The first time I saw a Stingray Bass back in 77 I wanted one, problem was I couldn't afford one, by the time I could, Ernie Ball had taken over and made some unnecessary changes which I think spoiled the look. Many years later I was using a Fender Jazz and I saw an OLP Stingray in a music shop, it still looked like an EBMM but there was room for scope, and at 180 quid it was well worth a punt. To my disappointment, after playing the Jazz, the Stingray neck was like a scaffold batten by comparison, so I set about building my own. I made the body from Ash in the shape of a Leo Ray, slab sided and through body stringing, two MM humbuckers through volume, volume and active pre amp that gives an overdriven tone. No scratchplate or control plate, all surface mounted. I bought an after market 'Jazz' neck, with Rosewood board and MOP block markers, I changed the headstock shape, similar to a Ray but with four a side tuners. For my first attempt i'm very impressed and the sound is awesome. I'm about to start my second one but i'll be making the neck myself from Birds Eye Maple with a BEM fingerboard. the body will be Mahogany with routed cavities and a Quilt Maple top to keep weight down. I'll keep you posted
