Post by grayn on Sept 14, 2019 15:25:40 GMT
I returned today, to one of my old, favoured bass places, Promenade Music in Morecambe.
Used to go there every few weeks but hadn't been for 2 years.
Anyway, Gary's still working there and is a great bloke for loads of friendly, knowledgable chat and a cup of tea.
Had a hankering for another 4-stringer and after some discussion, we more or less narrowed it down to 3 basses.
A Marleaux Consat Custom 4 (used), a Fender Flea Signature Active Jazz Bass, in Satin Inca Silver and a Musicman Stingray Special, in Chopper Blue.
The Marleaux is a superb bass, with a classy, hand made feel and quality woods.
The only part that didn't impress me was the pre amp, it just didn't seem to deliver, to my ears.
I was a bit dubious about the Flea Jazz but I have to say, I think it is a great bass.
I reckon Flea told Fender to take a JB and make as much like a Stingray as they could.
And they've done a bloody good job, IMO.
Very solid and resonant, really well built and a rather good pickup.
The only changes I'd make would be a 3 band EQ, instead of 2 and a slightly wider string spacing at the bridge end.
I would have been very happy to bring it home with me but as the title suggests, the winner was the Stingray Special.
Now I already have a standard 2014, EBMM Stingray, with a single HB and 3 EQ, that I reckon is great.
So why get this as well, other than the usual excuse of permanent GAS?
To me, there enough differences between the 2 Stingrays to give enough of a different playing experience.
The Special has a slightly different pickup, with Neodymium magnets and an 18 volt pre amp, to deliver even more bassy goodness.
The gorgeous, roasted maple neck feels a tad narrower, with slightly more rounding off, of the rosewood fingerboard's edges and lovely stainless steel frets.
The tuners are definitely nicer, with a more 3D ergonomic, comfy feel to them and the body is rounded at the neck heel to improve one's upper fret playing experience.
Also, overall the bass is a little lighter.
So does all this make the Special better than my old Stingray?
Probably yes but I do so enjoy my older model, it's not going to be left on it's stand.
I really like the Chopper Blue coloured body, with the pearloid white pickguard, black pickup and chrome hardware.
This is a pretty bass and definitely feels like it's got all the iconic, classic aspects you have to have in a Stingray.
Yet it's subtle improvements feel like a natural evolution, with no revolution needed, thankyou.
I'd test driven this beauty through a rig very similar to my own and so am looking forward to the next band rehearsal.
Specifications:
Model: StingRay Special
Size: 13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 44-7/8" long (34.3 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 114.0 cm long)
Body Wood: Select Hardwoods
Body Finish: High gloss polyester
Bridge: Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size: Only 8-3/4" (22.2 cm) long
Frets: 22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel
Neck Width: 1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood: Select roasted maple neck
Fingerboard: Fretted - Rosewood
Neck Finish: Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Neck Colors: Standard – Natural with finished headstock
Tuning Machines: Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
Truss Rod: Adjustable wheel - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment: 5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Electronic Shielding: black plated aluminum control cover
Controls: 3-band active preamp with 18 volts of headroom; vol, treble, mid, bass
Pickups: Standard - Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets.
Used to go there every few weeks but hadn't been for 2 years.
Anyway, Gary's still working there and is a great bloke for loads of friendly, knowledgable chat and a cup of tea.
Had a hankering for another 4-stringer and after some discussion, we more or less narrowed it down to 3 basses.
A Marleaux Consat Custom 4 (used), a Fender Flea Signature Active Jazz Bass, in Satin Inca Silver and a Musicman Stingray Special, in Chopper Blue.
The Marleaux is a superb bass, with a classy, hand made feel and quality woods.
The only part that didn't impress me was the pre amp, it just didn't seem to deliver, to my ears.
I was a bit dubious about the Flea Jazz but I have to say, I think it is a great bass.
I reckon Flea told Fender to take a JB and make as much like a Stingray as they could.
And they've done a bloody good job, IMO.
Very solid and resonant, really well built and a rather good pickup.
The only changes I'd make would be a 3 band EQ, instead of 2 and a slightly wider string spacing at the bridge end.
I would have been very happy to bring it home with me but as the title suggests, the winner was the Stingray Special.
Now I already have a standard 2014, EBMM Stingray, with a single HB and 3 EQ, that I reckon is great.
So why get this as well, other than the usual excuse of permanent GAS?
To me, there enough differences between the 2 Stingrays to give enough of a different playing experience.
The Special has a slightly different pickup, with Neodymium magnets and an 18 volt pre amp, to deliver even more bassy goodness.
The gorgeous, roasted maple neck feels a tad narrower, with slightly more rounding off, of the rosewood fingerboard's edges and lovely stainless steel frets.
The tuners are definitely nicer, with a more 3D ergonomic, comfy feel to them and the body is rounded at the neck heel to improve one's upper fret playing experience.
Also, overall the bass is a little lighter.
So does all this make the Special better than my old Stingray?
Probably yes but I do so enjoy my older model, it's not going to be left on it's stand.
I really like the Chopper Blue coloured body, with the pearloid white pickguard, black pickup and chrome hardware.
This is a pretty bass and definitely feels like it's got all the iconic, classic aspects you have to have in a Stingray.
Yet it's subtle improvements feel like a natural evolution, with no revolution needed, thankyou.
I'd test driven this beauty through a rig very similar to my own and so am looking forward to the next band rehearsal.
Specifications:
Model: StingRay Special
Size: 13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 44-7/8" long (34.3 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 114.0 cm long)
Body Wood: Select Hardwoods
Body Finish: High gloss polyester
Bridge: Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles
Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm)
Headstock Size: Only 8-3/4" (22.2 cm) long
Frets: 22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel
Neck Width: 1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret
Neck Wood: Select roasted maple neck
Fingerboard: Fretted - Rosewood
Neck Finish: Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend
Neck Colors: Standard – Natural with finished headstock
Tuning Machines: Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design
Truss Rod: Adjustable wheel - no component or string removal
Neck Attachment: 5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets
Electronic Shielding: black plated aluminum control cover
Controls: 3-band active preamp with 18 volts of headroom; vol, treble, mid, bass
Pickups: Standard - Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets.