stingrayPete1977

Sets the pup cover and selector knob off nicely I think, it was fretless with leds too, proper bitsa but the best of the three, go figure

Fitted a black gloss 3 ply but with the white pup, I love it. [IMG]http://i997.photobucket.com/albums/af100/stingraypete/20130623_171159_zpsda369c66.jpg[/IMG]

My 2007 was black and pearl, awful.

[quote name='gsgbass' timestamp='1384721568' post='2280022'] I don't have neck dive on my 4003. I find it very balanced out. You may not have played to many Gibson Basses. Gibsons are the definition of Neck Dive of Death. [/quote] Yep I love the look of gibson basses but again neckdive and poor bridge designs ruin a great bass.

You cant say they are flawed dingus, all subjective apparently

Just go to ebmm (bass direct will get you one) if its the same size, they are cheaper than the replica ones on ebay?!

Cool!

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384641688' post='2279154'] So your issue with neck dive (obviously subjective given I've never experienced it), body shape/contouring, binding etc are actual faults? I think not. The fingerboard issue is a fault but neck/fingerboard issues are hardly unique to Rics are they? My first Wal (lauded for their build quality) hadn't had the fingerboard levelled properly. Even the "big, clumsy bridge" is a matter of opinion, and it's not like Rays have never had those is it? ;-) [/quote] I still disagree, profiles are subjective, poor quality bindings with the finish bleeding into them are faults as is the neck dive every ric I have tried had, you are obviously lucky to have never encountered that problem but enough people on here have for it to be classed as a possible thing to look for if it bothers you. Again the fingerboard is not subjective, it didnt fit the neck from the factory nor is a bridge often cited as difficult or impossible to setup as required, hows that a subjective thing?

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1384703490' post='2279659'] Pete, I have to take issue on some of your points - and I'm sorry your Classic Ray was a disappointment sonically - they're generally very good But I get your point!! [/quote] Im just pointing out actual faults rather than things that are subjective, they are faults experienced by some people mostly corrected over time.

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1384636059' post='2279088'] I tried a rickenbacker today for the first time. I wasn't blown away but I also had no problem with the body... thinking about it.... when I'm playing my arm doesn't ever touch the body on most basses..... how does that happen - I find it impossible to even play touching the body without putting a kink in my wrist. [/quote] everyone has a different style and strap height, everyones arms not the same length, playing with the thumb up by the neck joint for example.

Pics please

1- Poor neck stability on ebmm versions with unfinished necks. 2- Some shoddy fret levelling from new (my own 2010 ray 5). 3- Low output from preamp (my classicray, swapped for a john east). 4- Finish cracking and crazing on 70s basses (cool to some, gash to others). 5- Weak G phenomenon, never had it myself but others swear by it. 6- Batteries being eaten by faulty preamps, quite rare but it can happen. 7- Faulty jacks, happens to most basses but the ray has an extra tab for the circuit. 8- Some bridge saddles pull to one side or let the string jump out of the groove. Im sure there are other faults but you get the idea, they are actual faults rather than the weight or body shape, string spacing etc, those are things it is meant to leave the factory with like the Ric pickup cover.

My list is a list of actual faults i have had other than the pickup cover position which is not a fault as such but does put off many players even if its only enough to remove it rather than not buy one, your list is totally subjective to your personal needs which I respect but dont find as a comparison to my gripes with the rics I have tried to love.

Id say you are in a massive minority with finding a sharp edged bass the only comfortable bass, I know you had told me about it before but in reality virtually everyone on bass chat will find at least a rounded slab like my classicray more comfortable, even I prefer the full contours of my other stingrays bodies. Like lots of things we get to know more about we learn that not all things are the same for each model, which stingray profile didnt you like for example, the early deep c shape or the early flat D shape, the ebmm clubby shaped one or the jazz width Slo special for example

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384620194' post='2278845'] Well I thought I'd try what others often do for a change. Just to see what it was like. In all seriousness though, I was making a point. I've yet to play a Stingray I like. However that doesn't mean I think there's anything wrong with them; they're just not for me, but they're still excellent basses. I really like what they sound like in the hands of others, have considered buying one often, but whenever I play one I don't like it. So often I read that Rics are 'crap' for whatever reason and all it means is they don't suit, which some people seem to fail to understand. [/quote] But the list I have given is not just a Ric knocking for the fun of it list its an answer to the OP to help try and understand why so many people have issues with them, the majority of Rics I have tried had at least a handful of the problems from my list the '78 fireglo had them all. Surely I cant be that unfortunate can I? I like rusty old cars but I understand why others dont and could list the reasons and counter most of them with my biased findings about old cars, its the quirks that I like but I am man enough to admit that those quirks are basically poor fit and finish or just bad design in the first place

I do enjoy a curvaceous Romanian, well done

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384614100' post='2278764'] Interesting, as I feel they're vastly superior to Stingrays in every way. I find them far comfier, I find them far easier to play and I also find them far more versatile. :-) [/quote] The old knock what the other person has comeback, useful.

I use my 3rd finger and hold it against the string above the one I am playing then hold nothing when playing the B string (or E or whatever if it had 8 string etc) my thumb finds a rest here and there as I go even if its just touching the pickguard or pickup.

I have lusted over many a Ric, tried almost everyone I have seen in the shops, borrowed one and gigged it with a view to buying it as it was a good year and colour combination and at a bargain price, I had the cash to spare yet still gave it back! My biased findings so far.... 1- Neck dive. 2- Nastycheap feel to the machine head tuners operation. 3- Fingerboard not following the main neck along its length properly as if it has shunk or something. 4- Body edges that you can shave with. 5- Poorly finished bindings compared to a Gibson Les Paul. 6- Pickup cover in the way, its right where I want to play especially with a pick (same goes for a Jazz with its covers on). 7- Remove cover and you are left with a crude metal finger grater. 8- Big clumsy bridge often swapped for something more accuratley adjustable. 9- Looks awesome and almost worth buying especially if you get offered a 70's one in fireglo red on the cheap, [i]almost.[/i]

Tasty

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1384451263' post='2276916'] No issues whatsoever with any Genz amps. I've had two for quite some time. [/quote] Same but with three amps since around 2008 I think

That fits in well with what I have been discussing with Jake via pm and it will be good for bow practice so I will be on it later, another great lesson id say mate, ta.

Its a cracker, I might hunt me one down and sell all three stingrays yet

Sounds like fender have been messing about for a while, mine is solid as a rock, proper top end cabinet even though it's about five years old now, few pence saved here and there sounds like it's added up to a slightly cheaper cabinet?

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1384426139' post='2276494'] They are in a terrible position if you use a proper sized amp too. [/quote] [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1384426139' post='2276494'] They are in a terrible position if you use a proper sized amp too. [/quote] nottswarwick has a GBE....any problems nottswarwick?