Hey Stingray users...

funkysurfer · #1 06-28-2010, 08:39 AM

I'm looking for a new amp and would like to know what translates the rays sound best?

I haven't shopped around for an amp in awhile and now is the time. The GK RB's and SWR's (not workingmans) heads have always sounded the best to me. They really seemed to capture and balance the warmth, growl, punch and sparkling highs beautifully. That's what I'm looking for!

Currently I have an old Peavey 410TX (8 ohm) cab to pair it up with. I plan on replacing it with some sort of 2 x 10 in the future.

My budget is $500 - 600 dollars. I need something that will be audible in a small venue and over a loud drummer.

I'm not ruling out 2x10 Combos either. I actually played a Hartke Hydrive 2x10 the other day and it sounded great! Only thing was it's 250 watts.

All feedback is appreciated.

Thanks,
Shawn

gillento · #2 06-28-2010, 08:50 AM

Have a look at MarkBass amps!

sawzalot · #3 06-28-2010, 09:05 AM

I play Stingray 5's and a Stingray 4 almost exclusively. I use an Eden Navigator into a Crown Xti power amp...but that drives an Avatar 212Neo. Probably the same rig would be overkill into a 2x10. If you're near a place that has lots of different amps, haul in your bass and see what those amps can do. Personally, I'd look for something used to keep the price tag down. The Genz Benz shuttle series does really well--I have a shuttlemax 6.0 that does a great job with them.

One word of caution: trying to be heard above a loud drummer with just a 2x10 is going to be difficult unless said 2x10 is pointed right at your ears....

td

73jbass · #4 06-28-2010, 09:07 AM

Love my Thunderfunk/MM combination.

ctufankjian · #5 06-28-2010, 09:10 AM

I've had my stingray FOREVER, and I've had a ton of sweet amps, Epifanis, Aguilar's, SWR, T.C. etc., but I'd have to say that the Eden WT800 sounded the best, with my current Aguilar coming in a close second.

JMac4strngr · #6 06-28-2010, 09:14 AM

As of here recently I switched to the Hartke LH 500, and LH 1000 heads. I am really liking the tone I am getting out of'em. For the price and ease of use you cant beat'em. I think I was sold on the fact of the simplicity of the EQ, and the tube preamp.

Boomkat1 · #7 06-28-2010, 09:19 AM

I second the Markbass suggestion. I have a 3band Ray and use a LMII with a couple different cab configurations and I think it's a great match, the LM being on the warmer, darker side of the solid-state camp, which I find helps with the brightness of the Ray.

BBEgo · #8 06-28-2010, 09:40 AM

I love the way my 'Ray 5 sounds through my Eden cabs. Preamp tone is colored "Ampeg" by the VT Bass.

Jim C · #9 06-28-2010, 12:01 PM

Am very happy with a Stingray through an LMII; amazing the SVT CL was not the best fit for me with this bass.

shadow_FIX · #10 06-28-2010, 12:05 PM

I really like the Ray through my LMIII! Fairly transparent tone...sounds like a Stingray should.

G RICH 5 · #11 06-28-2010, 12:16 PM

I too 2nd the GK(mb 500) or Mark Bass (I have LM 800 tube) I love them both w/my sterling 5 H. I use either the Mark Bass NY 121(?)cab, or Schroeder 1210 L depending on venue, and they both kill. I have noticed that the Mark likes to work a 4 ohms rather than 8. The GK doesn't seem to care. My 2 cents, Good luck.

rappa29 · #12 06-28-2010, 12:20 PM

In my experience, I've heard Stingrays played through Ampegs, Eden, GK, Fender, Markbass, GenzBenz and SWR. Sounded great through all those rigs.

I personally use GK, but quite frankly, as illustrated by the plethora of different rigs mentioned in the replies, a Stingray sounds good through just about any rig!

BassMaster4s · #13 06-28-2010, 12:31 PM

GK MB500. Loud, toneful, portable.

AnthonyBrown · #14 06-28-2010, 12:36 PM

I can only say that the Acoustic B450 won't give you the clarity that you deserve. I tried it Saturday with a MM Stingray5 and it sounded like something inside the amp was loose. This has happened on every B450 I tried so far.

Greg75 · #15 06-28-2010, 12:37 PM

Stingray + MarkBass LMIII = perfect match (IMO).

funkysurfer · #16 06-28-2010, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the responses everyone.

Markbass seems to be getting a lot of love around here. I had tried a Markbass (forget the version) a while back and I wasn't finding the tone I was looking for. However, I just saw a Little Mark Tube video and all the feedback here has me wanting to try em out again. My Ray tends to be a bit bright, so I like the added versatility and warmth of the tube.

I definitely want to look into the other GK amps that are offered. I've only tried the RB's and Backlines.