Different Stingray weights and necks

[Linus27]

I have two stingray SR4's and they are both like chalk and cheese. One is a 3EQ in natural with maple neck from 2005 and weighs 9.4lbs with a thick precision like neck. The other is a 2EQ in trans. teal green with maple neck from 2007 and weighs 8.2lbs and has a very thin jazz like neck.

Is this normal to have such different weights and neck thicknesses? I always thought that they were pretty much the same across the board.

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Weights will vary, but the neck shape shouldn't be that different. Jazz-like neck; I wouldn't think so with a 2007 model Stingray. Maybe with the SLO models (Sterling profile and sized neck on a Stingray), but I don't think they came out until relatively recently (2009).

[Chuck B]

I had a '94 Ray awhile ago and when I got that 05 Ray the neck felt like an old friend.

[syciprider]

The Rays I owned varied a lot in weight but they all felt the same @ the neck (and everywhere else for that matter). EB is one very consistent maker.

[OutToPlayJazz]

I don't know if it's an optical illusion, but the maple board models always feel thicker than those with rosewood on the newer basses.

My piezo model has been to a luthier to be sanded down and satin lacquered, so it may be a little thinner (thumb to fingers) than the norm. All I know is that it's the most comfortable wooden neck I've ever played.

As for weight, that can vary hugely due to the wood density. I've had a couple of ash bodied basses which will remain unnamed on this forum, but one in particular weighed more than the Queen Mary II's anchor!

[oli@bass]

I don't know if it's an optical illusion, but the maple board models always feel thicker than those with rosewood on the newer basses.

I made the same observation. I've also observed that the necks may feel different due to climate chances and humidty. If you think about fret sprout, it becomes obvious that a neck is thinner in a dry climate than in a very humid one. It's made of wood and will change due to climate changes.

Something that has to be considered is also that the necks are hand finished and therefore will vary slightly in shape and dimensions. Depending on your sensory sensibility, you may feel that or not.

Another observation it made is: The surface feeling can trick your tactile sensors and make a neck appear thinner when the surface is smoother. After doing a full oil & wax finish on my Dargie 'Ray before selling it, the neck felt much more comfortable... but I knew it had the same dimensions as before.