MM Stingray 5 or Carvin BB76

[TrebleFreeZone]

Hello fellow TBers! I have the opportunity to get a new bass in the next few weeks or so. But the decision comes down to a Music Man Stingray 5 or a Carvin Bunny Brunel sig 6 string. I know it all comes down to personal preference, but tell me what you guys think!

 

[chucko58]

I'd lean towards the Carvin BB76, having previously owned one. With the right pickup combo it will be more versatile than the Stingray. Both are narrow spaced instruments IIRC.

 

[mikeswals]

Depends greatly on how much characteristic voice you want in that bass. I've owned an LB76, which I consider to be on the polite or more transparent side of the spectrum.
I've owned several StingRay 5's and prefer them because they are more ballsy or aggressive in character to their tone, which works better for what I do.

 

[mmbongo]

Want a 6 string? BB76 is the obvious choice.

Want a 5 string? BB75

I can't take the weight and poor G string on the Stringray 5, they weigh a ton. You can get a BB configured how you want it and this design is the best one Carvin offers if you ask me.

 

[nurnay]

Depends greatly on how much characteristic voice you want in that bass. I've owned an LB76, which I consider to be on the polite or more transparent side of the spectrum.
I've owned several StingRay 5's and prefer them because they are more ballsy or aggressive in character to their tone, which works better for what I do.

^^ This

 

[Altitude]

Interesting choice. I had an LB75 about 10 years ago, and I thought its electronics were its weak point. I had a Stingray 5 about 5 years ago, and I thought its electronics were its strong point.

The 'Ray has a distinctive voice. The Carvin kind of sounds like a bass. Carvin electronics seem to have improved a lot in the last 10 years, though.

But - build quality and feel on Carvins is way underrated. They are often light, tight, and have great necks. Stingrays are sort of blunt instruments; built well but of thick heavy wood with necks that feel like baseball bats.

That is truly a choice between two really different basses.

 

[BassCliff]

Hi,

I'll admit, I'm a Carvin fanboy.

I've been playing my LB76 for almost 20 years. I own 4 other basses but the Carvin is my go-to axe.

The newer Carvin basses have even better electronics than mine. Fit and finish are great. They are excellent "bang for your buck" instruments. I use mine for modern country, vintage country, jazz, classic rock, pop, pit orchestra work, and even in church.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

 

[Sbociol]

I used to own a Carvin LB75 (first model with the offset dot inlays on the fretboard) and it was one of the most amazingly sounding and playing instruments I ever owned, I really kick myself for letting it go, I'd pick one over a MM any day.

 

[TrebleFreeZone]

Thanks for your guys' input! I currently own a Lb75 and love it to death, so I'm sure I'll feel right at home with another Carvin. I currently play in my adult praise and worship team and in two separate youth bands. I'm also in jazz ensemble at school. So a single pickup bass may be too balsy and not versatile enough for those fields.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I have owned a Carvin LB20 and currently have a Sting Ray 5. The Carvin got lost in the mix (I bought it to record with) and eventually I traded it off. The SR5 can be aggressive but it can be tamed down, also. I much prefer the fat neck over the skinny Carvin, and the MusicMan is ergonomically so superior to the Carvin shape, at least for me.

For what it's worth, I bought the 'Ray from the bass player in a local jazz group -- and he played it quietly enough that he complained about the fan noise in his Mesa/Boogie Walkabout amp. True story: a band mate told him that, if he could hear the fan, he ought to "turn it up." He may be the only bass player I know who has heard those words!

 

[Dave W]

I've owned several StingRay 5's and prefer them because they are more ballsy or aggressive in character to their tone, which works better for what I do.

+1

I can't take the weight and poor G string on the Stringray 5, they weigh a ton.

I own 2 SR5's and both of them are right around 9 lbs, one of them is slightly less actually.

 

[TrebleFreeZone]

I have owned a Carvin LB20 and currently have a Sting Ray 5. The Carvin got lost in the mix (I bought it to record with) and eventually I traded it off. The SR5 can be aggressive but it can be tamed down, also. I much prefer the fat neck over the skinny Carvin, and the MusicMan is ergonomically so superior to the Carvin shape, at least for me.



For what it's worth, I bought the 'Ray from the bass player in a local jazz group -- and he played it quietly enough that he complained about the fan noise in his Mesa/Boogie Walkabout amp. True story: a band mate told him that, if he could hear the fan, he ought to "turn it up." He may be the only bass player I know who has heard those words!

Wow that MM is gorgeous! Major GAS right now!

 

[inate_hex]

MM5 for me

 

[StuartV]

4 string Stingrays have baseball bat necks (I hear). The 5 strings have great feeling necks. Not bat-like at all.

A pre-2008 SR5 (thus having ceramic pickups) is my favorite bass sound, so that is definitely what I'd pick. Or, if buying new, a EBMM Sterling 5, as they have the same electronics as pre-2008 Stingray 5s.

 

[lpdeluxe]

Wow that MM is gorgeous! Major GAS right now!

Thank you. You ought to see it on a stand next to my fiesta red Classic '50 P and my bright yellow '51 P RI.

 

[Dave W]

4 string Stingrays have baseball bat necks (I hear).

The measurements are almost the same as a Fender B neck. Nothing close to a baseball bat neck IMO.

 

[nashman]

If you already have a Carvin, get a Ray for something different

 

[JHOODII]

I have A stingray 4 with 3band EQ I'm trying to sell. How do I post pics?