Stingray for studio use?

BrandonBass · #1 05-09-2011, 11:34 AM

Rays have a rep for being a great live bass, but Ps and Jazzs are greatly preferred in studios it seems. Why is that so?

Selta · #2 05-09-2011, 11:36 AM

It's what most engineers know and are familiar with. I think my EBMM Sterling's track just as well as a Fender P and J, and IMO sound a lot better.

mstott25 · #3 05-09-2011, 11:51 AM

Craig Young is a studio bassist in Nashville, he rocked a Stingray on Jewel's album "Pieces of You" on You Were Meant for Me (radio edit) and he might have played the 'Ray on Foolish Games as well. He's still using Musicman basses all the time and that guy shows up on loads of albums. I'm sure there's others but that's the first example that comes to mind.

Bass sounds great to me!

gillento · #4 05-09-2011, 11:54 AM

listen to Tony Levin's work on Peter Gabriel's albums

metron · #5 05-09-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

Rays have a rep for being a great live bass, but Ps and Jazzs are greatly preferred in studios it seems. Why is that so?

Loaded question. It is not so! There is some truth to the ideA that "sound egineers" prefer fender style basses because thats what they are most familiar with but i find it dismaying on any level. If i ever personally ran into a situation like that i would not take it well. Especially if i were actually paying for studio time. Stop being so ignorant and learn how to mix/eq!

Selta · #6 05-09-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metron

Loaded question. It is not so! There is some truth to the ideA that "sound egineers" prefer fender style basses because thats what they are most familiar with but i find it dismaying on any level. If i ever personally ran into a situation like that i would not take it well. Especially if i were actually paying for studio time. Stop being so ignorant and learn how to mix/eq!

If I'm paying for the studio, I agree.
If I'm getting paid to play for ______ artist, then I'd probably play whatever they handed me (within reason).

Caca de Kick · #7 05-09-2011, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstott25

Craig Young is a studio bassist in Nashville, he rocked a Stingray on Jewel's album "Pieces of You" on You Were Meant for Me (radio edit) and he might have played the 'Ray on Foolish Games as well. He's still using Musicman basses all the time and that guy shows up on loads of albums. I'm sure there's others but that's the first example that comes to mind.

While he did back then, he just recently like the last two years returned back to using MM's again, but used Lakland and spent many years using vintage Fenders.

73jbass · #8 05-09-2011, 12:17 PM

I recorded some classic dance tracks a few years back with a Sterling H and a Line 6 floor pod into the board, Sounded awesome.

knumbskull · #9 05-09-2011, 12:18 PM

i've recorded with an engineer/producer who swears Stingrays are his favourite bass to record.

jrfrond · #10 05-09-2011, 12:41 PM

No reason why a Stingray (or ANY other bass) cannot be used in the studio. Typically though, engineers like to have total control over the bass sound. A passive P or J-Bass, with the controls wide-open, is the perfect sound source for them to start with.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 05-09-2011, 03:21 PM

If you are planning on being a studio bassist, prepare to have a few different basses...

SNOTROCKET56 · #12 05-09-2011, 06:09 PM

It doesnt matter what u use in most cases as long as its quality. I recorded on a mim p and my buddy recorded on a ebmm and another on a yamaha. They all sounded good.

bovinehost · #13 05-09-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

While he did back then, he just recently like the last two years returned back to using MM's again, but used Lakland and spent many years using vintage Fenders.

"Old, overpriced lumber", he's said, bemoaning his foolish ways.

Come to think of it, he's got one of my basses.

*reaching for phone*

Dr. Cheese · #14 05-09-2011, 07:12 PM

As always, check out Chic, Sister Sledge, Diana Ross, Debra Harry, David Bowie, or anything else that Bernard Edwards played on. He really shows how a Stingray can sound. Also look up alot of stuff that Louis Johnson played on as a sideman. He does his classic thing, but he did a lot of very smooth fingerstyle work with his Stingrays and Sabres.

AphekGreg · #15 05-10-2011, 03:06 AM

Well my day job for the last 20 years has been as a recording engineer. I've had lots of guys bring in Stingrays and they always sound great recorded in that situation. It all depends on the music though. Personally if I could only record one bass forever, I would choose a P. They seem to pretty much always work. Not always the best sound, but always good. I like options though and wouldn't want to only have the one instrument available. I have a pair of Ps and Js in the studio that guys often use, as well as a '93 Stingray. I recently sold my SR5. I love the Stingray. One of my favourites to play live, but I'm not sure it's ever made it onto a final track except where guys have brought in their own and that's what they normally use.

ozzyismetal · #16 05-10-2011, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AphekGreg

Well my day job for the last 20 years has been as a recording engineer. I've had lots of guys bring in Stingrays and they always sound great recorded in that situation. It all depends on the music though. Personally if I could only record one bass forever, I would choose a P. They seem to pretty much always work. Not always the best sound, but always good. I like options though and wouldn't want to only have the one instrument available. I have a pair of Ps and Js in the studio that guys often use, as well as a '93 Stingray. I recently sold my SR5. I love the Stingray. One of my favourites to play live, but I'm not sure it's ever made it onto a final track except where guys have brought in their own and that's what they normally use.

Not to derail the thread or anything, but what studio do you work at? My band has been shopping around for studios.

T. Alan Smith · #17 05-10-2011, 08:43 AM

Yup, Ps are the efficient choice when your not the one paying the bill.

AphekGreg · #18 05-11-2011, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzyismetal

Not to derail the thread or anything, but what studio do you work at? My band has been shopping around for studios.

Aphek. Up near Gosford on the Central Coast.

anonymous122511 · #19 05-11-2011, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

Yup, Ps are the efficient choice when your not the one paying the bill.

huh?

sonic assassin · #20 05-11-2011, 02:53 AM

this is an old rule because old school guys know exactly how to make a fender bass sound how they want it to in the mix. personally.. as a 22 year old, i agree with them, but thats just because i dont like the sound of active basses.

but its not to say that a stingray wont get the sound you want. if you're expecting it to sound like a P after a little work, then you need to reconsider.

the only real technical aspect i can think of that might be of any issue is that old school preamps might not react so well to an active bass plugged right into the board. its not really an issue anymore.