Stingray Classic - What to do?

[jallenbass]

I went to GC last week and played a Stingray Classic. I'm not really into the bright Stingray sound but roll the treble off on the Classic and you get a really punchy warm sound. I like it. I tried the same settings on a regular Stingray and it's good too. Price for the Classic is a little too rich for me at $1799 or so.

Options that I'm thinking about:

1) Buy a used OLP and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $300 or so.

2) Buy a used Sterling by MM and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $600 or so. Maybe better quality than an OLP or maybe not. Depends on the individual instrument.

3) Buy a used modern Stingray for under $1000. That would take some time to save up for. Maybe a year or so.

4) Save up for a several years and get a Classic.

Options 1 and 2 would allow me to temporarily stifle my GAS (maybe) and sell for not much loss when I was ready to spend the big bucks. What would you do?

[eggfart1]

Originally Posted by jallenbass

I went to GC last week and played a Stingray Classic. I'm not really into the bright Stingray sound but roll the treble off on the Classic and you get a really punchy warm sound. I like it. I tried the same settings on a regular Stingray and it's good too. Price for the Classic is a little too rich for me at $1799 or so.

Options that I'm thinking about:

1) Buy a used OLP and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $300 or so.

2) Buy a used Sterling by MM and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $600 or so. Maybe better quality than an OLP or maybe not. Depends on the individual instrument.

3) Buy a used modern Stingray for under $1000. That would take some time to save up for. Maybe a year or so.

4) Save up for a several years and get a Classic.

Options 1 and 2 would allow me to temporarily stifle my GAS (maybe) and sell for not much loss when I was ready to spend the big bucks. What would you do?

It's overpriced garbage IMHO. I owned one and then saw a used regular Stingray for half the price, same sound.

[Bassmunnky]

You'll get several opinions, some great...and as you can see, some really great and well thought out.

It's alot easier than that though. Forget OLP

Check out the STERLING by Musicman Classic series..it's pretty cool and Under $700 bucks.

Introducing the All New Ray34CA Classic Active Bass Series | Sterling By Music Man | Official Website

[Quickie]

Originally Posted by jallenbass

I went to GC last week and played a Stingray Classic. I'm not really into the bright Stingray sound but roll the treble off on the Classic and you get a really punchy warm sound. I like it. I tried the same settings on a regular Stingray and it's good too. Price for the Classic is a little too rich for me at $1799 or so.

Options that I'm thinking about:

1) Buy a used OLP and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $300 or so.

2) Buy a used Sterling by MM and install a Nordstrand MM alnico pickup and an Uncle Fluffy 2 band preamp. Cost= $600 or so. Maybe better quality than an OLP or maybe not. Depends on the individual instrument.

3) Buy a used modern Stingray for under $1000. That would take some time to save up for. Maybe a year or so.

4) Save up for a several years and get a Classic.

Options 1 and 2 would allow me to temporarily stifle my GAS (maybe) and sell for not much loss when I was ready to spend the big bucks. What would you do?

You can go to AMS and buy a Sting Ray and spread the payments over 5 months. That's what I am going to do next month. No interest.

[cellkirk74]

Get a SBMM Ray and leave the pickup and preamp as they are. You will be fine.

[echoSE7EN]

I owned a classic. It was the first bass I ever bought brand new (exactly this time last year actually). It was a cool bass. Way too heavy for me though. However, you can get the exact same sounds out of a used EBMM, or new SBMM 'Ray. My purchase was solely on the simplicity of the EQ, and the looks of the bass...I always wanted a LPB/Rosewood/vintage tint looking bass.

[trunkshope6]

How much are uncle fluffys preamp?

[Selta]

Or you could just buy a used SUB. Or just buy the SBMM and see if you like it, because IMO, they're 95%+ of the way there in tone to a real EBMM.

[Melvin7822]

I second checking out an SBMM Ray34CA.

[madbassplaya]

I agree with others. Get a ray34 classic.

Stop worrying about changing the pickups out until you actually play one.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by madbassplaya

I agree with others. Get a ray34 classic.

Stop worrying about changing the pickups out until you actually play one.

+100, the SBMM basses are very, very close in sound to MIA Music Man basses.

Making payments at no interest is good if you do not already have other debt, and you are pretty sure that nothing is going to pop up that will make it difficult to make your payments. If you go that route, first make a very honest assessment of your finances.

Finally, if you decide not to go with SBMM or any Music Man product. Look for an Ibanez ATK. It does not sound exactly like a Stingray, but since you want the sound with less treble, an ATK will probably give exactly what you want for under $400 with very nice build quality to boot.

[rummy]

If you can, I'd save up $1000 for a used non-classic. If you need one now, go Ray34.

[Eliot L]

I've been playing Music Man basses for years now. Personally, I would go with #3, getting a non-classic Stingray. If you check craigslist or even the classified ads here I'm sure you can get one between $800-900. The problem with the OLD and Sterling options are the neck's just don't feel the same and neither does the rest of the basses themselves. They aren't terrible options but regular Stingray's can definitely get the warmest and thickest sound.

I also roll off the treble pretty low on the bass as well. For me its just too bright and clicky (although for certain extra gritty tunes I'll crank it up to brighten the sound a bunch!)

[zachbass02]

Originally Posted by eggfart1

It's overpriced garbage IMHO. I owned one and then saw a used regular Stingray for half the price, same sound.

glad to know I play an overpriced piece of garbage.....

if you don't want to pay for the classic 'ray, find a normal 'ray 4 with a 2 band eq. they're out there, just a little harder to come by than the typical 3 band. I sold my last (early 2002ish) 'ray 4 (2 band eq) for around $900. IMO, the 2 band 'rays sound drastically different than the 3 band ones. I only play 2 band eq 'ray 4s. For some reason though, I like the 5ers as 3 band eqs.

[eggfart1]

Originally Posted by zachbass02

glad to know I play an overpriced piece of garbage.....

No problem!

[Caca de Kick]

Yup a 2-band Ray doesn't sound like a 3-band Ray. If you cant afford the Classic, which do show up here in the TB classifieds used BTW, then look aound for a used 2-bander since you want something a little less "bright".

[jallenbass]

Originally Posted by zachbass02

if you don't want to pay for the classic 'ray, find a normal 'ray 4 with a 2 band eq. they're out there, just a little harder to come by than the typical 3 band.

Right now I'm not seeing any 2 band regular Stingrays on the used market. You're right that they're harder to come by and luckily I'm in no hurry nor do I have the cash just yet. I'll just keep my eye out for one.

[Jay Ralston]

I have a Stingray Classic and love it. While you can get the same tones out of a regular Stingray that are the same as the Classics, there are tones you also can't get out of the regular Stingrays that you can out of the Classics due to the mutes and 2 band E.Q.. Personally, if you really like the Classics, then save up for one new or used. They are great basses and I actually prefer them slightly more over the regular Stingrays. For example, I love the necks on the Classics a lot better.

In the mean time though maybe go with a used SUB or a SBMM Ray until you get the Classic.

[jallenbass]

Originally Posted by Jay Ralston

I have a Stingray Classic and love it. While you can get the same tones out of a regular Stingray that are the same as the Classics, there are tones you also can't get out of the regular Stingrays that you can out of the Classics due to the mutes and 2 band E.Q.. Personally, if you really like the Classics, then save up for one new or used. They are great basses and I actually prefer them slightly more over the regular Stingrays. For example, I love the necks on the Classics a lot better.

In the mean time though maybe go with a used SUB or a SBMM Ray until you get the Classic.

My thinking is moving more towards this.

[itchy]

Get an active Music Man SUB...$400(+/-)
Replace the tacky pickguard.
Done.
They're seriously great sounding basses.
2-band 'Ray, made in the USA, for less than a quarter of the price of a classic.