DarkRay or Stingray Special?

[facetsquared]

Hi all. Apologies if this is question that has already been asked 1736 times; I did search but couldn't find a thread on this subject.

I am mulling over getting my first EB MusicMan bass, but I am not sure whether to go for a Stingray Special or a DarkRay. I know the DarkRay has the Darkglass preamp for distortion tones but, while that feature is welcome, it's not essential to me.

Given that new Stingray Specials are in such short supply right now (most stores have them on order only), I wonder if I would be missing out on anything major if I went for a DarkRay that is immediately available? Can a DarkRay cut the mustard for clean tones and compete with the Special?

Thoughts welcome - thanks, everyone.

 

[jd50]

The DarkRay clean tone is great, I love it. I'd buy a DarkRay even without the distortion and fuzz. But I do have other Stingrays that get the normal Stingray sound that you don't get with the DarkRay. I know it's not a satisfying answer but, it really depends on the sound you're looking for.

 

[facetsquared]

Thank you. Good to hear a favourable review for the DarkRay. If the DarkRay does lose a little bit of the character of the Special, I may go for the Special.

 

[P. Aaron]

Thank you. Good to hear a favourable review for the DarkRay. If the DarkRay does lose a little bit of the character of the Special, I may go for the Special.

It sometimes is as simple as availability. Sometimes it's the finish, body color. Many times it's features. If ordering what you want gets you what you want, go that route (Yeah, easy for some online guy to say). Aesthetically, you'll have what you wanted. Musically, it's all you.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

New colors on the Specials are being announced at NAAM in April . Probably contributing to the low selection in stock right now. If you see a finish you like now, grab it before it’s gone. Same thing for the DarkRay. You never know how long something will be offered and available. Or you might take a chance on them releasing something new that you just have to have.

 

[Cory rich40]

I’ll bet eventually that they will try the same thing with the bongo

 

[ItsmeSantiago]

New colors on the Specials are being announced at NAAM in April . Probably contributing to the low selection in stock right now. If you see a finish you like now, grab it before it’s gone. Same thing for the DarkRay. You never know how long something will be offered and available. Or you might take a chance on them releasing something new that you just have to have.

This seems to be the case with Specials since they came out: put out a bunch a finishes, run out of inventory, then load up on new finishes for the following year. I'm not in the market for one, but I think that's pretty cool because if you don't like any of the finishes you can wait 12 months.

 

[Holdsg]

several Stingray Specials in the classifieds right now, including one of mine.

 

[ellenripley]

I think it will depend rather on what you think is most important, a 3-band equalizer or the added overdrive and distortion effects.
Both are great basses nonetheless

 

[VitoMB]

I have a Darkray and having the effect onboard is great. It is no gimmick. It cuts in the mix at rehearsal no doubt. Again it depends what is the sound you’re looking for. I play heavy rock lines where the DG preamp shines. YMMV.

 

[swink]

By analogy that you don't choose your bass, but your bass chooses you, fate (availability) has decided that you should buy a DarkRay instead of the Special.

 

[350125g0]

Those specials are REAL PRETTY. Also you can get all that Darkglass stuff in a pedal, if I'm not mistaken.

 

[JohnnyChatter]

It’s all what flavor you want. I personally would just buy a special used because first there is a ton out there for that look new for way less and I just don’t like Darkglass pedals. That being said…. A bunch of people do so only you can decide because even though it’s not my flavor I can say the quality is great.

 

[micguy]

I'm not a fan of Darkglass's distortion tones - I'd aim for a bass that didn't have that built in. I have a thing with overdrive sounds - I can't imagine sticking to one sound for long enough to justify it being built in to a bass, even if it was more to my liking than what Darkglass does.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Special. IME more versatile. More available and cheaper used. If you ever want those dark glass tones all you need is a pedal.

 

[facetsquared]

Sounds like I ought to go for the Special - if I can find a new one anywhere!

 

[beaglesandbass]

Am I correct that it only had a Darkglass preamp and not both that AND an EBMM preamp? Then by logic the clean tone will not be EBMM, it’ll be Darkglass’ impersonation if it.

 

[El Trueno]

New colors on the Specials are being announced at NAAM in April . Probably contributing to the low selection in stock right now. If you see a finish you like now, grab it before it’s gone. Same thing for the DarkRay. You never know how long something will be offered and available. Or you might take a chance on them releasing something new that you just have to have.

This is the news I’ve been waiting for! Looking forward to seeing those new colors. This could be my year

 

[Wolfhound32]

Hi all. Apologies if this is question that has already been asked 1736 times; I did search but couldn't find a thread on this subject.

I am mulling over getting my first EB MusicMan bass, but I am not sure whether to go for a Stingray Special or a DarkRay. I know the DarkRay has the Darkglass preamp for distortion tones but, while that feature is welcome, it's not essential to me.

Given that new Stingray Specials are in such short supply right now (most stores have them on order only), I wonder if I would be missing out on anything major if I went for a DarkRay that is immediately available? Can a DarkRay cut the mustard for clean tones and compete with the Special?

Thoughts welcome - thanks, everyone.

I'd be patient and go with the Special. The Special pickups and 18v preamp is a fantastic pair. Darkglass makes good stuff, but in this specific application, the Special wins hands down-- for me anyway...

Best of luck in your search!

 

[secondbestcody]

As someone who owns a Darkray, I love it. I’ll never get rid of it. The distortion and fuzz aren’t just a gimmick, they do actually sound good in a full mix. The only thing I dislike is the non existent midrange control, however I can EQ that in. It has the classic Stingray sound and the same neodymium pickup as the Specials. I, personally, love the modern Darkglass sound and use an X Ultra as my “always on” pedal, so I think the Darkglass preamp is great.

That being said, had mine not been a wedding gift from my wife, I would have bought myself a Special because of the price and availability used. I rarely buy new instruments.