drTStingray

Weren't Turkish trousers the signature wear for the video of Bobby Brown in 'You Can't Touch This' complete with Rick James' bass part from an earlier tune? Anyway..... when I played in a Cliff and the Shadows tribute band I was pleased to note I was required to contribute to a set of suits etc that came from the bargain line at Asda George - I think I was docked £35 from my first gig money of about £150...... This is what happens in a group with thrifty almost 70 yr old baby boomers......... who possibly voted Brexit and now have to pay at least 15% more for their US instruments 😉

That guy who tested his 2015 Stingray by leaving it permanently plugged in virtually and playing gigs one or two times a week seemed to get 5 weeks before the battery charge dropped like a stone. That's 835 hours....... Therefore if you take the simple expedient of not leaving the bass plugged in when not using it most people should get well over a year of use. He also found the battery never was at 9 volts - it was 7-8 volts - ran at six for ages but completely failed shortly after reducing to 5.5 volts. So worry about battery death in an embarrassing situation on an active bass is, with a few straightforward measures, likely to be entirely avoidable without resorting to switches and the like (unless you really feel the need).

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1469659681' post='3100199'] Me too. End of set routine... Tuner mute on, Jack plug out, bass on stand. Every single time. [/quote] I agree - but do you trust the likes of drummers and singers, not to mention invited or uninvited stage guests not to send the bass flying? (Ps I recall an uninvited tween sets interloper as an 18 month old toddler pursued by embarrassed mum at a function event - made a bee line for my Stingray 5 for some reason)!! Bass goes in case if there's any threat of on-stage metalwork movement or drum case introduction - in my experience these guys sometimes resemble the inebriated Oliver Reed on Parkinson show even if they are sober!!

Here is an interesting thread from the Musicman forum on battery life based on the popular active Stingray bass covering continuously plugged in and variations thereof:- http://forums.ernieball.com/ernie-ball-music-man-basses/62839-battery-life-info-15-sr.html I carry spare batteries in my lead box just in case since having been embarrassed by my Bongo at a gig - luckily the band concerned uses several radio mikes so has a big stash of batteries for that purpose and came to my rescue. As I have 10 batteries worth of basses to deal with, plus strings, I've taken a leaf out of member Grand Wazoo's book and created myself a little spreadsheet - I used to think this was OCD but when I created this and actually tried to populate the existing information with the age of the batteries and age or even make of strings I realised in some cases I simply couldn't remember!! Ten batteries is a lot of cash so I'm recording the dates I do them and they're rotated so basically three basses at a time throughout the year to spread the cost. I have never had batteries last less than about 18 months though I never leave basses plugged in these days. The spreadsheet also has the serial number, build date and purchase date and cost so is a useful record in the event any get nicked....... and I add info as strings get changed etc - some may say this is OCD but it works for me.

Cool pics - notice that #3 has grown an extra fret and the production style bridge also, but still sports the reverse P type of pick up. Many people may not be aware but the thing about basses in the mid 70s was players were increasingly looking for a wider range of sounds than was previously available - Stanley Clarke was probably the holy grail sound for many aspiring bassists in 1975. I guess the Stingray appears to have been aimed at producing a wide range of sound ranging from standard thumpy flatwound sound, through tic tac to full blown pop and slap. Old fashioned thump along Fender was pretty much less than cool at that stage apart from studio churn out MOR pop and stuff like James Last etc. Even the likes of a genius like Jamerson found work harder to get and famously didn't do the new late 70s style stuff. I guess that's why the pick up location was chosen as it was, and the mutes and bass EQ could allow you to dial in the bottom end thump. Developing to a full humbucker and with parallel wiring would have given that cleaner slightly scooped sound. Where did you find these pics?

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1469251542' post='3096928'] As well as the radius being different, don't the classics have a narrow Jazz/Sterling width nut whereas the standard 2-EQs are wider like a Precision? [/quote] No - they are the same. Lovely basses eh - they definitely are out there. I've got a 93 fretless with a beautifully figured neck - in fact when the Classic was introduced in 2010, the figured necks were a late addition to the model - the first batch didn't have them. EBMM has described them as representing the best of the pre EB and early 90s features, which they certainly do as far as I'm concerned.

I don't set the EQ any differently on my Stingrays with flats or rounds generally - or on my LM3. I currently have TI flats and the mutes wound on my Classic Ray - and the slap sound is also fine - maybe tweak the treble on the bass for slap a little.

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1469199745' post='3096609'] Sorry if I take this off topic, but had to go check Upp out.. found this live clip, seems the bassist was doing the chucking (maybe there is a pick , but it sounds great?) thing even before Bernard Edwards You can see it around 2:10 mark. Shame Beck destroys the groove for me lol. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzDqqxKnW3o[/media] [/quote] He played with a pick IIRC - he was very good as well. I saw them live in my formative years and was astonished how many sixths and sevenths he played in his lines - as light bulb for me as watching Colin Hodgkinson playing slid 7th chords with Back Door, or Alan Spenner playing 10ths with Kokomo. Not sure, Blue how you heard bass parts in 1966 - here in the UK very few people had stereo systems and most kids would hear tinny sounding pop music with very poor bass reproduction through transistor radios or Dansette record players. Maybe you had better recordings in the US at the time - we had to wait till the later 60s before getting decent bass sounds on records by bands such as Cream, Ten Years After etc and more widespread stereo availability (both records and sound equipment). 16 track recording also helped. Joe Dart is excellent - can be seen demoing Musicman basses on the EBMM site to good effect also.

They're reasonably frequent on EBay, here or Talkbass - I guess it depends how choosy you are on colour. Some of the necks from that era are wildly figured. You'll need pre 93 or so for a laquered neck. Note the Classic neck radius is different from the regular Stingray (7 and a bit v 11 and a bit inches radius) - suggest you try a regular one to check you like the neck feel first. I have both and whilst the Classic is very comfortable for me, the standard isn't that different in feel.

As stated previously, your best course of action would be to buy a late 80s/early 90s 2 band EQ Stingray with lacquered figured neck. It would have all the features of a Classic Stingray except strings through the body, but would have a contoured body. You could sell your Classic Stingray and possibly end up with money to spare. As Rodney72a said, modifying your Classic will simply devalue it and cost quite a lot of money - however it's your bass, your choice.

[quote name='Mattpt85' timestamp='1469185437' post='3096396'] I'm going to give them a try, are these the ones? [/quote] I use the super slinky version (pink pack - 45,65,80,100) on my Stingray Classic - provides a great overall balanced sound and avoids the E and A sounding too bassy with scooped EQ There are several other gauges available.

[quote name='skej21' timestamp='1468778132' post='3093260'] It would appear the Flea sig is the new Maruszcyk! [/quote] I was thinking the Sire MM bass, flavour of the quarter not so long back. I am still thinking about whether I should get one of these - I've played two outdoor gigs with large PA support, one indoor pub gig and one rehearsal this weekend and used either my Classic Ray or my Classic Sabre, both 2 band MMs for the lot. I am now thinking newish high quality basses of this type are a total joy to play and hear so why would I want a beaten up one. In spite of these feelings the GAS is still on though ......... not helped by the promotional Fender video which features Flea in a bee keepers head gear playing his original shell pink rather nicely!!

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1468651160' post='3092338'] I've had mine on my fretless Stingray for over 18 months - no tuning issues or negative issues at all. In fact I thought they had 'bedded in' as they had aged - they certainly lost the initial sticky feeling, so much so that they are, feel wise, on a par with the TIs I have on another bass. Regarding snapping strings, I have found with strings with a design with silk wraps at each end, taking a set on and off a bass can be problematic as they can break in the silk wrapped area when you refit them - i have had this with Rotosound swing 66. [/quote]

I've had mine on my fretless Stingray for over 18 months - no tuning issues or negative issues at all. In fact I thought they had 'bedded in' as they had aged - they certainly lost the initial sticky feeling, so much so that they are, feel wise, on a par with the TIs I have on another bass. Regarding snapping strings, I have found with strings with a design with silk wraps at each end, taking a set on and off a bass can be problematic as they can break in the silk wrapped area - i have had this with Rotosound swing 66.

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1467993376' post='3087940'] I think it looks terrible, local pub band with stands. Why on earth would you need a reference point for 'Mustang Sally'? [/quote] If there's a three piece brass arrangement and you're a depping sax player it might be a good idea - however possibly not if you mean the 'pub rock' version where the guitarist plays crunchy barred chords on beats one and three as no matter what anyone else does it will have no soul....... 😕

[quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1467988810' post='3087894'] Has the price of your Old Smoothie gone up?!??! [/quote] I haven't ordered it but will sort it out later today - got quotes though. I'll let you know how I get on. Will be curious to see how US guitar prices are affected but I suspect everything will go up and fuel inflation.

The short answer from my experience is guitarists (well rock ones at least) usually refuse to play anything they don't know anyway so don't need music stands. I use a music stand if I'm depping (however that band has a keyboard player and sax player so may not count) and I only use the stand for songs I'm not sure about - however they do play smoke on the water so I guess it is a rock band with music stands at least for that song. i guess it's all about image - flailing windmill Style Pete Townsend guitar playing and music stands hardly sit well on the same stage - a health and safety issue as well!!

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1467302071' post='3082697'] That makes two of us then :-) Ooh! Collectable too! Yes, I noticed that. Is that a result of Sterling be so rubbish at the moment? [/quote] As the pound is 10% less now than it was a month back against the dollar thanks to those Brexit people ruining the UK economy, I'm guessing the next batch of these guitars will be a higher price..... On a related subject, I'm thinking of sending Michael Gove or Boris any increase I could get on my Old Smoothie Stingray (should've ordered it sooner doh.....). You guys got bargains I reckon and they're very very nice looking basses - I'm sorely tempted but not sure it'd get sufficient use from me.

[quote name='JapanAxe' timestamp='1467565742' post='3084585'] Light purple? Lilac? At least it's not pink [/quote] Definitely purply pink in my book - depends on the lighting. Fiesta red ranges from pink, to red to orangey dependent on lighting.

[quote name='lowhand_mike' timestamp='1467296354' post='3082627'] i bought a Musicman Stingray in 93/94 for about £800 used from a shop in manchester with my student loan so i had to live very carefully but i had to have it. [/quote] They were about £750 new at that time (I have the original bill for mine) - however £300 from a shop is a big drop.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1467291836' post='3082581'] I'm all for non fender shapes. Very much so. It's that scratchplate! [/quote] Yep I know what you mean. I'm trying to avoid getting too interested in this bass because I know I'll end up disappointed.

[quote name='ped' timestamp='1467290303' post='3082555'] I wonder if that's why lots of old folk wear glasses now [/quote] Entirely possible!! Eye of beholder I guess - nope it ain't a ubiquitous standard production layout from one of our favourite US makers but some people's taste maybe extends further. That leather scratch plate is a little esoteric though!!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1467202452' post='3081866'] lots of courses with very different flavours and textures is great in a fancy restaurant where you have time to savour them, I'm not saying we should all have McDonalds for every meal but I'd rather have a good roast beef dinner that most of the punters can enjoy than a smoked asparagus sausage on a bed of hummus that only the front few tables got to taste, even if they said it was very very tasty! Meat and potatoes down the clean di, Mic a cab maybe if you like a bit of onion gravy on top. :-D [/quote] I see where you're coming from but many bass players use lots of different techniques - eg thumb mute on some songs, heavy finger style on others - slap on others - it's part of being a musician - especially a versatile one. The real problem comes when your band requires a complex curry flavour and your sound person has never experienced anything but boiled beef and carrots. Post DI for me - I have been caught out too many times before - micing cabs can work but I personally prefer di as the speakers can also colour the sound somewhat.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1467283436' post='3082470'] I was worried I was alone 😄 [/quote] You guys clearly were absent for the late 70s early 80s British bass player scene........😏

[quote name='Muzz' timestamp='1467276902' post='3082408'] Yup, Rays were at least sellable - I couldn't get any interest in the Ric...I also had a 70s Precision (can't remember the year) which went for bugger all, too. I'm talking £200 or so... I may just have been a numpty, tho - I replaced the 4001 with an Aria ZZB Custom, and I was delighted... [/quote] You hit the nail on the head there - Fenders were virtually unsaleable back then unless pre CBS - active basses with fat sound, or keyboard bass ruled. I have a slight chuckle to myself when I see the price some of those 80s Fenders fetch now. It shows how the market is so influenced by fashion - you'd be as likely to see young guys travelling to London on the train to record on their keyboards (eg Depeche Mode) as guitars - perhaps more so - think Casio rather than Gibson etc!!