Fleabasses sound better than Stingrays

[BrandonBass]

Yes, Im talking about the stingray knockoffs sounding better than the real thing itself. No doubt the real Rays are made of more expensive components and is prolly ahead of the fleabass in terms of finish and (maybe) playability. But I find that I consistently find the sound of a fleabass more appealing.

What I feel generally:

Stingray: clicky/sizzly high end, high mids pronounced, thin sounding g string, can still get low end from onboard eq but lacking low mids. Growly.

Fleabass: smoother treble, high mids still present but with a much stronger low mid presence, and a bassier G string. I would describe it as punchy

I found some clips on youtube for comparison, below is 2 bassists playing the same song. First the stingray:

YouTube - ‪Evolution - BECK [OST] [Bass cover]‬‏

Then, the fleabass:

YouTube - ‪Beck - EVOLUTION [Bass Cover]‬‏

Granted the 2nd bassist is arguably more proficient, the difference in the bass sound is pretty prominent.

 

[ChrisPbass]

can't comment on the basses but...

comparison fail. what are the circumstances of the recordings? room? outboard EQ? amp eq? camera mic vs real mic?
E
T
C
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[maturanesa]

mmm... and why flea use Stingrays and dont use flea basses?

 

[BKBassDude]

Is it just me or has Beck really changed his sound?

 

[ExurKun]

to me theres just no flavor to the flea bass if that makes sense. The stingray has a much better sound imo

 

[Tommygunn]

I love the fleabass to bits but its not a true statement.

The Ray is ballsier, hands down, and can be made to sound mellow too. Cut the mids and highs, as well as fix your pickup height. That will fix your ray problem.

 

[Tommygunn]

^That comment was made before even watching the videos.

And I was right. I bet you could gimme 10mins and I'd make the ray sound like the fleabass.

 

[TomA1234]

mmm... and why flea use Stingrays and dont use flea basses?

He used rays to begin with, but doesn't use them anymore.

Proof he uses fleabasses:
YouTube - ‪Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge [Live at Slane Castle] HD‬‏

You get a good view at 3:55

 

[neadams]

MM sounds better IMO

It's just a simple eq issue with the amp or bass, I don't even need 10 mins to get it sounding like it should, 1 min tops, just a couple twists of the knobs

The flea sounds pretty good in that environment, but put it through a system with that tone and it will sound muddy and will get lost.

 

[Tommygunn]

He used rays to begin with, but doesn't use them anymore.

Proof he uses fleabasses:
YouTube - ‪Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge [Live at Slane Castle] HD‬‏

You get a good view at 3:55

I actually only liked his Jazz and Modulas tones

 

[DennyOnBass]

Second bass player is digging in more, giving more growl. My Stingray would eat a Fleabass for lunch with no problem and look way better doing it.

 

[seungkoo]

Modulus fleabass ftw

 

[neadams]

Proof he uses fleabasses:
YouTube - ‪Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge [Live at Slane Castle] HD‬‏

That actually looks like the Modulus Flea (now called Funk Unlimited) not the Flea bass

Modulus Flea

Invalid Link Removed

 

[Jared Lash]

He used rays to begin with, but doesn't use them anymore.

Proof he uses fleabasses:
YouTube - ‪Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge [Live at Slane Castle] HD‬‏

You get a good view at 3:55

I actually only liked his Jazz and Modulas tones

That IS his Modulus. The Slane Castle show was recorded seven or eight years ago, LONG before the Flea Bass came about.

And personally I think his Wal tone was far better than any other of his tones, live or recorded.

That goes for Geddy Lee too.

 

[Tommygunn]

That IS his Modulus. The Slane Castle show was recorded seven or eight years ago, LONG before the Flea Bass came about.

And personally I think his Wal tone was far better than any other of his tones, live or recorded.

That goes for Geddy Lee too.

Mahh badd! I just was going off the comment, I didn't even look at the bass in the video.

 

[mcnach]

Yes, Im talking about the stingray knockoffs sounding better than the real thing itself. No doubt the real Rays are made of more expensive components and is prolly ahead of the fleabass in terms of finish and (maybe) playability. But I find that I consistently find the sound of a fleabass more appealing.

What I feel generally:

Stingray: clicky/sizzly high end, high mids pronounced, thin sounding g string, can still get low end from onboard eq but lacking low mids. Growly.

Fleabass: smoother treble, high mids still present but with a much stronger low mid presence, and a bassier G string. I would describe it as punchy

I found some clips on youtube for comparison, below is 2 bassists playing the same song. First the stingray:

YouTube - ‪Evolution - BECK [OST] [Bass cover]‬‏

Then, the fleabass:

YouTube - ‪Beck - EVOLUTION [Bass Cover]‬‏

Granted the 2nd bassist is arguably more proficient, the difference in the bass sound is pretty prominent.

Hey, whatever does it for you!

But if you judge two basses by youtube videos...

My Stingray experience is different from what you describe, and is my favourite.
I suggest you try the actual basses, if possible with similar equipment... and if you still prefer the Fleabass, then power to you! Win!

 

[P. Aaron]

I thought the sound was all in one's hands.

 

[staindbass]

you would have to hear them thru the same amp for an accurate comparison. no matter what bass you choose, i can find a youtube video where it sounds bad.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

you would have to hear them thru the same amp for an accurate comparison. no matter what bass you choose, i can find a youtube video where it sounds bad.

That's sig worthy!

 

[MikanHannille]

Hey, that's me playing on the first vid. I agree though that ken is a better player than me.
But I would like to say that on that video, I have my eq set flat on bass on my board. I can easily have a tone like him if I wanted to, but it's not the tone that I really dig.