Stingray 30th Ann Question

[KeithC]

Earlier this week I visited a local store that still has one of these on the shelf, I have been back every day to play it. It is one of the most amazing sounding rays I have ever heard(I have a 95 and 02 Ray), but the painted neck really just does not do it for me, it doesn't feel right.

So I have 2 Questions:

1. I have never owned a bass with a painted neck, is it something you get used to over time?

2. Was there ever a special edition Ernie Ball with a mahogany body with a non painted neck?

Thanks for any help.

 

[bovinehost]

It's not a terribly unusual thing, the back of that neck.

It's high-quality, figured maple, stained to match the mahogany, then finished.

So it's not "painted" - it's a bit of a departure for Music Man basses, which normally come with gunstock oil/wax, but certainly not unusual overall in the World Of Bassdom, as it's simply clear-coated.

Not painted - finished.

I get that a lot from the Bongo Curious - "What about the painted neck?" Well, it's got a finish over it; you're NOT going to get paint on you.

So my advice is to (a) go ahead and get it and (b) don't keep thinking it's painted and (c) you'll get used to it in no time at all and then (d) cease to wonder about it.

Then you'll (e) want to thank me later!

Jack

 

[silverburst]

The finished neck works well for me. Most every other guitar or bass i have owned had a similar glossy finish on it.

 

[slucas]

Then you'll (e) want to thank me later!

Moo Man speak truth

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

and hey, if it feels weird on your thumb, cut the thumb of a glove and put that on. Then your thumb will slide all over it

 

[PocketGroove82]

As a musician who's instrument is the bass guitar, I'm more concerned with what's happening on the front side of the neck, than what type of finish is on the back.
Usually, for me there is only a piece of thumb-tip the side of a penny that comes in contact with the back of the neck, so I've never cared that much about the back.

If ya dig the sound, get it!
I love mine!

 

[Caca de Kick]

One of the main reasons I love my 30th so much is because of the finished neck.
See I grew up learning and playing on older Ernie Ball and preEB StingRays back when they finished necks...I prefer that smooth-glossy clearcoat. To me raw necks feel weird.

 

[KeithC]

sweet thanks for all the replys, I will keep going down there and playing it next week on my lunch break and if it is still the best sounding bass in the world on friday I will take it home. Otherwise back to looking for a gold sterling or a buttercream ray

 

[bass addict]

sweet thanks for all the replys, I will keep going down there and playing it next week on my lunch break and if it is still the best sounding bass in the world on friday I will take it home. Otherwise back to looking for a gold sterling or a buttercream ray

make sure no one buys it out from under you! It happened to me when I was going to GC every day to play a 30th. I had to go find another.

 

[bassmancb]

It will be hard to find a better playing Sting Ray that the 30th. The tone is killer!!!!!

 

[cdb]

Every bass I own that didn't come with a satin finished neck or "unfinished" (EBMM) neck -- i have taped it off and "finished" with 400 grit sand paper. It looks funny, and totally degrades the value of the bass-- but it plays very sweetly. YMMV.

 

[slucas]

i have taped it off and "finished" with 400 grit sand paper.

 

[Rano Bass]

The finished neck is one of the things that atract me to the 30th, i had it on my 1990 Ray.