Which Stingray to Get?

[born2play55]

Hey guys, i was wondering whether you thought it would be better to get a good condition used older model of stingray (1995 age) or to get a new one. I've heard a lot of speculation about the changing of the bridge and the battery cover. what do you think?

I can get a good condition trans blueburst (discontinued) 1994-1995 stingray with gig bag and i think a trans bridge (between the flea bridge and smaller bridge). But I may also be able to get a discount at guitar center for one and not have to pay tax cause thats how i roll...

thanks

 

[phatduckk]

id say get a new one if it fits your budget (esp. considering your hookups at GC)

IMO the new ones are top notch instruments

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Get the old one and save some money.

 

[sabb0]

if you want an old one how about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1979-Pre-EB-...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(joking, its mine)

 

[AxtoOx]

I have an MTD USA, Sadowsky and a Zon. I still seem to fit in playing my new HH 5'er. I don't know of any bad Stingrays.
Go w/ your gut.

 

[Fender32]

Personally, I love the older bridge design (with the string mutes) and so if I could get one of those, for less than the price of a new one, I'd go for it .

What is your concern about the neck plate and battery cover, btw, born2play55 ? I've never heard of any issues with the 4 bolt neck joint, Now, the 3 bolt fixing, that's another story :

 

[ROON]

I've heard a lot of speculation about the changing of the bridge and the battery cover.

Whaaaaaaa???

The battery cover is awesome, really simple and efficient. MM bridges are built like tanks, you shouldn't need to EVER change it.

 

[born2play55]

i didnt mean that they were bad, but i heard a guy at GC saying that he's had one bust open while in a show but not owning one i really dont have an opinion of them

 

[ROON]

i didnt mean that they were bad, but i heard a guy at GC saying that he's had one bust open while in a show but not owning one i really dont have an opinion of them

I can't imagine my Ray ever breaking! They are so solid!

Great basses, you won't be dissapointed.

 

[KarateKid25]

Yeah I love my ray.. No way that battery cover is gonna pop open

Doesn't matter what one you get, just get one!!!

 

[syciprider]

If you have a discount then get a new one. It will probably cost almost the same as used.

The old style battery cover is a pain. You need a screwdriver just to change batteries.

The new style doesn't just pop open either. It's the same generic battery cover used by many firms and is secure.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Whaaaaaaa???

The battery cover is awesome, really simple and efficient. MM bridges are built like tanks, you shouldn't need to EVER change it.

the older ones were a metal plate.


Id go with a new one, and try the HH / HS models.

 

[hasbeen]

Every post here says either get the new or get the old. I'm going to be different and say play both! Get the one that feels right.

MM's are consistant but EVERY bass is different....sometimes slight...sometimes significant. And since they are over 10 years apart, it might be significant.

If you save any money going one way or another, in a couple of years after playing an instrument that speaks to you, the money saved or the extra money spent won't even be an issue.

If you buy the old one, check the truss rod first to make sure you have enough play left in it.

 

[CBRStingray]

if you want an old one how about this?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1979-Pre-EB-...oryZ4713QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(joking, its mine)

Ha! I saw that on Ebay and wondered if it belonged to a TBer

 

[CBRStingray]

i didnt mean that they were bad, but i heard a guy at GC saying that he's had one bust open while in a show but not owning one i really dont have an opinion of them

I own an '04 Stingray and I can't see that happening. Ever.

 

[Papersen]

MM are known for their constant quality, one of the best out there for sure. I`ve had the chance to own 3 and they`ve been great basses.

My fav is the HH model. Has all the features of a "traditional" Stingray plus lots of versatility. Anyway, try to play them first before deciding.

 

[ergodynebass]

What kind of fretboards do they have, didn't the older ones come with the Birdseye maple if they had maple fretboards?

 

[funkybassinator]

id get a new one, ive heard people complain that the older necks, (97 and before i think) warp pretty easily.

 

[Masher88]

They are all good basses! Don't fret (no pun intended) over the battery cover...you maybe have to change the battery in the bass like 2 times a year. Unless you play everynight for 4 hours a night. I've been doing at the very least 2 or 3 shows a month (sometimes 2 shows a week) for a whole year and the same batery in my Sterling is still fine from when I bought it...used.

What kinda discount can you get from GC? If it's close to a used price you may just want to get the used

 

[bovinehost]

ive heard people complain that the older necks, (97 and before i think) warp pretty easily.

I wish I knew how crap like this gets started. Whoever told you that is full of doo-doo.