stingrayPete1977

1- Poor neck stability on ebmm versions with unfinished necks. 2- Some shoddy fret levelling from new (my own 2010 ray 5). 3- Low output from preamp (my classicray, swapped for a john east). 4- Finish cracking and crazing on 70s basses (cool to some, gash to others). 5- Weak G phenomenon, never had it myself but others swear by it. 6- Batteries being eaten by faulty preamps, quite rare but it can happen. 7- Faulty jacks, happens to most basses but the ray has an extra tab for the circuit. 8- Some bridge saddles pull to one side or let the string jump out of the groove. Im sure there are other faults but you get the idea, they are actual faults rather than the weight or body shape, string spacing etc, those are things it is meant to leave the factory with like the Ric pickup cover.

My list is a list of actual faults i have had other than the pickup cover position which is not a fault as such but does put off many players even if its only enough to remove it rather than not buy one, your list is totally subjective to your personal needs which I respect but dont find as a comparison to my gripes with the rics I have tried to love.

Id say you are in a massive minority with finding a sharp edged bass the only comfortable bass, I know you had told me about it before but in reality virtually everyone on bass chat will find at least a rounded slab like my classicray more comfortable, even I prefer the full contours of my other stingrays bodies. Like lots of things we get to know more about we learn that not all things are the same for each model, which stingray profile didnt you like for example, the early deep c shape or the early flat D shape, the ebmm clubby shaped one or the jazz width Slo special for example

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384620194' post='2278845'] Well I thought I'd try what others often do for a change. Just to see what it was like. In all seriousness though, I was making a point. I've yet to play a Stingray I like. However that doesn't mean I think there's anything wrong with them; they're just not for me, but they're still excellent basses. I really like what they sound like in the hands of others, have considered buying one often, but whenever I play one I don't like it. So often I read that Rics are 'crap' for whatever reason and all it means is they don't suit, which some people seem to fail to understand. [/quote] But the list I have given is not just a Ric knocking for the fun of it list its an answer to the OP to help try and understand why so many people have issues with them, the majority of Rics I have tried had at least a handful of the problems from my list the '78 fireglo had them all. Surely I cant be that unfortunate can I? I like rusty old cars but I understand why others dont and could list the reasons and counter most of them with my biased findings about old cars, its the quirks that I like but I am man enough to admit that those quirks are basically poor fit and finish or just bad design in the first place

I do enjoy a curvaceous Romanian, well done

[quote name='4000' timestamp='1384614100' post='2278764'] Interesting, as I feel they're vastly superior to Stingrays in every way. I find them far comfier, I find them far easier to play and I also find them far more versatile. :-) [/quote] The old knock what the other person has comeback, useful.

I use my 3rd finger and hold it against the string above the one I am playing then hold nothing when playing the B string (or E or whatever if it had 8 string etc) my thumb finds a rest here and there as I go even if its just touching the pickguard or pickup.

I have lusted over many a Ric, tried almost everyone I have seen in the shops, borrowed one and gigged it with a view to buying it as it was a good year and colour combination and at a bargain price, I had the cash to spare yet still gave it back! My biased findings so far.... 1- Neck dive. 2- Nastycheap feel to the machine head tuners operation. 3- Fingerboard not following the main neck along its length properly as if it has shunk or something. 4- Body edges that you can shave with. 5- Poorly finished bindings compared to a Gibson Les Paul. 6- Pickup cover in the way, its right where I want to play especially with a pick (same goes for a Jazz with its covers on). 7- Remove cover and you are left with a crude metal finger grater. 8- Big clumsy bridge often swapped for something more accuratley adjustable. 9- Looks awesome and almost worth buying especially if you get offered a 70's one in fireglo red on the cheap, [i]almost.[/i]

Tasty

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1384451263' post='2276916'] No issues whatsoever with any Genz amps. I've had two for quite some time. [/quote] Same but with three amps since around 2008 I think

That fits in well with what I have been discussing with Jake via pm and it will be good for bow practice so I will be on it later, another great lesson id say mate, ta.

Its a cracker, I might hunt me one down and sell all three stingrays yet

Sounds like fender have been messing about for a while, mine is solid as a rock, proper top end cabinet even though it's about five years old now, few pence saved here and there sounds like it's added up to a slightly cheaper cabinet?

[quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1384426139' post='2276494'] They are in a terrible position if you use a proper sized amp too. [/quote] [quote name='AntLockyer' timestamp='1384426139' post='2276494'] They are in a terrible position if you use a proper sized amp too. [/quote] nottswarwick has a GBE....any problems nottswarwick?

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1384424876' post='2276472'] You are of course correct.... My main niggle is the position of the handles... who's idea was that? a single one at the back of the top would have made it much easier to wheel around and one half way up each side would have made it easier to carry. [/quote] Well Barefaced reckon putting them we want them ruins the sound, thats why they use the strap type ones on the outside which I am not a fan of and might be ok with less weight but not really suited to the weight of the Genz really IMO

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384424398' post='2276460'] Yep -- agreed. But that doesn't remove our right to comment on what we see as minor irritations does it? Or have I missed something? [/quote] Not at all moan away

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1384423834' post='2276445'] I can see your point. Yes, we got it for £380, but it is an £800 cab. And at that price point (as people regularly say about BareFaced cabs) you have a right to expect a top quality fit and finish. [/quote] I still think the Genz looks better and mine has not lost any feet or handles and is still £70 less than a super twelveT which does not include any profit for a dealer network or shop does it, a handful of screws wont cost £400 and it will still look better in most peoples opinion and even perform (not sound thats subjective anyway,perform) to a comparable standard, even Alex says they are a decent cab, still a massive bargain in my opinion.

As humans we are funny arent we? It was the bargain of the year and the US ones certainly are, yet we would have had just as much interest if they had said "who wants the same cab made over the border for £400 less?". If anyone is really upset I will trade my single Neox2x12t with rat fur and the correct screws for a pair of mexican made ones and you will still be £40 up or something! Joking aside I think my US cab has long screws poking through but I dont tend to put my hand in there

You look like a right pair of slappers Nice work mate enjoy

[quote name='Mudpup' timestamp='1384421978' post='2276413'] MIM - Made in Mexico by Mexicans with long screws MIA - Made in America by Mexicans with the correct screws (Classic line from Talkbass that says it all) Look at what you got for the money - cant see anything to be miffed about tbh! Other people have paid hundreds more for the same product fairly recently. They are the ones who have a right to be a bit grumpy. Not trying to be confrontational here - just a bit objective, £380 for an amazing cab, be happy :-) [/quote]

Wouldn't it be boring if everyone played a burst and tort fender.....oh mostly they do right now if watching Glastonbury, v festival, and jools Hollands show is anything to go by! Look at minis, no two are the same as they leave the factory and the standard ones won't stay that way long as there are parts a plenty on Ebay to bolt on, doesn't hurt the resale value or even increases it just like with fenders.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1384384501' post='2276181'] Not much room left for scotch eggs in those fridges. I mostly spent my week developing new price management tools for Avon. And explaining why their non-negotiable encryption requirements won't actually work. They still haven't accepted that they won't actually work, but it will come to them eventually. [/quote] Ha maybe some of those little ones with scrambled egg inside!

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1384384228' post='2276176'] That's impressive work , Pete. I know very little about how electricity works , and I can't understand why Mrs Dingus seems to spend so much money on batteries nowadays . Dissapointing to know that your gizmo is going to Thailand to be used in a factory, though. It would have been nice if your handiwork was going to power some pumped-up fleshpot of a go go bar or simliar humanitariian project. Maybe next time. [/quote] Well I'd rather be on site in person for those jobs, sometimes you need a personal touch!

The machines will probably end up all over the world anyway though, the components in my boxes are all able to run on 50 hz and 60hzas they use both apparently! The bulk of the new smaller models will be destined for China i suspect.

I think rickenbacker have a patent on the tardis so I decided it was best not to try!