Considering a Stingray - Should I? - Page 5

arsie · #81 11-22-2012, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvbass

IME, my 'ray sits in the mix differently. I am finding this to be more about humbuckers than StingRays, though. Humbuckers sit in the mix more like a Les Paul than a Jazz bass. Because of this, once I move up into the G string range, my 'ray blends with the guitar and starts to get "lost.". You can call this "weak," but by itself no string seems louder or softer than any other.

I can attest to this. However, I will always bring my Stingray to my two humbucker guitar band, because the other 3 strings cut through better than my other bass.

MilkyMcMilkMilk · #82 11-22-2012, 06:35 PM

I love the sound of my Stingray but the neck shape isn't really too my liking.
oh and it's heavy
I find a fender neck much narrower and easier to play.

king_biscuit · #83 11-22-2012, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug Parent

I'm rambling but this is the reason I have stuck to Jazz Basses. I'm out.

I love them too, and I find that a passive P or J nearly always fits better than a Stingray. However as a matter of self indulgence and unbridled defiance, I regularly play one of my Rays

LaBassGuy · #84 11-22-2012, 07:35 PM

Yes, the weak g-string problem is not one of low volume. So I don't know how evening out the poles would alleviate the problem.

Not to mention, why would EB put pups in the muilty H models that don't have this problem but use the problematic pups in the single H models?

The problem is a weak, thinner sounding g string compared to the rest of the strings. Again, with my HH I don't experince this problem

king_biscuit · #85 11-22-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBassGuy

Yes, the weak g-string problem is not one of low volume. So I don't know how evening out the poles would alleviate the problem.

Not to mention, why would EB put pups in the multiy H models that don't have this problem but use the problematic pups in the single H models?

The problem is a weak, thinner sounding g string compared to the rest of the strings. Again, with my HH I don't experince this problem

I think it is a combination of a thinner tone and less volume. This might be a good question to ask Big Pappa (Sterling Ball) at the EB forum.

Doug Parent · #86 11-22-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I think it is a combination of a thinner tone and less volume. This might be a good question to ask Big Pappa (Sterling Ball) at the EB forum.

This was the case with my old 'Ray. (both)

Musicman20 · #87 11-23-2012, 12:56 AM

If you can really notice it, get a Bongo. Problem solved.

Pet Sounds · #88 11-23-2012, 12:03 PM

The G string weakness jumped out at me immediately when I bought mine by mail order some years ago. I raised the treble side of the pickup and put GHS Precision flats on it, and that helped balance the volume of the strings and tame the zinginess of the bass. Still like Fenders better, though the MM workmanship is excellent. YMMV, as they say.

jlepre · #89 11-25-2012, 03:58 PM

I've owned about a dozen EBMM basses and none had this mysterious G problem

seang15 · #90 11-25-2012, 04:05 PM

I rented a MM back in 1990 for a gig in the Hamptons. I'll never forget the weak G string. Never gas'd for a MM for that reason.

Pet Sounds · #91 11-25-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlepre

I've owned about a dozen EBMM basses and none had this mysterious G problem

I'm glad for you, but it doesn't mean the problem doesn't exist. I have a 1980 SR that doesn't have a weak G, but my '90s three-band sure does. I noticed it before I ever heard of the problem (in fact, I began researching it BECAUSE I had a problem), so I know it's not psychosomatic.

drTSTingray · #92 11-25-2012, 05:56 PM

I used my 2010 Classic Stingray to record 4 tracks yesterday including a cover of The Meters' Cissy Strut.

No hint of a weak G string sound - although I could make it sound lower if I ran the bass control on full, but only because the E and A strings sounded so fat in comparison - however this was deliberate.

It has the staggered poles as it's a single pick up bass - the Engineer was enthusing about the bass sound - said it sounded like Jamerson with extra punch.

Just one question here - you guys complaining about a weak G string sound on a Musicman, do you use a Fender as your main bass? If so, and you're comparing back to back, a trait particularly of P basses is their upper strings can sound overly loud (mid presence) against a mix - some may say overpowering it - I think this is partially where the idea of the smiley face scooped mid EQ originates.

Clearly the MM Stingray bass has different sound characteristics - one of which was that in recording yesterday, even with an over emphasised bass EQ I could still get a G string pop sound which sounded perfect. It's a pretty clever bass if you ask me - Leo Fender and the team knew their stuff. I wonder if he hadn't left Fender if the Stingray and Sabre wouldn't have actually replaced the P and J basses - they were clearly intended as improvements on those themes and particularly the STingray for the Precision.

king_biscuit · #93 11-25-2012, 06:06 PM

Naysayers, EB has acknowledged the issue. I called EB tech support years ago and got patched to somebody in the factory who said it was a general complaint with Stingrays, and that he was telling people to put a steel washer over each g string pole piece to help with the problem. Not to mention the direct quote from Sterling Ball on the issue. I know that the last two naysayers in this thread are both big time EBMM brownosers, I mean fanbois

So there is that...

king_biscuit · #94 11-25-2012, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drTSTingray

Leo Fender and the team knew their stuff. I wonder if he hadn't left Fender if the Stingray and Sabre wouldn't have actually replaced the P and J basses - they were clearly intended as improvements on those themes and particularly the STingray for the Precision.

Look at my profile, and you will see I like Musicman basses -- especially Stingrays. I gigged my 77 this past Friday night, and it sounded great as usual. But a Stingray is in no way an improvement on the Fender Precision, or Jazz for that matter.

drTSTingray · #95 11-25-2012, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

he was telling people to put a steel washer over each g string pole piece to help with the problem

Must try that one - hopefully it won't make the G too loud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

I know that the last two naysayers in this thread are both big time EBMM brownosers, I mean fanbois

So there is that...

I would admit to being a Musicman bass enthusiast. That is because I have used them for over 30 years and they are part of my own bass sound. I have no allegience to EBMM. I do think Sterling Ball and his team are innovators and I admire that - they also listen to their customers which is good.

Your tendency to quote facts (or should I say insults in this instance) is grossly inaccurate. Almost takes the 'Kin Biscuit really

king_biscuit · #96 11-25-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drTSTingray

Your tendency to quote facts (or should I say insults in this instance) is grossly inaccurate. Almost takes the 'Kin Biscuit really

The brownnoser thing was supposed to be funny. Now please list any inaccurate facts I've stated.

drTSTingray · #97 11-25-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

The brownnoser thing was supposed to be funny. Now please list any inaccurate facts I've stated.

The EBMM brown noser one - well if you meant it as a joke then fine - but it did come over as you were trying to undermine JLepre and my views by saying this, even if you did put a smiley there.

Have you altered the pole pieces on your 77 Ray?

I suspect we're never going to agree on the Stingray v the Precision - for me there is no contest (and definitely if you're going to use a bass for slapping).

king_biscuit · #98 11-25-2012, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drTSTingray

I suspect we're never going to agree on the Stingray v the Precision - for me there is no contest (and definitely if you're going to use a bass for slapping).

I think they both sound great -- even for slapping. I have not done anything to my 77 -- it's dead stock.

Mind Eroded · #99 11-25-2012, 11:29 PM

To the OP--

looks like you finally found what I like to call the "bass holy trinity"...A P a J and a Stingray...the trio has worked for me for the past 3 years and I love being able to switch between them during jam and recording sessions for all the sonic possibilities I need

Cairobill · #**100** 11-26-2012, 08:06 AM

I used to play a three band black/maple 1994 Ray that had shortcomings that led me to move it on even though I had a fondness for it.

The neck was not comfortable, it was quite zingy, heavy and yes, the G was a bit of a shrinking violet next to other strings.

Update - A short while ago I came into possession of a Stingray Classic. My God. What a bass! It's an amazingly good bass - the neck is wonderful to play and the tone is thick with heaps of lo mids and controllable Ray 'zing'. G String thing is not present AND it's a hair over nine pounds. A wonderful bass...really wonderful...

It's clear the vintage (7.5inch?) radius and the two band are really working. They should extend that neck profile into the standard Stingrays. Flat profiles really make the neck harder to play in my experience.