NJE Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 It looks like MusicMan have updated the Stingray for 2018. New features: All toasted maple necks, 17 new colour options, black hardware (ebony boards on black hardware basses), 5 bolt neck joint with what looks like a more rounded joint. Also lighter hardware (1pound reduction in weight) and 18v preamp. All on Thomann YouTube vid here: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Interesting. I'll watch the video in a little while. I never expected them to completely overhaul the normal Stingray. Is this an additional model? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted January 25, 2018 Author Share Posted January 25, 2018 29 minutes ago, Musicman20 said: Interesting. I'll watch the video in a little while. I never expected them to completely overhaul the normal Stingray. Is this an additional model? By the way the guy in the video was talking this is the new standard Stingray. It’s got a neodymium magnet from the bongo wound to Stingray Spec, whatever that means. The guy jokes and says something like ‘why would we mess with the Stingray’. I would love to try one, especially with roasted maple as standard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Looks like the Stingay 2018 might be the only options for normal Rays....but I must admit those neodymium magnets sound ACE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 14 minutes ago, NJE said: By the way the guy in the video was talking this is the new standard Stingray. It’s got a neodymium magnet from the bongo wound to Stingray Spec, whatever that means. The guy jokes and says something like ‘why would we mess with the Stingray’. I would love to try one, especially with roasted maple as standard. Basically it will have the classic Ray snarl but with the quickness and attack/precision of the neo magnets....they are VERY powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 It’s amazed me how long it’s taken for EBMM to use lightweight tuners. On a 5 string with big plate old tuners swapping to Hipshot ultralights can save more than half a pound! im also a bit amused at the amount of bass makers who say they’ve spent loads developing their own lightweight tuners that always end up heavier than the Ultralights. Just use them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Just got the email through from EB, not out til July in the States. Very keen to check one out. http://blog.music-man.com/news/ernie-ball-music-man-2018-product-announcement-namm-kick-off/?utm_source=musicmanblog&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nammmusicmankickoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Does 18v mean two battery's ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 2 minutes ago, Les said: Does 18v mean two battery's ? I think so. An alternative would be 18 1v batteries, but it might make the basses too heavy. 1 1 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 5 hours ago, fretmeister said: It’s amazed me how long it’s taken for EBMM to use lightweight tuners. On a 5 string with big plate old tuners swapping to Hipshot ultralights can save more than half a pound! im also a bit amused at the amount of bass makers who say they’ve spent loads developing their own lightweight tuners that always end up heavier than the Ultralights. Just use them! The problem with bought in tuners in California is the trade laws don't let you say the instrument is made in California, USA - thus a marketing issue. I noticed that apart from revoiced and 18 volt powered preamp and neodymium magnets, the SR4 and SR5 have revised neck profiles, revised sculpting at top fret, and revised body contours. Those plus the new colours and options represent a major change and I will be very interested to try them. This creates quite a gap between the new passive bass lines, the Classic Stingray and the updated Stingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Those new tuners are hideous. They look like something you get on some cheap Chinese copy bass. I see no reason to change from the original tuners, they were part of the Stingray image. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 20 minutes ago, Linus27 said: Those new tuners are hideous. They look like something you get on some cheap Chinese copy bass. I see no reason to change from the original tuners, they were part of the Stingray image. Agreed, but made in Germany and relatively heavy - with the changes to the rest of the bass may have upset the balance. I'm guessing the Classic Ray will (might??) still be available. On another point - I love that heavily sparkly silver/black colour and the blue/green. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pea Turgh Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Want! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 I really like the new 'ray. That is how to tastefully update a classic design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martthebass Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 Does this mean that a classic will become a classic classic and the current Ray will end up being reissued as a new classic....... 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 25, 2018 Share Posted January 25, 2018 (edited) 8 hours ago, fretmeister said: It’s amazed me how long it’s taken for EBMM to use lightweight tuners. I don't know if you know but they were used on the Reflex throughout its run and have been used on the Bongo for the last few years. I'm guessing the reason for not changing the Stingray ones till now has been concern about the look and upsetting the 'accepted' appearance - perhaps people should moan about Fender using big old tuners on t all their four in line head stocks where the balance effect is surely worse. I guess the Classic Ray will still be available as now (with big tuners). Edited January 25, 2018 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 On 25/01/2018 at 19:51, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: I'll look forward to trying one. I imagine that’d be after you’ve pre ordered one and got it out of the case? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted January 26, 2018 Share Posted January 26, 2018 (edited) 5 minutes ago, hiram.k.hackenbacker said: You know me too well The more I see of them, the more I’m prepared to be very impressed. Can’t wait to read your posts in July! Edited January 26, 2018 by Chiliwailer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NJE Posted January 27, 2018 Author Share Posted January 27, 2018 I have a perfectly lovely mature Stingray with a subtle Birdseye neck, but the new classic rays and these new standards are really tempting me with their fancy colours and toasted necks 😬 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casapete Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Really interested to see how they turn out weight wise. I had to give up Stingrays due to my knackered shoulder and not being able to find one I could manage. Anything sub 8lbs could mean I’m in with a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I am not a fan of Ray’s in general but even I am finding these very tempting, I think it’s good work by EB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 It certainly looks like a proper update adding some useful bits without spoiling it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 Wonder if they'll be putting the USA Sterling on the same diet? I've been after a light-weight Sterling for years and they never quite dip in much below 9lb... now if they shave 1lb off the 9lb I'd be interested! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 38 minutes ago, warwickhunt said: Wonder if they'll be putting the USA Sterling on the same diet? I've been after a light-weight Sterling for years and they never quite dip in much below 9lb... now if they shave 1lb off the 9lb I'd be interested! The new Stingray has the 22 fret board and 5 bolt neck plate same as the Sterling which hopefully suggests modifications to the Sterling to take it further away from the Stingray. I wonder if this means that we'll soon have the option of a Status Graphite neck for the Sterling if it shares the same scale and heel dimensions as the new Stingray. I'm wondering if we'll see changes to the Sterling firstly on the 25th anniversary that I'm hoping is in the pipeline like the 20th Stingray was the first to have the new bridge without the mutes. There has to be one but if not then I'm having a sparkly blue stingray. Best thing I did to my Sterling was fit ultralites as soon as I bought it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted January 27, 2018 Share Posted January 27, 2018 I'm certainly going to order an SR5, possibly HH in that turquoise green/blue colour with the black hardware and scratch plate. But I like the dark blue sparkle greatly as well - maybe an SR4 in that........ I can forsee a likely depletion of funds on the horizon 🤑 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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