Stingray 5 (or 4) in jazz/fusion?

[lowfreqgeek]

Anyone using one for jazz/fusion of any kind?

I'm not a jazz novice, and I've spent a number of years studying and playing jazz on the electric (mostly fretless). While I've got plenty more to learn, I generally know from experience what works for me and what works for any musical setting I'm in.

However, I recently started messing with my SR5 on some fusion stuff and I *almost* like it with the right EQ. Different strings and possibly a switch to an Alnico pickup or quad-coil might do it for me. There are many situations I wouldn't use the SR5 for "jazz", but possibly in more funk/fusion genres. Last night I was copping Tom Kennedy's tone pretty well.

I don't see the SR5 much in any sort of jazz sub-genres, so I'm curious if anyone else is using one - and what secrets can you share?

[smperry]

I've heard it used quite effectively, but don't have samples or secrets.

I know TBer KJung has...hopefully he'll chime in shortly.

[narud]

i like it in parallel with the treble turned down maybe a quarter turn. bass boosted just a touch as well and a warmer string like an ernie ball slinky.

[apener]

check out pino palladino, he has some fusion thing he is doing now with his fretless stingray.
Didier Lockwood, I saw him once and his bass player was playing a Ray too.

[lowfreqgeek]

Pino is about the only guy I could think of, though I recall seeing a video of Chris Botti and the bassist was using an SR5.

The D'Addario ProSteels I have on it now aren't exactly the right thing for it, either (I had them from a Bryan Beller clinic). I'll try some La Bella nickels cause I have a few sets of those, and then probably get back to Slinkys. I also have a set of TI Jazz flats reserved for my Rick Turner Electroline, but maybe I'll try those...

Though you wouldn't know it from my profile, I believe you can pretty much use *any* bass for *any* genre, even if you have to adjust your technique and EQ a little. No reason a Stingray couldn't work in various forms of jazz, I just haven't seen it very much.

[nostatic]

I used a Sterling 4 in a straight-ahead quartet for a few years. Works fine as long as you don't expect it to sound like an upright

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by nostatic

I used a Sterling 4 in a straight-ahead quartet for a few years. Works fine as long as you don't expect it to sound like an upright

Or worse, as long as your bandmates don't expect it to sound like an upright.

Half the time, my particular bass choice is more about what the bandmates expect than what I expect. I've very rarely been told "play this, don't play that", but I generally know what qualities they prefer and what basses to use to achieve those tonal qualites.

Silly bandmates...

[nostatic]

Well, in that band I doubled on upright. They wanted me to play more upright, but my hands didn't agree so much

Here's a recording from those days ('94). Man, that was a long time ago...forgive the clams...

http://nostatic.com/mp3/solar.mp3

[7XL]

I have used my 20TH Anniversary Stingray for just about everything. It is a fretless, but I believe it's all in the players hands.

[christoph h.]

Originally Posted by narud

i like it in parallel with the treble turned down maybe a quarter turn. bass boosted just a touch as well and a warmer string like an ernie ball slinky.

that's what i did during 4 years on conservatory, playing plenty of jazz and fusion.

[Orpheus55]

I sat in with a jazz trio and only my SR4 single H; granted it has flats, but I upped the bass, set the mid on flat, lowered the treble, and never looked back. Sounded great! Uh, the bass anyway.

[SpectorDetector]

Tom Barney plays one with Steely Dan, so I think it'd be fine. Not straight up jazz, but a kind of "fusion" if you ask me.

[basswave]

Ok I have to say the past few months I have been on a wicked Musicman kick and yes you can use them in Jazz/Fusion.

I think the quitensional Fusion record is "Loud Jazz" with Gary Granger playing his 81 Stingray for that record. Its sounds killer.

I have been playing a Sterling 5 and Stingray 5 and 4 latly a lot and just add a touch of bass for them.

Play with a netrual-ish strings either Ernie Ball or Daddario nickles.

[VJP]

Yes, "Loud Jazz", "Blue Matter" and "Pick Hits Live" by Scofield. Early Jeff Lorber Fusion with Danny Wilson on a stingray. Don't know if there are any recordings but Joel DiBartolo used one for years with the Tonight Show Orchestra.

[Hippos Melas]

I use my Sterling HH for my jazz group (standard big band stuff). No one's whined about it yet...at least not to my face.

[lowfreqgeek]

Originally Posted by nostatic

Well, in that band I doubled on upright. They wanted me to play more upright, but my hands didn't agree so much

Here's a recording from those days ('94). Man, that was a long time ago...forgive the clams...

http://nostatic.com/mp3/solar.mp3

That's a good sound. That would work great for a modern big band, too.

Originally Posted by VJP

Yes, "Loud Jazz", "Blue Matter" and "Pick Hits Live" by Scofield. Early Jeff Lorber Fusion with Danny Wilson on a stingray. Don't know if there are any recordings but Joel DiBartolo used one for years with the Tonight Show Orchestra.

Ah yes, I totally forgot about those Scofield albums with Gary Grainger. I don't have any, but I loved those years ago when I first got into jazz/fusion in the mid-90's. I didn't know Joel DiBartolo used a Stingray (before my time...), but I've got his book Serious Electric Bass and it's one of my favorites. Despite the title, the pics of him in the book are with an EUB and upright.

Personally, I'm finding that I boost the mids and cut the treble, but the degrees of boost/cut vary if I'm in series, single coil, or parallel modes. I've explored a lot of options with all three pickup modes and found some good stuff in each. I was going to sell the SR5, but I'm rethinking that now.

[lowfreqgeek]

Check out the Stingray with the added P-pickup in this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mbQdXBSxpw

You'll see it first around 1:16 when they start Blue Matter. Awesome.

Gotta get me one a them!