New Stingray Hardshell Cases - el cheapo

[mgb71]

I just got a new Stingray and noticed that the new hardshell case (with the Stingray/Stingray 5 decal on it) is lacking in quality compared to my other Stingray case that is a few years old. The hinges are all loose, the latches are all sloppy, the corners don't fully close, the handle is super jiggly, and the decal is about to fall off. The new one has a "Made in China" sticker on it. Does anyone know if the old ones were made in China as well?

It's hardly worth classifying it as a warranty issue, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

 

[oli@bass]

AFAIK, the cases are made by SKB, which did have a good reputation up to now. If their quality went down, I imagine they'd want to know...

 

[bdgotoh]

The hinges are all loose, the latches are all sloppy, the corners don't fully close, the handle is super jiggly, and the decal is about to fall off.

What decal? Does the case look like it's been damaged on any of the corners? I've bought too many new EBMM basses lately and all of the cases have been a bit nicer than older molded cases in my experience. The only exception was when a case was damaged during shipping. The corner was cracked and broken, the corners near the damage wouldn't close and the closest hinge was loose - all presumably due to the hit it took.

 

[mgb71]

There's a rubberized stick-on decal near the handle that says "Stingray Stingray 5 / Music Man" - half of it is curled up away from the case.

There is no sign of damage anywhere and the box it shipped in is in good condition. It looks like the top and bottom are warped so that the corners pull away from each other when it's closed and the hinges are so sloppy that nothing really lines up correctly. The hardware definitely looks cheaper than on my older case.

 

[mynan]

The new cases are much, much better than the older ones as far as fit and finish.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I would talk to the dealer you bought it from because I have 11 EBMM basses in both the old and new cases and NONE of them look anything close to your pictures. I think that case was mishandled before shipping.

 

[Movielife]

The last Ray' I bought was a few years back now....its the same style of case as that, with the Musicman logo actually moulded into the plastic design on the front. This was approx 6-7 years back. Maybe more.

Mine does not have the new Stingray sticker that you have there....but the case is in great condition as I've not gigged my Rays much. It protects very well, and is moulded well inside. I have had no issues with the way it opens/shuts.

My first Ray' was back about 10 years ago nearly now....when I realised I loved the Stingray look and sound. That did not come with a case as you had to pay a lot extra back then for the case. The shop sold me a Hiscox UK case, and they are reknowned for being very very strong, and fairly light.

In fact, even that case looks great.

Cases are quite important to me...as silly as it seems.

My 3 x new Fenders (sorry!) have those amazing new SKB designed cases.....really well made. I'm very impressed.

If you want a very high end and light but uber string soft/hybrid case, get a Mono M80....amazing!

With the case you have, maybe they can send you a new one....ask EB

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

If you bought it new, I would either contact your dealer or Customer Service.

 

[mgb71]

I bought it new through Musician's Friend so I'll have to call customer service and see if they can replace the case without having to send the bass back as well (the bass is perfect).

Like I said, I have another MM case that's about 2 years old and this new one is much worse in comparison, and it really doesn't look like it was damaged, just made very poorly. The hinge pins are too small for the holes making them really loose, and some of the hinges are mounted crooked. All of the hardware looks the same, but is made much "cheaper". In fact the lock mechanism on the new one is plastic vs. the old one which is metal. There's already rust coming through the plating on some of the hardware.

Overall, just very poor quality.

 

[five7]

lemon?

 

[bob atherton]

I just checked my 2 year old case and it looks just like your 'old' case. I must say the new one does not look anywhere near as good as the old, that hinge is quite a bit off square, and as for rust on a new case......

 

[DTG]

how is the bass....if the case got beaten up and the bass is still perfect then it did its job.or not saying they do....but if they shave a few quid from the case to still give me the bass at a great price...then i am good with that too.i never really spent much time looking at the case.
any chance we could see pictures of your new bass

 

[strummer]

I'm thinking this would be a GREAT time to give EBMM customer service a call

 

[mgb71]

I just spoke with Musician's Friend customer service and they want me to send the bass and the case back to them for replacement. There is nothing wrong with the bass so I don't really want to do that. I'll contact EBMM customer service and see what they can do.

The new one is the black/maple on the right.

 

[five7]

Only send the case.

 

[DTG]

yep send the bass to me

 

[Aussie Mark]

I played rugby for many years, and every season my boots ended up really beat up and dirty, sometimes with holes and cuts in the leather. My feet were in great condition though, so the boots did their intended job.

What was the problem with your case again?

 

[mgb71]

The bass is in perfect condition which is the important thing. Having a perfect case isn't a big deal, I just thought that EBMM would like to know about the quality issues I found with this one. Maybe their supplier started using cheaper hardware without telling them.

On a side note, this new Stingray has the nicest neck I've ever felt (another reason I don't want to send the bass back).

 

[oli@bass]

Jesus, guys, the case is simply inferior quality. It's not a EB product, and you don't have to get defensive! **** happens when you have production spread out over different countries. It seems that some are made this way, and some another way. My recently received 25th case is perfect and similar quality (and parts) as any older SKB/MM cases. If anything, the newer cases seem to be lighter. Obviously, SKB has a manufacturing problem.

@mgb71: Call EBMM Customer Service. Really. That's how they learn about it. The forum here is probably not the best place to inform EBMM about it.

And back to something positive: Yes, the newly manufactured necks are way smooth, aren't they?

 

[DTG]

I played rugby for many years, and every season my boots ended up really beat up and dirty, sometimes with holes and cuts in the leather. My feet were in great condition though, so the boots did their intended job.

What was the problem with your case again?

prop??