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Lightweight (sort of?) Musicman 5?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by duke2004, Jul 31, 2022.

  1. Jul 31, 2022 #1
    duke2004

    duke2004 Supporting Member

    Mar 29, 2004
    Cambridge, Mass.
    Looking to get the MM sound in a 5 string without the oppressive weight.
    Yes I know you got to suffer if you want to bring the tone ...but maybe there's
    a TBer who can suggest something that has been known to be under 9 lb.s
    I would be buying used and am willing to search for limited editions or whatever,
    and I am also open to copy-cat brands. With that in mind Im also open to installing
    a MM pickup and appropriate guts into an existing routed off-brand.


    thanks for any ideas!
     
  2. Jul 31, 2022 #2
    winston

    winston Supporting Member

    May 2, 2000
    East Bay, CA
    The EBMM Specials in the last few years have included StingRay 5s under 9 pounds each, and 4s under 8. They're not cheap but seem to hold value well. Nothing really gets the StingRay sound like a StingRay...
     
    lomo, TyBo and groooooove like this.
  3. Jul 31, 2022 #3
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    Yup. No need for copy cats
     
  4. Jul 31, 2022 #4
    two fingers

    two fingers Opinionated blowhard. But not mad about it. Inactive

    Feb 7, 2005
    Eastern NC USA
    The only 5 string Ray Special Sweetwater seems to have in stock right now is 9 lbs 6 oz.
     
  5. Aug 1, 2022 #5
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2022
    petch, bassrique, lomo and 7 others like this.
  6. Aug 1, 2022 #6
    foal30

    foal30

    Dec 3, 2007
    New Zealand
    Tobias Growler are a good MM inspired instrument
     
    instrumentlevel, Reedt2000 and Trabeen like this.
  7. Aug 1, 2022 #7
    Dr. Cheese

    Dr. Cheese Gold Supporting Member

    Mar 3, 2004
    Metro St. Louis
    Considering what old Stingrays weigh, 9lbs 6oz is still very light.
     
    scowboy, Killing Floor, skyline_01 and 1 other person like this.
  8. Aug 1, 2022 #8
    joel the bass player

    joel the bass player Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2000
    Omaha, NE
    My Stingray5 Special is 8.0 lbs. Not sure what percentage of them come out that light but there are some out there.
     
    petch, dralionux, skyline_01 and 1 other person like this.
  9. Aug 1, 2022 #9
    duke2004

    duke2004 Supporting Member

    Mar 29, 2004
    Cambridge, Mass.
    Looking at some used Specials based on TB advice. I have played a Growler, fine instrument, just didnt bond.
     
    foal30 likes this.
  10. Aug 1, 2022 #10
    mikeswals

    mikeswals Supporting Member

    Nov 18, 2002
    Seattle / Tacoma
    No way on the Growler.
    I totally disagree, had one and tried more, it lacked the punch and edge that is Musicman, sounded very opposite.
     
    dralionux and Gizmot like this.
  11. Aug 1, 2022 #11
    JRA

    JRA my words = opinion Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 28, 2013
    Indianapolis and Cincinnati
    i came up thinking the same thing: that a heavy instrument = better tone.
    the problem with that thinking is that it's not true! :hyper:

    get an instrument that suits your 'comfort zone' re: weight. discard the old, wrong, 'painful' thinking --- good luck! :thumbsup:
     
    petch, lomo, dralionux and 3 others like this.
  12. Aug 1, 2022 #12
    bench

    bench

    Dec 28, 2007
    Germany
    Maruszczyk Jake or Jazzus with PU and electronics of your choice... He makes them really light if wanted...
     
  13. Aug 1, 2022 #13
    Lammchop93

    Lammchop93 Supporting Member

    Feb 4, 2007
    Louisville, KY
    G&L kiloton 5 with an empress body
     
    Reedt2000 and Trabeen like this.
  14. Aug 1, 2022 #14
    skyline_01

    skyline_01 Endorsing artist: Nordstrand Audio, Tsunami Cables

    Nov 14, 2006
    Lebanon, OH
    +1 for 'Ray Special. I have one and it's 8.8 lbs - wonderful instrument. I was under the impression that most of the Specials were somewhere near that weight range.
     
    dralionux likes this.
  15. Aug 1, 2022 #15
    jerry

    jerry Too old for a hiptrip Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 1999
    [​IMG]
    These look nice! Sandberg Cal central
     
    mcnach, petch, lomo and 3 others like this.
  16. Aug 1, 2022 #16
    Ric5

    Ric5 Supporting Member

    Jan 29, 2008
    Colorado
    I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
    BONGO 5

    [​IMG]
     
    mikewalker and Thundar like this.
  17. Aug 1, 2022 #17
    foal30

    foal30

    Dec 3, 2007
    New Zealand
    I like both versions of the Growler (Nashville and Arkansas)
    The second model strung with SS Rounds is the punchiest Bass I own.
    And I like my 2EQ Stingray Fretless:hyper:
     
  18. Aug 1, 2022 #18
    thunesBARROW

    thunesBARROW

    Apr 12, 2010
    New York
    Maybe a Warmoth custom build?
     
  19. Aug 1, 2022 #19
    Ronnie Pudding

    Ronnie Pudding

    Jan 14, 2016
    Not sure if the OP is particular about the color, but there is a StingRay 5 on Reverb right now with "8lbs 3oz" literally in the ad heading.

    Edit: Looks like Reverb ad is the same person that listed here on TB that mikeswals pointed to.
     
    Last edited: Aug 1, 2022