Raslee

You're absolutely right. 6 months on, still not gigged it as our recent gig was cancelled. However i do take it to all rehearsals. It's still going very strong, pumps out the power and I'm still loving the overall tones. I'm also using the effects more now, a 12 string sound, few distortions, compressors (v.good) and chorus. I like the effects tones, they seem to work well in the mix. Though the switch pedal can be a bit fiddly moving up through the sound banks I've found. The biggest bug bear is not being able to see the controls window facing up on top of the amp if using an extension cab underneath...it can be too high to see. However i can see, and modify, settings via my iPhone...just make sure your slightly neurotic great grandma doesn't call you in the middle of rehearsal. Being able to play you practice tunes through the amp via your phone is also very handy, particularly at rehearsals...but again pre warn your grandmother not to call at rehearsal time, it's highly embarrassing. The weight is good, much more used to it now - i wouldn't want to carry it too far though, bit more cumbersome than a 12" MB Combo say. It's been sounding great today with my new Stingray; the Ampeg modelling is not particularly great though, lacks something that i can explain, but the GK and Fender models really stand out - the valve emulations aren't too bad either but of course you can never beat the real deal. The Genzler M. is still in the back seat but i may get it out soon to dust it off as that's a great bit of kit too...but for now the Fender Stage 800 is most definitely a stayer...i'd buy another if it was stolen, there's the benchmark !

Cheers man. It certainly wasn't impulse, spent 4hrs with it (my wife still isn't talking to me), before it came out the shop with me....i can't fault it at all

Ended up in Birmingham....the shop had the one i wanted despite being told a few days ago they hadn't....the rest is history....i'm happy....and skint

Levellers & Moulettes last night at the Minack theatre in Cornwall - divine & magical!

Cheers for the comments guys. I like the analogy of choosing between children 😂.....they're all great of course. Prior to posting i did the usual research and there was some comparisons going on across the pond with Classic's V's normal Stingray and Normal V's Special etc so i drew some ideas from that. What I didn't really get a sense of was the sound of the Classic and Special. There was a little nod towards the Classics sounding warmer than Standards and being able to tame that Stingray top end 'zing' on the Specials with new preamp but that was about it. I've owned several Standard Stingrays previously, 2 & 3 bands, a Slab Pre EB albeit without the original electronics and a couple Sterling Stingrays (The Indonesian ones), currently own a Sterling Ray34CA too with a slab body so know what to expect in terms of ergonomics. Incidentally I've planned a family trip to Bristol this Sunday, and by sheer coincidence (ahem!) there happens to be a PMT music shop in Bristol open on a Sunday ......their website shows the range of Stingrays I'm interested in, if they have them in stock at Bristol is another matter but a quick phone call later will solve that one.

Hi Chatters, I'm soon to be in the market for a Stingray and generally have my heart set on a Stingray Special, Aqua Sparkle/ebony board hopefully, but, I'm am also curious about the Stingray classics and ones come up locally that i like but may be put off if over 9.5lbs. I am still yet to try both but will try before buying if shelling out £2k+ on a Special, a secondhand classic will be cheaper no doubt. I am aware of the obvious differences between the two basses, 2 band v's new style 18V 3 band, slab body, weight etc but I'm just wondering if anyone here has playing experience of both and wished to share their wisdom, thoughts, and opinions.