• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Music Man Stingray 4 2EQ with contoured body?

SoulApprentice

SoulApprentice

Aug 15, 2016
113
203
Genoa - Italy
#1
The title says it all: I'm new to Stingrays, and wonder if someone can help me finding the right cure for my GAS...
I understand that 2 band EQ (which - from what I have read here and heard on YT - should be right for me) was originally only available in slab body Stingrays. I'm mostly a Fender Jazz player, and my limited experience with slab bodies is not positive... If my understanding is correct, then I guess I'm looking for something more recent, right? Like the "Classic" they sell now? Is it as contoured as a Jazz? And what about the "Old Smoothie"? I even have the opportunity to buy a decently priced "Old Smoothie BFR", but it is very difficult to say how contoured the body is from the pictures...
And yes, like Jaco I only play 4 strings :p so no need to discuss the 5 strings models...
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
 
#4
I'm guessing on the years (maybe 15 yrs ago), Music Man used to offer brand new 4 H Stingrays with 2 band. They were actually $30 or $40 cheaper than the 3 band. They had contoured bodies.

About 2 years ago, I bought a used 2 band Stingray and it was made in the 2000s. It was contoured.

Many rave that the 2 band sounds a little bit better than the 3 band. I personally didn't care much for the 2 band because there is no center indent for the bass and treble eq. Meaning that we just don't know exactly where the "flat" setting is. The 3 band does have center indent.

"To each his own."
 
  • Like
Reactions: packhowitzer
#8
SoulApprentice said:
I have heard the 2EQ are slightly smoother, but for me is also for the ease of dialing... three band is probably a bit too much!
Click to expand...

I’m lucky enough to have both. They both sounds very different. I wouldn’t rate one is better than the other, they’re just different. On some occasions, the 3 band is a bit harsher, and some other time the 2 band lack of thickness, but that’s what eq are for..you control them. I personally like the 3 band better just for ridiculous reason...imho Stingray look better with 4 knob and a body output jack...:D

here she is..

F3514E42-0572-4CDC-A3B9-C9F2300F9829.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Staccato, Arson-o, Yango and 4 others
#10
SoulApprentice said:
The title says it all: I'm new to Stingrays, and wonder if someone can help me finding the right cure for my GAS...
I understand that 2 band EQ (which - from what I have read here and heard on YT - should be right for me) was originally only available in slab body Stingrays.
Click to expand...

Nope it wasn't. When Ernie Ball bought Musicman in '84 all production StingRays changed to having contour bodies '85 and upward, the 2eq was always available as an option even after the 3eq was introduced in '87. You just gotta look everywhere, but you can usually find em for sale, even here on the talkbass classifieds. The slab Classic series came out around 2009, but the regular 2eq StingRays were still being made.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoulApprentice
#12
mikeswals said:
all production StingRays changed to having contour bodies '85 and upward, the 2eq was always available as an option even after the 3eq was introduced in '87. [...] The slab Classic series came out around 2009, but the regular 2eq StingRays were still being made.
Click to expand...
So, I'm looking for StingRays from 1985 on, excluding the "Classic" series (and Old Smoothie). Right?
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikeswals
#13
SoulApprentice said:
I have heard the 2EQ are slightly smoother, but for me is also for the ease of dialing... three band is probably a bit too much!
Click to expand...

The Stingray has a very strong mid range sound/tone. With the 3 band, that mid range can be cut down a lot. With my 3 band, when I want it, I can cut the mids, boast the bass a hair and cut the highs a hair and almost, almost sound like a P Bass. Can't do that with a 2 band.

With the 2 band, you can cut and boast the highs and lows but you never know where the "flat" setting is. You have to guess.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoulApprentice
#15
bassdude51 said:
The Stingray has a very strong mid range sound/tone. With the 3 band, that mid range can be cut down a lot. With my 3 band, when I want it, I can cut the mids, boast the bass a hair and cut the highs a hair and almost, almost sound like a P Bass. Can't do that with a 2 band.

With the 2 band, you can cut and boast the highs and lows but you never know where the "flat" setting is. You have to guess.
Click to expand...

However! Its not simply the same preamp with a mid knob wired in. The voicings are different between the two, with the 3eq having a more high mid and sizzly treble baked into it and getting this more clickety sound to it.
The 2eq is fatter sounding.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jim Carr, mudpup, Wolfhound32 and 4 others
#16
mikeswals said:
However! Its not simply the same preamp with a mid knob wired in. The voicings are different between the two, with the 3eq having a more high mid and sizzly treble baked into it and getting this more clickety sound to it.
The 2eq is fatter sounding.
Click to expand...
I have flats strung on my 3 band 'Ray. So, clickety clackity and sizzly is not an issue. When I did have my 2 band, I did appreciate it's warmth over the 3 band. But, IMHO the actual difference in sound between the 2 band and 3 band is about 10% more or less. Also, I never knew if the 2 band sounded warmer because I had the bass eq up from flat, since it's impossible to know where flat is with the indentless 2 band.

I actually like the 2 band better in a way. Simple to use and warmer sounding but not knowing where flat is really bothers me. The 2 band does lean the Stingray over more to a "one trick pony" than so with the 3 band.

Also, being able to tame down the 'Ray's dominate mid range (when needed) with the 3 band is a really big plus for me. Going up from "one trick pony".

Both 2 band or 3 band, "I wouldn't kick out of bed".

It's a matter of taste. Like with bourbon and whiskey.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoulApprentice
#17
SoulApprentice said:
The title says it all: I'm new to Stingrays, and wonder if someone can help me finding the right cure for my GAS...
I understand that 2 band EQ (which - from what I have read here and heard on YT - should be right for me) was originally only available in slab body Stingrays. I'm mostly a Fender Jazz player, and my limited experience with slab bodies is not positive... If my understanding is correct, then I guess I'm looking for something more recent, right? Like the "Classic" they sell now? Is it as contoured as a Jazz? And what about the "Old Smoothie"? I even have the opportunity to buy a decently priced "Old Smoothie BFR", but it is very difficult to say how contoured the body is from the pictures...
And yes, like Jaco I only play 4 strings :p so no need to discuss the 5 strings models...
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
If you search for 5 strings, then music man will be better, also profesional fender 5 is good too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SoulApprentice
#19
SoulApprentice said:
The title says it all: I'm new to Stingrays, and wonder if someone can help me finding the right cure for my GAS...
I understand that 2 band EQ (which - from what I have read here and heard on YT - should be right for me) was originally only available in slab body Stingrays. I'm mostly a Fender Jazz player, and my limited experience with slab bodies is not positive... If my understanding is correct, then I guess I'm looking for something more recent, right? Like the "Classic" they sell now? Is it as contoured as a Jazz? And what about the "Old Smoothie"? I even have the opportunity to buy a decently priced "Old Smoothie BFR", but it is very difficult to say how contoured the body is from the pictures...
And yes, like Jaco I only play 4 strings :p so no need to discuss the 5 strings models...
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

https://youtu.be/aJhTJp2QqFQ

this is the most beautiful 2 band eq Stingray I ever lay my eyes on..:drool:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pet Sounds and Wolfhound32
#20
bassdude51 said:
I have flats strung on my 3 band 'Ray. So, clickety clackity and sizzly is not an issue. When I did have my 2 band, I did appreciate it's warmth over the 3 band. [...]
Also, being able to tame down the 'Ray's dominate mid range (when needed) with the 3 band is a really big plus for me.
Click to expand...
Flats and highs rolled completely off is what I’ll try the minute I have a StingRay. One minute later I’ll go through my LPF... No clickety clackity in my watch!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back