Nothing wrong with liking what you like. If they inspire you play better, then they’re the best bass in the world for you.I’m hopelessly devoted !! Guilty as charged.
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Feedback Wanted on tone preference.
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
I own the Special H and a Metroline Hybrid 5. Interestingly enough, by the numbers, I think my Ray is the better bass, but my Sadowsky gets all the attention.
I’m not sure why the Stingray is getting shortchanged here, but it is top notch. I will say that my Sadowskyis more amp-agnostic, and that may be a factor in peoples’ votes. The MJ sounds a little mid-scooped to me. It is great “bedroom” tone, but that doesn’t always hold up when not solo’d.(Interstingly, the caveat here is “unless it is a Sadowsky.”)
For you, though, I wouldn’t go with either bass, or the MetroExpress Hybrid 5. I’d set my sights on a Metroline jazz bass and not waiver from that course.
I’m not sure why the Stingray is getting shortchanged here, but it is top notch. I will say that my Sadowskyis more amp-agnostic, and that may be a factor in peoples’ votes. The MJ sounds a little mid-scooped to me. It is great “bedroom” tone, but that doesn’t always hold up when not solo’d.(Interstingly, the caveat here is “unless it is a Sadowsky.”)
For you, though, I wouldn’t go with either bass, or the MetroExpress Hybrid 5. I’d set my sights on a Metroline jazz bass and not waiver from that course.
A Sadowsky Jazz is never a bad thing even if that is not what I really want right now.
Sadowsky for the smooth fingerstyle but Stingray for that slap tone. If I was looking for a bass to do more walking than slapping, it would be the Sadowsky for sure. But if vice-versa, then vice-versa.
Stingrays can get smooth. Just listen to Chic or Sade.
When I was looking for 5 strings, back in 2021, I purchased a Stingray Special 5H
I'm still happy with it, it covers a wide variety of sounds and needs, the low B strings is thunderous and I like it's aestethic and feel in my hands.
I don't like the Sadowsky you're evaluating, so for me the choice would be clear and fast.
But Sadowskys are great basses. It really depends on your needs in term of tone. The Ray, even if "Special", it's still a Ray, with all its pros and cons.
In my opinion, the biggest issue you may go through is the string spacing: the G string is really on the edge of the fretboard...you gotta be VERY precise when playing, in order to avoid slipping out.
Then, the tone: stainless steel frets, single H in its peculiar position...the electronics can tame or shape a lot the sound, but...it's a Ray. For me, it's fine, I like the sound (usually paired with stainless steel DR Lo Riders...) and it matches my playing. But it's not everybody's cup of tea, even if it gets used by the most various players around the world
To cut the story short, both seem to sound very good. Then, it's up to you: if you don't have somebody in the production team asking you "that" tone, I'd suggest you to pick up the one that feels better in your hands, and that makes your eyes shine every time you look at it, because they're both very expensive
Sure they can, but in your vids the Sadowsky was the smoother criminal.
When I was looking for 5 strings, back in 2021, I purchased a Stingray Special 5H
I'm still happy with it, it covers a wide variety of sounds and needs, the low B strings is thunderous and I like it's aestethic and feel in my hands.
I don't like the Sadowsky you're evaluating, so for me the choice would be clear and fast.
But Sadowskys are great basses. It really depends on your needs in term of tone. The Ray, even if "Special", it's still a Ray, with all its pros and cons.
In my opinion, the biggest issue you may go through is the string spacing: the G string is really on the edge of the fretboard...you gotta be VERY precise when playing, in order to avoid slipping out.
Then, the tone: stainless steel frets, single H in its peculiar position...the electronics can tame or shape a lot the sound, but...it's a Ray. For me, it's fine, I like the sound (usually paired with stainless steel DR Lo Riders...) and it matches my playing. But it's not everybody's cup of tea, even if it gets used by the most various players around the world
To cut the story short, both seem to sound very good. Then, it's up to you: if you don't have somebody in the production team asking you "that" tone, I'd suggest you to pick up the one that feels better in your hands, and that makes your eyes shine every time you look at it, because they're both very expensive
I’ve owned many Stingrays over the years and I like Stingrays quite a lot. I have no problem with the Stingray tone. The more I listen, the more I like the Stingray Special I played at the store. I really love the aggressiveness of that Sadowsky too.
I can buy whatever I can afford. Unless something changes, my gig is at a small church where nobody cares what I play.
I really appreciate all of the feedback. I may go back to that store sooner than I planned. I will sit down and figure out some tones I want to try on that Sadowsky JM before I start filming and hear what it sounds like. The bass really does lack mids in the video. That really won’t make any difference with my current playing, but I want to make sure this bass has usable tones in case I end up playing out more in the future.
This Fret Nation got my attention when this model first came. The bass is chambered, no wonder it is so light! I should also note that the bass in this video truly has crazy fret buzz. It is far worse than the one I played.
It definitely does lack mids in way that might get old over time. This may sound crazy, but I think the Hybrid PJ5 is really worth investigating and it is less than 1/3 the price of the MMJ. I didn’t see that coming because I am often not that big on PJ basses.
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Crack open the electronics cavity of the Sadowsky JMM and adjust the gain of the mids if you want more. It’s got a Sadowsky Will Lee circuit with the exception of the switch.
I think the JMM is much better sounding and playing instrument than the Special H. It’s worth noting that the Sadowsky JMM does not have the typical Sadowsky 19mm spacing and wider neck. It has 18mm spacing and narrower neck.
I’ve had multiple Sadowsky JMMs and Stingray Specials and the way the Sadowsky’s punch and sit in the mix would be my preference. Ultimately though, I prefer the Sadowsky JJ/PJ which is why I no longer have a JMM. The versatility of the J and splittable MM humbucker is special though and you can cop a convincing Jazz bass tone.
I think the JMM is much better sounding and playing instrument than the Special H. It’s worth noting that the Sadowsky JMM does not have the typical Sadowsky 19mm spacing and wider neck. It has 18mm spacing and narrower neck.
I’ve had multiple Sadowsky JMMs and Stingray Specials and the way the Sadowsky’s punch and sit in the mix would be my preference. Ultimately though, I prefer the Sadowsky JJ/PJ which is why I no longer have a JMM. The versatility of the J and splittable MM humbucker is special though and you can cop a convincing Jazz bass tone.
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Thanks! I was just checking out Lars Lehman demoing a MMJ and he definitely is getting more mids. All is not lost!
Or the Brand New Heavies’ Brother Sister album.
I just can’t get with the looks of the Sadowsky MMJ but I must admit that the blue one being demoed is one of the better looking ones I’ve seen.
I hope if you do get to go back soon that you try the StingRay5 Special again through something other than that Fender Rumble. Try the Aguilar if possible .
We will be looking forward to additional videos .
I hope if you do get to go back soon that you try the StingRay5 Special again through something other than that Fender Rumble. Try the Aguilar if possible .
We will be looking forward to additional videos .
I'm invested now in the climactic finale of this adventure.. I'm gonna watch the thread.
Noticed you tried a used BFR stingray too @Dr. Cheese in a recent video? Did that one not catch your attention?
Noticed you tried a used BFR stingray too @Dr. Cheese in a recent video? Did that one not catch your attention?
I have played a few BFR basses. They were all very good.
Are you certain about the string spacing and neck size ?? By biggest complaint (other than the price) about Sadowsky is the large necks and wide strings. I searched around to confirm your claim. My sales guy at Sweetwater contacted Sadowsky and said they confirmed the neck was the same 19mm and big chunk as the rest. Thats a deal breaker for me.... I hope you are right, but it doesnt sound like it...If the neck is smaller, I want one...
Honestly? Couple of things...
1. "Best" - for what? In my 50+ years of playing bass - on an awful lot of different basses -, I've found that no one bass - and no one set of strings - sounds "best" for everything. Some of them can do a decent job playing several different music types - especially if you're just "sitting in the mix". But, I've never found a bass/string combo that can give you everything... So, it depends on what you want to play. And, only you can say what your ears prefer...
2. If I had to choose between the Stingray Special and the Sadowsky Metroline? I'd probably get the Sadowsky. To me, Stingray H's are pretty much "a couple of trick ponies"; the tones they're famous for, are tones I don't really need; and the other tones they're capable of? I have basses that give me those tones already - and, TBH, do it better; I don't want or need another one. OTOH, the Sadowsky - if nothing else - is almost certainly more versatile. But, I have 25 basses already; the last thing I need is "versatile". Especially as I have... 3? that are plenty versatile, already. But, it's got that going for it, at least - and the Stingray... simply doesn't...
However... if I actually wanted a 5-string bass? If that was a 5HH Stingray Special? It would be no contest. My 4HH Stingray Special give me all kinds of useful tones; it's probably the most versatile bass I own...
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