Was 2006 a good year for the Stingray?

[Mike Vee]

I have finally spotted the Stingray I want. Light ( < 9 lbs) and natural /maple combo, perfect attractive grain, mint condition. I want it!!!

Anything to know about this year? Good era for EBMM?

 

[Jim C]

I don't recall that there was ever a bad year for a Stingray.
A natural finish that is under 9 lbs (for a non-special) is very good.
My 83' and 2012 both are excellent players although the 83' is over 10 lbs.
It took me a long time to find one at 8.5 lbs which is why I bought the 2012.

 

[Bikeguy57]

They're all good. At that weight, I'd buy it before someone else does!

 

[Mike Vee]

They're all good. At that weight, I'd buy it before someone else does!

I did! Wooo! Not gonna lie, it was really, really pricey. But I've been looking for months and they just don't come up in this configuration and under 9 lbs often. I haven't seen any, actually, and I search multiple times a day.

I had a Stingray Special that was light, but i just couldn't get down with the roasted maple aesthetics. I am going to sell my Joe Dart now, which I love but it's just too small of a body and neck.

 

[Jim C]

So clean. Congrats!
Curious to hear how this compares to your old Special tone wise.

 

[Geri O]

You'll find that in general, the consensus on good vs bad Stingray years is that….

"there ain't no bad years…."…

 

[Mike Vee]

They're all good. At that weight, I'd buy it before someone else does!

So clean. Congrats!
Curious to hear how this compares to your old Special tone wise.

Thanks!
I will let you know when I get it. What is the general consensus? I've heard the older Stingray 3EQ 4H is more old school and the special is more "tame".

 

[tb4sbp]

Congrats! A very nice looking Ray

 

[Warpeg]

They're great! The post-mute/pre-Special era is my favorite for Stingrays. They were built incredibly well and seemed to have a very high degree of QC. I see basic versions selling for right around $1k here and there, so they are certainly a good value considering many other used USA basses on the market.

 

[Jim C]

Thanks!
I will let you know when I get it. What is the general consensus? I've heard the older Stingray 3EQ 4H is more old school and the special is more "tame".

I've read that but have never played a Special.
Some say the Specials don't has as much "clank or gank" (highly technical terms) but I've never had problems with this.
I will say that I like the 2-band EQ a little better but not enough to be a big deal. I would say that 1 month old strings vs. new is a much bigger difference. I nearly always keep the bass EQ at the center detent and rarely use much EQ at all with SR's.
Big question: did the Special have the "weak G string".
It's not that it is quieter, but rather a little less bottom on the G string. This has been a constant on the 3 SR's I've owned. I've learned to just compensate with right hand technique and EQ.

 

[Mike Vee]

They're great! The post-mute/pre-Special era is my favorite for Stingrays. They were built incredibly well and seemed to have a very high degree of QC.

good to hear! i had a special and liked it a lot, but like i said i didn't like the roasted maple look. i know it's silly but it bugs me. for some reason it looks bad on me when i hold it and also in my rack it clashes with my other basses. im pretty ocd so this matters to me.

i really wanted a 2 band classic but they are always so heavy and often very expensive (although i just paid over 2K for this guy, ouch!) and one less than 9 lbs is like a needle in a haystack (however they do exist). plus, not super down with thick, gloss neck or slab body. i would LOVE the mutes though, but foam will do.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I've read that but have never played a Special.
Some say the Specials don't has as much "clank or gank" (highly technical terms) but I've never had problems with this.
I will say that I like the 2-band EQ a little better but not enough to be a big deal. I would say that 1 month old strings vs. new is a much bigger difference. I nearly always keep the bass EQ at the center detent and rarely use much EQ at all with SR's.
Big question: did the Special have the "weak G string".
It's not that it is quieter, but rather a little less bottom on the G string. This has been a constant on the 3 SR's I've owned. I've learned to just compensate with right hand technique and EQ.

I've had both. My hearing is crap, but I would say they are different, but one is not BETTER than the other.

 

[Mike Vee]

I've read that but have never played a Special.
Some say the Specials don't has as much "clank or gank" (highly technical terms) but I've never had problems with this.
I will say that I like the 2-band EQ a little better but not enough to be a big deal. I would say that 1 month old strings vs. new is a much bigger difference. I nearly always keep the bass EQ at the center detent and rarely use much EQ at all with SR's.
Big question: did the Special have the "weak G string".
It's not that it is quieter, but rather a little less bottom on the G string. This has been a constant on the 3 SR's I've owned. I've learned to just compensate with right hand technique and EQ.

interesting!

nah, i don't remember noticing any G string issue on the Special - mine came with beautifully worn TI flats on it and it was setup so low it was like a touch screen to play it, haha. man, i do miss that special.

i will probably put TIs or La Bella LTFs on this ray.

 

[Bikeguy57]

I like Chromes on these...But I like Chromes on everything!

 

[Mastermold]

I don't recall that there was ever a bad year for a Stingray.
A natural finish that is under 9 lbs (for a non-special) is very good.
My 83' and 2012 both are excellent players although the 83' is over 10 lbs.
It took me a long time to find one at 8.5 lbs which is why I bought the 2012.

I found my SR5 on Sweetwater in 2013. 9 lbs even, good for a 5-string, especially for a standard Ray. Took some patience to find. Sounds like the OP should grab this 2006.

 

[Bikeguy57]

8.5 pounds of transparent blue awesomeness here. I know you'll love yours,

 

[Killing Floor]

Hot!

 

[Mike Vee]

8.5 pounds of transparent blue awesomeness here. I know you'll love yours,View attachment 4855917 View attachment 4855918

Nice!

 

[bigtone23]

I don't recall that there was ever a bad year for a Stingray.
A natural finish that is under 9 lbs (for a non-special) is very good.

You'll find that in general, the consensus on good vs bad Stingray years is that…. "there ain't no bad years…."…

This is my experience with MusicMan. Much like G&L & PRS, there really isn't a such thing as bad years.

good to hear! i had a special and liked it a lot, but like i said i didn't like the roasted maple look. i know it's silly but it bugs me. for some reason it looks bad on me when i hold it and also in my rack it clashes with my other basses. im pretty ocd so this matters to me.

i really wanted a 2 band classic but they are always so heavy and often very expensive (although i just paid over 2K for this guy, ouch!) and one less than 9 lbs is like a needle in a haystack (however they do exist). plus, not super down with thick, gloss neck or slab body. i would LOVE the mutes though, but foam will do.

Throw a 2EQ in it! The Mojotone and East versions are killer.

I have 2 MusicMan basses from this general era of your new/used bass. They are not actual Stingrays, but US made SUBs: an '04 5er and '05 4 string, both have the 2EQ and are exact same weight--9.5#. These were built on the same production line as yours. It's crazy how well these are built and how well they set up, play and sound! IF the workers at MM were a little looser with building these SUBs vs the SRs to save $$, I'd imagine your SR is incredible!!

 

[Mike Vee]

Throw a 2EQ in it! The Mojotone and East versions are killer.

Funny I was just walking my dog and thinking if there was some sort of aftermarket two-band conversion. What's the benefit?