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Help- Should I buy a Stingray? if so, what kind?

jazznrick

jazznrick

Apr 28, 2006
1,052
1,021
36
Woodlands, Texas
#1
Hello fellow TB'ers,
I've played bass for 21 years. Yikes. My favorite basses I've owned are 4003s and P basses. I own a real estate brokerage now and don't spend nearly the amount of time I used to playing, but I do like to have a nice bass around. When I started my new business this year I sold all of my basses for some capital, and have gotten to the point where I can get a new one.

Save for Guild, Thunderbird and G and L, I have owned nearly non boutique bass that isn't a Stingray. I have the itch to buy one.

When I play, I play a lot of post-punk, rock, indie, and classic rock.

I'm REALLY into pedals. Overdrive, chorus, fuzz, analog octave down. Will an active Stingray make this harder?

I think I would like an EBMM American Stingray. Is there an option to have them passive, or are they just active?

I lean towards getting the 4H because that is the classic look. Can you get the 4H sound out of other configurations? I typically do not like P basses with a J bridge pickup, I don't think you can get the 100 percent P sound.

I couldn't believe a brand new EBMM Stingray 4H is $2500. The used market is pretty robust as well. I care less about the cost than the resale value in case I flip it.

If anyone wants to talk me into a G and L over a Stingray, go for it.

Are the Sterlings in the same ballpark? The Marcus Miller new copies?

Thank you so much for your time. Can't wait to hear your opinions.
 
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#3
I’ll get in my standard recommendation for a used Ibanez ATK, and will tack on my standard paraphrasing of @Dr. Cheese about what Ibanez accomplished with that series: rather than a Stingray clone, Ibanez created a Stingray alternative. Mine has kept me from seriously considering a Stingray for nearly 30 years :D

IMG_1008.jpeg
 
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#4
I agree. Used Stingray Special. The Special is, IMHO, the best sounding Stingray. EBMM products are pricey, but, they have the best quality control and fit and finish of any production bass. I love the Stingray sound and do not use pedals.

Having said that, and having played EBMM basses from 1998-2022, I sold them and went with the made in Indonesia Sterling By Music Man basses. These may be an option for you since you are using pedals all the time and not relying on the "stock" Stingray sound.

FWIW, I use the lowest-priced SUB series. With a proper set up, moving the pickups low in the body, and a bit of tweaking the onboard eq, I can get a convincing Stingray sound. Having had both the USA and Indonesia models, I could A/B them.

The feel and fit and finish of the USA Instrument is much better. I don't play professionally anymore, so the alleged "downgrade" is just fine for me and the SUB series sounds and plays fantastic.

Something to think about.
 
Last edited:
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#5
jazznrick said:
I think I would like an EBMM American Stingray. Is there an option to have them passive, or are they just active?.
Click to expand...

Im not understanding why you would want a passive Stingray when the sound that attracted you to a Stingray is active and can’t be had without the active preamp. Maybe close enough for someone that can’t stand the idea of an active instrument.

And the Stingray won’t do a P bass, jazz bass, or a PJ. And nothing else will do a Stingray.

Stingray preamps will be fine with pedals.
 
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#9
jazznrick said:
Hello fellow TB'ers,
I've played bass for 21 years. Yikes. My favorite basses I've owned are 4003s and P basses. I own a real estate brokerage now and don't spend nearly the amount of time I used to playing, but I do like to have a nice bass around. When I started my new business this year I sold all of my basses for some capital, and have gotten to the point where I can get a new one.

Save for Guild, Thunderbird and G and L, I have owned nearly non boutique bass that isn't a Stingray. I have the itch to buy one.

When I play, I play a lot of post-punk, rock, indie, and classic rock.

I'm REALLY into pedals. Overdrive, chorus, fuzz, analog octave down. Will an active Stingray make this harder?

I think I would like an EBMM American Stingray. Is there an option to have them passive, or are they just active?

I lean towards getting the 4H because that is the classic look. Can you get the 4H sound out of other configurations? I typically do not like P basses with a J bridge pickup, I don't think you can get the 100 percent P sound.

I couldn't believe a brand new EBMM Stingray 4H is $2500. The used market is pretty robust as well. I care less about the cost than the resale value in case I flip it.

If anyone wants to talk me into a G and L over a Stingray, go for it.

Are the Sterlings in the same ballpark? The Marcus Miller new copies?

Thank you so much for your time. Can't wait to hear your opinions.
Click to expand...
Yes. Buy one. Buy my 2013 Stingray Classic. Let's make a deal!
 
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#11
I've owned lots of Stingrays, still own three, and have used one particular Stingray live many hundreds of times.

It's a personal thing, but I am very happy with a simple 9-volt three-band.

Very personal opinions - I don't like the slab bodies on the Classic and other models. I also don't care for the models with the slimmer necks. I also don't much like the Classics with the "finished" neck quite as much. I've owned several two-bands, both pre and post EBMM and they certainly have their "thing" if you're prepared to bend your will to Their Ways.

But for me, the "classic" (small "c" classic that, is not the "Classic Stingray" model -sigh-) will always be the simple 9 volt, 3-band, contoured body, unfinished neck (yes I know they have a treatment on them, but you know what I mean).
 
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#16
bigswifty1 said:
I've owned lots of Stingrays, still own three, and have used one particular Stingray live many hundreds of times.

It's a personal thing, but I am very happy with a simple 9-volt three-band.

Very personal opinions - I don't like the slab bodies on the Classic and other models. I also don't care for the models with the slimmer necks. I also don't much like the Classics with the "finished" neck quite as much. I've owned several two-bands, both pre and post EBMM and they certainly have their "thing" if you're prepared to bend your will to Their Ways.

But for me, the "classic" (small "c" classic that, is not the "Classic Stingray" model -sigh-) will always be the simple 9 volt, 3-band, contoured body, unfinished neck (yes I know they have a treatment on them, but you know what I mean).
Click to expand...
1990 - 95! The best
 
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#18
jazznrick said:
Hello fellow TB'ers,
I've played bass for 21 years. Yikes. My favorite basses I've owned are 4003s and P basses. I own a real estate brokerage now and don't spend nearly the amount of time I used to playing, but I do like to have a nice bass around. When I started my new business this year I sold all of my basses for some capital, and have gotten to the point where I can get a new one.

Save for Guild, Thunderbird and G and L, I have owned nearly non boutique bass that isn't a Stingray. I have the itch to buy one.

When I play, I play a lot of post-punk, rock, indie, and classic rock.

I'm REALLY into pedals. Overdrive, chorus, fuzz, analog octave down. Will an active Stingray make this harder?

I think I would like an EBMM American Stingray. Is there an option to have them passive, or are they just active?

I lean towards getting the 4H because that is the classic look. Can you get the 4H sound out of other configurations? I typically do not like P basses with a J bridge pickup, I don't think you can get the 100 percent P sound.

I couldn't believe a brand new EBMM Stingray 4H is $2500. The used market is pretty robust as well. I care less about the cost than the resale value in case I flip it.

If anyone wants to talk me into a G and L over a Stingray, go for it.

Are the Sterlings in the same ballpark? The Marcus Miller new copies?

Thank you so much for your time. Can't wait to hear your opinions.
Click to expand...
They're all active except for the Joe Dart, the short scale, and the SUB bass.

The main difference between the ernie ball, and the Sterling (besides quality), is that EB rays are wired in parallel, and Sterling rays are wired in series.

EB = more snap
Ster = more mids

But, both lines are very mid forward, and honky instruments anyway. Very very clear sounding.

Pick one.

Oh, and the 2 band pre amps sound better on both. Plus, simpler layout.
 
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