Stingray really not impressing me?

segaloco · #1 12-18-2011, 09:44 PM

So I went to GuitarCenter today and yesterday and tried out the MusicMan Stingray basses there (both double and single pickup models) on an Ampeg SVT4-Pro and Ampeg SVT7-Pro and even though I see the professionals using these instruments, I just don't see why they're so great. The neck is rough, the pickups just sound empty to me, and over all I just don't like it too much. I have a Gibson G-3 and personally it's blown every bass that I've tried out of the water so far, and I've tried everything from Jazzes to Precisions to Stingrays to Ricks to Acoustic Basses, Geddy Lee Jazz, pre-humbucking Precision, Thunderbird, etc.. and I just haven't found anything that sounds better than my G-3. Now I'm not too upset by that fact, I'm glad my instrument is superior to everything else I've played but, I mean come on, is there something that I'm missing in these instruments that makes them so desirable or is my G-3 really just better?

Tristan · #2 12-18-2011, 09:49 PM

To each their own.

No idea bout the G3.

I did buy a SUB once, and was pretty disappointed. Love the sound when other people play Rays, but it wasn't my voice, somehow. I didn't like the feel either. But they are still good basses IMO.

otherclef · #3 12-18-2011, 09:51 PM

Congrats!! You own the bass u like the best!!

segaloco · #4 12-18-2011, 09:52 PM

Well to clarify I don't exactly hate the Stingray either. If I didn't have my G-3, it'd probably be my first choice (as it does sound better than a lot of the Precisions I've played). I'd just need to definitely polish the neck, the three that I tried out were all very very rough indeed.

FunkMetalBass · #5 12-18-2011, 10:01 PM

I'm in the same boat. Every time I hear one in a recording, it's bloody amazing. I thought they also felt amazingly comfortable and light. But I could never get a sound that I thought fit me, so I sold mine. I'm still going to give the Bongo HH a shot, though.

NightTripper · #6 12-18-2011, 10:10 PM

I don't think anything makes one good bass better than another. I don't care for MMs either, or Jazz basses for that matter. But I've heard others use them, and they sound great. Just not for me. I think it's the same for you - you're not missing anything, it just isn't your sound.

madbassplaya · #7 12-18-2011, 10:12 PM

A Stingray for me is the ultimate bass. Love the tone, love the feel, and it just seems to fit me.

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 12-18-2011, 10:22 PM

StingRays are very picky about their strings and setup. If you weren't impressed then I'd say you'd need to try one that's been well kept by a bassist and not one that's a floor model that GC is trying to sell.

Dark Horse · #9 12-18-2011, 10:26 PM

Play what you like, like what you play. Everyone has their own personal "taste".

bassbenj · #10 12-18-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by segaloco

So I went to GuitarCenter today and yesterday and tried out the MusicMan Stingray basses there (both double and single pickup models) on an Ampeg SVT4-Pro and Ampeg SVT7-Pro and even though I see the professionals using these instruments, I just don't see why they're so great. The neck is rough, the pickups just sound empty to me, and over all I just don't like it too much. I have a Gibson G-3 and personally it's blown every bass that I've tried out of the water so far, and I've tried everything from Jazzes to Precisions to Stingrays to Ricks to Acoustic Basses, Geddy Lee Jazz, pre-humbucking Precision, Thunderbird, etc.. and I just haven't found anything that sounds better than my G-3. Now I'm not too upset by that fact, I'm glad my instrument is superior to everything else I've played but, I mean come on, is there something that I'm missing in these instruments that makes them so desirable or is my G-3 really just better?

Yes, you are missing that fact that in my opinion nothing sounds worse than ANY Gibson bass (though I do own a killer Gibson LP and a not so killer SG guitar) and I wouldn't hit a dog in the butt with one!

What does that mean? Well it probably means that both Gibson basses and Stingrays are very unique in the world of bass and which "blows something away" is really all about personal taste.

I don't think I've heard anyone saying that Stingray construction was "rough" or that the tone was "empty"! It certainly isn't that "tubby" Gibson sound! A Stingray tone is very middy and cuts through a mix like nothing else. It is what I'd call a "concept bass" which is it does certain things exceptionally well, but after that, well, that's why I've got other basses. As for me, my go-to basses are my G&L L-2500 basses. Those are what *I* think blow everything else "out of the water". But I'm not going to sell a Stingray short. If I want what it gives (and as I said other basses simply won't provide it) then I go to that. It's not my favorite thing for sure, so I think you and I agree at least that a 'Ray isn't your bass that goes up against all other basses. It's just a very unique bass that does it's thing and when you want it, it's there. When you don't want it, you play something else.

Period.

BrandonBass · #11 12-18-2011, 10:38 PM

Maybe you got a 'lemon'. Despite alot of people claiming EBMM makes the most consistent mass produced basses, I beg to differ. rays can have a lot of variation between feel and tone if you compare 2 of them side by side. I have tried more than a dozen of rays, but only 2 of the lot sounds and feel good to me.

parsons · #12 12-19-2011, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

StingRays are very picky about their strings and setup. If you weren't impressed then I'd say you'd need to try one that's been well kept by a bassist and not one that's a floor model that GC is trying to sell.

This. A properly strung and setup stingray sounds and plays different from an improper one. Pickup height is a key factor.

Savage_Dreams · #13 12-19-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

StingRays are very picky about their strings and setup. If you weren't impressed then I'd say you'd need to try one that's been well kept by a bassist and not one that's a floor model that GC is trying to sell.

he doesnt have to be impressed by them. its ok, you can still like them even if a few of us dont

narud · #14 12-19-2011, 08:52 AM

the g3 is a very unique sounding bass (cant stand the f'ing thing

) so its no wonder that more standard basses dont sound good to you.

SteveHeissner · #15 12-19-2011, 08:58 AM

You're one lucky dude! You don't have to waste time and money trying and buying more basses. Now you've got me thinking I want to try one of those Gibsons basses like yours. See what I mean?

i_got_a_mohawk · #16 12-19-2011, 08:59 AM

I quite like the "roughness" of the Stingray necks, kinda spoiled me, because now I don't like the sticky feeling you get with a laquered neck!

The sound, is always going to be a personal preference too.

However, what amp/cab/combo do you play usually? If you don't usually play with either of those Ampeg amps, you're not really giving the bass a fair trial.

But as everyone else has said, to each their own. A friend of mine has a G3 and a Grabber, I play Stingrays. We're cool

Modulator · #17 12-19-2011, 09:13 AM

"To each his own" for sure, but I've never liked the sound of my Stingray 5 through the Ampeg gear I've tried.

6jase5 · #18 12-19-2011, 09:20 AM

I've had a stingray and still have my older sterling (not the new import), but for me the bass has to work in the project, much like a jazz or most any bass. It still sounded like me, but it didn't cut through in the 2 PRS/Mesa guitarists rock band, but it shined in the ska band with a single strat/fender guitarist.

john grey · #19 12-19-2011, 09:36 AM

GC is actually not the best place to try an instrument because in the main they won't bother to set them up in even the most minor detail. It's "out of the box and onto the shelf" and that creates a problem for the purchaser because some are so quickly ordered to fill a certain buying period (Christmas?) that the manufacturer simply gets them out the door on many occasions.
Some exceptions exist obviously, especially if an Asian Bass is shipped to the USA specifically FOR a setup but this may very well be influenced by speed of demand as well.

Realistically if there is a much more elementary issue at hand - then the comments regarding setup become secondary but I have seen some astoundingly poorly put-together instruments as GC, that I know for a fact are not trash. But with NO attention to inspection prior to display, often these huge retailers do themselves a great disservice.

chaosMK · #20 12-19-2011, 09:41 AM

I tried to like a Stingray that I played on (through a mid-grade Ampeg rig). Everything looked great about it, maple fretboard, nice color. It felt a tiny bit lighter than I thought it would for a bass in that price range. I don't know what was wrong with it, but I wasn't impressed by any particular tone or personality.

I've heard Stingrays used live that sounded killer, cut through the mix perfectly.