Impressively lightweight instruments there. My impression based on browsing online is that recent Specials are generally heavier than the earlier ones, maybe because they’re not made of ash any more.
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Do I Own the Lightest Music Man Stingray???
- Thread starter Christcr
- Start date
My stingray special weighs significantly less than my older stingrays. Great basses.
Over a pound less than anything I've ever owned by EB. Congrats on a super-cool looking bass with hopes you enjoy and play in good health!
Since I started making my own basses, I have a lot of experience with light basses (from 6.6 pounds up to 8.2). I also have a degree in Acoustical Physics. While there is a point where light weight reduces sustain, it's when the neck (the body is much heavier, it isn't a factor) starts to approach the mass of the string. I disagree with your opinion on both theoretical and experiential grounds.
What I have experienced with light basses is they come alive (more than a heavy bass) when the mix gets going - just as the guitar guys get extra sustain at times on certain notes, a light bass (being vibrated by the sound from the PA - I do ampless gigs, so it's not my amp) will do that as well if the FOH person has a lead foot w.r.t. bass.
Wow - don't ever sell that bass, except maybe (you are geeeeeettting verrrry sleeeepppyyyy) to me....
Compared to any I've owned or played, you own by far the lightest full size USA ray I've ever heard of. I haven't tried one of the specials yet, but that would be the one I'd buy if I could. well, maybe different features. But purple CLEARLY is the lightest color. ;-)
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Would be good to have you test a properly setup good example of a light weight ray special with good strings. Clearly the one you tested was not that.Your Musicman Stingray is absolutely beautiful, but I wouldn't own a 7.13 lb. bass. I once a/b'd a beautiful sparkle gold color Musicman Stingray that
felt like it weighed about 7 lbs. That particular bass sounded dull and had zero heft to the tone.
Imo, that was due to the lightweight. Anyway, I am happy for you since it checks all the boxes that you like!
To be honest there was nothing wrong with the setup of the bass.
The GC luthier is a master luthier who builds custom basses.
I'm not trying to be negative, I own a bass that weighs about 7.5 lbs., and I think
it would sound even better if it weighed in the 9 lbs. range.
Yes I agree that way is confusing. For example, 8.5lbs. Is it 8lbs 5oz or 8lbs 8oz?
Wow, under 7#, impressive! All the Stingray 5H and 5HH I still have or had was between 9.5 to just under 10#, none were the newer specials though. My current lightweight 5 string champ is a Tune TWB5 at 8# which has the longest sustain and best balance. Being in my mid 50's now, I sure appreciate the lighter ones.
Ok, so heavier just sounds better, physics be damned. Got it LoL
We won't agree, so we'll go on about our merry lives
No urges to sell this Stingray so far though!Oooh, that's nice! Is that the passive Stingray made of Okume wood (if that's the right spelling)?
In my case, I just bought it totally based on the color and not knowing the weight (and knowing Music Man basses generally from others I've had have always been really nice). The weight was a very pleasant surprise. I have had plenty of boat anchors from Music Man. But they have always sounded great.
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You are forced to go by what they write and not what they think they mean. That is a reason why written contracts are good idea. "8.5" is never anything other than "8 plus a half".
