Chiliwailer

Quite worryingly, I remember vintage Gibson’s being faked very well about 20 years ago… each one would contain real vintage parts from a less expensive model from the same period; all to make the buyer perhaps subconsciously believe that “well it must real as the parts are” - add in a good Clive Brown refinish and it’s easy to see people being caught out - as a fiend of mine did by a real pr1ck on this site a few years back, I wanted to take the bass apart when he was buying it but he didn’t want me to for some reason, when I did months later to sell it for him, I clearly saw one of Clive’s ‘secret’ markings - you wouldn’t know what they are unless Clive told you. Old flux was also used for ‘virgin solder joints’ on these fake Gibsons and that really caught people out, they fooled a fair few dealers and collectors. People were/are also doing this with vintage Marshall heads, taking parts from same era lesser models and putting them into the desirable ones so they went back to being ‘all original’ and never messed with. I had nothing to do with it btw, I was just in the vintage industry at the time and sadly saw it.

Or rightly 😂

You said “but I wouldn’t say it’s something to get annoyed about”. Which could, rightly or wrongly, easily be interpreted as ‘you’re wrong and overreacting’ - so where the discussion in that? That could be perceived as a closed statement. My earlier comment was intended to simply say that it matters to me, and it’s fine if it doesn’t matter to you - hence the smiley. But your later comment about a ‘discussion forum’ came across as an antagonist, to me anyway.

I just like my Fenders to be Alder. And it’s not cheap IMO. But genuinely, if you’re cool with it, then that’s fine, I’m just not cool with it 👍

More like a bitchy one though.

Why? Because it matters to me. Good for you both if it doesn’t matter to you 😊

These have a basswood body, not alder as specified by BassBros. That’d really annoy me if I bought it thinking it was alder, and found out later is wasn’t.

Bassbros have some great Rays in stock… Liking the pre-Ernie Ball Ray Warren mentioned above. If the pickup wasn’t swapped out I’d have the Teal one from 1996 as always had a soft spot for that color. But you can get a good Ray for under £1500.

I’d personally get a used one, the prices now are pretty steep. The post 2018 are called Stingray Special. They have roasted necks, a new 18v preamp which is lovely, a neodymium pickup, lighter hardware, and a much more ergonomic feel. They are typically lighter too. I had one, but prefer my 2 EQ Ray from 1995, 2EQ and alnico pickups being the main reason. Also prefer my old 2015 3EQ, but it’s just subjective, the Special is still very good. Pre 2018 you can have a 2EQ, which is bassier, or a 3EQ which is a bit rockier I suppose as it has a filter in the preamp that takes out some bass. The Stingray Classic was a kind of reissue model, 2EQ with a slab body, and a heavy flamed or birds eye neck. But the vintage style slab body is uncomfortable for some people. Some folk love the 80s EBMM transition basses, others the early to Mid 90s ones, that also can have figured necks. But to be honest, I’ve never seen a ‘bad’ period. Across the range the differences in tone can be nuanced, a good Ray usually sounds like a good Ray! Check out some YT vids for a ‘at your caution’ little idea - like

…it’s ‘normal’ for the pole piece being lower - not the tone issue! 😃 Like Kev and me said, could be a duff string. And again, an issue with the nut or saddle could deaden a string. All worth looking at before buying a new pup.

That’s normal for a Ray, regarding the pole piece on the E. I think it’s much more likely to be something else, for example a duff string or issue with the nut or saddle. If you are still unsure about the pole, try little magnets first before perhaps wrecking the pickup, as some people have done that on the G string in the past. Good luck 👍

It has a Fender pup designed by Tim Shaw, and the Aguilar OBP-1 preamp.

And Leo… wrong ‘Fender’ albeit 😜 (for the MM pup)

I got very lucky, posted a wanted advert and @hiram.k.hackenbacker sold me his. Don’t want to rub it in Chris, but I’m having so much fun with it, the tone is outrageous and just makes me think of his live tone, and some tunes from Dream Canteen. The pickup is very well designed IMO. I only bought it as my other basses have flats but I like to jam to RHCP with rounds sometimes - so job done 👌

Going against the vicious tide here (😀), but I really like the new spec - ‘innovation’ marketing bullsh17 aside of course - but it’s a real nice combo of specs for me, ymmv… 🫣 Awesome to see Joe Lally in the P Bass vids. If I hadn’t just bought a Fender Flea Active I would have been quite tempted - I was impressed the Flea has a quartersawn neck and it’s good to see it on these too.

Nice one @asingardenof 👍