That’s mandatory, right there.
Well, I ended up getting it. Seemed in pretty good shape but I didn’t have my headphone amp with me as I got it on my way home from work. It’s got flats on it already (although the guy wasn’t sure which ones. Said the shop put them on when they defretted it. They feel pretty good, though. Pretty similar to the LaBella flats I’m used to, but have gold silks on both ends. I just played it for a little bit and it’s definitely an interesting feeling compared to fretted, especially on slides. The battery was dead in it so swapped that out. The treble pot works, but it doesn’t seem like the bass pot does anything. Definitely doesn’t act like the one on my StingRay 5HH. The fret lines are not filled in (the guy said the shop left it that way in case someone ever wanted to put the frets back in. Can’t really tell when playing though. So far, not too bad for $140.
I think you were absolutely right to buy it for that price! At $140, it was basically free ![]()
Re: the bass pot, that’s an easy fix. A new pot can be bought for next to nothing.
Re: the frets, are you going to leave it de-fretted? If so, I’d suggest filling…
I’ll have to give it some time to think about it. I had other plans for what I wanted a Stingray for, and what I had in mind for a fretless down the road and need to reevaluate my life choices ![]()
And of course now someone is selling a MIM 1994 Fender Standard P-bass with bag for $200, and a red Squier Jaguar Bass for $50…. Ive reached out to both, heh. Still contemplating the Ibanez SR400 with case for $175.
Picked up one of these today at Manchester MusicMill where EarthQuaker Devices did a demo of their wares.
Nice to hangout with some fellow musicians. Spend some time with a 75th Anniversary Fender American Player II P Bass in Aztec Gold - a really nice Bass too. If my “allowance” was more I woulda bought it! Fit, finish, tone where all great.
https://www.fender.com/products/75th-anniversary-player-ii-precision-bass?variant=48315463237854
Spend some time with another 5 string Spector, really nice bass but doesn’t fit me well and also didn’t care for the tone. Tried a 6 string Warwick just for the hell of it. Really nice looking Bass, multi laminate neck of different wood was real pretty but again not my thing - for sure two many strings, too much fretboard real estate to care for it. Tried a 51 retro P again not my thing, Jazz with the nice translucent blue body finsh showing the wood grain, but I prefer the typoical split coil P or P/j’s overall. Tried a Fender Limited-Edition Gold Foil Jazz Bass in Black Sparkle and really liked it. Also the Paranormal Precision Bass® Thinline SJ - like the tones available but I don’t know if it’s the hollow body or what but tuning and then plucking a string makes the pitch flucate significantly. Interesting afternoon.
Spent some time with the Stingray today. First, had to give it a setup. Action was ridiculously high, like over 5mm at the 12th fret. Lot of relief also. Had to adjust truss rod and saddle height. Intonation was pretty good, actually. My tuner pedal was indicating notes all over the fretboard landing right where I’d normally press to fret a string on a fretted bass, so learning curve is easier without having to change that habit.
@Al1885 I might have to lean on your knowledge of these a bit. I haven’t opened the control plate yet to see what’s going on with the bass pot, but is there a good but not ridiculously expensive aftermarket pre-amp that works well with these? I’ll probable end up doing the series/parallel rewire, or add a toggle while doing so.
There have been a lot of stingrays in here lately and damn I’m really GASing for one. I remember playing a Sterling Ray24 at a Guitar Center and almost walking out with it. I know they don’t fall in the best price to value ratio though as far as Stingrays go. I think I would want one with a 3 band preamp on it too. Although the short scales are very intriguing.
First thing first you’ll need to compensate for the disappearance of frets, then you’ll also have to consider the effect of several tiny gap from unfilled fret removal, those 21 metal tabs curling up or better yet relaxing. That can add a few mm to the height from the bowl effect. You’ll need to address it first before you go crazy everytime the weather gets crazy swing. It’s not terribly difficult and relatively cheap to do the hobby stores should have the thin sheets to accommodate that.
Next is a fun one. The top of my list for a project is the entire electronic of the Sterling Short Scale. That would be one and done. I love the SS, I bought a second one just to take off the electronic for my project bass. Same system as the EBMM Sterling bass and the Sterling SB-14 (original). It offers selectable Series/ Single (phantom)/ parallel. It’s hard to find a damage SS or SB14 or take offs, but it’s worth it.
Next would be EMG. Easy and sounds great especially for fretless. You can go nuts and get the TW model which offers selectable coil. Then just for fun you can add the VMC (Variable Mid Control) to fill the last available knob or you can leave it blank. Want to make it a full 3 band then get the BTC (Bass Treble Control).
Cost: $140 for pickup and basic preamp, $120 each for VMC and BTC. 10% off standard just get one when you log in. You can also try calling them and ask if they have what you want as B stock or give you bundle discount. I just check their Reverb factory direct store doesn’t have any.
Pro: It sounds great Clean crisp and punchy bass
Con: You’ll lose the effect of the immediate attack that the massive magnet pole piece offers, 0.375".
If you just want Preamp then John East would be at the top of my list, then you’d want to replace the Pickup as well why spend $250 on a preamp to work with a $25 pickup.
Guys I need to 'fess up about something.
I just spent actual money for tort.
I am so ashamed.
Okay the shit-giving may now commence.

I KNOW!
New bass or did you find the right deal for a new guitar?
Got a guy to knock $40 off an already good price for a Pacifica 611 (Trans Black)
Excellent, that dark indigo is a really pretty color. I was just on reverb looking at the vfm’s. I think I decided on that black myself (need a new mixer before I need another guitar). I’m in M3 using my lime green bass vi. The finished course is really well done. I love the idea of the pre workouts. They ended up easing you into chords waaay more than we got in beta 1.

I am in no position to speak shit. Congrats man
This is perfect






