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My experiences with the new (and old) Stingrays
- Thread starter birminghambass
- Start date
The height adjustment screws or the intonation screws? No problems with either, why do you ask?
I was referring to the string height saddle grub screws as I have had to replace two of mine and I wondered if any Classic owners had encountered the same problem.
Great thread. I previously owned a 2014 H (black/rosewood) and now own a new 2019 special (black/maple). My 2014 was great but I ended up selling it for three reasons. No. 1 - the neck; it was incredibly unstable and I felt I could breathe on it, and it'd move (Note: I am OCD about relief measurements so take that for what you will). No 2. - EQ; I could never achieve the versatility I wanted. The upper mid/highs were always there, which was good if that was the sound I wanted, but I never could EQ it out for more organic sounds. No. 3 - the G string; it sounded thin no matter what (this has been discussed ad nauseum).
The SS is a huge upgrade in my opinion. While the weight of basses never bothers me, this bass IS lighter. Also, the roasted neck is super stable and it feels they changed the oil/wax blend for the better. The EQ points/pickup are great as well. I can get an aggressive tone if I want, but I can also boost lows and cut mids/highs in varying degrees to get a more mellow tone. The strings are even and the G string retains some weight.
I agree with others that the old bridge was a better look; however, if I have to give that up to achieve the improvements, then I'm all for it. EBMM did a really good job on these basses.
The SS is a huge upgrade in my opinion. While the weight of basses never bothers me, this bass IS lighter. Also, the roasted neck is super stable and it feels they changed the oil/wax blend for the better. The EQ points/pickup are great as well. I can get an aggressive tone if I want, but I can also boost lows and cut mids/highs in varying degrees to get a more mellow tone. The strings are even and the G string retains some weight.
I agree with others that the old bridge was a better look; however, if I have to give that up to achieve the improvements, then I'm all for it. EBMM did a really good job on these basses.
Value your opinion as it helped me determine my thoughts on the new Stingray Special. I wanted to ask you since you prefer the 2-band and Classic Stingrays.. what do you think of the Stingray Old Smoothie line? They sound really good in my opinion and get that zing sound when treble is maxed. They're almost like a Classic but use Alder.I hear ya brother! If all goes well, I should be getting a Classic Stingray natural next week.
And it's allegedly only 9.1 lbs! That's pretty low weight for a Classic.
Thanks for the kind words man! I do love the 2 banders, but I love the older 3 banders equally now. Love the 2 banders for the old school Stingray tone and the 3 banders for the raunchier, 90s funk punk rock stuff.
I didn't end up grabbing that 2 bander, I ended up downsizing my bass collection to just 2 basses (a Precision and a 3 band Stingray). Happened just before the Coronavirus situation so it ended up being a smart choice.
Now, as for the Old Smoothie - I haven't tried one myself, unfortunately, but I did check out quite a few clips of it. It sounds great to me, nice old school thump if you use flats, and a slightly different 2 band preamp than the Classic series (I think they wanted to emulate the prototype and pre-eb Stingrays, so this preamp is epoxied). How much more difference between these two preamps? I honestly don't know. Viaceslav Svedov has a couple of great videos on Youtube with his Old Smoothie, check it out if you haven't. I guess it has slightly less attack since the pole pieces are between strings.
Sorry I couldn't help more. I do really dig their tone. That said, being somewhat of a "purist" that I am (well not really, but maybe just a bit), I'd go for a standard 2 bander first - but that's mostly because I'm used to the size of the standard Ray pickup (and the tone it comes with it) and the classic look that I like more.
My favorite is the oddly uncommon 2-band Standard Stingray. Not sure if they even make it anymore, but it was the best of all worlds. 2 band sound, modern body contour, non-figured neck, and solid bridge saddles. I honestly don't understand why they even needed to build the Classic range. The 2 band standard was the Classic with a more reliable neck and contoured body.
3 Stingrays (with a step sister in the back) - 92 fretless, 95 and a 19 special:
I like it a lot!
It has become my main bass.
When I play with it in rehearsals it's like a grown up has arrived.
I had. It really depends on the string gauge and type.
I’m using Ernie Ball Cobalts 045-130 and the B is fairly high on the fretboard compared to the other strings.
I’m using Ernie Ball Cobalts 045-130 and the B is fairly high on the fretboard compared to the other strings.
You must be my sister from another mother because I am thinking what you are thinking when it comes to the USA SUB’s. They should be included. During the early Nineties, I had a Sabre. Sadly, I did not keep it long enough to really get a handle on it. I also a Pre-Ernie Ball Stingray, and it was exactly what anyone would imagine a Stingray should be. I had a few Stingray 5’s, and I think the
single humbucker is a perfect configuration. I had a HH5 Stingray that I loved other than it was 12lbs. I think the US SUBs are the great unsung Music Man basses. They are super plain, but their tone and playability is top notch. I am kicking myself for selling my SUB5 this summer. I should get my SUB Sterling back shortly, and I won’t let it go again.
As for the Stingray Specials, they are incredible! I especially love the single humbucker version.
I agree with you here, I voted "standard non special" too, because they to me they pretty much have the best overall characteristics. You get a choice of 3 band or 2 band (I love either), contours, bridge that isn't through body (not a fan of those), non figured necks (early 90s ones do have figured necks, but alright), solid saddles. You can hunt for those that have lacquered figured necks (early 90s), hunt for bridge mutes or no mutes, body through or no body through stringing, standard nut or compensated nut, 2 band or 3 band. Neck finish is easily remedied if you don't like bare necks - just add more coats of Tru Oil.
I've tested string through VS bridge through on my previous Fender Pro Jazz, and the strings felt noticeably tauter to me, like they had more tension when I put them through the body.
Since I'm used to the way my roundwound Super Slinkies feel through bridge, and I love that particular feel/tension, I just didn't jive with it. Also, I feel safer that I won't break them (I tend to really dig in live when we go berserk) because the break angle isn't as pronounced. But it's mostly a feel thing for me.
The Fender I have has string through body or top load. Will have to see how they sound through body.
