I am considering buying either of these basses. I would like to know which you think sounds best and why. I hope I am not being too annoying reposting these videos, but I was really hyped after playing these basses on Friday.
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Feedback Wanted on tone preference.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Everything within me wanted to vote StingRay5 Special, but that Sadowsky had more presence , clarity, bite, and versatility. That bass is quite impressive.
Stingray sounds impressive, and behaves pretty much like I expected it to. Sadowsky is more versatile IMO, but doesn't sound like a Ray. To me it would probably come down to which one feels better, but it's your game...
Happy shopping...
Happy shopping...
Sadowsky all day for me, but it’s purely down to personal preference.
I voted for Sadowsky.
I've been told, by another bass player and several band leaders, I make my Sadowsky Jazz and Mike Lull PJ sound pretty much the same.
I always ask others what they think of my sound, because while I know what I think I sound like, I want to know what I actually sound like.
I've been told, by another bass player and several band leaders, I make my Sadowsky Jazz and Mike Lull PJ sound pretty much the same.
I always ask others what they think of my sound, because while I know what I think I sound like, I want to know what I actually sound like.
Stingray sounds impressive, and behaves pretty much like I expected it to. Sadowsky is more versatile IMO, but doesn't sound like a Ray. To me it would probably come down to which one feels better, but it's your game...
Happy shopping...
I know they don’t sound the same. Nobody does Stingray like EBMM, but I do like the way that Sadowsky sounds. It is like my Super 5, but with more bottom.
I'm pretty much always going to vote for a 2 pickup bass over a single pickup bass. I disqualify myself on the slap tone parts as I never do it or listen to it and really don't know what a good or bad slap tone is or isn't, but the Sadowsky sounds to me more like what I would be looking for on the finger style clips. Personally, I would opt for the increased versatility that a J/MM would offer but you make both basses sound great. If that Ray was a 5HH, it would be a totally different story..
For me, the Sadowsky. It sounds much more alive and punchy than the Stingray. Maybe the Stingray strings were dead compared to the strings on the Sadowsky but I think it's also just the "natural" sounds of each bass. Of course, how the instruments react to your touch is something only you can know - but from an outsider's perspective: definitely the Sadowsky.
Ditto.
As a hopeless EBMM mark I voted before listening. Then I listened and changed my vote.
My real question is:
How does the good doctor get such great sound from a smartphone video in GC?
Amazeballs.
I was in an independent store called Palen Music in O’Fallon, MO. It is smaller than a GC and has much less foot traffic. Their amps are in good shape and I placed my cellphone next to the amp I was using (Rumble 500) and it came out alright.
Sadowsky, it just sounds more refined.
Well Doc, like the others, I expected and wanted to pic the Ray. I have had the opportunity to play the Sadowsky and was shocked how much I liked it. Very versatile with the pup and electronics package it has. Some people say the Ray H is a one trick pony tone wise, but the True Ray tone is just sooooo good! Tough choice , but I would probably choose the Sadowsky if it were me. Good vid Doc, keep them coming.
the sadowsky sounds better to my ears, exactly what @LadyLoveStingRay5 said! it gets my vote. 
I love articulation, and that Sadowsky has plenty of it - I'd rather have a bass with too much and have to dial it back than a bass that doesn't get there..
I am a bit surprised that the 'Ray got "outbrighted" - if it has flats or half rounds, or dead rounds, then I don't think it was a fair fight.
Short answer: Sadowsky, with an asterisk for possible interference from string condition.
I am a bit surprised that the 'Ray got "outbrighted" - if it has flats or half rounds, or dead rounds, then I don't think it was a fair fight.
Short answer: Sadowsky, with an asterisk for possible interference from string condition.
iPhone?I was in an independent store called Palen Music in O’Fallon, MO. It is smaller than a GC and has much less foot traffic. Their amps are in good shape and I placed my cellphone next to the amp I was using (Rumble 500) and it came out alright.
I just can't get my OnePlus videos to capture bass sound very well. Gets too compressed and everything below 100 hertz drops out.
Like many of you, I am a big fan of the Stingray sound (s.) Because I love the Stingray sound so much, I tend to judge any bass with a big humbucker near the bridge in terms of Stingray tone, however, once I plugged into that Sadowsky, I realized it was something else, and something else that is very, very good. Not only does it sound good, the build quality is fabulous. The wood finish is beautiful, the neck feels perfect, it probably weighs 7.5lbs. I am retiring 6/30/2026, and whether I get this bass after Christmas or whether I get it closer to my actual retirement, this is likely to be my last really big bass purchase and the first “boutique” bass I will have bought at the regular price in well over twenty years.
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Both instruments are new, the Sadowsky is just brighter and more articulate.
