2 band v 3 band stingray

Best thing is to stop by a music store and compare them . Try and do it at a time things are not too busy .

Make sure you spend about fifty percent of the time slapping .

 

Neither one is "better" or "worse." They're tools, and sometimes one tool might be more suited to a task than another.

I have 3 EBMM basses - one each 4-band, 3-band, 2-band EQ. They're all capable of a pretty wide range of tones but they do respond differently even when set nominally "flat."

msb is right, go try them and pick which you like. Only you have your ears.

Re: reliability and suitability in studio, I've never had a single problem with any of mine and don't expect to. Best basses on the planet for what I do.

 

I've never heard that - source???


- georgestrings

 

I agree-- I've never once heard a bad thing about their reliability or studio-worthiness.
I played a Stingray 5 almost exclusively between 1995 and 2003, and this included recording three albums with it. Absolutely fantastic.

Back to the original question... Yes, it's a matter of personal preference. I bought one of the original Stingrays in 1979, and thought it lacked mids. (Mind you, I'm a fingerstyle guy, not a slapper.) I added a P-Bass pickup and soon traded it to someone for a 1968 Fender Jazz Bass, which felt like "home" to me. When I picked up the Ernie Ball Stingray 5 in 1995, I knew it would be useful to me because of the midrange band.
But, then again, you'll read that a lot of people prefer the "earthiness" (or something) of the old two-band ones.
By all means, try both yourself and see what you think.

 

I have a 2 band Classic and a 3 band standard Stingray. I have also played a standard 2 band Stingray in the past. As far as which one is better? That is a matter of opinion. I honestly like both. Both have similarities but also have differences.

As far as reliability goes, I own 6 Music Man basses and have never had a major problem with one. However, I do know that the company has some of the best customer service that there is thus why I don't hesitate to buy them. I really can't say a bad thing at all about any of their basses or the company for that matter as all of my experiences with them have been very positive.