ok, does a Music Man qualify as a "traditional" bass?

IME, MM's are the standard when it comes to humbucking p/u's. i find applications where that sort of sound works better that sc's.

 

I'd say it's a modern traditional, a "moditional".

 

I initially thought yes but then remembered MMs are usually active.


So with Fenders and old hollow bodies as the litmus for traditional, I'd have to say no.



They do , however , kick much buttocks.

 

Sure, if you want to.

 

I absolutely think the StingRay qualifies as a traditional instrument. That is the main reason I still have mine - the idea that the P, J, MM, and dual soapbar are the four core bass configurations.

EDIT: Not everyone will agree, but I think a Stingray does the warm, thuddy, vintage tone every bit as well (and in some ways better) asa P bass. I still prefer a P to a Ray, though.

 

In the vein I think it is meant, yes, a Stingray would be considered traditional. Certainly not a Bongo, but active electronics aside, a Stingray, especially one in Sunburst, will fit into any band looking for "that vintage" look.

 

I agree in that I think a MM is one of those instruments that a top studio cat would be expected to be able to provide. If that is any kind of qualifier.
After Fender, I would certainly say MM is perhaps in the next tier of standard basses.

 

No one has balked at the Music Man in traditional situations. I've had a couple of record producers (nothing big or major) specifically ask for a Precision. Fair enough. Just looking for that P-bass look that makes them feel better. I get it.

 

They do nowadays, having been around for nearly 40 years. They certainly aren't modern.

When I think of what effectively the "archetypes" of bass are, I think of Stingray, Ric 4001, Jazz, and Precision (in no particular order).

 

Yes, a stingray will fit a traditional setting, but based on your comments about not getting along with P bass necks and geometry I would say "try before you buy". Stingrays have had different neck profiles over the years but they have more in common with a p bass than anything. (Unless you get the SLO neck).

Given that you like the higher end stuff, why not take a look at a Lull or Sadowsky? I seem to remember you playing a Lull at one point, so you know how nice they are.

 

I would definately say it's a Traditional. I guess it creeps into Modern with the Preamp and Modern sound in comparison to the Jazz/Precision. But it's Traditionl.

 

I consider The Stingray Traditional and very Classic. The Sterling also but not as much.

 

The Stingray design is only sixteen years younger than the Jazz Bass. At least half of the folks who post here weren't born in 1976 when they first came out.

 

YES... a StringRay is a traditional Active Bass. I got my 1st one in 1976 and played Country on it !... that's 39 years ago.... PLUS it was developed by the same guy that created the P BASS !

P.S. I forgot to add that I used Gibson Observers Flat Wound Strings at the time.

 

A Stingray definitely does

 

They bridge the gap between vintage and modern and do both pretty well.

 

you know, I once saw a local craigslist ad for a heavy rock band that ONLY wanted a bassist that played passive basses and tube amps. While I love my passive jazz, and my tube amps I immediately thought "here's a bunch of guys that listen with their eyes", because I KNOW i could get as good if not better of a heavy rock tone with my Stingray as with any passive bass. If you measure "traditional" by "being awesome for a long time", yes, a Stingray qualifies.

btw... Im all for having a good "look" for your band, and having an instrument that "fits" the music and band, but sometimes we all get waaaaay too caught up on visuals. I went to a show a few years ago locally where the opening band had real janky rigs and the bassist plugged in with this FUGLY pawnshop BC RICH looking knockoff and I thought "Oh boy, this'll be great!". Hell, I felt like such a prejudiced idiot as soon as they started playing. Their bassist was a BEAST of a player with impeccable timing that drove the whole band into amazingness. Two songs in I didnt care if he had been playing a ukelele!! He was playing a "traditional" crap instrument, but that made no difference at all!

 

Alnico yes. Ceramic no