MM Stingray 62 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 Does anyone know why Ernie Ball aren’t offering a fretless neck option anymore? I know you could always get a Status neck but now that’s not possible. Status have said they aren’t making anymore for a while at least. I think it would be nice for them to offer fretted or fretless necks on the new Special’s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 If this is the case then this is really disappointing for us fretless bass players. Actually, looking at the website, they don't even do a standard Stingray any more. They only list the following, Darkray Joe Dart Tim Commerford Stingray Special Sterling Bongo John Myung Mike Herrera Cliff Williams Short Scale Stingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obbm Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 It seems to me that there must a business opportunity for an enterprising luthier to start producing fretless necks for EBMM and MM Sterling Stingrays. I, for one, would like to buy a fretless neck for a Sterling by MM SB14. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Stingray 62 Posted August 17, 2022 Author Share Posted August 17, 2022 I think most of the above are limited edition basses and probably all sold out by now. That leaves the Bongo the special and the sterling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 4 hours ago, marleaux62 said: I think most of the above are limited edition basses and probably all sold out by now. That leaves the Bongo the special and the sterling. So you cant actually buy a standard Stingray SR4. That's like Fender not selling a US Jazz or Precision. Seems mad to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MM Stingray 62 Posted August 17, 2022 Author Share Posted August 17, 2022 No they only make the specials now. I bet in a few years the SR4 will be the Classic range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russ Posted August 17, 2022 Share Posted August 17, 2022 8 hours ago, Linus27 said: If this is the case then this is really disappointing for us fretless bass players. Actually, looking at the website, they don't even do a standard Stingray any more. They only list the following, Darkray Joe Dart Tim Commerford Stingray Special Sterling Bongo John Myung Mike Herrera Cliff Williams Short Scale Stingray The Special is the current "regular" Stingray, with the new lightweight hardware and updated electronics. Shame they're only offering two finishes right now though. Maybe they're trying to push buyers down to the Sterling range, which offers more colours and finishes, and, thanks to recent updates, actually sound the part now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 9 hours ago, Russ said: The Special is the current "regular" Stingray, with the new lightweight hardware and updated electronics. Shame they're only offering two finishes right now though. Maybe they're trying to push buyers down to the Sterling range, which offers more colours and finishes, and, thanks to recent updates, actually sound the part now. Just checked the website again and no fretless option on the special but it is showing 9 colour options so its a start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 (edited) They tend to make a few one offs of Stingray Specials (over the last couple of years, left handed in both HH and H formats, SLO Special neck versions, and occasional BFR model Stingray Specials in fretless format - all have been available in the vault for international shipping). That seems to be the business model these days - standard models available (Stingray Specials with a decent range of colours) and anything slightly different is done in limited runs. Edited August 18, 2022 by drTStingray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted August 18, 2022 Share Posted August 18, 2022 20 hours ago, obbm said: It seems to me that there must a business opportunity for an enterprising luthier to start producing fretless necks for EBMM and MM Sterling Stingrays. I, for one, would like to buy a fretless neck for a Sterling by MM SB14. The fretless neck on my Ray was made by Jaydee. If you come across a similar one, grab it immediately with both hands. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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