- Thread starter rickharrison
- Start date
Caca de Kick
Well-known member
Chuck Levin's is in Weaton Maryland, doesn't seem like an outrageous road trip from central PA. I've bought a StingRay from there before, and was very happy.
rickharrison
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2009
- Messages
- 16
Just to make sure I'm looking at the right place. It's Bass Central Bass Guitars and Amps ? Everything for today?s Bassist right. I do see that they have a couple pac blue's on there. After i head over to guitar center and play some so I can figure out what pickup config I want, bass central looks like they will be getting a call.
rappa29
Well-known member
Correct!
BTW - Welcome to world of EBMM. Whichever one you decide on will be a winner no doubt!
cellkirk74
Well-known member
I bought two EBMM basses without playing them before and both are great. MM is not 7....r, you know....
A few additional considerations from my experiences. First off, I echo the comments about Bass Central being a place with knowledgeable staff and tons of inventory. I don't know about this forum, but if you are a member of the Talk Bass forum and you mention that, I am told they will give you a discount. I have shopped their but not purchased so I can not testify to that.
Second, I have found (in my personal experience and to MY subjective taste) that I like ash bodied Stingrays the best. In most cases (not all) the best way to know that you got an ash bodied one is to get one with a natural finish. I have two and they are both naturals. I have owned others in the past that just didn't seem to have quite they same sound, although they did possess the trademark stingray sound as others have mentioned. I don't know what their current building policy is today with wood choices but I know in the past they they reported using various hard woods. Most of the painted bodies, you really have no clue what it is. I know some were poplar and various others but for me, it MUST be ash. Just my sound.
Third, some Stingray players that are heavy slappers would tell you to stick with a standard H configuration as opposed to the HS or the HH model. They would say that a lot depends on your hand position cause the forward pup can get in the way for some people. I have played all three and personally prefer the H model myself even though I am not a heavy slappers. I just find that I am able to get all the tones that I use out of the one pickup. Personally, I don't find that the others bring that much to the table that is usable but to each their own. I think one other person who posted earlier said they had an HS but used the H pup soloed most of the time. It is the classic Stingray configuration and the one that is tried and true. I guess over time they have to make changes to some how keep them current or something. But look how long a good old Jazz bass or a P-Bass has been around unchanged. That speaks volumes, at least to me!
Lastly, don't be afraid to buy online. Most stores will offer an approval period. If you get it and don't like it for what ever reason, you can send it back and get another one. Being willing to buy online has the potential to save you a bunch of money. Personally, most of my best buys have been used instruments. The good ones get used and when they are used, they tend to be broken in. Some would say that the worst a guitar will sound is when it is new. They tend to improve over time. Both of my current Stingrays are from the early 90's and they are in excellent shape, feel and play great and have been used. Both were acquired in the past 3 months. Got a killer deal on one for $520 dollars which was crazy and the other one for $800. Got two great used ones for about the price of one new one. Not for everyone. Some people like the newness factor. But I don't have to worry about crying over that first dent or scratch from a cymbal or something else.
Just my four cents worth folks. Having said all that, it is a staple instrument that is well accepted and you won't go wrong with which ever one you get.
Good luck!
Second, I have found (in my personal experience and to MY subjective taste) that I like ash bodied Stingrays the best. In most cases (not all) the best way to know that you got an ash bodied one is to get one with a natural finish. I have two and they are both naturals. I have owned others in the past that just didn't seem to have quite they same sound, although they did possess the trademark stingray sound as others have mentioned. I don't know what their current building policy is today with wood choices but I know in the past they they reported using various hard woods. Most of the painted bodies, you really have no clue what it is. I know some were poplar and various others but for me, it MUST be ash. Just my sound.
Third, some Stingray players that are heavy slappers would tell you to stick with a standard H configuration as opposed to the HS or the HH model. They would say that a lot depends on your hand position cause the forward pup can get in the way for some people. I have played all three and personally prefer the H model myself even though I am not a heavy slappers. I just find that I am able to get all the tones that I use out of the one pickup. Personally, I don't find that the others bring that much to the table that is usable but to each their own. I think one other person who posted earlier said they had an HS but used the H pup soloed most of the time. It is the classic Stingray configuration and the one that is tried and true. I guess over time they have to make changes to some how keep them current or something. But look how long a good old Jazz bass or a P-Bass has been around unchanged. That speaks volumes, at least to me!
Lastly, don't be afraid to buy online. Most stores will offer an approval period. If you get it and don't like it for what ever reason, you can send it back and get another one. Being willing to buy online has the potential to save you a bunch of money. Personally, most of my best buys have been used instruments. The good ones get used and when they are used, they tend to be broken in. Some would say that the worst a guitar will sound is when it is new. They tend to improve over time. Both of my current Stingrays are from the early 90's and they are in excellent shape, feel and play great and have been used. Both were acquired in the past 3 months. Got a killer deal on one for $520 dollars which was crazy and the other one for $800. Got two great used ones for about the price of one new one. Not for everyone. Some people like the newness factor. But I don't have to worry about crying over that first dent or scratch from a cymbal or something else.
Just my four cents worth folks. Having said all that, it is a staple instrument that is well accepted and you won't go wrong with which ever one you get.
Good luck!
Bloodfist
Well-known member
Same here, sort of... I played a stingray 4 HH at the local GC, loved it, but no the way it looked. Ordered mine a little later, and a few of the guys in the band couldn't believe I ordered a bass without playing it. It came in 10 minutes before band practice. I unboxed it, gave it a good inspection, strapped her up and played her at practice that night. After practice I made a few adjustments, and I haven't put her down since.
rickharrison
Member
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2009
- Messages
- 16
Thanks for all of the advice. I am really looking forward to heading to GC to play some of the configs so I can decide what I want.
