• 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.

Musicman Stingray?

dabass

dabass

Supporting Member
Sep 27, 2005
675
874
Connecticut
#1
I let a 79 MM stingray go last year...big mistake! Amazing tone really filled the room tremendous bottom. I'm back in the market for one, considering all possibilities. Can anyone discribe tonal differences 70's, 80's 90's and new MM stingrays.
 
#4
tdizzle said:
No doubt, the first thing that people will say about Stingrays mid 80s and beyond is the 3 band pre-amp, as opposed to the two band of earlier years. People really seem to prefer the two band eq. They say it sounds better. They both sound good to me.
Click to expand...


with my 1990 ray I find my favorite sounds come when I have the mid's Flat and then I just tweak the treb and bass a tiny bit OR once the knob rolls past 1/2 way a bit its like love--> with a pick,,,, fingers I need to go a bit more on the bass and treb and then set the mid a hair past 1/2
 
#5
tdizzle said:
No doubt, the first thing that people will say about Stingrays mid 80s and beyond is the 3 band pre-amp, as opposed to the two band of earlier years. People really seem to prefer the two band eq. They say it sounds better. They both sound good to me.
Click to expand...

I wouldn't say that people prefer the two band. I think there has been some recent interest expressed by a few here on TB in the two band, but the vast majority of SRs sold have the three band preamp. I actually prefer the three band.
 
#8
tdizzle said:
No doubt, the first thing that people will say about Stingrays mid 80s and beyond is the 3 band pre-amp, as opposed to the two band of earlier years. People really seem to prefer the two band eq. They say it sounds better. They both sound good to me.
Click to expand...


I have never played a bass with a 2 band preamp that I liked. Even some 3 band preamps suck. I prefer a 4 band or a 3 with sweepable mids.
 
#10
Again, many will attribute that "fuller" tone to the 2 band. One thing that is certain, is that the overall consistency of fit and finish of the instruments has improved drastically since the Ernie Ball acquisition. One thing you might want to consider is feel. The EB stingrays do feel quite different to the earlier versions, mostly due to the 11 inch fret board radius, as opposed to the 7.25 inch radius of the older ones (more Fender like). This new Classic Stingray that is coming out in January might be right up your alley.
 
#12
dabass said:
Has the workmanship, quality and tone of the bass changed drastically over the years? It seems the older ones have a much "richer fuller tone".
Click to expand...

The older SR's have a different pre-amp circuit that is no longer produced. This and other factors give the older basses "That Sound" IMHO.
 
#14
Owned a pre EB and LOVED the one sound it had. Great sounding bass, but REALLY HEAVY. Mine was at least 12 pounds. I think there is a difference between the 3 and 2 band and think the 3 band is more subtle at the extremes than the 2 band.

Overall you can't go wrong with either. The workmanship is exceptional on any of the EB instruments that I have seen made since the 90's. Get a new stingray and call it a day!
 
#16
Note how most say they "loved" the pre-EB MM's. In the past tense. If they really loved it that much they wouldn't have sold the things.


The 3-band MM's are much preferred by the majority of SR players. That's why EB makes them that way. The 2-band pre-amp praise is really nothing more than retro-fetish.
 
#17
I have a two band '86 stingray that I love. I don't even get to play it much as I need a fiver for gigs these days but I won't get rid of it ever. It is punchy, fits my hand perfectly and has a fantastic tone. I do think the modern rays sound much the same (wonder if anyone could really pick em in a blind A/B test). However the fret board radius and feel of my ray is better than I have experienced on modern rays. Fit and finish is amazing compared to my '83 fender. A keeper IMO.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back