Is it worth it?

[Duarte]

Here's the deal:

I may be about to buy Roberts (rlbates99) 30th anniversary stingray. In order to do this it would probably mean selling my sparkley ray which I have come to really love.

One question: is it worth it?

Zak

 

[oli@bass]

What I learned over the years (and also read hear many times on this forum): Don't give away an instrument you really love. Try to find a way to have both...

 

[carpedebass]

Yea, it's somewhat akin to selling one of your kids to buy another bass...actually....DERN! Too bad it's illegal!

 

[the unrepentant]

i'd keep the sparkly ray man.... is it the red sparkly one? If it means something to you though, i say keep it.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Don't get rid of something you know you like. Odds are you will like the 30th too, but if for some reason you don't, you're out of a bass you knew worked for you.

 

[barginkov]

definetly keep the bass you love, you will always regret selling, can never get it back, i have done it too many times and never again... its only money anyway, you can make that back

 

[Duarte]

30th really would be something sweet. I'll think for a bit.

 

[bassmancb]

Keep the one you like. You can always get the 30th when your funds are a little bit better.

 

[Steamthief]

Zak, I face a similar conundrum as you. I got a new 30th last weekend, with the intention of selling my SR4 you can see in my avatar. Like yours, it's a fairly rare finish, metal flake brown. After getting the 30th, which I completely dig, I'm having second thoughts on parting with my first Ball. Here's why:

Tonally, they're two different monsters. To my ears (your results/experience may vary), the mahogany bodied 30th has a more open, punchy, defined sound. My older Ray sounds a bit more compressed and a lot growlier. This may, or may not, be a result of brand new strings on the 30th, but they both wear DR Fat Beams, 45-105, and both have rosewood necks. May be the difference between mahogany and ash?

Weight-wise, the 30th weighs about two pounds more. If you're a young buck, no problem, but if you're gigging the 30th for multiple sets, this may be an issue to consider. My brown Ray is much more comfortable on a strap.

In terms of feel, nothing, in my opinion, trumps that of an unfinished EBMM neck after an application of Tru-Oil and Tru-Wax. Silky smooth and lightning fast! The 30th does have a poly (?) finished neck that has a much different feel from that of a standard StingRay. Not necessarily slower, just different.

So where am I going with this? I love the 30th! It sounds livelier than any bass I own, and the finish is beautiful - pics don't do it justice. Also, a lot of people are saying you can always get a 30th when you have the dough, but only seven hundred or so were made. I'd imagine after GC clears their remaining inventories, they'll be a lot harder to acquire.

Am I now going to sell Apollo? I'm not so sure I want to after realizing the differences between the two. My wife hasn't got on me yet to do so (as I said I would prior to getting the 30th), so I'll hang on for at least a few more weeks to let the strings settle in on the 30th before I make my final decision.

Hope this helps! By the way, dig the Tony Montana quote.

 

[RobertB]

Yep Steamthief - I described the tonal differences, as I hear them, in a similar way (and I know exactly what his Redrise SR4 sounds like). Like I told Zak in response to his pm, it'd be great if he could play a 30th first to help with the decision, especially if buying the one means selling the other, since he has (understandably) mixed feelings about it. I think that's the only way you can derive the kind of confidence in the decision that you're looking for. I have no doubt you'd love the 30th for what it is, as you do your Redrise SR4. They ARE different, and only you can guage how you feel about those differences & therefore whether you'd have regrets about getting rid of madam Redrise. Again, hopefully you can check out a 30th firsthand.

Whatever you do, don't anguish over the decision Zak! Don't rush to sell one you're very fond of, because of GAS. GAS will always be there. =)

 

[KennethB]

It's a gamble. Don't you have anything else you can sell so you can have both?

 

[PzoLover]

go with Love

Hey Zak,
if that's a genuine Autumn RedRise you got my vote is to stick with it, even though I understand your interest in a 30th Love that RedRise Sparkle and she'll Love ya back, forever
good luck, Zak!
ATB,
/PL

 

[sloshep]

Yes the 30th is an amazing player. I love mine very much. But they are different beast tonally. The 30th has a warmer more defined sound with a little less growl than a regular SR4. The 30th can be heavy too. If you really love your current one hold on to it. Sparkles getting pretty rare.

 

[Duarte]

I have got a Fender P and a fretless Jazz I could sell, but its not enough really (japanese P, Mexican J) and I have a very special bond with the P.

 

[mammoth]

sell the F@nders!!!! hehehe

 

[Duarte]

The fenders are staying put. What does everyone have against fenders anyway? Great instruments.

 

[mammoth]

The fenders are staying put. What does everyone have against fenders anyway? Great instruments.

absolutely nothing whatsoever, but if i had 2 of them.. i would probably sell them to buy a MM.

i definitely wouldn't sell your sparkle.... but thats just my opinion.

did you manage to try out the Bongo's i pointed out to ya buddy?

 

[Duarte]

No, I was passing through london to get to southampton, so was only there for about an hour or so.

Although, in Southampton I stayed with my bro at uni and his friend had a few sterlings. I have tried them before and thought the necks were too thin, but it turns out I quite like them. Much prefer the stingray neck though.

Bongos next, and hopefully a 30th if I can get my hands on one.

And yeah, Tony Montana is 'the man'.

 

[phatduckk]

some basses are a keeper. if your sparkle is a keeper then you may just have your answer right there.

 

[thunder]

keep them both, get the 30th. if you have to give one up....then sit on them for a while them make a decision. it would meesed up to sell the sparkle and realize you don't like the 30th (that won't happen).