Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
- Thread starter Rod Trussbroken
- Start date
petebretzke
Member
I hate to say it, but the announcement of the Retro '70s Sting Ray is both exciting and disappointing. While I love all things Sting Ray (I own 2 and will never part with them!), I'm frustrated that we don't have anything new except special variations of the tried and true Sting Ray. It's awesome to say the least, but I miss the days when the Big Al, , Sabre Classic, Cutlass, and Caprice basses were available alongside the SR, Sterling, and Bongo. Big Poppa even talked about a St. Vincent bass at one point.
To make matters worse, we are limited to a select few finishes, no choice in fretboard, and no choice in hardware. I mean, I would totally pull the trigger on a Sting Ray Special HH in sunburst with an ebony fretboard, tort pick guard, and modern chrome hardware but alas, the closest I can get is burnt ends or a short scale, passive SR.
I'm loyal though and I will keep holding my breath. I get it, new means additional cost, and I know EBMM is not in business to just get by. I respect that, but I would really love to see something new. Something active. Something funky. Something that isn't another Sting Ray.
To make matters worse, we are limited to a select few finishes, no choice in fretboard, and no choice in hardware. I mean, I would totally pull the trigger on a Sting Ray Special HH in sunburst with an ebony fretboard, tort pick guard, and modern chrome hardware but alas, the closest I can get is burnt ends or a short scale, passive SR.
I'm loyal though and I will keep holding my breath. I get it, new means additional cost, and I know EBMM is not in business to just get by. I respect that, but I would really love to see something new. Something active. Something funky. Something that isn't another Sting Ray.
tbonesullivan
Well-known member
Hmm. I wonder why they did this, instead of just putting out more of the Stingray Classic.
DrKev
Moderator
I think this is very cool. Between the 70's Stingray the Stingray Special you have vintage accurate and very modern versions of the same bass. And the short scale! 
racerx
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2021
- Messages
- 367
I really dig the mutes. I recently got my hands on a Classic Sabre with them installed and it was my first experience using them. I'm sure they are a blast on StingRays too.I think this is very cool. Between the 70's Stingray the Stingray Special you have vintage accurate and very modern versions of the same bass. And the short scale!
petebretzke
Member
I totally get it. Classic SRs are nearly impossible to find in decent shape without paying an arm and a leg. I’m way cool with these - they are sexy as all get out! My gripe is we have so many flavors of the same few basses. I’d really like to see something as earth shattering/ground breaking as the Big Al was. Something new, something active, something in a standard 34” scale with 2 or more pickups.
Again, I’m a complete EBMM fan and love Music Man basses. I just want something new is all.
Again, I’m a complete EBMM fan and love Music Man basses. I just want something new is all.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
One of these would fit in very nicely with my Pre-EB 1978, Old Smoothie and Classic Rays
mynan
Well-known member
I would love to see/hear a side-by-side comparison of all 4. Was there any difference between a "regular" Ray and the Classic Ray besides the mute bridge and color options?One of these would fit in very nicely with my Pre-EB 1978, Old Smoothie and Classic Rays
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
.
The Classic had a slab body and either 4 or 5 string. Neck is 7.5" radius with a choice of Flamed or Birds Eye maple. Also a choice of Maple or Rosewood fret board. 2EQ preamp only. Strings through body.
At the same time the regular Ray had a contoured body with an 11" radius oil/wax neck (Classic is finished neck). A choice of 2EQ or 3EQ
The 2EQ preamp in each is the same.
ThisLadyLovesStingray
Member
Im glad they released these. But the heavy weight slab bodies are a no go for me. I know a lot of players will be happy to get these into their hands.
gluvhand
Active member
I'll try one at some point but one slab, my US SUB, is enough for me.
greensauce
New member
Yooo all hail yhe RAY! classic or bust man I tell you what nothin holds down the bottom like a stingray except no substitutes live my sterling ray5string
ThisLadyLovesStingray
Member
Likewise. I prefer the smoother tone of my Old Smoothie. But this is still a great option for those that desire this old school 70's sound, looks, and feel.
nebadon
Active member
Hopefully the pre EB cultists will put money where their mouth is
Sarcasm Ahead(kinda)
Since they don't like EB Stingrays last 40 years and believe Leo's original is best and all EB efforts, passion Etc. In improving Stingray failed and ruined original product even Giving Them the Classic but with modern upgrades they snubbed
Sarcasm Ahead(kinda)
Since they don't like EB Stingrays last 40 years and believe Leo's original is best and all EB efforts, passion Etc. In improving Stingray failed and ruined original product even Giving Them the Classic but with modern upgrades they snubbed
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nebadon
Active member
PS to my post; Fun aside I am sure the Retro's are a well built, great playing, Excellent sounding Basses as are 3 bands last few decades and Special nowHopefully the pre EB cultists will put money where their mouth is
Sarcasm Ahead(kinda)
Since they don't like EB Stingrays last 40 years and believe Leo's original is best and all EB efforts, passion Etc. In improving Stingray failed and ruined original product even Giving Them the Classic but with modern upgrades they snubbed
BOOST
Well-known member
I truly wish they would of given us lefties a chance. I've been dying for a 2eq vintage sound... ugghh
The whole array of SR variations just flys by me. I have several SRs (and a few Sterlings) only one "vintage" but none are of the variations of the past 10 to 15 years. IOW just vanilla models of SR and Sterling with quite a variety of PUs etc.
HOWEVER ... my fave is my "vintage" '89. Skunk stripe neck, 3 EQ, fantastic defret job. Not a "cult approved" version of vintage and I never bought it seeking a vintage bass. I bought it as a maple FB fretless cuz THAT intrigued me.
Does the triple EQ violate something ? Is an '89 "too new" ? Is the 4-bolt neck joint "true vintage" or simply inferior and weaker ??? Why cant this just be a cool bass that happens to be 35yrs old ? Im kinda glad that the defret mod job removes my bass from consideration by cultists ... especially since that "major violation" made it verrrry affordable for me to buy !
FWIW, most of my other also beloved MMs are FLs with piezos or with the HS PU config ... three currently unavailable options. Im also left handed so I can sympathise with that rejected constuency even tho I personally dont play lefty.
So Im not one to lust for vintage MMs but Im starting to understand that, cuz EB no longer builds anything like the MMs that brought me into the fold.
HOWEVER ... my fave is my "vintage" '89. Skunk stripe neck, 3 EQ, fantastic defret job. Not a "cult approved" version of vintage and I never bought it seeking a vintage bass. I bought it as a maple FB fretless cuz THAT intrigued me.
Does the triple EQ violate something ? Is an '89 "too new" ? Is the 4-bolt neck joint "true vintage" or simply inferior and weaker ??? Why cant this just be a cool bass that happens to be 35yrs old ? Im kinda glad that the defret mod job removes my bass from consideration by cultists ... especially since that "major violation" made it verrrry affordable for me to buy !
FWIW, most of my other also beloved MMs are FLs with piezos or with the HS PU config ... three currently unavailable options. Im also left handed so I can sympathise with that rejected constuency even tho I personally dont play lefty.
So Im not one to lust for vintage MMs but Im starting to understand that, cuz EB no longer builds anything like the MMs that brought me into the fold.
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