray 5 of it had been available.
But the blatant Fender ripoff line is ok though?
The hand wringing over the fact they're copying a Ray is kinda funny....
I generally don't care about ripping off designs that have been around forever. I understand that companies need to make money. That said I pay zero attention to budget brands ripping off designs because there are plenty of options from the parent company in the same price range with comparable quality. The days of "Hey get this because its like a Fender but beats the pants off of Squier" are gone. Fender has tons of great products in all the price ranges so why bother. If it works for some people, thats great. Choices are a great thing. I love that the current market is filled with so many quality products in all kinds of price ranges. With Stingrays there is a slight gap in the market because Sterling is a bit spotty from what I hear. So its good these exist. I REALLY wish they would have just stuck with the 4 in a line tuners. It looks better and doesn't send off the same Chinese rip off vibe. But I may still grab one in natural.
Not really.
I don't think "I really kinda sorta wanted to dislike this bass" qualifies as hand-wringing.
That comment was not intended to be directed solely at you.Not really.
I don't think "I really kinda sorta wanted to dislike this bass" qualifies as hand-wringing.
I decided to throw my name on the list for a Z3 in Black Sparkle. I live close to Sweetwater and my rep said I could come check it out in person before I pull the trigger.
I don't give a fig, raisin, prune or carrot about a headstock, and I think it's - it won't win any beauty contests. But the main question - the only question I care about - what's the string spacing at the bridge on the 5!?? 
LMAOOOOO I hope it's similar to EBMMSRS which I LoveI don't give a fig, raisin, prune or carrot about a headstock, and I think it's - it won't win any beauty contests. But the main question - the only question I care about - what's the string spacing at the bridge on the 5!??
Calebmundy
Supporting Member
- Apr 5, 2007
- 1,135
- 819
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: DNA Amplifiers, Lākland Basses
It’s notoriously hard to search Trademarks I’m a way that 100% rules out all possible marks, but it appears that the TM Ernie Ball registered is the headstock SHAPE in addition to the tuner layout. Link Removed
Calebmundy
Supporting Member
- Apr 5, 2007
- 1,135
- 819
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: DNA Amplifiers, Lākland Basses
They’ve also had plenty of time to file a preliminary injunction and haven’t. So they like don’t have a case.
I'm surprised someone hasn't done something like this sooner. US EBMM prices are chasing boutique prices and the offshore Sterlings now sell for what the US product used to. I expect thousand dollar SUBs any day now.
I understand the price increases (after 10-dollar coffee, 12-dollar bacon, and 60-thousand Ford F150's, why not?), but their sales have got to be shrinking in the face of all this.
WTH. Any day now, I expect to buy 34" scale strings, open the pack, and they're 32": "Same great tone for the Same great price!"
OK, 'ShrinkFlation Blues' in G, 1,2,3 . . . .
I understand the price increases (after 10-dollar coffee, 12-dollar bacon, and 60-thousand Ford F150's, why not?), but their sales have got to be shrinking in the face of all this.
WTH. Any day now, I expect to buy 34" scale strings, open the pack, and they're 32": "Same great tone for the Same great price!"
OK, 'ShrinkFlation Blues' in G, 1,2,3 . . . .
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Calebmundy
Supporting Member
- Apr 5, 2007
- 1,135
- 819
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: DNA Amplifiers, Lākland Basses
NOOOOOO!!!
There are three levels of 5 string Stingray, the expensive once, the affordable Ray 35 and the very budget Sterling, and they're all narrow! We've been pleading for a wide spacing 'Ray for years! Shoot, Ernie Ball made a neck through model and a short scale model, and they still ignore us!
I had a five string 'Ray decades ago, never could get along with it. The Laklands 55-02s are well designed, very playable (I have a JoBo Skyline) but just don't sound the same. I guess I'll have to see if I can make one myself. Dremel, here I come. Have mercy on my Attitude 5.
Wide spacing is the KISS OF DEATH for me. Thus I only like P Basses with Jazz 1.5 necks. Also even though the V5's 5 string spacing is wider than Stingray Specials its not as wide as Fender which I tried and hated it. Laklands 35" scale would also fall into the category for me.NOOOOOO!!!
There are three levels of 5 string Stingray, the expensive once, the affordable Ray 35 and the very budget Sterling, and they're all narrow! We've been pleading for a wide spacing 'Ray for years! Shoot, Ernie Ball made a neck through model and a short scale model, and they still ignore us!
I had a five string 'Ray decades ago, never could get along with it. The Laklands 55-02s are well designed, very playable (I have a JoBo Skyline) but just don't sound the same. I guess I'll have to see if I can make one myself. Dremel, here I come. Have mercy on my Attitude 5.
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