Are stingrays really one trick ponies?

[Wolffgang]

So, how much can be done about their baked in voicing with pickup changes? Like, with a single humbucker stingray, are you going to be able to get more versatility out of it with different pickups, or will it still sound like a 'ray?

 

[InternetAlias]

If you like the ray but want more voicings, just get a HH ray. Adding a neck pickup to a ray is sort of tricky because of how the preamp is designed, not to mention it's hard to get an exact match on impedance of the original MM pickup (in case of aftermarket pickups), or you could have two buffers and then applied the preamp.... There are many options on how to work this in, but it seems that, as always, it's the best to get a HH one in first place.

 

[Musicman20]

If you want added versatility, order a HS or HH, or a H Piezo.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

I love all 3 of my STINGRAYS!

So they are one trick ponies, and you wanted three tricks so you bought three Stingrays?

 

[bassdude51]

I have a 82 Stingray 4 string that can sound like a lot of different basses, but in my opinion no other bass I've ever played
or owned can sound quite like a Stingray.

Well said! +1

The Stingray is not a "one trick pony". With different strings (rounds and flats), different plucking positions (near the neck to near the bridge), fingers or pick, different eqing it has many sounds.

But it has limitations too.

I can't see it being used for Reggae, or classic Country and it might not work for true blue Blues.

The 'Ray (and the P and J) are the 3 "must have bass guitars"!

 

[InternetAlias]

Make it four with a ric, and you're set.

 

[rodl2005]

Wow!?
I've a few very different basses, but I find my SR5 very versatile.
Pup selector -
Fwd pos-big thick 'Ray sound-huge.
Middle-single coil- bright like a jazz (sorta) & less chunky.
Rear pos- thick, but not as thick as some- almost clunky & Ric like.

 

[phillybass101]

SR's besides having a nice slap tone also provide a real fat, punchy fingerstyle tone(s). Just like an axe or any other tool, it depends on who is holding it.

 

[Musicman20]

...and with a pick...they can be very aggressive and cutting, (or much fatter if you use the onboard EQ).

 

[MC1970]

Stingrays definitely are one trick ponies..... Yes, only one trick.... The one that you need at the moment!!!

 

[Progfan44]

Pretty much it isn't a one trick pony - watch Ed Friedland's demonstration of a Classic Stingray to see this is fact (and that only has a 2 band EQ).

The coil selection, and series/parallel, combined with the 3 band EQ make for a range of tone from the bass - add to that the responsiveness to your fingers (and especially, in single H form, plucking position) and you have an exceptionally versatile instrument. It'll give you one of the best fingerstyle sounds around, one of the best slap sounds, and also one of the best pick style sounds, so there's three tricks straight off!!

You can get these basses to thump well by plucking near the neck joint - add some flatwound strings and everything can go all vintage-like....add some EQ and you can get that treble back again.

It's all in the fingers....and the bass! Congratulations on your bass - pictures would be nice !!

Thanks man, I hope to put up some pics shortly, it's a honey burst with the roasted maple neck, it looks gorgeous

 

[fretno]

even if it was , "one trick" is all we could ask of a tool anyway , though if you use a screwdriver as a hammer great

 

[Ric5]

The HH can produce just about any tone you could want depending on how it's strung.

The H S is a good option as well.

 

[fenderhutz]

I have a 3 band Ray34 and keep all the EQ's almost dead center. Works great in a cover band where we play all types of music from the last 50 years. Only a one trick pony if you are a one trick player.

 

[aledeville]

Mine is a one trick pony... it says KILL. Why the heck would I want something else when this is available.

 

[iunno]

IMO the only way they're one trick ponies is that you can only get a bridge pickup sound from them. Yes, they sound different played near the neck, but it still does not sound like a neck pickup.

 

[Wolffgang]

Mine is a one trick pony... it says KILL. Why the heck would I want something else when this is available.

Haha I love that. Lot better than all 'pfft it's all the player you could be playing a fence paling without pickups as long you've got the fingers for it' responses.

 

[mantaraya]

OP, trust your own ears the opinions of those who give you work.

Yeap. The most important thing is not if the bass is one trick pony or the time machine sound. It is if the sound coming from your bass captures you. If it doesn't, then is not your bass. The versatile vs one trick pony means nothing if the bass sound doesn't speak to you. As for Rays, they can produce some palettes of sounds (not like a Jazz, tough) but they all have this upper zing signature market un-erasable. Thats my OHO

 

[edfriedland]

Anyone that accuses a Stingray (or a P-Bass for that matter) as being a "one-trick pony" best look in the mirror when they say that. THEY are the one trick pony. With hand placement, attack, and various techniques, I can get quite a lot of different tones out of these basses. Then, you have different strings, eq settings, amp settings... and even more important is having the imagination to conceive what is possible.

 

[InternetAlias]

And don't forget, actually playing quality music. If you have no idea what to play, you are useless. If you have no idea how to play, you are useless. If you have no idea what and how to play, jazz bass is not a versatile instrument to you. It is a tool that needs proper hands to be used.