Gary Grainger on Ken Smith and Stingray

[Dr. Cheese]

To my ears, Ken Smiths and Stingrays have complimentary tones. A bassist who sounds good on one will would good on the other. Of course, Dennis Chambers playing with you will make you sound good and John Schofield is killing it too.

Oh well, looking at videos beats shoveling all of that snow in the driveway!

 

[funkinbottom]

Yeah, Dennis Chambers is one of my favorite drummers.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

To my ears, Ken Smiths and Stingrays have complimentary tones. A bassist who sounds good on one will would good on the other. Of course, Dennis Chambers playing with you will make you sound good and John Schofield is killing it too.

Oh well, looking at videos beats shoveling all of that snow in the driveway!

Can you elaborate on what you are hearing and what you are saying?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Can you elaborate on what you are hearing and what you are saying?

I think the two tones are related because of the humbuckers and active electronics. The Smith is more mid focused and the Stingray is more scooped, but I think they are two varieties of the same thing, and Gary Grainger is a good example of how a bassist can use both tones.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I think the two tones are related because of the humbuckers and active electronics. The Smith is more mid focused and the Stingray is more scooped, but I think they are two varieties of the same thing, and Gary Grainger is a good example of how a bassist can use both tones.

Now I understand . Yes I agree.

 

[Element Zero]

2 great tones. I’ve never had the pleasure of playing a Smith (much to my dissapointment). From everything I’ve heard over the years, they sound incredible.

Older StingRays with the 2 band eq I agree are more scooped sounding. In my experience though, the three band and 3 way toggle versions can be incredibly aggressive in the mids.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

2 great tones. I’ve never had the pleasure of playing a Smith (much to my dissapointment). From everything I’ve heard over the years, they sound incredible.

Older StingRays with the 2 band eq I agree are more scooped sounding. In my experience though, the three band and 3 way toggle versions can be incredibly aggressive in the mids.

You make a great point. I find that the Ken Smith and ceramic pickup, pre Special 3band Stingrays are just too much for my ears . I can't intent o it for too long. It's not a sound that I find pleasing on its own. in a dense mix, I think they both shine and sound glorious. I love listening to Fred Hammond on a Ken Smith and Ricky Minor back up Whitney Houston.

These are both different takes on the more MODERN bass sound. You can always tell a Smith and a StingRay. I can also usually pick out a Spector, MTD and WAL. Most of the other modern basses I can't always distinguish between .

 

[Jugghaid]

I definitely love my PRS Gary Grainger 5

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I definitely love my PRS Gary Grainger 5

View attachment 7121798

Beautiful!

 

[alack]

I saw him with Scofield twice during my college years. IMHO the Stingray is Gary’s sound!

 

[Sid the Kid]

How long ago did that Stingray video take place? The Ray is an HS. Did he have the first by chance?

That said it’s really hard to top the Ken Smith tone, warm and present without being honky.

 

[Element Zero]

I definitely love my PRS Gary Grainger 5

View attachment 7121798

I’d love that too! Gorgeous.

 

[Element Zero]

warm and present without being honky.

Just like me

 

[Joshua Pickenpaugh]

The Blue Matter band back in the 80's is one thing that drove me to keep playing and learning in the 80's. Grainger and Chambers are amazing together. I guess they grew up together in Baltimore?

 

[songwriter21]

To my ears, Ken Smiths and Stingrays have complimentary tones. A bassist who sounds good on one will would good on the other. Of course, Dennis Chambers playing with you will make you sound good and John Schofield is killing it too.

Oh well, looking at videos beats shoveling all of that snow in the driveway!

Not to derail this thread, only that I saw Gary a week ago last Saturday, play with Paul Reed Smith's band, Eightlock. Absolutely phenomenal job and sound from Gary (duh) and the entire band. Loved that this show was only 30 min from me, as Paul and his band are also Marylanders.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Not to derail this thread, only that I saw Gary a week ago last Saturday, play with Paul Reed Smith's band, Eightlock. Absolutely phenomenal job and sound from Gary (duh) and the entire band. Loved that this show was only 30 min from me, as Paul and his band are also Marylanders.

Thanks for sharing!