2018 Music Man StingRay RS Electric Guitar

What's not to like about this guitar? It has "vintage feels" right away in the body shape which is pulled from the original '70s StingRay models. It's somewhere between the cut of a Mustang and a Jaguar in the lap and the hardware styling fits with those models, too.

The neck is modern and quicker, in a way, though, compared to the originals which are vaguely '70s Fender-feeling. It has the 1 5/8" feel of a '60s Fender but the back cut is a bit asymmetric and slightly deeper than a vintage cut with a heftier feel on the bass side. It's very ergonomic -- especially as you move-up into the higher register as you still have plenty of left-hand "depth" to grip with.

The wiring is passive on this guy and the two humbuckers are actually fairly single-coil-sounding -- bright and sparkly and clean -- but, of course, without the hum and with the highs just a little sweetened.

It has a 2-point whammy which is smooth and easy and handles a little better than the average Strat whammy for my needs. I think it feels a little more "Jazzmaster" or "Mustang" to me as it feels like there's a little more "throw" before it engages or maybe it's just slightly more subtle. I might be imagining that, but it feels less immediate than a usual Strat whammy where I feel like I zip from one note to the next far faster. Your mileage may vary!

Other nice things -- a spoke-adjustable truss rod end at the body side, super flamed roasted maple in the neck, and a cool "vintage turquoise" metallic paintjob. 

Repairs included: a quick setup.


Weight: 8 lbs 7 oz

Scale length: 25 3/8"

Nut width: 1 5/8"

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: 9 1/2"

Body width: 13 3/4"

Body depth: 1 5/8"


Body wood: alder

Bridge: 2-point trem

Fretboard: maple (integral)

Neck wood: flamed maple

Pickups: 2x humbucker (bright-sounding)


Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 46w-9

Truss rod: adjustable

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium/taller


Condition notes: this is an essentially new guitar. There may be a tiny ding or scratch here and there but I'm not finding them myself. There's a little pickwear on the pickguard. It looks like it was used for only a short while and then stowed.


It comes with: its original hard case and goodies.




















Comments

Saulo said…
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TPAGuitars.com said…
Lovely Guitar. Ernie Ball should do more lefties. I would buy one if I could find a LH one.