I love the sound of Stingrays, but can't afford one...even a used one.
Is there anything else on the market with a similar sound?
Thanks!
Jon
Is there anything else on the market with a similar sound?
Thanks!
Jon
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Any cheap alternative to a MM Stingray?
- Thread starter j_micho
- Start date
OLP licensed copies
Any other copy with a MusicMan type humbucker in the same general position.
People argue back and forth constantly about the quality of different copies or how 'true' they sound. Personally I think much of the discrepencies are in people's ears and hands.
Any other copy with a MusicMan type humbucker in the same general position.
People argue back and forth constantly about the quality of different copies or how 'true' they sound. Personally I think much of the discrepencies are in people's ears and hands.
there's a new "OLP" type of licensed MusicMan line called Sterling by MusicMan that debuted at NAMM, the basses look great and are going to be in the OLP price range I believe and it's all licensed by EBMM.
....should be a website starting up soon for it.
....should be a website starting up soon for it.
scottbass
Bass lines like a big, funky giant
A nice used OLP should do the trick. I haven't seen the new "Sterling" models yet. I upgraded my OLP with a Seymour Duncan alnico pickup and active preamp to make it sound even more like a StingRay. If you don't care if your new bass LOOKS like a StingRay, you could also check out the Ibanez ATK300 or 305. They can sound almost identical to StingRays and cost less than half as much. I see Musicians Friend has one model, the ATK300RSPBK, for $300.
nonononoNONONONONONONO NO.
I've owned one of these, biggest pile of shite on the planet.
SUB bass or ibanez ATK, OLP or one of the new sterling by musicman range, nothing else.
The ATK300 is in the Music Man ballpark. Not identical but very close.
Also mine (I got it last week) came setup well straight from the box (literally - I picked mine out of the shipping carton in the storeroom in back of the shop, tried it out and took it home).
Also mine (I got it last week) came setup well straight from the box (literally - I picked mine out of the shipping carton in the storeroom in back of the shop, tried it out and took it home).
Yeah I just noticed that the OLP website is down. There's a note saying the OLP brand has been retired...So I guess "Sterling by MM" would be the new OLP
If you love the Stingray sound don't drop a dime until the Sterling by MusicMan hits the shelves. Many of these alternatives get close but nothing I've heard gets as close as the Sterling series.
Myself and one other critical listener tested them at NAMM in the EBMM booth.
They were so close the difference could just have been the strings on them. The feel and build quality was far beyond the OLP.
Very akin to the G&L Tribute and the G&L USA relation. The Tribute G&L series may be worth giving a listen to but if married to the Stingray sound it may not be your bag.
Jim
PS I am not an EBMM fanboi.
Sub
Who did the bad photoshop job on that photo?.....where is the fifth tuning peg?
I've heard the same said by others at NAMM. May be worth the wait. Supposed to ship in march.
I was trying one out less than a few hours ago in my local store and my old Ibby is as close as I've tried...see them on Ebay all the time for $350
I'd look for a used S.U.B. StingRay or Sterling - far beyond the quality of the OLP 'Rays, as all of the major components are close to if not exactly the same as the "name" MusicMen (hardware, pickups and electronics, woods - people talk down about the Poplar used for the bodies not realizing MusicMan themselves used it in good amounts for solid-color instruments from the '80s to early-'90s) and the costs were saved by the usage of the "slab" body, textured finishes and painted necks that didn't have to be buffed out/oiled 'n waxed.
If the "Sterling by MusicMan" line is going to be closer to OLP than SUBs, which it will be in one very important factor: the "Sterling" line is going to be made overseas, compared to the SUB instruments which were made alongside their more-expensive brothers and sisters in Cali, I imagine the SUBs will be hot property on the used market. No matter how nice a piece of imported product (and I'm all for quality imports, with my first 3 basses Japanese-built and not owning a "Made In USA" bass within my first *decade* of playing) I believe deep down people would rather own an American-made bass, everything else being equal.
If the "Sterling by MusicMan" line is going to be closer to OLP than SUBs, which it will be in one very important factor: the "Sterling" line is going to be made overseas, compared to the SUB instruments which were made alongside their more-expensive brothers and sisters in Cali, I imagine the SUBs will be hot property on the used market. No matter how nice a piece of imported product (and I'm all for quality imports, with my first 3 basses Japanese-built and not owning a "Made In USA" bass within my first *decade* of playing) I believe deep down people would rather own an American-made bass, everything else being equal.
The ibby is close, I have a rb950 that would do something pretty close.
I would say get a MTD kingston or heir and hot rod it!
I would say get a MTD kingston or heir and hot rod it!
Second the ATK Ibby's. Great basses with a very MM tone. If that's still a little pricey, you might try the Fernandes Atlas. Nice looking and playing basses, with a low punchy growl.
Jon,
Nothing sounds like a Ray but a Ray....the copies don't even come close, even the very expensive basses with a pickup in the same location still don't speak like a Ray.
Now, Musicman did have the budget-minded SUB models out sevaral years back, they are great and were built in the same MM factory, but are only available used now. If you scour around you can easy find good deals on them. I've seen them on the local craigslist for 400-450 bucks, and the best deal I saw one guy had on there was 350! I wished I'd a had the spare cash then.
Pretty soon Musicman is going to come out with a complete budget line. I don't know what they prices are going to be, but you could probably still save more buying a used SUB.
Nothing sounds like a Ray but a Ray....the copies don't even come close, even the very expensive basses with a pickup in the same location still don't speak like a Ray.
Now, Musicman did have the budget-minded SUB models out sevaral years back, they are great and were built in the same MM factory, but are only available used now. If you scour around you can easy find good deals on them. I've seen them on the local craigslist for 400-450 bucks, and the best deal I saw one guy had on there was 350! I wished I'd a had the spare cash then.
Pretty soon Musicman is going to come out with a complete budget line. I don't know what they prices are going to be, but you could probably still save more buying a used SUB.
