regular stingray VS classic Stingray

[James Simonson]

Different body, neck, bridge, string thru, nut, pre., battery door.

When compared to a VINTAGE PRE ERNIE BALL MM there's also a different neck plate, truss rod, knobs, pickup (longer poles) and pre (different shape but same circuit but does not use tantalum caps.) My 77' has tiny frets.

From what I've gathered, the only things that remain the same are the tuning machines, strap buttons and the banana plate.

Regardless of changes, without a doubt, Ernie Ball makes the finest production models in the US. A real American company that is committed to quality.

I've been happy with all models. I played a rosewood, poplar, 3 band that just blew me out so whatever.

 

[ericw]

The Musicman website states this:
13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 45-1/2" long (34.3 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 115.6 cm long)
The standard 5 states this:
13-3/8" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 45-3/4" long (34.0 cm wide, 4.5 cm thick, 116.2 cm long)

It looks like what they refer to as "thick" is actually the width at the nut. I don't know what their "wide" refers to.

Those are overall dimensions for the instrument. Neck dimensions given (differences highlighted in red):

Stingray5:
Scale Length:34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius:11" (27.9 cm)
Frets:22 - High profile, wide
Neck Width:1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-3/4"" (69.9 mm) at last fret

Classic Stingray 5:
Scale Length:34" (86.4 cm)
Neck Radius:7.5" (19.1 cm)
Frets:21 - High profile, narrow width
Neck Width:1-3/4" (44.5 mm) at nut 2-11/16" (68.3 mm) at last fret

Looks like I would SLIGHTLY prefer the Stingray5 over the classic I played this weekend...

 

[Valerus]

I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...

Gotta keep telling myself that.

 

[pjmuck]

There are definitely two different camps when it comes to which model is preferred, but I much prefer the 2 band Classic or Pre-EB sound. Warmer, more organic, less hi fi, IMO. Listen to Pino Palladino's early fretless work on his late 70's 'Ray. Tone from heaven.

 

[Jason Brown]

I've owned 2 StingRays in the past, a 4 and a 5, and while I had a lot of nice things to say about them, neither stayed in my collection too long for one reason or another.

Today I played 2 Classic 5s. I was blown away. I too have to get myself one.

 

[syciprider]

I slightly prefer the regular 3 EQ Ray. The wax/oil finished neck is quicker to me and the EQ always seems to make the bass jump out in front.

 

[Infidelity]

There are definitely two different camps when it comes to which model is preferred, but I much prefer the 2 band Classic or Pre-EB sound. Warmer, more organic, less hi fi, IMO. Listen to Pino Palladino's early fretless work on his late 70's 'Ray. Tone from heaven.

The New Classics and Pre-EB have different tone.. IMO the Pre-EB SR's is more punchier.. Both are tone beast anyways.. I wouldn't be selling my Classic SR5 if I didn't have my Pre-EB SR..

 

[bazzanderson]

I'm telling myself the same thing.....GC by my work has a beautiful 5-string Classic in Sunburst with a gorgeous maple neck and fretboard. Warm sounding.....plays like butter....sounds incredible (liking the inherent tone of the 2band preamp not necessarily better than the 3band but I like the warmth of it).

I love my Gibby Tbird, I love my Gibby Tbird, I love my Gibby Tbird..............

I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...I'm 100% okay with my Jazz...

Gotta keep telling myself that.

 

[pjmuck]

I slightly prefer the regular 3 EQ Ray. The wax/oil finished neck is quicker to me and the EQ always seems to make the bass jump out in front.

I agree with you on the neck. As much as I prefer my '80 Stingray over the 3 band 'Ray I had tonally, I do find the gloss finished neck to be a bit sticky.

 

[FromTheBassMent]

This is my favorite knob on the 3-band EQ.

Agreed. On my fretless SR5 Hp I monkey with both the high and mid EQ to go from a modern tone to a more upright sound. But on my Sterling the high and low EQ are pretty much glued in place, and I use the mid knob as my "growl inductor," cranking the mids a bit on more aggressive tunes, and rolling them off slightly for mellower stuff.

I've put off trying a Classic 5 because I am so addicted to the satin necks on the standard EBMM basses. But I'll break down eventually and give one a spin.

 

[basssuperfreak]

I have an 89 MM stingray and a 90 5 string MM stingray and they absolutely rock, I have played the newer MM's and was not impressed, the HH version was weak in tone had no punch. I guess I'm jaded by the earth moving tone of the older MM's mine have the 3 band eq and it will play all kinds of music with great versitility. But if you need one buy the version with only one pick up the HH sounds like a souped up P-bass.

You can move mountains of dirt with a MM. I had an old lady tell me the lowend of my bass made her feel like she was having a heart attack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. It was a great concert and a huge PA system.

 

[richnota]

I'm nuts about the sound and feel of the classic. I was so surprised by the great sound of the two band eq.

 

[mikeswals]

I prefer the gloss finish. Once you get into 10-15 mintutes of playing and your hands warm up, the raw necks get sticky too. And if your hands are damp they will raise the gain which can make them feel more rough. The other thing I really dislike about the wax neck is that some neck woods come out really smooth, while other pieces of maple just won't get smooth. And I'm NOT rubbing silicone (gun stock finish) on something my hands stay on.
I really wish EBMM would make gloss an option like G&L does....I mean really, when you're already spraying a matching headstock with it's gloss coat, it only takes another minute to do the whole thing.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Since nobody has posted a photo in this thread of a Classic Stingray 5, i'll post a picture of mine.

TD

 

[Ur2funky]

I prefer the gloss finish.... And I'm NOT rubbing silicone (gun stock finish) on something my hands stay on.

If you continue to put on coats of gun stock oil, it will become a hard, lacquer-like finish.

Tru-Oil is the brand to get. Safe to apply with your bare hands. Put on a thin coat, let dry for two hours, repeat. You can make it as deep of a finish as you like.

Here's a Tru-Oil neck I just finished...

It's very easy to work with and very forgiving. Anyone can do this.

Cheers!!!

 

[AMJBASS]

Very nice! I have also heard that tru oil is very easy to use. I thought about using it last time I was refinishing a Double Bass.

Regarding the differences in Stingray Classics and Standard Rays, I think that you are basically paying more for a highly figured neck, and that it is a quasi reissue of the original(including 2 band EQ, vintage bridge). I am VERY happy with my Classic 4, and I have owned a few other MM basses including a '77 Ray. The new basses are on par or even better in terms of quality with pretty much any high end production basses out there. The necks are gorgeous. Difficult to compare it to a Pre-EB as those basses have had time to age and "break in". I really like the 2 band EQ over the 3 band as its a little more tame, and the mids IMO are a bit more organic sounding. Great basses all around.

 

[Groove7]

I have been looking for that Stingray tone. So, as many of you wisely recommend, go play them! So, I have been playing Stingray 4s at local music stores. Some Stingrays stood out above and beyond the others in tone. The wood just seemed to sing in a deeper more resonant way and plugged in they packed a massive punch, growl, and fat meaty tone. I had all kinds of ideas on what the magic factor was. The first one that I loved had a maple board, but others that had a maple board did not deliver the same tonal effect. The next one that I loved (at a different music store) had a rosewood board. Hmmm, what was going on? Was it the strings? Was it the freshness of the battery? The wood of the neck, the wood of the body? One music store had 3 other 4 strings and they sounded good, but did not have 'the magic." In retrospect I realized that the "magic ones" all had strings through the body and a 2 band EQ. At the time, I did not realize that the Stingray Classic was different than the regular Stingray. I have wanted a Stingray for many years to get that Musicman sound but have never had the privilege to play a 78 or 79 Stingray. am not quite sure why, but of the ones I've like the tone Stingray Classic best

 

[Pet Sounds]

There are definitely two different camps when it comes to which model is preferred, but I much prefer the 2 band Classic or Pre-EB sound. Warmer, more organic, less hi fi, IMO. Listen to Pino Palladino's early fretless work on his late 70's 'Ray. Tone from heaven.

Agreed.
The Classic sounds a lot more like my 1980. Then again, I'm a P-bass kinda guy, so the extra warmth appeals to me.

 

[dslapster64]

Hey guys, I have ordered a stingray classic natural 4 and have own several EB stingrays but I am very curious to hear how it sounds with a 2 band eq instead of a 3 band eq. I just cannot wait. Does the classic lack midrange? What say you all?

 

[bassplayer1494]

Hey guys, I have ordered a stingray classic natural 4 and have own several EB stingrays but I am very curious to hear how it sounds with a 2 band eq instead of a 3 band eq. I just cannot wait. Does the classic lack midrange? What say you all?

Many people say that the 2 band rays have plenty of mids built into it (and i couldnt agree more) but if u happen to think differently u can always use the mid control on the amp