grayn Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 I got this superb Stingray from Basschat forumer, "mikegatward", today. Thoroughly nice chap to deal with and if it hadn't been so wintry, in the car park we met in, we could have talked bass, for hours. This is the 3rd 'Ray to come into my possession. But this one has 3 things my others didn't. A matching headstock. A maple fretboard. And most importantly, 2 pickups. 1 humbucker (bridge) and 1 single-coil (neck). Beautifully built and finished, I'm not sure if it's colour is Pacific Blueburst or Blue Dawn. Being a limited edition, it comes in a blue taco shell case. Which is attractive but a little weighty. It also has the date "2007", inlaid in the 12th fret position. With L and E (limited edition) postioned withing the 2 zeros. Not sure if I like that, or the large black postion dots. But hey-ho, it's no biggy. Overall though, I really like the look of this bass. Apart from a small ding on the headstock and some tiny varnish scuffs, on the back of the body, this bass is in immaculate condition. Every pic, including mine, that I've seen of this bass, doesn't really show that it has a teal hint, to it's blue colour. Or that it has a subtle sparkle. The controls give you a lot of tonal scope. With the usual vol, mid, bass and treble, rotary knobs, you also get a 5-way switch. This gives either pickup singly, plus various coil tap/phase combo options. So, thin and edgy, thick and rounded or ringing and transparent, are all available here. Sorry if it sounds sexist, but this is a man's bass. Incredibly solid in build and tone. A little weighty, with a substanial neck. But the way it balances and hangs, makes for a very comfortable bass, to play. For the past couple of years, I've only played jazz necks and was a little unsure about going back to a Stingray. But as soon as I put it on and started playing, I liked the feel and the playability. The way the bass is designed, kind of removes much of the strain of a chunky(ish) neck. It's an individual thing and it really is, suck it and see. This is a proper bass. Workman like, with lots of class and a little glamour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 The colour's blue dawn - as you say photos don't pick up the subtle shades correctly - the pale blue is more of a turquoise in some lights, and the dark blues have a distinct purple in very bright light. Pacific blueburst is the same colour but translucent, and without the light sparkle. Congratulations on your new bass - I've had an HH 2007 LE since new and it's incredibly versatile - to the extent it's my usual gigging bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted January 10, 2016 Author Share Posted January 10, 2016 Thanks for the colour confirmation. I was beginning to think it was my eyes. I couldn't find 1 photo on google, that shows the correct colour. And mine definitely didn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) Heres a link to a page with better pics of your sparkly colour......... [url="http://www.talkbass.com/threads/ft-original-musicman-blue-dawn-sterling.336013/"]http://www.talkbass....terling.336013/[/url] Edited January 10, 2016 by Mudpup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Curious, I had never seen the MM humbucker in that shape (long ear, rather than two individual ears on the bass side)... I guess I haven't been paying attention! That blue looks lovely with the maple neck! Yum! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1452889402' post='2954562'] Curious, I had never seen the MM humbucker in that shape (long ear, rather than two individual ears on the bass side)... I guess I haven't been paying attention! That blue looks lovely with the maple neck! Yum! [/quote] They appear on all of the multi pick-up Stingray and Sterling 4 strings which started in 2005 ish - like a Bongo pick up case. Also don't have the raised A and D pole pieces like the single H versions (of the 4 string). Blue Dawn is an awesome colour - the sparkle is subtle in normal light but can be outrageous in bright lighting. Edited January 15, 2016 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jellyfish Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Not sure I like the inlay, but the blue and maple is a winning combo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 Thanks for the comments. I've had the bass a week, now. Played it every day, including for a full band rehearsal. The only adjustment I've made, is lowering the action. Loving the really solid feel and tone of this bass. It's a doddle to play. Though I will be getting a a wider, padded strap for it. I always use Fender standard straps but they're a little weedy, for this beast. I think this is the witing for my bass. My preferred selections are: Coil 1 +phantom and Coils 1, 2 & 3 + phantom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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