Any cheap alternative to a MM Stingray?

[allexcosta]

nonononoNONONONONONONO NO.
I've owned one of these, biggest pile of shite on the planet.

I disagree...
I had one that I bought for 50 bucks and it was good for the money...

 

[b_carville]

You may want to try a "Subraze" bass sold & made by Subway Guitars in Berkley,Calfornia.

A lot of people love or hate the owner(his name is "Fatdog)but a friend of mine who has Two Stingrays (one Musicman,one Ernie Ball) loves his " Subraze".

It uses a Bartolini Stingray replacement pickup & preamp & I think they run about $450 to $700 depending. Check Subway guitars on the web.

It doesn't look as cool as a Ernie ball but soundwise I like my friend's model a lot.

 

[Thankful birds]

Second the Subraze. Here's the site- http://www.fatdawg.com

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Here's a pic of the five string Subray. The string spacing looks pretty close, but for $600, it seems like a great deal considering that it has Bartolini electronics.

 

[Psychicpet]

Sterling by Music Man


apparently prices are going to start around $399 topping out @ $799

 

[6Steve6Harris6]

Fernandes Atlas

 

[j_micho]

I understand that an imitation simply can't be perfect. But since I can't afford the real thing, I'm looking for a way to get as close as I can.

The new SBMM Ray looks pretty nice. If you put the specs of the SBMM Ray and the real MM Stingray side by side, you get almost everything you need. Only the bridge, pre-amp and tuners seems to be diffent...oh yeah and the finish choices.

I've been reeding rumours about the price of these. What does "street price" means?

 

[DeanT]

I understand that an imitation simply can't be perfect. But since I can't afford the real thing, I'm looking for a way to get as close as I can.

The new SBMM Ray looks pretty nice. If you put the specs of the SBMM Ray and the real MM Stingray side by side, you get almost everything you need. Only the bridge, pre-amp and tuners seems to be diffent...oh yeah and the finish choices.

I've been reeding rumours about the price of these. What does "street price" means?

Street price is the price they will sell for. On "the street" so to speak.

I hope they don't offer the "stucco" finishes they had on the SUB basses. The SUBs were great basses, but the textured finish was atrocious, though indesructable.

 

[j_micho]

Well, I've been doing some research for a couple weeks now and I've slimmed down my choices to this:

- G&L Tribute L-2000 w/ ash body. I've seen a couple of good deals on used ones right here on TB. The blueburst body w/ maple fretboard is just gorgeous.

- MTD Kingston Heir 4 strings. I love the translucent red finish w/ rosewood fretboard. Unfortunately those are hard to find used...but I found a good deal on a new one at a local store.

- Be patient and wait for the new Ray34 from Sterling by MM (coming out this March). Although it is very unlikely that I'll be patient enough...

I have 1000 CND$ (currently about 800 US$) to spend and I also need to keep some cash for a HS case (if not included w/ bass), a decent strap and possibly some straplocks.

Any opinions? Which one you think is the most versatile? has the better construction?

 

[whisper14072]

I would definately go with the OLP.. I just got a Tony Levin sig 5 string... and I LOVE IT... I have played MM Stingrays in the stores... can't afford one....YET

 

[rapturebass]

ive heard the ATK can get that sound.

But what im mainly gassing for is the Schecter DV-4:

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Looks awesome, and im assuming it can get pretty close to a musicman tone

 

[spideyjg]

- G&L Tribute L-2000 w/ ash body. I've seen a couple of good deals on used ones right here on TB. The blueburst body w/ maple fretboard is just gorgeous.

- Be patient and wait for the new Ray34 from Sterling by MM (coming out this March). Although it is very unlikely that I'll be patient enough...

Any opinions? Which one you think is the most versatile? has the better construction?

Quality between those 2 will be the same. If you want the SR sound go for the Ray34.

I compared head to head a Ray 34 and a EBMM Stingray and the difference was negligible soundwise.

Jim

 

[Joey3313]

Well, I've been doing some research for a couple weeks now and I've slimmed down my choices to this:

- G&L Tribute L-2000 w/ ash body. I've seen a couple of good deals on used ones right here on TB. The blueburst body w/ maple fretboard is just gorgeous.

- MTD Kingston Heir 4 strings. I love the translucent red finish w/ rosewood fretboard. Unfortunately those are hard to find used...but I found a good deal on a new one at a local store.

- Be patient and wait for the new Ray34 from Sterling by MM (coming out this March). Although it is very unlikely that I'll be patient enough...

I have 1000 CND$ (currently about 800 US$) to spend and I also need to keep some cash for a HS case (if not included w/ bass), a decent strap and possibly some straplocks.

Any opinions? Which one you think is the most versatile? has the better construction?

I've seen legit SR4s at Mother's Music sell for $900, case included.

 

[Swerve]

My local guitar center has a beautiful MM Stingray 4 for 799$, it looks like a nineties model and its in excellent shape. Too bad you're so far away!

 

[wvbass]

Hurry over to musicians friend and get your hands on one of those $299 ATK700's before they're all gone!

 

[savit260]

Well, I've been doing some research for a couple weeks now and I've slimmed down my choices to this:

- G&L Tribute L-2000 w/ ash body. I've seen a couple of good deals on used ones right here on TB. The blueburst body w/ maple fretboard is just gorgeous.

- MTD Kingston Heir 4 strings. I love the translucent red finish w/ rosewood fretboard. Unfortunately those are hard to find used...but I found a good deal on a new one at a local store.

- Be patient and wait for the new Ray34 from Sterling by MM (coming out this March). Although it is very unlikely that I'll be patient enough...

I have 1000 CND$ (currently about 800 US$) to spend and I also need to keep some cash for a HS case (if not included w/ bass), a decent strap and possibly some straplocks.

Any opinions? Which one you think is the most versatile? has the better construction?

With that kind of budget , you should be able to find a genuine EBMM 'Ray on the used market.

If you want a real 'Ray, it's clear to me that you can actually affod one. Why aren't you scouring the used market for one?

With that budget, you'd really be wise to go with the real thing , only used.

 

[j_micho]

I've been looking at ads all over the Internet and the cheapest one I could find was a beat up stingray for 800$. They usually cost around 1000$US used.

And anyway, the debate is pretty much closed (at least for me) since I finally bought my bass yesterday. After trying a MTD Kingston Heir and a G&L tribute L-2000 at a local store, I decided to go for the MTD which just felt better in my hands and was much lighter. I found an incredible deal for this bass: 760 CND$ (that's about 610 US$ at today currency rate) for a brand new one. The additional "J" neck pu will add versatility to the "MM" pu. And that Trans red finish is just gorgeous.

While I was there I talked with the salesman about the Ray34. He told me they were about to place an order. Although he couldn't give me an exact price, his approximation was a little over the MTD Heir. And anyway I just couldn't wait that long...

Bottom line is....I CAN'T WAIT TO RECEIVE MY BASS!!! Thanks for your help everyone!

Jon...a happy MTD owner!

 

[JaySeeDoubleYou]

Congrats on getting a bass that works well for you!

I'm gonna do some digging, but can anyone point me somewhere where I can learn more about the sterling by MM series? I'm just curious. I'll probably be able to find it on TB in no time now that I know to be looking for it.

Also, wont sterling by mm brand and mm sterling model get confusing for people, or has something happened with the sterling model? Goes to show how much attention I've been paying!

p.s. R.I.P. OLP. It was a good brand in my estimation, and I really enjoyed the one I had.

 

[GBassNorth]

The closest you'll get to a Musicman Stingray in looks and sound is a SUB bass (also made by Musicman). I've had a couple as well as a couple of Stingrays and as far as I can tell they're identical in sound, with the SUB being a little heaver and a different finish on the body. I actually like gigging with the SUB more, the finish is almost indistructable and it's less than half the cost of the Ray. Problem is, Musicman discontinued them, probably because they were giving the Stingray a run for the money. Again, identical electronics, hardware and looks, plays as nice and takes a beating - can't beat that combo. Used should run around $400 slightly worn to $600 if in mint condition. There is one on Ebay right now that is WAY over priced (looks like it has a bent D tuner, roughed up headstock and missing scratch plate) the most I'd offer on it would be $300. One of these used will give you what you are looking for and still leave hundreds of $ in your pocket.