Stingray Comparison Question

[Dean217]

I've enjoyed this forum, and now I have a question that hopefully I can get help with, and hopefully it might be interesting for others.

My main bass is my '97 Stingray that I bought new and have really played hard for the past 10 years. My favorite thing about it is the profile of the neck - it is just perfect for my fret hand - as well as just overall great quality and solidness.

I am intrigued by the new HS pickup option being offered and think that I could really get some use out of the single coil neck pickup and the pickup combos. My other basses are Rickenbacker 4003 and Fender Jaguar, and sometimes I'll go to them for a different tone need, but I always come back to the Stingray for that neck. I'm thinking that with the HS, more tone options might open up and eliminate desire to go to other basses at times.

My biggest question (I'm hoping you guys can help with) is - Is the neck profile on the new Stingrays the same as it was 10 years ago, on my 1997 Stingray (I'm hoping...).

Also, any quick thoughts on whether the HS will help out with tonal options such as studio recording (primarily), etc.

Thanks, and I apologize if I'm repeating a previous thread - I didn't see one exactly like this.

 

[PocketGroove82]

Hey Dean, (you lurker you)

I also love my 97 SR4, it's one I'll keep forever.
10 years of hassle free bliss, but soon she will need a fret dressing since I can see flat spots all over the low frets!

I've bought a new SR4 in the past few months and the neck feels just like the 97.
The two necks feel identical in shape, with the only exception being the neck on my new 30th is finished. And the 30th neck has even better birdseye than the 97.

If you get a new HS (and you should, they are awesome), the neck is gonna feel like home.
The only thing that will be different is the new necks aren't all birdseye like the older ones.

 

[Dean217]

Hey Dean, (you lurker you)

I also love my 97 SR4, it's one I'll keep forever.
10 years of hassle free bliss, but soon she will need a fret dressing since I can see flat spots all over the low frets!

I've bought a new SR4 in the past few months and the neck feels just like the 97.
The two necks feel identical in shape, with the only exception being the neck on my new 30th is finished. And the 30th neck has even better birdseye than the 97.

If you get a new HS (and you should, they are awesome), the neck is gonna feel like home.
The only thing that will be different is the new necks aren't all birdseye like the older ones.

Thanks, that answered my main question perfectly. I'll definitely be looking at getting an HS Stingray.

You're right about the birdseye maple on the neck - my '97 is great with that. I'm also starting to get a few flat spots on my frets on the lower note locations, like you are, but not too bad yet.

Thanks again, that's what I was looking for.

 

[PocketGroove82]

NP buddy,
I bought my 97 new and it's been 10 great years. There have only been 2 issues throughout the years and both have been really minor.
Once, I set it down hard on the patch cable while it was plugged in and the metal connector inside the jack bent slightly so as to not touch the cable...that was a 15 second repair to unscrew the plate and bend it back, done for free.
Secondly, I pretty much stripped the little hex screws that raise/lower the saddles over the years...EBMM set me a new set of them last year, also for free.

I don't care what anyone says, a bass that can be gig'ed hard for 10 straight years, taken all over the planet, knocked over, beaten up, bled and sweat on, yet only needs two free minor "quick fixes"...well, that's a F#$%!NG GREAT BASS.

PERIOD.

I love my HH SR5, my 30th SR4, and I'm anxiously anticipating my HS sterling and HS bongo.

I know you'll dig your HS ray.