The "I can't believe it's not a Stingray build" thread

Legionreturns

Ok...so I've discussed this loosely with @Bridgehouse a couple of times, but never actually got round to committing to it.

Now I'm doing it. I want to build a stingray. 

I've never done anything like this before, so I'll hopefully be starting with a body and neck then taking the simplest option at each turn from there. 

This likely means an oil finish, pre cut nut etc and the simplest good sounding electronics and hardware I can find. 

Suggestions please for anything and everything. I've already pm'd @GSPBASSES to see if he's got anything suitable, but I'll consider most options as I'm almost guaranteed to screw up my first build, especially as I'm one handed for the time being! 

Funkfingers

If you have any choice in the matter, opt for a rear cut control cavity. This way, if you only need two pots (volume and passive treble roll off), there will not be any unfilled holes to disguise.

Bridgehouse

Natural Danish oil finish (probably an amber tint) which is easy to apply and will look like a proper pre-Ernie Ball natural one from the late-70’s.

I’d get @TheGuitarWeasel to roll you a MM humbucker.. 

Rosewood or Maple board? 

Legionreturns

Bridgehouse said:

Natural Danish oil finish (probably an amber tint) which is easy to apply and will look like a proper pre-Ernie Ball natural one from the late-70’s.

I’d get @TheGuitarWeasel to roll you a MM humbucker.. 

Rosewood or Maple board? 

Probably rosewood board, because that's what I'm used to. I do have a maple and an ebony board but most of my guitars are rw

Bridgehouse

Legionreturns said:

Bridgehouse said:

Natural Danish oil finish (probably an amber tint) which is easy to apply and will look like a proper pre-Ernie Ball natural one from the late-70’s.

I’d get @TheGuitarWeasel to roll you a MM humbucker.. 

Rosewood or Maple board? 

Probably rosewood board, because that's what I'm used to. I do have a maple and an ebony board but most of my guitars are rw

Tru Oil and slurry sand the neck and you’ll get the MM natural look as well then. 

You’ll then face the famous Stingray scratchplate dilemma - tort, black or white...

Winny_Pooh

The bridge and the way it's attached makes a difference IMO. I'm unsure where to look though.
Get a 3 way so you have the series/parallel l/neck coil option, it's great. 
Defo use ultralite tuners, if it's an ash body it's usually heavy enough already. 
I'd opt for a lacquer finish on the body, a ray would look odd without it. 

Bridgehouse

Winny_Pooh said:

The bridge and the way it's attached makes a difference IMO. I'm unsure where to look though.
Get a 3 way so you have the series/parallel l/neck coil option, it's great. 
Defo use ultralite tuners, if it's an ash body it's usually heavy enough already. 
I'd opt for a lacquer finish on the body, a ray would look odd without it. 

Lacquer = more than one hand required

Legionreturns

Bridgehouse said:

Winny_Pooh said:

The bridge and the way it's attached makes a difference IMO. I'm unsure where to look though.
Get a 3 way so you have the series/parallel l/neck coil option, it's great. 
Defo use ultralite tuners, if it's an ash body it's usually heavy enough already. 
I'd opt for a lacquer finish on the body, a ray would look odd without it. 

Lacquer = more than one hand required

Indeed...  Not currently an option 

Winny_Pooh

Maybe consider a black grain fill and sanding back before stain. It'd add that something more.

Bridgehouse

Winny_Pooh said:

Maybe consider a black grain fill and sanding back before stain. It'd add that something more.

It would. However the OP has a disadvantage at the mo

Legionreturns

It seems like Stingray bodies are quite hard to come by. 

May have to change my plans

Bridgehouse

Legionreturns said:

It seems like Stingray bodies are quite hard to come by. 

May have to change my plans

Can Graham not build you one?

GSPBASSES

Yes I can build a 4 string Stingray, but it will be 4-5 weeks before I could start. I do have some 5 string Stingray bodies and necks in stock.

Legionreturns

5 string works 

What do you have? 

 

Bridgehouse

Legionreturns said:

5 string works 

What do you have? 

 

5 string? You’re on your own mate

Bridgehouse

(Joking - a fiver would be brilliant actually)

Legionreturns

Bridgehouse said:

(Joking - a fiver would be brilliant actually)

I thought that...

I really quite like this one

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/pxp180705329354003-1611477--music-man-stingray-5-3eq-bass-pearl-blue-pre-owned-e

Bridgehouse

Legionreturns said:

Bridgehouse said:

(Joking - a fiver would be brilliant actually)

I thought that...

I really quite like this one

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/pxp180705329354003-1611477--music-man-stingray-5-3eq-bass-pearl-blue-pre-owned-e

Yep - Natural Danish Oil finish and a black scratchy and you are sorted...

Legionreturns

Bridgehouse said:

Legionreturns said:

Bridgehouse said:

(Joking - a fiver would be brilliant actually)

I thought that...

I really quite like this one

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/pxp180705329354003-1611477--music-man-stingray-5-3eq-bass-pearl-blue-pre-owned-e

Yep - Natural Danish Oil finish and a black scratchy and you are sorted...

It might need some electronics, hardware...maybe even strings. 

Bridgehouse

Legionreturns said:

Bridgehouse said:

Legionreturns said:

Bridgehouse said:

(Joking - a fiver would be brilliant actually)

I thought that...

I really quite like this one

https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/pxp180705329354003-1611477--music-man-stingray-5-3eq-bass-pearl-blue-pre-owned-e

Yep - Natural Danish Oil finish and a black scratchy and you are sorted...

It might need some electronics, hardware...maybe even strings. 

A premade harness would do the job - with a pickup.. then it’s a bridge and some tuners

Legionreturns

And some flat wounds