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5 string 'ray for slap?

MM slap bass

  • Stingray

    Votes: 123 53.7%
  • Sterling

    Votes: 37 16.2%
  • 4 string

    Votes: 80 34.9%
  • 5 string

    Votes: 65 28.4%
  • 1 pup

    Votes: 79 34.5%
  • 2 pup

    Votes: 49 21.4%
  • more carrots, please

    Votes: 60 26.2%

  • Total voters
    229
Apr 24, 2005
5,380
3,868
70
97465
A buddy of mine is in a jam and wants to sell me his '06 MM Ray 5er.

I have wanted an MM for years and now here is a next-to-new, never- been outta-the house 'ray. It's even in the color I would pick (blue)!

My questions:
Is a five string 'ray good for slapping? This is the only reason for me to have a 'ray, or should I get the standard 4 banger.

Also, the other thing is it only has one pup and I'd really prefer two. I've been looking ay the Sterling HH HS.

Opinions? Slap bass: 4 or 5er, 1 pup or 2, 'Ray or Sterling.
 
The SR5 is an excellent bass for slap or otherwise. If it is a good price, pick it up -- you can always sell it later if it isn't your thing. Also, since this is a friend you should have ample opportunity to play it. If it speaks to you, get it.
 
Nice vid! Thats cool to see ya going to the forward bases and performing! Would have been ironic though if you were playing a Lackland in that video...

A Lackland in Lackland... :ninja: :p

Except Lackland doesn't make basses. And there's no Lakland Air Force Base....There are Lakland Air Force Basses, though.... :D
 
A buddy of mine is in a jam and wants to sell me his '06 MM Ray 5er.

I have wanted an MM for years and now here is a next-to-new, never- been outta-the house 'ray. It's even in the color I would pick (blue)!

My questions:
Is a five string 'ray good for slapping? This is the only reason for me to have a 'ray, or should I get the standard 4 banger.

Also, the other thing is it only has one pup and I'd really prefer two. I've been looking ay the Sterling HH HS.

Opinions? Slap bass: 4 or 5er, 1 pup or 2, 'Ray or Sterling.

I'm not particularly a slapper. And ordinarily I have a strong preference for a two-pickup instrument as well. But in your particular case - being that you've wanted a MusicMan for years, this Ray is right in your face, it's in excellent shape and is even the color you prefer - this is a no-brainer. I wouldn't hesitate to snap it up! :bassist:

A Stingray - either a 4 or a 5 - is a special case. It's one of the very best slap machines you can get. But it's not nearly the one-trick pony some cats seem to think it is.

You're not going to lose anything by having only one pickup - because it's a monster pickup, and it's in just the right position. Get it.

MM
 
I'd say slap on it a bunch one day, then slap a standard 4 string and see if you like the string spacing difference. The 2 biggest things are string spacing and having to keep an extra string quiet. If I still slapped a bunch I'd use a 4 string for sure. More comfy and less string noise. What feels good to you is the question.
 
Thanks, ryco. I love as much beefy bottom to my sound as I can get away with. I actually prefer the SR5 over the 4s as an instrument. With the Sterling style pickup configuration, you've got a very versatile axe.
 
I'm not too crazy about the string spacing on the MM5s, but the reason I keep mine is because I've yet to hear the unique MM sound in another bass. But, the bass Nino Valenti made for Mikebass sure looks great to me!!!!