Question for Sting Rays owners.

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't understand the Ray sounds like a Ray critique. All the really good basses have a distinctive sound. I know Jazz doesn't sound like a Precision, even with an S-1 switch. I doubt if anybody buys a Fodera hoping it will sound like a Ritter or a Sadowsky.

I think some people don't like Rays and when they hear one, they tune it out. Kind of like people who can't tell a Chinese person from a Japanese person and calls them all "Asian." I'm not equating Stingray dislike with racial intolerance, but I hope my point is clear.

 

[KeithPas]

Don't mean to hijack here but I saw some ray fans and have to ask. I've got a Sray 5 that I just don't play anymore. I'm mainly using my 55-01 and my KSD fretless 70j 5er. Gotta guy who I am corresponding with about making an even swap for my Sray and his PV Cirrus 6er. My bass is like new. He sent pics, very nice bass too, but he does not play it now like me with my ray. I want to try something radically different and this seems like a good opportunity for both of us to do that. Whadday think, he knows what sounds he wants from the ray, I don't really know what I'll get out of the Cirrus, but it'll sure be new to me. So, would you go for it? I know the decision is ultimatley mine, but just needed to run this by y'all. Thanks man, E.

I think I may have done a deal with the guy you are talking about. If his name is Ken he is a good guy and can be trusted. If the SR5 is not doing it for you then do the deal, value wise no one is getting taken advantage of. I am partial to the sound of SR5's so my personal opinion is that for the sake of tonal variety the SR5 will give you tones that the Peavey and the Lakland will not, whereas the 55-01 and the Cirrus may have some similarities tonally. I am not saying that they sound alike I am saying that they are both two pickup basses and similar tones can be coaxed from them with EQ.

 

[Michael Jewels]

For the pro-go words. I actually just got back from a local store that is a PV dealer and they had they exact same bass there in stock, so I was able to play it firsthand. This was a big concern for me trading basses sight unseen and sound unheard. But now I got a good idea of what to expect, a definite plus. Of course when I was playing it in the store it mainly felt like the 6th (C)string was just getting in the way of my playing, muscle memory and all. And when I tried to runs some scales from the B to the upper C, my left hand would not go past the 5th G string, I had to laugh, old habits. But the bass did sound nice with a tone that I can use in one of my bands. I really look forward to practicing with it and retraining my hands, I think I can do it. Hope the guy still has it now that I am hooked on learning to play a 6er. New gear is always cool, stange new gear, even cooler. Thanks again for the info, I 'll give my ray a X-O, send her on to be played again. Peace.

Ernie, I'm glad you got to play one first hand so quickly.

How did you like the neck?

I've only played a few 6ers myself, so I know what you mean about the muscle memory thing. I think it's much more noticeable on a 6er than one a 5er since the C string becomes the 1st string.

Good luck with your trade.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

I've owned a 5 string 'ray for about 3 years now. I honestly cannot think of one bad thing I can say about it. And those reports that say that stingrays are not versatile, are bogus. One might argue these basses were made for slapping, but tapping and other techniques sound great as well.

+1.

And they have pretty darn good B strings as well!

Mike

 

[Lebowski]

I don't understand the Ray sounds like a Ray critique. All the really good basses have a distinctive sound. I know Jazz doesn't sound like a Precision, even with an S-1 switch. I doubt if anybody buys a Fodera hoping it will sound like a Ritter or a Sadowsky.

I totally agree. I think versatility and sound are very different. Of course a Stingray doesn't sownd like a Sadowsky or Wal or Carvin. That's the point. If you want a bass that can get a certain tone, then go get that bass. Not a bass that can do a cheap impression. That's like saying I want to get Corvette performance out of a Toyota. They are different things. No one bass completly sounds like another. Maybe similar but...

 

[bassplayer2106]

I always wanted a stingray and finally bought one last October what a disapointment.It was sold after only four months.It just didn't suit my playing style.I do think that they're perhaps a little old fashioned.The new Bongo is supposed to be a lot more versatile - just a pity that it was designed by someone who couldn't draw.

 

[Funky Tune]

I always wanted a stingray and finally bought one last October what a disapointment.It was sold after only four months.It just didn't suit my playing style.I do think that they're perhaps a little old fashioned.The new Bongo is supposed to be a lot more versatile - just a pity that it was designed by someone who couldn't draw.

interesting words,always is best test the bass first.

 

[ErnieD]

Yeah KPas, it is Ken. I spoke to him for the first time this evening, he seemed like an OK guy. He seems to know
about basses and seems to have a few basses too. It puts me at ease to know you've dealt with him, I've been real shaky to send off my ray and hoping I will get something back in return, but it seems cool. And yeah, I can see where the ray has a distinctive tone and the PV and 55-01 can reproduce similar tones, good point, didn't really figure on that til now. But like bp2106's reply, the ray just does not have the tone for the style of music I been playing these past few months. Hey MJewel, the neck, hell the whole bass, felt good to me, just gotta try to incorporate that 6th string into the mix more. Well, we are waiting til Monday to FDEX our basses to each other, I feel good about the trade. I'll take this weekend to really mull over some of your thoughts here, alot of you have good points on the ray. It aint easy to send off my bass, as y'all can tell by all my posts here. I did do a search on here and LDLD site for Cirrus basses. Many had very good things to say about the quality and tone of this 6er. Here's hoping it'll work for me too. Later all.

 

[KeithPas]

I've traded a few basses so I know what you are feeling. The bottom line is, the Ray was'nt happening for you. I think you will be happy with the Cirrus, I don't think I have heard a negative thing about them, they are very,very good basses. Good Luck

 

[bassplayer2106]

interesting words,always is best test the bass first.

I did test the bass - it was only after getting home and sitting down with it that I started wondering what all the fuss was about with them.A friend of mine has a pre - Ernie ball model and I've heard him play that loads of times, and have been impressed with the sounds.It just didn't suit my style.I have quite a light playing style and seemingly people tell me that you have to play them hard to get the best out of them.

 

[Funky Tune]

I did test the bass - it was only after getting home and sitting down with it that I started wondering what all the fuss was about with them.A friend of mine has a pre - Ernie ball model and I've heard him play that loads of times, and have been impressed with the sounds.It just didn't suit my style.I have quite a light playing style and seemingly people tell me that you have to play them hard to get the best out of them.

ok i understand your situation,if impossible know all about one instrument in a single test in more than 20 or 30 minutes.Sadowsky is the best with 7 days of trial.

 

[Ian Perge]

Why don't you get your hands on a certain Peter gabriel track called "Sledgehammer" you could download it, you could buy it whatever.

There's a certain bald guy with a moustach called Tony Levin playing on that one. He used a Musicman stingray...

...except he didn't. "Sledgehammer" was recorded on a MusicMan Sabre fretless with a octave down effect.

But yes, your point remains. And as for tapping, harmonics, and other "tricks", John Myung certainly didn't have any problem getting them out of a StingRay on Dream Theater's first album.