Question Those of you who've bought Roasted Goodness

[drTStingray]

I'm v curious - apart from looking sensational, what sonic difference you get with the roasted neck - it's advertised as stronger fundamental and harmonics I think, as well as better stability. What have you guys found with these?

I'm especially interested in what this does for a Classic Ray - seeing those pics of the Guitar Centre ones has really got me gassing - and that's just based on the looks of them

Anyone care to chime in with some thoughts on this?

 

[MadMatt]

What are fundamental harmonics?

I think the tonal differentes I hear are mostly due to the Ebony FB. I got the roasted primarily for the sexy looks

 

[laneline]

I went through three different Roasted models to end up with the Bongo. The first was a Honey Burst SR5 HH with an all Maple neck and board which was a total lust at first site purchase. This particular bass surprised me as it was darkest sounding Maple neck I've ever played so my initial reason for not keeping it was it just sounded to close to my HH 25th with a rosewood board, as nuts as that is to state. I also felt it didn't have the snap I was used to with maple. I never played any other all maple Roasted so I don't know if it was unique or not.
But the Big Al 5HH and Bongo 5HH with Ebony boards I find have the same tonal characteristics, great harmonics, can get get as aggressive as you want or as warm as you want, of course the model you're looking at has a different pre amp so it's not apples to apples. But overall, for me the Roasted Maple /Ebony combination is bass nirvana, I think both woods work perfect together. I hope you get a chance to try one first, or at least get a tone report from the seller on the bass you choose.
As far a stability that will take some time to know, but I can't imagine that being an issue. Good luck in your bass quest, GC is really stepping up with their exclusive stock orders from MM. Rick

 

[JayDawg]

I have a Bongo 4H Roasted that I just got on Thursday. The only one I can compare it too is my Bongo 4HH DDII because both have the 18 volt electronics that are much louder than my other basses. Between the 2, there is a different tone that the 4HH but I don't know if it is more the pickup setup or the Roasted neck? In any event, I love my Roasted Bongo. The thing is an amazing bass.

 

[drTStingray]

What are fundamental harmonics?

As you may have guessed - I'm paraphrasing the advertising blurb. I think it means a stronger bass note and louder harmonics but I guess it may be more complex than that

Really interesting to hear it's affect with a maple/maple - and they do look killer. . . . . . .

 

[MadMatt]

As you may have guessed - I'm paraphrasing the advertising blurb.

I was just trying to be funny at my own expense.

I also found Laneline's test very interesting. I was looking for a more aggressive sound and the ebony roasted I have is definitely that

 

[Sweat]

OK while I am from that skinny string side of the fourm feel I am qualified to discuss roasted goodness

I love these on every level, I bought my first one back in October at the Arlington Guitar Show, a one off mystic dream JP.
I now have 2 in the house, one more coming soon and if they add roasted as an option for other colors I will have another, PLEASE Can only have a couple black guitars!!

Anyways yes looks aside I believe you have more sustain, livelier, longer notes, stronger overall tone and superb neck stability and the finish is awesome.

So yes believe the hype and print buy the roasted NOW!!!!!

OK slinking off to the dark side now

 

[davidjbass]

More sustain, livelier, longer notes, stronger overall tone and superb neck stability and the finish is awesome

After owning and performing with various Classic Stingrays over the past year I find the statement above to sum it all up for me.
Also with the Stingray 5 HH with a roasted maple neck and fingerboard I did own for a short time I found that the roasting process made the maple neck have a darker sound as one other poster stated. Something I did not like because I like my maple fingerboards to be real bright. The Classic 5 with a roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard that I own has to be hands down the best sounding of any of the new Classic Stingrays I have owned. I have always been a fan of ebony fingerboards because of their harse but warm tone. Plus performing here in good ole New England where one day it can be 10 degrees with wind chills of -20 and snowing and the next day be 50 degrees warm and sunning I found that the roasted neck has been very stable where as my other necks do move a bit more. And yes they really look stunning.

 

[drTStingray]

More sustain, livelier, longer notes, stronger overall tone and superb neck stability and the finish is awesome

After owning and performing with various Classic Stingrays over the past year I find the statement above to sum it all up for me.
Also with the Stingray 5 HH with a roasted maple neck and fingerboard I did own for a short time I found that the roasting process made the maple neck have a darker sound as one other poster stated. Something I did not like because I like my maple fingerboards to be real bright. The Classic 5 with a roasted maple neck and ebony fingerboard that I own has to be hands down the best sounding of any of the new Classic Stingrays I have owned. I have always been a fan of ebony fingerboards because of their harse but warm tone. Plus performing here in good ole New England where one day it can be 10 degrees with wind chills of -20 and snowing and the next day be 50 degrees warm and sunning I found that the roasted neck has been very stable where as my other necks do move a bit more. And yes they really look stunning.

Looks like another to add to my wanted list.

 

[Basswave]

I went through three different Roasted models to end up with the Bongo. The first was a Honey Burst SR5 HH with an all Maple neck and board which was a total lust at first site purchase. This particular bass surprised me as it was darkest sounding Maple neck I've ever played so my initial reason for not keeping it was it just sounded to close to my HH 25th with a rosewood board, as nuts as that is to state. I also felt it didn't have the snap I was used to with maple. I never played any other all maple Roasted so I don't know if it was unique or not.
Rick

Its not unique...I think darker sounding lower mids come out a bit on the Roasted.
I don't think its a bad thing persy, I like it with the Ebony.