• 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 Club | PART FIVE

#6,822
MIJ Fender Guy said:
Ernie Ball Group Flats
Click to expand...

Played in a set of EB Group IV flats on my 'Ray for nearly five years before I got the itch. I was grieved to take the Group flats off; they are so very musical to my ear.

Installed .040 - .095 DR Hi-Beams yesterday. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ics1974, GregC, Richard I and 2 others
#6,823
IMG_1501.jpeg

IMG_1485.jpeg

IMG_1488.jpeg


After years of trying different StingRays and never being satisfied, this is the one!!! This is the perfect StingRay. The build quality is impeccable, and the playing feel is marvelous. OF course, the 2-band pre is absolutely stellar.

Extremely low and forgiving action, it plays itself. Weight is 8.5 lbs. Current strings are GHS Pressurewounds L7200 and it's a match made in heaven for this bass.

The big mistake I made with a lot of other StingRays was insisting on using flats. They would sound so thin (or too boomy) and mid-pokey on any StingRay, and I went through ALL the brands, trust me. (3 bands would be better from lowering the mids a hair, but....still wouldn't wow me.)

Then, something crazy happened. I was about to sell this one TOO, so I removed the TI flats that were on it and strung it with some cheap EB Slinkys off Amazon (40-100) for the sale. I took pics, put it on Reverb, and put it in the case. Didn't plan on ever looking at it again.

A few weeks later I was bored so I took it out for bit. I was instantly reminded of what an INSANELY nice bass this is, the neck, WOW. But there's more. I ..actually....LIKED the rounds. Still hated the string noise, but I tried a few things and landed on the Pressurewounds and now I feel like a new man!!!!! I LOVE this bass!!!! It sounds EXACTLY like a late 70s record, so effortlessly.

Just look at how beautifully that nut is finished. Pure class:

IMG_1632.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry J, SteveCS, mpdd and 9 others
#6,825
MIJ Fender Guy said:
View attachment 7503766
View attachment 7503767
View attachment 7503772

After years of trying different StingRays and never being satisfied, this is the one!!! This is the perfect StingRay. The build quality is impeccable, and the playing feel is marvelous. OF course, the 2-band pre is absolutely stellar.

Extremely low and forgiving action, it plays itself. Weight is 8.5 lbs. Current strings are GHS Pressurewounds L7200 and it's a match made in heaven for this bass.

The big mistake I made with a lot of other StingRays was insisting on using flats. They would sound so thin (or too boomy) and mid-pokey on any StingRay, and I went through ALL the brands, trust me. (3 bands would be better from lowering the mids a hair, but....still wouldn't wow me.)

Then, something crazy happened. I was about to sell this one TOO, so I removed the TI flats that were on it and strung it with some cheap EB Slinkys off Amazon (40-100) for the sale. I took pics, put it on Reverb, and put it in the case. Didn't plan on ever looking at it again.

A few weeks later I was bored so I took it out for bit. I was instantly reminded of what an INSANELY nice bass this is, the neck, WOW. But there's more. I ..actually....LIKED the rounds. Still hated the string noise, but I tried a few things and landed on the Pressurewounds and now I feel like a new man!!!!! I LOVE this bass!!!! It sounds EXACTLY like a late 70s record, so effortlessly.

Just look at how beautifully that nut is finished. Pure class:

View attachment 7503778
Click to expand...
The love of a Stingray is the greatest love in the bass world!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry J, PrimitiveMan and _Obra_
#6,828
sve33 said:
Thank you much. It has only been 8 months, but I am sure I will play it eventually. She was doing so well, and right before she went into the hospital for the last time, I got her the stingray and an epiphone mij elitist casino. It is just hard to even pick them up. She barely got to play them either.
Click to expand...
My sincere condolences. Wishing you peace and healing.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Jerry J, LadyLoveStingRay5 and sve33
#6,829
raphaeldc said:
What strings are those?
Click to expand...
As another friend stated, EB Group Flats. Started trying 'em last year just for fun, 45-105 that time (on my "old" SR Classic, that I sold).
On that one, I put 45-100 instead. I prefer lighter E string on the 'Ray, and the Jazz Bass, too.

GwenOnBass said:
Played in a set of EB Group IV flats on my 'Ray for nearly five years before I got the itch. I was grieved to take the Group flats off; they are so very musical to my ear.

Installed .040 - .095 DR Hi-Beams yesterday. Louis, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Click to expand...

+1, I really like EB Flats - on the 'Ray, at least. Never tried them elsewhere.
Hi Beams are probably my favourite rounds, tho. 45-10x, depending on the bass 😊
 
#6,833
MIJ Fender Guy said:
have you tried GHS Pressurewounds? Never felt a better string on a Ray.
Click to expand...

My path from EB Group IV flats was
Smith Compressors
Black Beauties
Hi-Beams

"Brighter," is what I told Jason at Fret Nation each time. Compressors / Pressurewounds are brilliant on a 'Ray. Huge mids, it's magik. Jason said "Hi-Beams" when I said brighter but bought Black Beauties at the same time. All good experience with them, but .. brighter

and I am going to enjoy the [colorful word] breaking them in.

What I find today is Hi-Beams are very responsive to technique.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GregC
#6,834
GwenOnBass said:
My path from EB Group IV flats was
Smith Compressors
Black Beauties
Hi-Beams

"Brighter," is what I told Jason at Fret Nation each time. Compressors / Pressurewounds are brilliant on a 'Ray. Huge mids, it's magik. Jason said "Hi-Beams" when I said brighter but bought Black Beauties at the same time. All good experience with them, but .. brighter

and I am going to enjoy the [colorful word] breaking them in.

What I find today is Hi-Beams are very responsive to technique.
Click to expand...
The Smiths are nice but they have a tense D. The GHS L7200 corrects this.

Also, if your ray is through body, check out the TI JR364 - the super long scale with a bigger gauge. Sublime!!! Super balanced and smooth.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass
#6,836
MIJ Fender Guy said:
The Smiths are nice but they have a tense D. The GHS L7200 corrects this.

Also, if your ray is through body, check out the TI JR364 - the super long scale with a bigger gauge. Sublime!!! Super balanced and smooth.
Click to expand...

Yes, mine is string-through only. Two string changes ago I measured the length from ball end to nut and the speaking length of the installed 4th string is 36.5 inches.

I didn't believe it, and measured again, and again. Still 36.5 inches. I really kind of don't still believe it, but a tape measure is reality. Which opens a whole world of strings available for the old 'Ray that I didn't know were in the play.

Also swore by all things great and small I would never play stainless steel string again :woot:
 
#6,837
GwenOnBass said:
Yes, mine is string-through only. Two string changes ago I measured the length from ball end to nut and the speaking length of the installed 4th string is 36.5 inches.

I didn't believe it, and measured again, and again. Still 36.5 inches. I really kind of don't still believe it, but a tape measure is reality. Which opens a whole world of strings available for the old 'Ray that I didn't know were in the play.

Also swore by all things great and small I would never play stainless steel string again :woot:
Click to expand...
The super long scale TI jazz rounds are incredible. Keep them in mind. It's a 101 E.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GwenOnBass

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back