bassmonkey
Well-known member
Why did EB stop making Stingrays with the birdseye maple neck? Is there something inherently wrong with the wood or was there another reason?
- Thread starter bassmonkey
- Start date
Psychicpet
Well-known member
my understanding is that due to the nature of the figured maple, it's a little more troublesome on bass necks. we all know that wood never stops shifting and apparently figured maple and the tension put on a bass neck isn't always the most fool-proof.
Colin
Well-known member
I've seen figured woods on early silhouettes. Now I only see them on the signature models. Might have something to with how hard it is to source the stuff.
Colin
Colin
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
>>>>Why did EB stop making Stingrays with the birdseye maple neck? Is there something inherently wrong with the wood or was there another reason?
I think it was just a matter of what wood was available and supplied during different periods of manufacture over the years. It seems to have been more plentifull in the past than what it is today. Although many necks were highly figured, others weren't. I don't think there was any conscious decission on the part of EB to either use or stop using figured Maple. You can still find examples of it today (albeit less common). EB may have specifically chosen figured wood for some special issue instruments but, in the main, I think it's just luck of the draw.
There's been different views expressed on various Forums as to its stability. IMO, it doesn't make any difference. My 89 Bass is both birdseye and flamed Maple and is solid as a rock
I think it was just a matter of what wood was available and supplied during different periods of manufacture over the years. It seems to have been more plentifull in the past than what it is today. Although many necks were highly figured, others weren't. I don't think there was any conscious decission on the part of EB to either use or stop using figured Maple. You can still find examples of it today (albeit less common). EB may have specifically chosen figured wood for some special issue instruments but, in the main, I think it's just luck of the draw.
There's been different views expressed on various Forums as to its stability. IMO, it doesn't make any difference. My 89 Bass is both birdseye and flamed Maple and is solid as a rock
Big Poppa
Well-known member
Gav and Colin you are both correct.....maybe its the barroca or is it that damned vegemite?
When we first started the furniture world cabinet makers, and the rest of the industries that used fine wood could give a hoot about birdseye maple. Why use birds eye maple when there is a perfectly good rain forrest to rape?
The cost and availability of birds eye back the was not sigifigantly more that normal maple. It was no brainer #22. Pay a little more and get cool figured necks, dont charge a premium just do it. That worked for awhile until it became politically incorrect for those other industries to use the exotics coupled with various governments restrictions prohibiting the import and or export of the exotics. Now there was enough for boutique instrument builders but not enough for all of the other industries to go around.
We do reserve the figured maple for the higher price signature models. If there was a material difference between figured and non figured we certainly wouldn't use them for our artists guitars. Some people think differently, but I dont think there is much of a difference.
When we first started the furniture world cabinet makers, and the rest of the industries that used fine wood could give a hoot about birdseye maple. Why use birds eye maple when there is a perfectly good rain forrest to rape?
The cost and availability of birds eye back the was not sigifigantly more that normal maple. It was no brainer #22. Pay a little more and get cool figured necks, dont charge a premium just do it. That worked for awhile until it became politically incorrect for those other industries to use the exotics coupled with various governments restrictions prohibiting the import and or export of the exotics. Now there was enough for boutique instrument builders but not enough for all of the other industries to go around.
We do reserve the figured maple for the higher price signature models. If there was a material difference between figured and non figured we certainly wouldn't use them for our artists guitars. Some people think differently, but I dont think there is much of a difference.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
Good info!
bassmonkey
Well-known member
Thanks guys, especially BP(wow, I feel special, BP replied to one of my threads ). The fretless that I just bought has a birdseye maple neck(it's a '97), and it looks beautiful. I started to get worried when someone on another forum said that these necks aren't as good. You've put my mind at rest.
). The fretless that I just bought has a birdseye maple neck(it's a '97), and it looks beautiful. I started to get worried when someone on another forum said that these necks aren't as good. You've put my mind at rest.
Rod Trussbroken
Moderator
>>>I started to get worried when someone on another forum said that these necks aren't as good.
It's B.S.
This is the only Forum
It's B.S.
This is the only Forum
bassmonkey
Well-known member
Rod Trussbroken said:>>>I started to get worried when someone on another forum said that these necks aren't as good.
It's B.S.
This is the only Forum
I am rapidly coming to realise that.
One problem with it though, since visiting here I am really hankering after a fretted Stingray to keep my fretless company. Warning:this forum can be injurious to your bank balance.
jamesattard
Well-known member
mine has a birdseye maple neck, and i confirm that i had some trouble importing it to my country...and by the way, I never had any trouble with tension or neck warping - i think that's just an urban legend
Hutton
Well-known member
My 95 Ray neck has never given me even a hint of a problem. It's certainly one of the most stable necks I have ever played.
PocketGroove82
Well-known member
BP, I just had a vision!
A ray made entirely of endangered Brazilian Rosewood!
It could be sold on ebay and the money donated to a save the rain forest charity!
A ray made entirely of endangered Brazilian Rosewood!
It could be sold on ebay and the money donated to a save the rain forest charity!
jamesattard
Well-known member
My 95 Ray neck has never given me even a hint of a problem. It's certainly one of the most stable necks I have ever played.
your action is super low!!
Hutton
Well-known member
It does look remarkably low. However, I think that it is the angle of the photo that has given that impression.
