Are EBMM Stingrays really that great??

[Bochafish]

I love stingrays, because of the tone AND the neck. Actually, the neck is the main reason I play one. Make sure to play a few, and make sure it feels right in your hands. Stingray's have their own shape to the neck, and they are unfinished. Playability is the most important, you can adjust the tone a bit later with strings, amps, cabs, pedals, etc.

 

[Les Izmor]

Does the single Humbucker model with a maple fretboard sound too bright? I really want one, but if it sounds TOO bright, I may rethink it. I actually have never heard a huge difference between rosewood and maple tonally, IMO.

The single humbucker is what gives the MM it's punch. They are not overly bright or overly dark, lots of low mid thump and bark.


You mention that you don't hear a big difference between maple or rosewood boards. It is a little subtle, and is more like a final seasoning to compliment your playing style. I play mostly finger style and I like a warm sound without too much high end. Maple boards have a tiny bit more clackyness to them in comparison to rosewood. What technique do you employ most? If you slap, you will hear the ultra high end (or lack of it) pretty distinctly. Slappers tend to prefer a maple board. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can roll off existing treble much easier than trying to add it when it's not there to begin with.

Finally, do string differences pop out at you? With strings you have many gradations of brightness which can be used to temper a bright bass. Flatwounds are at one end of the spectrum and steel roundwounds are on the other. There are also lots of options in between.

Keep in mind most of these descriptions are generalizations, and there are always some exceptions.

 

[twdavis13]

The single humbucker is what gives the MM it's punch. They are not overly bright or overly dark, lots of low mid thump and bark.


You mention that you don't hear a big difference between maple or rosewood boards. It is a little subtle, and is more like a final seasoning to compliment your playing style. I play mostly finger style and I like a warm sound without too much high end. Maple boards have a tiny bit more clackyness to them in comparison to rosewood. What technique do you employ most? If you slap, you will hear the ultra high end (or lack of it) pretty distinctly. Slappers tend to prefer a maple board. Another thing to keep in mind is that you can roll off existing treble much easier than trying to add it when it's not there to begin with.

Finally, do string differences pop out at you? With strings you have many gradations of brightness which can be used to temper a bright bass. Flatwounds are at one end of the spectrum and steel roundwounds are on the other. There are also lots of options in between.

Keep in mind most of these descriptions are generalizations, and there are always some exceptions.

I actually play pick style, and I use Ernie Ball Hybrids. Do you think there's any specific brand/ product of string that could offset the tiny bit more brightness of the maple board??

 

[thedude77md]

Super punch= SR (or Sterling) HH, switch in 2nd position. It'll rip your head off.

 

[Bassmingo]

Does the single Humbucker model with a maple fretboard sound too bright? I really want one, but if it sounds TOO bright, I may rethink it. I actually have never heard a huge difference between rosewood and maple tonally, IMO.

i use stainless steel strings and when they get old, i still have to turn the treble down to dull them up.

so yeah, my single with maple is a bright bass.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

OP, Stingrays are just as great as everyones says, but how do you know your SX can't hang on the gig? Have really tried it on serious gigs? I'm not trying to talk you out of the Ray, I just know a thing or two about GAS and justifying a new bass.

 

[LCW]

I play pick style as well and it was bright but you can dial in alot of tone.

The best way to describe it would be your ears, try to go play one.

 

[Double Agent]

we need something that will cut through two guitars and a medium-loud drummer really well. I want to know though, is the case that she comes with durable and quality?? And is it true that it lacks warmth??

A Stingray will have no problems cutting through that situation. Just like any bass, you have to EQ it correctly to make sure it cuts through (i.e. do NOT scoop the mids), but Stingrays naturally cut through a dense mix easier than a lot of other basses. Their tone is very agressive by nature.

The stock case is very nice and does its job well.

As far as lacking warmth, IME that is not true of Stingrays. They do have a lot of attack, but if you use that correctly, you can play with a less aggressive style, get a nice warm tone, and still have no problems being heard in the mix.

You should try to play one before you buy though. The Stingray tone is nice, but it isn't for everyone and you may find that a nicer Fender, a Warwick, a Spector, or a G&L would be more to your liking. Or, you may find that a Stingray is your dream bass. But, it helps to know that before you buy one.

 

[Bassmingo]

How bright a 2eq ray with maple can sound, played fingerstyle

 

[MusicBokonon]

Also, TRY BEFORE YOU BUY. All these opinions are great, but they are subject to circumstance i.e. what kind of amplification, what kind of gig, etc. If you have the opportunity, pick one up at a store.

 

[MadMan118]

Im a major Ibby dork, but still when I need a bass that cuts through well i use a Stingray HH.

 

[Les Izmor]

I actually play pick style, and I use Ernie Ball Hybrids. Do you think there's any specific brand/ product of string that could offset the tiny bit more brightness of the maple board??

Hybrid refers only to the guage, they could still be stainless steel (bright) or nickel (less bright). Unfortunately EB calls both their steel and nickel strings "slinky", so I'm not sure which you actually have. Plus, lots of pick players like an aggresive attack in their tone, in which case the maple would do you well (if you fall into that camp).

I'm not an expert on all the zillions of strings that are out there, hopefully some others can chime in. I found the ones that suit me a loooong time ago, and haven't needed to change a thing since (well, except amps every so often, but that's another story). I personally like D'addario XL nickel strings, especially after a few weeks of playing them (they mellow from their initial brightness). Also, my fingers tend to "stick" to steel strings. Consequently, I've never liked the way they feel under my fingers.

 

[twdavis13]

ok, another question. Would the Maple fretboard on a plain black Stingray look ok/fit into a Dream Theater-esque band??

 

[bassie12]

Nahhhh....... They totally suck. Send 'em all to me & I'll dispose of them properly!!!

 

[Les Izmor]

OP, Stingrays are just as great as everyones says, but how do you know your SX can't hang on the gig? Have really tried it on serious gigs? I'm not trying to talk you out of the Ray, I just know a thing or two about GAS and justifying a new bass.

Right on Dr. I forgot that I wanted to address that in my initial response to the OP. It's unfortunate that sometimes we hear with our eyes (or our wallets, or something like that, you know what I mean).

 

[LaBassGuy]

They are awesome instruments! Great tone and playability, not cold or sterile. I prefer the rosewood fretboard as I think it gives the Stingray a warmer tone than the maple fretboard. The case that comes with it is an SKB type case and appears to be pretty durable, but is not an ATA type case.

I disagree that the Singray H is tonally versatile. The HS or HH, yes. The Stingray H is punchy and will cut throug the mix. So it is great for live performances. But for recording, it is too . . . one dimensional. Not a rich bass tone by any means.

backgroudn: owned a fretted stingray H, own a fretless stingray H, and own a fretted sterling HS

 

[bstringkyle]

Check out the Sterling too.

+1, I have a Sterling and could not be happier with it. It has a bit more of an Aggresive tone, Smaller body, thinner neck.

 

[nperry77]

stingrays are great basses. well made, solid, distinct punchy tone, and look really cool. especially great tonally speaking if you want to cut through the mix and through a wall of guitars and bashing drums. i will say though that it isn't the most organic, 'warm' sounding bass, mainly due to the active electronics, but for aggressive rock, funk or metal, its unrivaled. you'll love it. black is the way to go.

don't buy a warwick. certain types of musicians play certain types of basses and warwicks are like, 'nu metal' guy basses. bummer brah.

 

[KsPiNeSh]

I'm the lone dissenter so far I personally have not found a SR that I liked, and I've tried really hard to like one. I just don't dig the feel of the necks and the way they play. If you do, then go for it - but I echo the sentiments of those that have said to try out a bunch of different instruments first. If the 'Ray is still for you, then by all means snap one up

As for this...

don't buy a warwick. certain types of musicians play certain types of basses and warwicks are like, 'nu metal' guy basses. bummer brah.

Gotta disagree with you here. My Warwicks have played and recorded prog, classic rock, hard rock, metal, some pop, a little bit of country... you get the picture. They sounded great every time. You should check out their list of endorsers sometime - there are metal folks, but lots of guys (and girls)that play anything but.

 

[Crabby]

Its really silly to categorize a brand of instrument as being suitable for only certain types of music. A good player will find his sound on any decent instrument. It is true that a Stingray will cut through the mix very well is very punchy. But that doesn't mean you can't have a warm rich tone. EQ/string selection/amp and speaker configurations all play a part in finding "your" sound.

Sound is only one deciding factor in buying a bass. You must consider the feel of the instrument, the weight, balance, string width, neck size, pickup configuration and even appearance before deciding if a particular bass is for you.

Having said all that, you simply can't go wrong with a good ol Ray!!!