Quatschmacher Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 Holy cow, I don't know what planet I've been living on lately but I was completely unaware that Ernie Ball have released some amazing new basses. Firstly I saw that they have remade the classic stingray with the (almost) original decal, through-body stringing, nice bird's eye maple on the necks. The other thing I spotted which nearly made me wet myself is that they've got a neck option on the normal Stingray called slo special. This is a Sterling profile neck! i.e. 1.5" nut but still with the Ray-sized headstock. This is SOOO cool. When I bought my last bass I really wanted the Stingray because I preferred the sound and the body shape and size. However, I still couldn't get on with the neck so ended up with the Sterling because it the neck was more comfortable and I could get a sound which was close. My question is, has anybody got either the Classic Stingray or the Stingray slo special (or physically seen them anywhere)? I really want to check them out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted March 21, 2010 Share Posted March 21, 2010 There are a few around, but you'll mainly find them on the EBMM forum. There were a few pre-launch Custom Classic Stingrays. Here's one I really liked the look of... The trans white over the ash is stunning, as is the neck grain and finishing. *Drool*! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted March 21, 2010 Author Share Posted March 21, 2010 (edited) That looks pretty. I was surprised that it doesn't seem to be available in natural (yet). But that ought to save me some money! Been looking on the EBMM forum to see if I can find some more. I'd love get my mitts on one to try. Just found some pics of the slo special on the bass central website! Edited March 21, 2010 by Quatschmacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 They're also doing 'Classic' Sterlings, and Stingray 5's. The fivers are the same design as the SR4s - and they look friggin' wicked. [url="http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42121-brace-your-selves-classic-sting-ray-5-pics-surpirse.html"]http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-...s-surpirse.html[/url] [url="http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42125-classic-sterling-torture-abuse-humor.html"]http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-...buse-humor.html[/url] I love the powder blue sterling...yuuuummmmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted March 22, 2010 Share Posted March 22, 2010 [quote name='Duarte' post='782320' date='Mar 22 2010, 02:31 AM']They're also doing 'Classic' Sterlings. [url="http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42125-classic-sterling-torture-abuse-humor.html"]http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-...buse-humor.html[/url][/quote] LOL, that's actually quite funny. Like a reissue of a bass that never existed before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted March 22, 2010 Author Share Posted March 22, 2010 (edited) I too thought the Sterling Classic was a bit of an odd idea, maybe it was Sterling Ball's way of showing that he wasn't just doing a reissue of the ray, but adding a twist. The 5-string classic ray is what they should've done all along, it looks great. The normal SR5 look OK but I always thought they should've called it something else as it doesn't look like a ray. I'd love to check out the 4 string classic ray, I'm intrigued as to whether the more rounded fingerboard (lower radius) would make the wide neck more manageble for me. Anyone seen these in the UK shops yet? Or the SLO? Edited March 22, 2010 by Quatschmacher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matski Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 [quote name='Quatschmacher' post='782383' date='Mar 22 2010, 10:27 AM']The 5-string classic ray is what they should've done all along, it looks great. The normal SR5 look OK but I always thought they should've called it something else as it doesn't look like a ray.[/quote] +1 to that! The headstock of the SR5 has always bugged me though - somehow the position of the lower tuner just looks wrong. In my opinion the Classic SR5 should have a headstock more like the Sterling 5... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Yeah i've been aware of these for a while, they look pretty cool, although i'd almost certainly never buy one. Unfortunately musicman basses seem to be rare enough in the shops here as it is, let alone one with an SLO neck or a classic ray or anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted March 24, 2010 Author Share Posted March 24, 2010 I know what you mean; when I bought my Stingray there were only ever about three MM basses in any one shop. I rang around and ended up getting it from Sound Control (they shipped it from a branch in Scotland to the Sheffield shop) in the exact specification I wanted. Unfortunately it had a very unresponsive E string (even with new strings) so I returned it. When I went looking for a Sterling there was only one in the whole city, at least it was enough to try it out to see if I liked it. I then ended up finding one I wanted on ebay and imported it from the USA. Saved soooo much money by doing this. I agree that finding a SLO or classic may well be much harder, both because they'll be scarcer in the UK and there'll be less used ones floating around the USA due to their just having been released recently. I will buy a SLO Stingray as it is the ideal combination for me, just don't want to shell out a ridiculous amount for a new one so I'm going to have to wait for quite some time yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budget bassist Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 I think You're likely to find one in london than anywhere else, due to the larger concentration of music shops etc.... but even then you might have a hard time. Here in notts, the only musicman basses i've ever seen in the shops have been stingrays (there was a SUB once as well) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enty Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 [quote name='Quatschmacher' post='781424' date='Mar 21 2010, 11:04 AM']My question is, has anybody got either the Classic Stingray or the Stingray slo special (or physically seen them anywhere)? I really want to check them out![/quote] I'm not sure if you are still interested in an answer to this question, but I've just picked up my classic 4 today. What an unbelievable finish, totally gobsmacked with the quality. I must admit to buying it without playing it - on reputation, as they say. Not my usual style, but I've a regular MM before and I figured they wouldn't get this new one wrong. I'll post a couple of pics, if anyone is interested. Thanks for listening...just needed to tell someone!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 [quote name='enty' post='882545' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:42 PM']I'm not sure if you are still interested in an answer to this question, but I've just picked up my classic 4 today. What an unbelievable finish, totally gobsmacked with the quality. I must admit to buying it without playing it - on reputation, as they say. Not my usual style, but I've a regular MM before and I figured they wouldn't get this new one wrong. I'll post a couple of pics, if anyone is interested. Thanks for listening...just needed to tell someone!!![/quote] I really REALLY wanted my Classic to be spot on, and it seems yours must be and mine had a small problem. I hope to see pics soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enty Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 A couple of pics, as promised...[attachment=53320:IMG_4338.JPG][attachment=53319:IMG_4334.JPG][attachment=53321:IMG_4343. JPG][attachment=53322:IMG_4344.JPG][attachment=53323:IMG_4346.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enty Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 [quote name='Musicman20' post='882550' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:48 PM']I really REALLY wanted my Classic to be spot on, and it seems yours must be and mine had a small problem. I hope to see pics soon![/quote] sorry to hear you had problems...care to share? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 [quote name='enty' post='882560' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:59 PM']sorry to hear you had problems...care to share?[/quote] That colour looks great! I can see by looking at yours that I had a fairly rare problem; a neck pocket gap and a step between the neck side to the body. Yours looks perfect! Enjoy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted June 30, 2010 Share Posted June 30, 2010 Also, that Neck has a lot more Birdseye than the one I sent back did...jealous! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted July 1, 2010 Share Posted July 1, 2010 [quote name='enty' post='882557' date='Jun 30 2010, 10:58 PM']A couple of pics, as promised...[attachment=53320:IMG_4338.JPG][attachment=53319:IMG_4334.JPG][attachment=53321:IMG_4343. JPG][attachment=53322:IMG_4344.JPG][attachment=53323:IMG_4346.JPG][/quote] Beautiful! I want one bad. Can't help feeling Stingrays and alike are mucho overpriced right now though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted July 1, 2010 Author Share Posted July 1, 2010 That is pretty. Thanks for the pics and congratulations on your new bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted July 2, 2010 Share Posted July 2, 2010 (edited) [quote name='Musicman20' post='882582' date='Jun 30 2010, 11:31 PM']That colour looks great! I can see by looking at yours that I had a fairly rare problem; a neck pocket gap and a step between the neck side to the body. Yours looks perfect! Enjoy [/quote] To my eyes that step is still there, especially at the body end. Could be my contacts playing up though. Its a lovely bass though, im jealous even though i would never get one (neck too big). Edited July 2, 2010 by dave_bass5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quatschmacher Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Well, I was in GuitarGuitar in Newcastle at the weekend and had a very quick go on the Classic Stingray they've just got in (white/maple). So disappointed that the neck is just as uncomfortable for my tiny hands as a regular Stingray. I was gutted and so didn't even plug it in. There's no use falling in love with the sound and be tortured that I'll never be able to play it. On the plus side, it'll save me the money and the lusting. It really looks like the SLO Special is going to be the one for me, if I can find one in the UK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Quatschmacher' post='892893' date='Jul 12 2010, 03:50 PM']Well, I was in GuitarGuitar in Newcastle at the weekend and had a very quick go on the Classic Stingray they've just got in (white/maple). So disappointed that the neck is just as uncomfortable for my tiny hands as a regular Stingray. I was gutted and so didn't even plug it in. There's no use falling in love with the sound and be tortured that I'll never be able to play it. On the plus side, it'll save me the money and the lusting. It really looks like the SLO Special is going to be the one for me, if I can find one in the UK![/quote] Pm me I know of one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 [quote name='Musicman20' post='892903' date='Jul 12 2010, 04:06 PM']Pm me I know of one![/quote] Im so glad you didnt tell me that a few days ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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