My 'Music Man' Stingray (DIY Bass Kit)

[CherryLine]

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to share a little lutherie moment from home. This is the build of my third instrument; a Chick Yellow Stingray, assembled from a kit I got from The Guitar Fabrik (once again).
I went for their Music Man Bass Kits, and like with my previous builds, everything arrived clean, well-packed, and ready to bring to life. The wood was beautiful. Everything fit the way it should. The neck dropped in without hassle, which is always a good sign. Even after two builds, I still get that same feeling when I sand, shape, wire, and suddenly realize there's a real instrument coming together under my hands.

And the result? I’m genuinely happy with it. The natural finish keeps things simple and classic; it lets the wood speak for itself. The active pickups bring out clarity and punch, with just enough growl when you dig in. Great for tight grooves, smooth walking lines, or anything in between. What really surprised me is how balanced the tone feels across all the strings, even with the stock electronics. It’s fun to play, and even more fun knowing I built it myself.
If you’ve been thinking about doing a DIY bass build, I can only encourage you to go for it. It’s a hands-on, creative process; and in the end, you walk away with an instrument that feels truly yours. The Guitar Fabrik has been a solid starting point for all my builds; their kits are reliable, well thought out, and just plain enjoyable to work on.

Here’s what I used for this one:

- https://guitarkitfabric.co.uk/products/bass-guitar-kit-mm-in-solid-mahogany.html
- https://guitarkitfabric.co.uk/products/paint-set-nitro-spray-1-color-opaque.html

If you have any questions about the build, finish, wiring, or setup, feel free to ask. I’m happy to share tips if you’re thinking about starting your own.
Musically,

[Hellzero]

If you want to turn it into an active Stingray, you can put this excellent totally inexpensive clone in it: https://www.musikding.de/Classic-Bass-Preamp-Preamp-kit

 

They are available by batches very regularly, so check the website.