Affordable Stingray-style bass showdown!

[RumbleMan3]

I’ve been off and on when it comes to my GAS for stingrays. Sometimes I think they’re pretty meh, and then other times I’m thinking “hey, it would actually be pretty cool to have one.”

I’ve always not minded them. I feel they definitely have their place in the bass world. They’re never as versatile as a p bass or a Jazz bass in the mix, for me... that being said, if there were three basses, and only three different basses that I could have in my collection, it would be a Jazz, a P, and a Stingray. They definitely groove hard!

“Real” stingrays dont come cheap. My Fender Jazz is my main, go-to axe anyway, so I’m looking more at affordable stingray-style basses. “Copies” you could say.

The three basses that have caught my eye are the Harley Benton MB, an OLP brand stingray copy (not sure the model names) or the Sterling SUB ray, of the Musicman stingray family.

These are three are probably the best affordable stingray style basses, however, which of the three is the best quality build, and most of all, which gets the closest to that classic stingray tone? You know, that unmistakable ‘zing’ and thump... think Bernard Edwards or Louis Johnson.

Let’s hear your thoughts!

 

[knumbskull]

I have some experience with the later, active, two-pickup OLP models, which is a pretty great bass for the money - good QC and with the bridge pickup solo-ed, you get a nice punch and zing.

 

[RumbleMan3]

If it makes a difference, I’ll probably be stringing it with some EB slinky cobalt flatwounds.

Also I like the look of white pickup cover on stingrays. Can that be done on Harley Benton or OLP or only on the MM shape Sterling SUB?

 

[andruca]

I've played the OLPs and the SBMM SUBs and owned a Harley Benton (also own a SBMM -non SUB-, now for sale). I voted SUB. The OLPs aren't that bad, but the Harley Benton is probably the worst of the bunch (struggled with mine, a lot: too thick a neck profile, terrible wiring choices on my 2 pickup model -had to rewire-, VERY heavy).

 

[Yahboy]

My sub ray 4 stock pup work well with Ti flat and EB cobalt flat. Even the latest batch sub ray 4 use Ray24 preamp, I still found the stock ceramic pup crazy high output, and she sound nice play alone, but lacking stingray-ist vibe in mix.

Those Nordy and Delano are out of my budget, the GFS MM pup I bought just sound little warmer, but still lacking something I looking for.

Found a cheap China make Alnico V mm pup. Surprisingly she has pretty nice real Stingray-ist like vibe on my sub ray4 now Great spend for 24 dollars.

 

[Mili]

You can consider This. Amazing for the price, Awesome Neck.

Check this Thread !

 

[TrustRod]

I have an OLP MM3 5 string. Frets were horrible, hardware the worst. But after changing all the hardware and doing a fretboard level and refret it has become a top fave even with the stock pickup. I rewired the pickup to parallel instead of the 1 volume per coil setup and it nails the sound of a passive Stingray compared to my old California made SUB. Which was also passive but used the high end EBMM pickups.

So way too much work unless you enjoy tinkering but it made my favorite funk rock bass and did some of my better gigs.

I haven't played a Harley Benton but what I've seen of the newer SUBs they look much nicer than the OLPs.

 

[RumbleMan3]

I've played the OLPs and the SBMM SUBs and owned a Harley Benton (also own a SBMM -non SUB-, now for sale). I voted SUB. The OLPs aren't that bad, but the Harley Benton is probably the worst of the bunch (struggled with mine, a lot: too thick a neck profile, terrible wiring choices on my 2 pickup model -had to rewire-, VERY heavy).

Yeah just from look I can tell the OLP seems a bit better quality. I know the Sterling is definitely the best quality of the three, but I was more curious to see which gets the closest to the classic musicman stingray tone. I would expect the musicman product would, but I would just be assuming. I’ve tried an OLP 5 string before, felt well put together, but kinda meh. Didn’t plug it in though so I don’t know how it sounds.
Also played a musicman stingray special 5... also felt pretty meh! There was nothing wrong with either of them... Just didn’t feel “it”. But I dig the sound. So if I bought one I would play it regardless.
But I’m after one that can get me the sound of a stingray under the $800 (AUD) mark. I don’t want to get a copy, thinking it’s gonna have that special stingray zing, and sound pretty ordinary.

The stingray is a real unique, special tone and it’s hard to get it unless it’s an actual stingray. That’s why I want to know which of these three affordable alternatives can get me as close as possible.

What about a pickup swap to a MM pickup? Or is the secret in the tone more than just the pickup?

 

[RumbleMan3]

You can consider This. Amazing for the price, Awesome Neck.

View attachment 3502908
Check this Thread !

Sounds good, but not too much stingray-ish to my ears. I’d really like to get that classic stingray tone, though.

However, I’m not keen on that look of that bass... not my cup of tea!

 

[Yahboy]

You can consider This. Amazing for the price, Awesome Neck.

View attachment 3502908
Check this Thread !

The Squier Deluxe Dimension sound nothing like Ray 4 , she sound punchy and Honky-Mid. But the Dimension V has pretty solid B string tone .

 

[RumbleMan3]

The Squier Deluxe Dimension sound nothing like Ray 4 , she sound punchy and Honky-Mid. But the Dimension V has pretty solid B string tone .

Yeah I have to say it had a deep, mean growl to it. You’re right, it handled the low B really well too. That would be a great rock bass!

...although that’s not what I’m after.

 

[knumbskull]

Don’t forget about the older Sub series, which were very high quality. They pop up used once in a blue moon.

 

[RumbleMan3]

Don’t forget about the older Sub series, which were very high quality. They pop up used once in a blue moon.

What do they look like? What are they called? I didn’t know that they ever changed. How can I tell if it’s an older one if I ever spot one online?

 

[knumbskull]

What do they look like? What are they called? I didn’t know that they ever changed. How can I tell if it’s an older one if I ever spot one online?

Here’s an example:

Link Removed

Made is USA, always had a black neck & headstock. The body had a weird matte textured plasticky finish but it was bomb proof.

They cost a bit more than OLPs (etc) but were well worth it. Wish i’d grabbed one new while they were around!

Expired Reverb listing with more pix:

Music Man SUB Bass, Made in USA

 

[Tommy V]

i bought my SUB for $150 used, and replaced the pre with a Seymour Duncan STC-2S-BO Blackouts 2-Band
it's the only MM style bass i've ever owned, so I'm not sure how it compares to the others on your list.... but i'm quite pleased with this thing.

 

[ab2112]

I had an OLP Ray 4 for a year or so a while back with maple and that thing rocked. It was an impulse buy and I only sold it cause I had more expensive stuff at the time that got more action. I think I got it for like $150 off Reverb. The neck felt amazing.

I’ve played two SUBS - a 2019 Ray V, with maple, that I brought home for all of a day and brought back cause the EQ did practically nothing for me tone wise once on my own amp. I also played a 2015 that a friend owns on my amp, with rosewood, that was setup properly and played as well as anything else, and it had all the tones.

Standard advice here is to try before you buy, so do that. But based on my own experience I lean towards OLP.

 

[basslifter]

If you want to spend a little more money, you may like the Ray25 (or maybe they are calling it the Sterling Classic 5 now) I tried one in a local store recently and it was an excellent player and sounded great. The deal breaker for me is the slab body, but otherwise great stuff.

 

[Maxdusty]

Here’s an example:

Link Removed

Made is USA, always had a black neck & headstock. The body had a weird matte textured plasticky finish but it was bomb proof.

They cost a bit more than OLPs (etc) but were well worth it. Wish i’d grabbed one new while they were around!

Expired Reverb listing with more pix:

Music Man SUB Bass, Made in USA

They do pop up every now and then - I got mine for under $200. Just wanted to mention that there's two versions of the 4 string US made SUB, an active 2 band EQ and one that's passive. The active MM SUB sounds just like the MM Classic, the passive sounds a little different, still retains that punchy quality but has a little more "warmth' almost a P bass additional quality to it. I had an opportunity to trade it for an active one not too long ago but decided to keep the passive. I can always get an active MM or even a Sterling Ray (which I do have) but not often you get one that's passive.

My two Rays... A US EBMM SUB (with a black pearl pickguard ) and a Sterling Ray34

 

[Ric5]

Here are my 2 cheap stingrays ...

I love them both

maestro $135 from ebay … with upgrades

SX stingray with upgrades

 

[The Expendable Clay]

I didn't vote because I have an OLP and a Sterling S.U.B. I guess the main thing to consider is that all OLP basses should be used seeing as how they don't make them anymore so just consider the condition they are in.It has taken a good bit more work and effort to get my OLP to play great.