Stingray the right bass?

[funkstag]

Hey! I'm new to this forum, so sorry if this is in the wrong place I also hope this is the place to get some good ideas from other experienced bass players.

Well to start off, I have been playing bass for about 3 years now (I'm 16) and I have had the same bass since I started (LTD B-50). 'Bout time for an upgrade ^-^ I live in New Zealand and to be fair, there aren't a lot of music stores around. I'm very limited to the range of basses that are around.. I have tried a a few different Musicmans and i've decided from what I've play that a Musicman Stingray 4 H would be my pick.. I'm just asking for anyones opinions on this bass if it's worth is buck. Or if you would recommend a different model/brand etc etc? it's around $3500 NZD (paying for 2/3) which is quite a lot of money. I'm really wanting a bass that will last me for a long time, won't crap out on me and has that nice punchy tone. I play @ gigs almost every weekend. I also play all styles from Metallica to Tower Of Power. I have only heard great things about the Stingray, and i'm sure it works wonders but I would love to hear from you guys about your thoughts/opinions D

Thanks alot!

[5string5fingers]

Stingrays are high quality instruments,with great tone. Sounds like it's what you're looking for. Can't really go wrong. I personally think with rounds they sound too bright almost harsh to my ears,but with flats,they have incredible tone.

[busta_bird]

You can usually find a used Stingray in the TB classifieds for around $900 or so. Some of the sellers might be willing to ship outside of the US. You may want to give that a try.

[Aspidites]

I personally don't care for Stingray's and would recommend a G&L , Peavey or Yamaha (which are all more versatile than the Ray) instead but to each his own.

[Altemo]

Finally I hear from another New Zealander!

Firstly, the markups that the Rockshop and Musicworks put on any instrument or related product is ridiculous. (Case and point, the pre-amp I want to buy, retails for $109 USD, or $160 NZD approximately, but Rockshop wanted to charge me $400) You're lucky you got to try the bass you wanted before considering buying...

Secondly, the best way around this is to order online through America with a credit card or Paypal. Keep looking for shops that will ship internationally. You may get some tariffs through customs, but it will still be significantly cheaper. (This is how I got my bass for $400 american in a GC sellout, when the same bass, two models below in quality retails for $3500)

Thirdly, everything I've heard about Stingrays is good, and they have a pretty signature sound. If you like what you've played, I think you'd be hard pressed to get that sound stock from any other instrument. Keep reading reviews...

Best of luck.

[73jbass]

The Music Man will do anything you want it to. They are not "one trick ponies" like some folks claim. I have been playing Music Man Sterlings since 2003,and they just get the job done. I currently play in a variety band that does classic rock,Motown,New Country,old school funk,and I use one bass for the entire gig. Music Man is the best made production instrument out there,and their customer service is second to none. Get one now!!!

[meRTKendrew]

Stingrays are incredible instruments, but dont spend that kind of money at the rockshop. Buying second hand is always better, because no matter what condition an instrument is in, as soon as you walk out the door of the shop, it looses a massive chunk of its value.

keep an eye on trademe, stingrays arnt too uncommon.

ps, love hearing from other kiwis on here.

-RTK

[JMBassist]

What can I tell you???
I love my Stingray classic, but...is not a bass for someone that wants to have several tones and reach different types of music (that's why I need to have several basses since I'm playing in a covers band).
it has a great and pushy sound exactly what we need when playing rock or even metal. But, thats it! don't expect to be so flexible as other basses.

Nevertheless.......it's a great bass.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by Altemo

...the best way around this is to order online through America with a credit card or Paypal. Keep looking for shops that will ship internationally. You may get some tariffs through customs, but it will still be significantly cheaper.

THIS^^^

Check eBay, check US retailers, and find someone who will ship to NZ. I used an online currency converter, and your local shop is asking over $2400 USD for a bass that can be had brand-spanking-new here in the states for under $1500 USD... a mint-condition used Stingray can be had for $1200 USD. Even if you spent $300 on shipping and tariffs, you're still coming out WAAAAY ahead. I believe www.basscentral.com will ship internationally, and they are the largest retailer of EBMM basses in the world... they've got every color, fingerboard and pickup combination in stock, and they even have a good selection of limited edition Stingrays (of course, these are more pricey). The crew there is very nice and helpful, and I'm sure they'd be happy to give you a shipping quote.

I have played EBMM basses exclusively for quite a while now, and if you like their sound and feel, you simply can't go wrong in terms of quality and durability. They're rock-solid instruments that will last a lifetime. EBMM is the only brand of bass I would buy confidently sight-unseen... in fact, I did buy my Sterling 5HH off of the classifieds on this forum, and it's the best bass I've ever owned.

As others have pointed out, the Stingray's not just a slap monster (although it is fantastic for slap). I play fingerstyle only, and my genres are alt-country, folk, classic rock, Caribbean/reggae... works for everything with some judicious use of the flexible eq. With roundwound strings the sound is very aggressive and will punch through anything. But you can use halfrounds or flats and get a very mellow sound as well.

Good luck and enjoy!

[HMZ]

Originally Posted by JMBassist

What can I tell you???
I love my Stingray classic, but...is not a bass for someone that wants to have several tones and reach different types of music (that's why I need to have several basses since I'm playing in a covers band).
it has a great and pushy sound exactly what we need when playing rock or even metal. But, thats it! don't expect to be so flexible as other basses.

Nevertheless.......it's a great bass.

I play in a cover band as well and i know what you are saying but do you really ever change from one bass to another during a gig just for a song. I have a Fender P bass and a Stingray and some songs are suited better for one or the other but if I bring the P bass I just use that all night the same goes for the Stingray.

[JMBassist]

Yes, usually I change from one bass to another, I just need a few seconds to do it using the switch in my cable jack to mute the amp.
Depending on the type of music to play, I always take at least 2 or 3 basses with me in a configuration like:
Tobias+Fender P fretless+Fender Jazz through Ampeg BA115 for most of the situations (bars, hotels, Weddings, etc)
or
Stingray+Fender Jazz through Ampeg 350 Classic when in rock concerts, for instance

[j.kernodle]

Hey funkstag, I've owned a bunch of Rays and I keep coming back to them.
I wouldn't rule out the doublebuck model too quickly. The neck humbucker and switching options give you a lot of tonal versatility. They're newer to the market, so probably not as common on the used market.

Here's why I say this. Position 1 (closest to bridge) gives you a standard SR sound. Position 2 gives you a scooped out MM/J bass sound that sounds killer soloed with some great overtones you've never heard on a Ray before. Position 3 gives you all four coils on full bore. Dial in a little mid boost in this setting and its one of the ballsiest pick sounds you'll ever hear. Position 4 is my favorite after 1, the two inside coils of the two humbuckers combined. In my opinion, its the MM/P bass hybrid tone that cuts through and growls like a monster. Position 5 is neck pickup only. Very smooth, dark tone.

No one will argue that the craftsmanship on an MM bass is top of the heap for production instruments. Great fretwork, great neck finishes, great fit and finish. Its built to outlast you.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by j.kernodle

Hey funkstag, I've owned a bunch of Rays and I keep coming back to them.
I wouldn't rule out the doublebuck model too quickly. The neck humbucker and switching options give you a lot of tonal versatility. They're newer to the market, so probably not as common on the used market.

Here's why I say this. Position 1 (closest to bridge) gives you a standard SR sound. Position 2 gives you a scooped out MM/J bass sound that sounds killer soloed with some great overtones you've never heard on a Ray before. Position 3 gives you all four coils on full bore. Dial in a little mid boost in this setting and its one of the ballsiest pick sounds you'll ever hear. Position 4 is my favorite after 1, the two inside coils of the two humbuckers combined. In my opinion, its the MM/P bass hybrid tone that cuts through and growls like a monster. Position 5 is neck pickup only. Very smooth, dark tone.

No one will argue that the craftsmanship on an MM bass is top of the heap for production instruments. Great fretwork, great neck finishes, great fit and finish. Its built to outlast you.

+1 (other than the bit about getting them used, got both of mine used (but brand new condition) a couple years back, so they are out there )

Same favourite pickup position too

[Sailboat339]

You might take a look at a Stingray with the 2 humbucker setup, it has the 5 way switch that can take you from the original MM growl on the back pickup to a more warm sound if you want to switch to that.

[number11]

I find the stingray a bit lacking in mid - very thuddy and bass heavy, and most annoyingly, the D and G strings are much quieter tham the E and A, due to a pickup design flaw. The strings dont cross the polepieces dead centre on those strings.

I had 7 or 8 of them in my playing career, and actually had one in the house for a few days last week.

Wouldn't recommend one really.

[FromTheBassMent]

Originally Posted by number11

...the D and G strings are much quieter tham the E and A, due to a pickup design flaw. The strings dont cross the polepieces dead centre on those strings.

This is true of the neck pickup on the HH model, but at the bridge the strings are aligned perfectly over the pole pieces. On my Sterling 5HH, I simply raised the neck pickup height about 1/8" on the high side, and now the response is absolutely even across all five strings.

[MarTONEbass]

+1
I'm sure you can get many subtle tone variations with the musicman, but if you want a p, j and mm all in one, get a G&L L2000. Very well made, and tonal chameleons.IMO

Originally Posted by number11

I find the stingray a bit lacking in mid - very thuddy and bass heavy, and most annoyingly, the D and G strings are much quieter tham the E and A, due to a pickup design flaw. The strings dont cross the polepieces dead centre on those strings.

I had 7 or 8 of them in my playing career, and actually had one in the house for a few days last week.

Wouldn't recommend one really.

[Orpheus55]

Originally Posted by 73jbass

The Music Man will do anything you want it to. They are not "one trick ponies" like some folks claim. I have been playing Music Man Sterlings since 2003,and they just get the job done. I currently play in a variety band that does classic rock,Motown,New Country,old school funk,and I use one bass for the entire gig. Music Man is the best made production instrument out there,and their customer service is second to none. Get one now!!!

I entirely agree! I play everything from British Invasion to Motown to surf music, and the Stingray will do it all.

[mgauge]

Stingrays are great instruments... Musicman is a great company.. Ive owned three Stingrays over the years...

I do admit however that I prefer the Musicman Sterling...Have u tried those??

Also be SURE to check out the classifieds and u will save a bit of money. Always look used first!!!! Try to avoid retail..

[dlargent]

Regular, old-fashioned stingray will work for any gig. It was my only bass for about 8 years, and it worked very well for anything.