MM Stingray HH

[ShadowVampyre]

I am fairly new to the bass, been playing about a 1.5 yrs now, play in my church worship band.
I have a Fender Blacktop Jazz bass, but tried out a MusicMan Stingray HH the other day at guitar center. This is the first bass that I have tried that spoke to me! It felt perfect, and the variety of tone with the double humbuckers, and the 5 way switch was awesome.
It is expensive though. I am also wondering about getting a 5 string version also. I don't really play anything that uses it, except an occasional metal song that I would like to use the low B or C. so there is that thing about whether or not to get a five string if I am spending that much money.
I am going to keep trying it out, and my local GC has 2 of the 5 string HHs.
Can anyone share some wisdom? Any owners or previous owners have any comments?

Would love to see yours, and the color choices. I really like the black cherry burst, but it is more $$. They have Pace Care blue with all gold hardware, and white with all gold hardware also.
Thanks!

[Caca de Kick]

If money is a big issue, you can find them used here on the TB classifieds.
I've had two of the 5HH's, great basses.

[jlepre]

Check out the new SBMM SUB series. I know they aren't HH, but they have many of the same tones, and cost about $299 for a 5 string. Also look at the SBMM Sterling by Music Man series basses for a little more.

[ShadowVampyre]

Can you get close to a P bass sound at all on the SUB series?

[jlepre]

I would let your ears decide. They have many of them at GC

[Down_Low]

Originally Posted by ShadowVampyre

Can you get close to a P bass sound at all on the SUB series?

No, you can't IMO. Although a HH Stingray won't get you overly close to a P Bass either. If you're after something with that flexibility maybe look at the Ernie Ball Music Man Big Al?

On saying that i do play some Motown on mine and it passes for what i need. I do love my HH 'ray. If your going to spend tho money one I'd highly suggest te second pickup. Possibly look at a HS as well?

[Misterwogan]

Back in November, I asked a similar question here on TB. The outcome was that I bought a used but as new HS model for exactly half the new price. No, it doesn't produce sounds like my P or J basses or my Gibson SG - and thank goodness for that. It's tones are unique and fit into a mix in a different yet very satisfying way. On top if that, it is the most comfortable musical instrument I have ever played - and yes, I love the weight and density of the wood. I will never, ever part with it.

Here it is in action... (position 2 on the humbucker, played with a pick)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTZ-LORVXnA

[drTSTingray]

Good to hear you guys like your MM basses.

IMO you can get that muted P bass with flatwound sound by rolling the treble off your EQ, not having the bass boosted too much, and using finger muting technique - thumb with palm muting gets even closer. Using flatwounds will also help. However, with a flick of the EQ, and playing with a different attack will get you back to a signature Stingray sound.

I use my SR4 Classic, with the mutes on, with worn in Cobalt roundwound strings (which give an upper mid range boost) and the recorded and live sound can be in that P bass ball park. It's versatile - we all know what else it can do.

Vice versa, a P bass will not get you anywhere near Stingray territory - although a Jazz may get you closer.

[dangerouscello]

I personally love my HH. I didn't know much about pickups when I bought it, but I liked the range of sounds I was getting out of it, and that's all I needed.

[fivestringgecko]

Another thing to think about is that a 5-string doesn't JUST give you a few extra lower notes, it also opens up different fingering positions and sounds as well. You can play an open E and have one fingering, or you can play an E on the B-string and have a different fingering and reach higher notes more easily (crossing 5 strings). Also, an E on the B-string will have a different sound than an open E, which can work great for reggae/dub stuff.



5sg.

[ShadowVampyre]

Thank you all so far. Keep the pics coming too, blue burst is gorgeous!

[Thumper]

I always wanted to try one but they are all too heavy usually around 10 lbs. Sadly I can't do over 9 lbs anymore.

[johnson79]

I don't own one, but every time I play one I love them. The classic 5 is really nice, but a little pricey.

Check out Bass Central or Drum City online. They always have a good stock of EBMM basses.

[georgestrings]

I had a beautiful SR5 HH, but definitely prefer the Sterling 5 HS that replaced it... IMO, the HS setup offers more tonal variety over the HH setup, and the Sterling is a bit more mid present...


- georgestrings