2 New Stingray's in Two Weeks !!

[BigDave]

What a few weeks it has been. First a new Gold Stingray and then two days ago a new Classic Stingray 4 with the high gloss Birdseye Maple Neck and matching headstock! I did have part with two of my basses to get them and I am hoping to get some reassuring feedback to say I did the right thing. I had to let go of Big Al . I was not that I did not love the Big Al, I think he was just to funky for me. I will say that I was frustrated with the buttons on Al as three of the four of them started giving me problems Anyway, I will miss Al and the wide assortment of tones but, I also gave up my $3200.00 Lakland. It was beautiful but I just feel in love with the Classic and the playability of it. It's like I had to have it. I love these new basses and to me, they look great whereas the Lakland was just not striking me anymore. I know a lot of people may say that I am a fool for getting rid of the Lakland but I am very happy with these Ray's and they are keepers. I know the rules, if there are no pictures, it did not happen so the pictures will follow. I look forward to hearing some responses and hopefully positive feedback about my trade decisions. I will miss Al though, he was a great bass.

 

[Movielife]

What problems were the buttons giving you on the Al?

 

[BigDave]

Well, shortly after getting it (with a week or two), the bridge pick up button would not stay in the down position. I thought it may be due to it rubbing on the pick guard as if I push harder, finally it would stay down. Not a major issue since I really did not change settings that much. Then, the neck pick up began doing the same thing. Finally, just before getting rid of Al, the passive/active button began cutting in and out. I take extremely good care of my instruments and they are never abused so I know that these buttons did not "wear out" or suffer any beatings. Anyway, hope that answers the question. I loved the Big Al and would have fixed the button issue but again, I think Big Al is a little to funky for me. I love the traditional look and my new Stingray's are great. Thanks for asking Movielife!!

 

[Movielife]

Oh heck! It is indeed a funky cool design. Im hoping to get one on order.

 

[danny-79]

The classic Stingrays are sweet, so if your happy with your choice then all is good
(looking forward to the pics )

 

[sitonmybass]

I also gave up my $3200.00 Lakland. It was beautiful but...

...whereas the Lakland was just not striking me anymore. I know a lot of people may say that I am a fool for getting rid of the Lakland

Hey, Big Dave!

I live here in the Tampa Bay area as well and I am the bass player with the band "Stormbringer."

Small world.

And coincidentally, I just sold my last remaining Lakland TODAY!

I had three and I sold them all within the past few months.

Congratulations on your new basses, I know you'll be quite happy with them and will not end up regretting your decisions.

Come out and see us.

 

[Steamthief]

What color is the classic?

 

[bovinehost]

I know a lot of people may say that I am a fool for getting rid of the Lakland

Well....not so much, not around here, I'd say.

 

[tommixx]

Well....not so much, not around here, I'd say.

Thanks a lot! I just spit a mouthful of Michelob at the wall so I would not get it on the Mac I was reading that on...Seriously ROTFLMAO!



Not to pile on but just a few weeks ago I got rid of the Last Lakland I will ever have. I used to Endorse them and had issues with 3 different basses I got right out of the box... I contacted the dealers (all were wonderful but Bass Central went WAAAYYYY out of their way for me) After we sent the third one back I got a message from Lakland....I swear to God This is EXACTLY what I was told...

We are sorry but Lakland can no longer meet your quality standards....

That was IT...I was floored! I never had a company tell me anything like that before....By the way I have owned over 60 Laklands and THEY KNOW THIS! And I STILL got that message...I lost $600 to get rid of the last one...It was like having that REALLY BAD morning breath Taste in your mouth ALL the time about the whole thing so I just took the beating and got an Ernie Ball Music Man...I don't play ANYTHING else but Music Mans now...PERIOD! thank you Mr. Ball and crew for making a product we all love so much!

Peace,

T

 

[Movielife]

Wow, well I wasn't endorsed by the L crew, but I had exactly the same problem; poor quality control. I tried 5-6 basses, all apparently new. Every one of them had some sort of problem.

I then came back to my senses and ordered 2 new EBMMs...and now I want a Big Al 5.

Good choice, sorry about losing out on cash. Now they have been taken over it was probably a wise decision.

 

[JayDawg]

Thanks a lot! I just spit a mouthful of Michelob at the wall so I would not get it on the Mac I was reading that on...Seriously ROTFLMAO!



Not to pile on but just a few weeks ago I got rid of the Last Lakland I will ever have. I used to Endorse them and had issues with 3 different basses I got right out of the box... I contacted the dealers (all were wonderful but Bass Central went WAAAYYYY out of their way for me) After we sent the third one back I got a message from Lakland....I swear to God This is EXACTLY what I was told...

We are sorry but Lakland can no longer meet your quality standards....

That was IT...I was floored! I never had a company tell me anything like that before....By the way I have owned over 60 Laklands and THEY KNOW THIS! And I STILL got that message...I lost $600 to get rid of the last one...It was like having that REALLY BAD morning breath Taste in your mouth ALL the time about the whole thing so I just took the beating and got an Ernie Ball Music Man...I don't play ANYTHING else but Music Mans now...PERIOD! thank you Mr. Ball and crew for making a product we all love so much!

Peace,

T

Similar experience with the other brand of basses that I own. I have used them exclusively since 1993 and loved their product. I bought a 20th Anniversary bass from them that only had 350 made. I bought it used but it was in mint condition. From day 1, there was a horrible hum coming from the electronics. The company offered to warranty the work if I sent the bass into them. I did and got it back 2 weeks later. This time, the hum was still there but they re wired all of my controls wrong. Some would turn down instead of turning up and then vice versa. They paid to have the bass shipped back to them but when I got the bass back, the hum is still there. I finally gave up and am now looking at replacing all of the electronics in the bass because I have no clue what is causing the issue? Once that is done, the bass will be sold for a Music Man. What makes me angry though is since this has occurred, countless other people are complaining of the same hum coming from their same model of bass or similar models with the same electronics in them but this company will not do anything about it. I am being told it is either the pre-amp in most cases or one or both of the pickups causing the issue.

I also have 2 other basses from this company and will keep them but the only reason that is, is because all of the previous work that I did in the Christian music industry was with those basses and they have sentimental value but they are what I would considered retired now as I will only use them for home use. Any future recordings that I do or shows that I perform will only have my Music Man basses used at them.

I also second the Bass Central thing too. They have been a huge help with the Stingray Classic that I have being made right now. Beaver and Grasshopper have been great guys to deal with!

 

[timbledum]

Looks like laklands just been sold, maybe that's got something to do with it.

Dan Lakin has SOLD Lakland basses??? - TalkBass Forums