Was 2006 a good year for the Stingray?

[FeltTipPen]

Beautiful!!!

 

[Stranger Danger]

The great thing I love about Stingrays that there is no reason to change anything on them. There is no aftermarket anything that's going to sound better than what they make in SLO. Other than Dunlop strap buttons and strings, they are perfect as is.

 

[Wolfhound32]

The great thing I love about Stingrays that there is no reason to change anything on them. There is no aftermarket anything that's going to sound better than what they make in SLO. Other than Dunlop strap buttons and strings, they are perfect as is.

Completely agree!
Heck, even the stock MM strap buttons are much better than most other companies

(L-R: Dunlop, MM/G&L, Fender)

The Dunlops are my favorite too

 

[DrBnz]

I have a 2006... white... matching headstock... without any pedals and with very little effort on my behalf its the meanest / nastiest sounding bass I own - Its a keeper. Oddly, mine has a push/pull mid-range knob/switch. The push/pull kinda sounds like its going Series/Parallel.(I've never taken it apart to see what's going on - I like it - its working - don't touch it).

 

[Smooth_bass88]

yeah just make sure the G string isn't weak relative to the others. I had this issue with several StingRays I owned.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I thought there were some early 80's years that were iffy? Something about neck and body supplier issues?

 

[packhowitzer]

I have a '98 3-band and it's pretty outstanding.

 

[Ric5]

 

[svlilioukalani]

There was something special about the old 2 band Stingrays. But there is a reason stingrays have the 3 band EQ now.

Which is cause there awesome. And way more appropriate when gigging. The knobs are sensitive and only need very minimal adjustments.

There is no need to change the electronics in a Stingray. Changing them will kill its value. If you don't like the sound, sell the bass. I personally love the sound. One of my favorite basses. They feel good in my hands and have a beautiful tone.

 

[Laurent]

In the wine business, they say "there no good vintages, only good bottles".
You can have bad bottles in good vintages and good bottles in bad vintages.

Same with basses, there some good 1962 Fender Precision and some bad ones. Most experts would say it was a good year however.
The quality of an instrument is all in the instrument, one cannot generalize.

 

[Mike Vee]

There is no need to change the electronics in a Stingray. Changing them will kill its value. If you don't like the sound, sell the bass. I personally love the sound. One of my favorite basses. They feel good in my hands and have a beautiful tone.

I won't change it!

 

[swink]

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.

For the 2band-3band discussion .... watch and learn, from the master himself:

 

[Chickenwheels]

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?

My '78 is 9lb even. I didn't think twice.
There are no bad years for the SR.

 

[Bodeeni]

I had a 2006 that was fairly light and I thought it was great. Which I still had it

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Original 70's - 80's pre Ernie Ball StingRays , Ernie Ball Classics , and Ernie Ball Specials are my favorites.

Thanks God for the Specials. These are the only ones that fit my hand like a glove and my body like a designer one of custom made dress.

But I enjoy listening to StingRays from every era being played. There is no bad era or year. For factory builds , they are one of the few brands that I would buy without playing it first if it had the specs and weight I desired.

I hope you have found YOUR StingRay.
If not, keep searching. It's worth it.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

For the 2band-3band discussion .... watch and learn, from the master himself:

Your StingRay5 always catches my eye.
It is such a natural beauty. The tort and rosewood with all of that great figuring on the neck and headstock with the body grain really looks amazing.

 

[logdrum]

I sold my 3006 Stingray 5 with piezo. It was heavy as well.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

 

[Jim C]

I thought there were some early 80's years that were iffy? Something about neck and body supplier issues?

There are those that say the 83' was sometimes dicey as it was the last year of Leo and things were maybe not as organized with suppliers, etc.
I bought my 83' used in about 86' and it been stellar so not true in my case.
I've talked to a couple guys on this board with 83's and there's have been good too.
Other than weight, all the SR's have been great IMO/IME assuming you like the tone.

 

[bobalu]

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?

I have owned (and still own) several Stingrays, Bongo's and Sterling's. There were no "bad years" for the Stingray. EBMM was/is top notch quality. Enjoy it!