Home made Stingray

[Scotti4]

Hi Guys

I'm new to this forum stuff so bear with me!

I've always loved Stingrays and musicman products in general but never had the spare cash to fork out for a bass so I decided to have a go at building a replica. The original replica I wanted to build was a pre EB bass but over time I dediced that I'd have a better chance at success if I could copy a modern bass from shots over the web. I had actually only ever played a stingray about 5 times in music shops so it was a case of looking at shed loads of shots on the web and doing my best!

Here she is...

Body is 2 piece ash
Neck is Maple (not the best piece but all I could find I'm afraid)
Tuners are Schaller copies (as close as I could get)
Pick up is an original MM from ebay (this took ages to find)
Pre amp is a two band home build copy of Stingray (this also took ages to find on the web - secret is actually in the pots though!)
Scratch plate is from ebay and is off a pre EB
Bridge, neck plate and control plate are all homemade and work really well.
All logo's were redrawn from scratch on a mac (by me) and applied uisng waterslide decal injet paper and finished in nitro cell paint.


Result - not 100% copy of the bass but pretty damn close and has that original early sound.

Some may have noticed the string through holes at the back. This was done so I could get the authentic sound and also so that the bass was unique.

This bass is NOT an OLP it was totally hand made - hope you like it. Next plan is to build a pre EB replica as close to the original as is possible.

 

[cat_empire]

hey looking nice

but is it legal to use the EBMM logo, and various patents without a license? I dont know much about this sort of thing so im just curious...

 

[Permanent Waves]

The back of that neck looks really cool. I like it!

Graeme

 

[adouglas]

Holy smokes.

That's an incredible amount of effort. A true labor of love.

In fact, it's way over the top. I'm quite sure you can buy the real deal, used, for less than it cost you to build that, assuming your time and effort have any value at all. Perhaps even if you place no value on your time.

I *think* that it's legal as long as you don't try to sell it claiming it's an EBMM product, but only Wonderdog knows for sure.

Stuff like this that comes out of Asian factories is grounds for immediate and severe legal action...but attention to detail like that from an individual? Seems like a grand tribute to me.

 

[MingusBASS]

I'm not as nuts about the details as some folks but dang that looks convincing.

 

[Scotti4]

Hi Guys

Thanks for looking at her.

True it took a while to build and yep I probably could have gotten a real 'Ray on ebay but I suppose I just wanted to have a go at trying to do a replica. As I said the original idea was to build a preEB bass so I could have somethings similar to the say a '76 but I just couldn't get all the details to complete it. I have those now so who knows maybe in a year I'll have a go.

re. The logo and the copyright - The bass actually reads Ernie Ball Stingray (replica) and the name on the back reads Made by (me) in UK (where I was living at the time of building).

Really glad you like it as it looks and sounds pretty close but still not stopped me wanting an original! Just missed a great opportunity a week ago actually as there was a totally destroyed (body snapped in half and no bridge etc + logo sanded off) preEB on ebay in the states and the chap wouldn't ship overseas (damn). It went for $400US!! Could have done wonders with that project!!!

 

[tkarter]

Got a pic of the logo?

tk

 

[Scotti4]

tk

I don't have any shots of the headstock I'm afraid but can assure you that's what it say's friend.

 

[tkarter]

If you are capable and done that great.

Not really busting your chops.
tk

 

[Figjam]

If he isnt selling it, no harm done, no?

 

[bovinehost]

I've given this some thought and have come up with this.

1. TK, I know you're defending the home turf, but the home turf is fine.

2. I'm not a lawyer nor do I play bass with any, but this looks like a tribute, nothing more, and is probably only questionable if someone down the road tried to sell it. I'm guessing our new member has too much work into it to consider that.

3. Scotti4, do not take item 2 as gospel. And I'd like to see that headstock just out of curiousity.

4. I'm not sure what EBMM will think of this, but let's start off friendly, shall we? As I've said before, it's not like we're keyboard players.

(Hi Chuck)

Jack

 

[tkarter]

I willfully shutup and bow out of this thread.

tk

 

[bovinehost]

bow out

Don't start talking like a fiddler, either!

(Hi Bill)

Jack

 

[Scotti4]

I have no intention of selling the bass I built it - it took a year to make people!!!

Maybe you folks should chase the people doing cheap knock off's of the EB and musicman marks on Ebay if legals are an issue.

Starting to wish I'd never joined this forum.

 

[fogman]

Starting to wish I'd never joined this forum.

Don't take it the wrong way. They're only trying to give you a heads up!

I bet that is a lot of work, and only shows your love for the real thing.

Welcome to the forum!
Stick around. It's fun.

 

[cat_empire]

hey scottie

there was no offense intended in my post so sorry if any was taken, i couldn't see from the pictures provided that you had replica written on it, so please accept my apologies if you took offence.

It does look very very nice and looks like you've put in a large amount of effort into it. Hope you have fun with it! I know we all have fun with ours

 

[Scotti4]

OED: Replica: A copy or reproduction of a work of art, especially one made by the original artist.

In closing I'll say this folks. I may have built a replica of this fine bass from scratch which may make a few purists take issue with copyright but I'm sure even Leo, Tom and Sterling would appreciate the tribute to which it was originally intended.

Thanks for your comments

 

[bovinehost]

I'm one of the moderators here, and that's what I tried to do with this thread - moderate it.

I'd like for you to stick around; Sterling does post here and I'm curious about what he'll think of your bass.

But I've been around the internet long enough to know that some will stay and some will go. If you stay, I certainly welcome you. If you go, I wish you well.

Don't you want to stay?

Jack

 

[Scotti4]

Jack thanks for the reply. I got to work out huge amounts of info on this bass as I 'deconstructed' it from images and notes on the web and it made me really love the simple yet brillaint approach that Leo had. The preamp itself is an enigma and the tone is totally derived from the pots which also took ages to figure out. Basically I'm saying I got to know the beast fairly well. I'm sure I could add something to this post but the issue behind the copyright of the logo is a weird way to initiate a new member especially one who could add something of value. Happy for Sterling to comment on it if he'd like.

 

[Bill]

Don't start talking like a fiddler, either!

(Hi Bill)

Jack

Scotti, welcome! That bass looks like an excellent piece of work. Great job! I'd like to see the headstock, too...simply because I'm a graphic designer & I like to look at logos & stuff like that. It looks really good from a distance.