Classic Rays - MMMM!

[Movielife]

The weather has turned quite cold in the UK, and not suprisingly, despite my basses being stored upright in a dry bedroom in their cases, they need a little tweak.

My Classic 5 was my choice yesterday. The neck was very flat and needed a little tweak. I get the tool I normally use, pop it in the wheel, 2 ish small turns, perfect.

Literally perfect. The lowest fastest action I've had in years!

I am also starting this thread to state just how impressed I am with the feel and weight.

Plug it in, bump the bass to half way, treble up 1/3, that's IT....THE tone.

It's weird, I like 'other' tones, but no matter what, none of them make me smile just like the Musicman tone....its the one tone I've liked since I started to play bass.

Every Musicman bass fan needs a Classic Ray. I love my 3 band Ray's but that treble is really special on the 2 band.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Why EBMM decided to change laquered necks for oiled/waxed in the 80's?

 

[drTStingray]

Mmmm indeed - so much so that I'm off to test a couple of Sabres in the next week or so - a late 80s and a brand new one - might order a new one though.

My Classic Ray gets lots of use and being coral red is 'fairly' unique in the UK - I've heard of a couple of others here! But it is a great bass and currently has Thomastik flats so is very Bernard Edwards sounding - extremely thumpy but also has that pop sound as on We Are Family by Sister Sledge - the first time in 30+ years I've managed to get it - flats + 2 band MM with maple neck I believe does it!!

 

[drTStingray]

Why EBMM decided to change laquered necks for oiled/waxed in the 80's?

It was late 90s I believe - I'm guessing playability - my SR4HH has the fastest neck I've ever played on a bass closely followed by my SR5 - both oil and wax finish.

They also darken nicely with age - especially maple board.

A couple of pics for ye all

 

[JOEinCA]

I love the look of the Classics. Just cant warm up however to the pickup placement, lacquered neck, skinny frets and no body contour. Otherwise love em.

 

[phatduckk]

I played a Sabre at a GC the other day and loved the tones I was getting out of it. If the neck were a bit slimmer I would have bought it in a heartbeat!

 

[rutgart]

"Every Musicman bass fan needs a Classic Ray. I love my 3 band Ray's but that treble is really special on the 2 band."

I'm with you 100%, Classic's Rock

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

"Every Musicman bass fan needs a Classic Ray. I love my 3 band Ray's but that treble is really special on the 2 band."

I'm with you 100%, Classic's Rock

+1

I have two: Retro Burst with Maple and Black with Maple.

Just saying

 

[lefenton]

I had to sell my classic stingray 4h to finance the acquisition of the Honey Roasted Bongo. It was black with birdseye maple, and a thing of tonal bliss. My thinking was I can always get another as they are still in production. I do miss the ol' lady. The classic necks feel and play awesome and the preamp is simple but sweet. Really miss that guitar, but I will find another soon. Maybe even a 5er...