The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: ilan on December 08, 2010, 09:44:01 AM

Title: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: ilan on December 08, 2010, 09:44:01 AM
From Ishibashi...

P style (http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=311&print=1&keys2=shibuya%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3)

(http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/image/3268779012.jpg)

LP style (http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=5016&print=1&keys2=shinsaibashi%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3)

(http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/image/3262812011.jpg)


Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Hornisse on December 08, 2010, 05:49:14 PM
A few years ago I had local builder Chris Forshage route a MIM P bass and put a Nordstrand pickup paired up with an old Hi-A pickup and a Bart NTBT preamp.  I could get the best of both worlds with the bass.  I didn't care for the combined tone but it was Chris' favorite setting!

(http://i51.tinypic.com/2920d29.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: exiledarchangel on December 09, 2010, 01:23:50 AM
I have heard that Ibanez ATK's nail somehow that stinkray sound, they have fat necks too (not the usual skinny ibanez thingies).
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: dadagoboi on December 09, 2010, 07:27:16 AM
...my 1976 Sting Ray with pup, electronics, bridge and neck as Leo Fender intended.  When Ernie Ball bought Music Man they changed all of that.  And not for the better IMO.  Accept No Substitutes! ;D

(http://i976.photobucket.com/albums/ae241/cata1d0/CARS/1976StingRayBass.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: eb2 on December 09, 2010, 08:46:13 AM
The StingRay Classic is a subtle nod to those who disagree with their "modifications" to the original.  I played one and it was very nice.  I dig the old vibe myself. 
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Dave W on December 09, 2010, 08:59:42 AM
Leo's contribution to the original Stingray is overstated, IMO. In any case the company would be non-existent if it weren't for Ernie Ball.

I never liked the early ones. No finesse at all. Kept me from even trying the EBMMs for years. YMMV of course.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: jumbodbassman on December 09, 2010, 10:04:00 AM
i have a few early mm's.  good for what they are and had a real place for the 'in" sound of electric bass when they came out. First popular mass produced active bass that was affordable.     I always thought the sabre sounded better and IMHO the precision special was a better playing instrument though, hard to believe, even heavier than the mm.....northern ash body....but i am a p man

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/other%20brands%20-/mmsting.jpg)

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/other%20brands%20-/mmsabre2.jpg)

1983 precision special.  j pup added before i got it.  ability to switch from passive to active is a nice option.  having played pbasses since 1972 it is "the" sweet spot for me. 

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/fender%20stuff/fender83pspec.jpg)

i always thought the mm spot was back too far which is probably why i liked the sabre better.  only draw back to  sabre is toggle switch versus separate volume controls.  I also have a stock p bass special ( no pics) also in CAR.  I have GAS for one of the walnut ones but.....
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: eb2 on December 09, 2010, 10:23:32 AM
I think Leo's design of the StingRay is pretty secure - it is a long scale Mustang with active electronics!

I have an Elite, the Special's peculiar cousin.  I go hot and cold on the active.  But I like StingRays.  To be really particular, I like the earliest Ernie Balls, when they moved the string holder and that was about it.  I played an 86 that I wish I had snagged. Played great, sounded great. Beat to hell, and looked like crap.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: godofthunder on December 09, 2010, 04:22:11 PM
Quote from: ilan on December 08, 2010, 09:44:01 AM
From Ishibashi...

P style (http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=311&print=1&keys2=shibuya%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3)

(http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/image/3268779012.jpg)

LP style (http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/e/ubox.cgi?T=syosai&sline=5016&print=1&keys2=shinsaibashi%40ishibashi.co.jp&tid=list3)

(http://www.ishibashi.co.jp/u_box/image/3262812011.jpg)



Those are nice............................ but the pickup is in the wrong spot ;D
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Hornisse on December 09, 2010, 05:31:38 PM
My old '76 had the original white pickguard and radio knobs.  Note how the bridge is further back.  They fixed this fairly quickly in the run.  I had a tough time getting the G string to intonate properly!

(http://i51.tinypic.com/15mix5k.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Basvarken on December 10, 2010, 01:59:01 AM
The big black humbucker with eight wide polepieces has become a totally generic pickup these days.
Are all basses featuring that pickup Stingrays in disguise? No I think they are not.

I used to really dig the MM Stingray sound. I played the shit out of my Stingray in the nineties. But I guess I got overfed on that sound.



Some more cool MM pickup applications:

(http://www.tuscanyguitars.com/images/bird_cherry.jpg)

(http://www.tuscanyguitars.com/images/birdpu.jpg)

(http://www.tuscanyguitars.com/images/tuscany_jag_3t.jpg)

(http://www.tuscanyguitars.com/images/jagpu.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: gearHed289 on December 10, 2010, 10:17:58 AM
The Ric clone is cool!
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Pilgrim on December 10, 2010, 04:31:00 PM
I like the Jag clone, too.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Pekka on December 12, 2010, 10:25:46 AM
How about this:
(http://www.ibanezregister.com/images/BASSES/images-rs/rs900/rs900-79.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: gweimer on December 12, 2010, 12:24:25 PM
I'm surprised that nobody has thought of the G&L L1500 yet.

(http://www.glguitars.com/imagedownloads/USA/index_images/L1500_TSB_EB.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Hornisse on December 12, 2010, 12:35:40 PM
(http://i52.tinypic.com/30w7b5t.jpg)

Here is the original.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: ilan on December 12, 2010, 12:58:08 PM
That's an early model, later ones had the pickup in the neck position.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: jumbodbassman on December 13, 2010, 08:52:36 AM
Quote from: Hörnisse on December 12, 2010, 12:35:40 PM
(http://i52.tinypic.com/30w7b5t.jpg)

Here is the original.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: chromium on December 13, 2010, 11:09:29 AM
A pre-EB Stingray fretless was my main bass for many years.  Guess I got burned out on the sound too, although I still think its a great player.

There's an unlikely Stingray-that-doesn't-look-like-a-Stingray on Ebay now...

(http://i.ebayimg.com/10/!B+qwziQB2k~$(KGrHqF,!jMEzKUfYRJ5BN!Wf43F,Q~~_3.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220709174329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

That's an early Johnson scroll prototype built for the SLM/Ampeg partnership in the late 90s.  Turner pickup in the 'ray spot...
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: jumbodbassman on December 13, 2010, 11:49:21 AM
Quote from: chromium on December 13, 2010, 11:09:29 AM
A pre-EB Stingray fretless was my main bass for many years.  Guess I got burned out on the sound too, although I still think its a great player.

There's an unlikely Stingray-that-doesn't-look-like-a-Stingray on Ebay now...

(http://i.ebayimg.com/10/!B+qwziQB2k~$(KGrHqF,!jMEzKUfYRJ5BN!Wf43F,Q~~_3.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220709174329&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

That's an early Johnson scroll prototype built for the SLM/Ampeg partnership in the late 90s.  Turner pickup in the 'ray spot...

GAS attack...
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: jumbodbassman on December 13, 2010, 11:53:12 AM
my  Pushic bass with a little closer to a pbass sweetspot cheating going on.  one of my zebrawood moments....

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/DP%20BASSES/dpzeb2.jpg)

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/DP%20BASSES/dpzeb3.jpg)

Zebrawood makes a pretty good fretboard too.  very similar to rosewood in hardness

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/DP%20BASSES/dpzeb4.jpg)

i even went with a zebrawood stringer...

(http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac102/desantisjn/DP%20BASSES/dpzeb5.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: leftybass on December 13, 2010, 01:34:53 PM
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v383/iamthebassman/Copyofdouglas005.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Dave W on December 13, 2010, 02:37:48 PM
Neckthoughs and semihollows aren't Stingray types at all, they just have Stingray type pickups.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Hornisse on December 13, 2010, 09:11:49 PM
(http://i55.tinypic.com/27y0mxi.jpg)

Modulus Flea
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: eb2 on December 14, 2010, 01:28:26 AM
I was working for GC when those came out.  They were very nice basses, and felt really nice.  The tone was - surprise - very Stingray-ish.  I probably should have picked one up.  I have had the disturbing experience of playing one of the new Flea basses, which are truly awful things, and not at all like the original Flea licensing experiment.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on December 14, 2010, 02:10:06 AM
Modulus called that model the "Sonic Hammer" before they got Flea to endorse it. The Modulus Flea basses were really overpriced for what they were. IRRC, it is still made under a new name now. I A/B'ed a couple of them against new Rays and did't like them near as well as the EB's. I could see the money for a Quantum or the like, but like Modulus's Jazz copy, I just didn't get it.  The old Quantums with the Lane Poor pickups were awesome, but if you wanted a Stingray with a composite neck there was the Cutlass.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: hieronymous on December 15, 2010, 10:14:07 PM
Ikebe original Fender Japan '75 Jazz reissue (http://www.ikebe-gakki.com/shopping/goods/goods_detail.php?offset=96&category_id=2&sub_category_id=19&brand=70&view=1&count=48&sort=1&search_status=1&id=153097)

(http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9357/hjb75jmm.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Thornton Davis on December 17, 2010, 04:32:16 AM
This is my Big Al 5-H, AKA; "Elroy". Its 4 band EQ gives it tremendous tonal versatility. But if I need that certain Stingray tone, i'll use my Classic Stingray 5 AKA; "Killer".

(http://i498.photobucket.com/albums/rr347/Thornton_Davis/BigAl_5_H_table_A.jpg)

TD
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: Dave W on December 17, 2010, 08:54:51 AM
Love that Big Al.

I'd buy an EB Albert Lee guitar too if it would help me play like Albert.
Title: Re: Stingrays that don't look like Stingrays
Post by: ilan on December 17, 2010, 01:21:42 PM
I like the retro aesthetics of those non-toilet-seat MM's.