Ibanez Prestige vs EBMM StingRay Special vs Sadowsky Satin

[Bassist484754]

Hi guys I'm about to get a bass mainly for recording. My budget is about under $3k, more or less.

The new SR special is appealing to me, haven't tried it though. I wanted to get it ordered but I'm kinda worried about the signature aggressive SR sound. Don't be mad at me, it sounds great but because it's for recording, I just feel sometimes the aggressiveness makes it less versatile. I mainly play pop, classic rock and 80s rock but sometimes have to record other genres. The Ibanez prestige seems good and versatile enough, can be less aggressive. The Sadowsky satin is not cheap but in my budget. It's kinda the "ultimate" bass imo.

Anyway, has anyone tried the SR special? I heard it's more versatile than the regular one but I don't know whether I can get rid of the signature SR sound when I need to. If you choose one from the three, which would you choose? The Sadowsky is a few hundreds more I believe. Thanks!

 

[Lesfunk]

I would give the sadowsky serious consideration, especially for recording

 

[MobileHolmes]

You're at a point where they're all going to be well made (though my suspicion is that the sadowsky will have a better set up and probably more attention to detail). It really comes down to sound. I can't speak to the Ibanez, but as a stingray owner, it would not be my choice, as I just don't find it that vesatile (what it does, it does very well, but I prefer my J style as an all arounder). Tons of pros record with sadowskys because they record well and are pretty versatile. If it fits your budget, that would be my choice.

The other thing you might consider is something like a G&L L-2000. They have super flexible electronics and can give a pretty wide variety of tones

 

[Bassist484754]

I would give the sadowsky serious consideration, especially for recording

Thanks. What do you think about the 21 fret J vs 24 fret Modern? Maybe 21 fret is the better choice because of the bridge pickup location on 24 fret modern?

 

[Bassist484754]

You're at a point where they're all going to be well made (though my suspicion is that the sadowsky will have a better set up and probably more attention to detail). It really comes down to sound. I can't speak to the Ibanez, but as a stingray owner, it would not be my choice, as I just don't find it that vesatile (what it does, it does very well, but I prefer my J style as an all arounder). Tons of pros record with sadowskys because they record well and are pretty versatile. If it fits your budget, that would be my choice.

The other thing you might consider is something like a G&L L-2000. They have super flexible electronics and can give a pretty wide variety of tones

Thanks. I really like SR but its signature sound does push me away, though it does what it does pretty pretty well.

 

[Lesfunk]

Thanks. What do you think about the 21 fret J vs 24 fret Modern? Maybe 21 fret is the better choice because of the bridge pickup location on 24 fret modern?

That's entirely up to you
I personally like a 20-22 fret neck
To be honest any one of those basses would do the job well
The Sadowsky has a level of fit and finish that outshine the others, especially the beautiful wiring job inside the control cavity

 

[MobileHolmes]

I have anywhere from 20 to 24 fret basses. I don't find the extra frets all that useful but depending on what you do you might.

 

[Bassist484754]

Oh right their metroexpress basses. Seems like a great option.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[MobileHolmes]

Thanks. What do you think about the 21 fret J vs 24 fret Modern? Maybe 21 fret is the better choice because of the bridge pickup location on 24 fret modern?

My inclination would be that either would work, but the 21 fret j is probably more versatile?

 

[rashrader]

Just make sure it has hum cancelling pickups.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Hi guys I'm about to get a bass mainly for recording. My budget is about under $3k, more or less.

The new SR special is appealing to me, haven't tried it though. I wanted to get it ordered but I'm kinda worried about the signature aggressive SR sound. Don't be mad at me, it sounds great but because it's for recording, I just feel sometimes the aggressiveness makes it less versatile. I mainly play pop, classic rock and 80s rock but sometimes have to record other genres. The Ibanez prestige seems good and versatile enough, can be less aggressive. The Sadowsky satin is not cheap but in my budget. It's kinda the "ultimate" bass imo.

Anyway, has anyone tried the SR special? I heard it's more versatile than the regular one but I don't know whether I can get rid of the signature SR sound when I need to. If you choose one from the three, which would you choose? The Sadowsky is a few hundreds more I believe. Thanks!

Stingray Special HH has every sound you could want for recording. The new pickups and preamp are a lot less barky and aggressive than the old ones. It's also the finest bass I have ever owned or played. I was able to sell my p bass after I got it.

 

[Stranger Danger]

You're at a point where they're all going to be well made (though my suspicion is that the sadowsky will have a better set up and probably more attention to detail). It really comes down to sound. I can't speak to the Ibanez, but as a stingray owner, it would not be my choice, as I just don't find it that vesatile (what it does, it does very well, but I prefer my J style as an all arounder). Tons of pros record with sadowskys because they record well and are pretty versatile. If it fits your budget, that would be my choice.

The other thing you might consider is something like a G&L L-2000. They have super flexible electronics and can give a pretty wide variety of tones

Do you have a new Stingray Special or the old Stingray? Very different tonal options. Especially in the HH.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

This is a tough call and a great dilemma to have.

I've never played an Ibanez Prestige but do own Sadowsky (Metro UV70) and StingRay (Classic 4H, 2 band eq). Both could deliver the aforementioned styles in spades IMO. StingRay might have an edge for 80's classic rock though.

I don't know if this matters to you but the StingRay has a tighter string spacing. Both basses sound fantastic if slap is your thing. There are some specific genres where I'd choose one bass over the other as listed below.

Sadowsky:
Blues
Jazz (Bossa nova in my case)
Accompanying acoustic guitars or piano
Folk, Country, Reggae

StingRay:
Finger funk (incl. Disco)
Hard Rock
Metal
Cool Jazz
Some chordal stuff = narrower neck
Sade, Chic, Queen, Mark King covers

 

[aproud1]

I think the new stingray special would be my pick. The new HH model seems very versatile and think the new electronics would work well in the studio. Unless you want a jazz bass sound then I'd go for the Sadowsky.

The Ibanez is a great bass but has a tone that doesn't seem to work for everyone. I like it myself. But you know...

 

[blue4]

The SR tone is rarely described as signature or aggressive. Out of the three basses you have posted I'd say the SR is the most versatile. The others have way more of a signature sound then a SR does.

I'd say go with the SR. IMO they are chameleons, they fit anywhere. There's no genre a stock SR cannot fit seamlessly into.

 

[p12bassnut]

Hi guys I'm about to get a bass mainly for recording. My budget is about under $3k, more or less.

The new SR special is appealing to me, haven't tried it though. I wanted to get it ordered but I'm kinda worried about the signature aggressive SR sound. Don't be mad at me, it sounds great but because it's for recording, I just feel sometimes the aggressiveness makes it less versatile. I mainly play pop, classic rock and 80s rock but sometimes have to record other genres. The Ibanez prestige seems good and versatile enough, can be less aggressive. The Sadowsky satin is not cheap but in my budget. It's kinda the "ultimate" bass imo.

Anyway, has anyone tried the SR special? I heard it's more versatile than the regular one but I don't know whether I can get rid of the signature SR sound when I need to. If you choose one from the three, which would you choose? The Sadowsky is a few hundreds more I believe. Thanks!

What exactly is an SR Special ? I don't see that on their web site.

 

[Flaked Beans]

This is a tough call and a great dilemma to have.

I've never played an Ibanez Prestige but do own Sadowsky (Metro UV70) and StingRay (Classic 4H, 2 band eq). Both could deliver the aforementioned styles in spades IMO. StingRay might have an edge for 80's classic rock though.

I don't know if this matters to you but the StingRay has a tighter string spacing. Both basses sound fantastic if slap is your thing. There are some specific genres where I'd choose one bass over the other as listed below.

Sadowsky:
Blues
Jazz (Bossa nova in my case)
Accompanying acoustic guitars or piano
Folk, Country, Reggae
View attachment 3416853

StingRay:
Finger funk (incl. Disco)
Hard Rock
Metal
Cool Jazz
Some chordal stuff = narrower neck
Sade, Chic, Queen, Mark King covers
View attachment 3416849

Very good. And that ebmm reflex bass would be an excellent choice for polka dots and moonbeams (and some other songs in that style) and a brilliant bass for el sonidito!


Ps. My ebmm stingray is very good for modern country music (chris stapleton, for example) and led zeppelin songs.
View attachment 3416920

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Very good. And that ebmm reflex bass would be an excellent choice for polka dots and moonbeams (and some other songs in that style) and a brilliant bass for el sonidito!


Ps. My ebmm stingray is very good for modern country music (chris stapleton, for example) and led zeppelin songs.
View attachment 3416920

I was nodding off on my couch then watched the video... twice. My wife said her Game of Throne episode is ruined

 

[Jehos]

If you're buying for recording, I'd honestly go with two basses. Something like a Lakland 55-94 that is a chameleon (it can impersonate a Jazz, a MM, and a Warwick), and a good old Fender Precision. The main would be the P-bass, there's just something about those and how they sit in mixes. The Lakland would be to throw out some tonal options if the P doesn't work.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Thanks. What do you think about the 21 fret J vs 24 fret Modern? Maybe 21 fret is the better choice because of the bridge pickup location on 24 fret modern?

I also happened to have a Sadowsky Modern4-24 as well. Mine sports soap bar pickups (they have hum cancelling single coil version as well). It's a fantastic bass but certainly not the most utilitarian bass out there. For finger funk it's almost untouchable IMO. It's got lots of burpy 'space-between-notes' goodness. I like the front pick up solo'ed for angry throaty p bass vibe when called for. I find 24 frets very usable and it's fun stretching out high up.