School me on Stingrays

[jbasedig]

I can see your disappointment if you are looking for a Sterling (or Stingray) to sound like a bass with Precision pickups. Ain’t gonna happen.

In fact, I own Stingrays for their particular sound, not expecting it sound like something else. And that’s why I own a Jazz-style bass. I agree with you. My SR has a sound that only comes from that combination of pickup, preamp and, pu'p location.. I can only affect o co much with technique.

Did you mention an interest in an early 90s SR5? https://www.talkbass.com/threads/ebmm-basses-1991-2019-4-5-str.1654752/ LMK.

 

[dustinymichaels]

I bought a Sterling ray for traveling not related to gigs. It’s duller than my real Stingrays. I’d call it even a little bit distorted. I wouldn’t waste money on improving a Sterling ray in place of the real thing.

 

[Budbear]

Krikey Mate, they can kill you if you aren't careful!

You can say that again, mate!

 

[DrBnz]

Eeeehhhhh..... they're good. Just not for me
- The 5 strings have excellent sounding "B" strings
- The 5 strings have minimal edge distance on the "G" string
- Stingrays have a wide range of unique tones.
- Typically they have very comfortable necks though.
I used to have a few of them, I'm down to one now. When I first pick them up, I have a good time with them, but its not long and I start to realize, I really don't like the tones it puts out (but I don't really like anything with an ACTIVE circuit).... It does, what it does, very well. But for me its more of a nostalgia item..... like my Ric..... or fretless.... I pull it out once a month. Have fun with it for an hour or two and put it back.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

I just sold my p bass, I own a Ray4. I found my p basses just we’re not a clear sound. My Ray4 & EBMM have a cleaner sound, more powerful than a jazz, but not big (muddy) as a p bass. I play between the pickup and a the neck. Gives a bigger sound.

 

[PapaBearBass]

Ok - you keep mentioning things like dull and lifeless and flat… have you tried experimenting with new string choices? Just thinking outside the box

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Ok - you keep mentioning things like dull and lifeless and flat… have you tried experimenting with new string choices? Just thinking outside the box

I love StingRays and flats !!!

 

[Pet Sounds]

Played an original 1977 Ray from 1980 to 2001. It was a dog but I didnt know any better back then andf they were kinda the fashion. Picked up a P bass in late 2000's and never looked back. For me Rays lack that final ounce of low mid slam that you get so easily from P bass....

I agreed with this until I got a Special with flats.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I agreed with this until I got a Special with flats.

I bet you’d love an Old Smoothie with flats. Thanks to my Old Smoothie and passive short scale StingRay, I no longer desire a PBass. Dont get me started on the neck pickup on my Sandberg. But since we are in StingRay school , I won’t mention it.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I bet you’d love an Old Smoothie with flats. Thanks to my Old Smoothie and passive short scale StingRay, I no longer desire a PBass. Dont get me started on the neck pickup on my Sandberg. But since we are in StingRay school , I won’t mention it.

Maybe I'll bite next time a Smoothie comes around.

 

[mikeswals]

Played an original 1977 Ray from 1980 to 2001. It was a dog but I didnt know any better back then andf they were kinda the fashion. Picked up a P bass in late 2000's and never looked back. For me Rays lack that final ounce of low mid slam that you get so easily from P bass....

Sorry yours was a dog.
My 78 Ray is spectacular.

 

[mikeswals]

Im reading alot of Fender responders here....
A Spector with active EMG sounds absolutely nothing like a Fender.
Its not even installed in the same arrangement.

 

[logdrum]

I got the single H StingRay because it does not sound like a P passive or active. I cut the bass a bit when I gig with my StingRay. I do not like P pickups with bass boost pre-amps. I like them either passive or a filter preamp. I love EMG P Geezer pickup as well as Bartolinis

So we all have a preference. Even if you got the real deal StingRay, you may still not like the sound buy may unconsciously think it's that much better because you just paid 2700 or so for one.

 

[tvbop]

Sorry yours was a dog.
My 78 Ray is spectacular.

Yep but I kinda put up with it... made it work etc. But it was real heavy and pretty thin sounding...and virtually new so hadnt been messed with when I got it.

 

[Alex4ndre]

I've owned a couple of Sterling Stingrays over the years. But they just don't sound as deep and clear as the P pickup on my Spector (EMG & Tonepump Jr).

Not by a long shot.

My current Ray 4 is no exception. Is this a pickup/electronic issue, or is this just how Sterling Ray 4's sound? I don't mind upgrading the pickup and electronics if it results in a noticeable upgrade in the sound......but I also don't want to throw good money after bad.

Thoughts?

Looks like you need a Sabre...

 

[dustinymichaels]

I guess that leads into my next question. Will a "real" Stingray thump like my Spector? That bass sounds so deep and clear. The Sterling Stingrays I've own all sound way WAY dull in comparison (even with the bass and treble controls maxed). Is this just the "Stingray sound"?

I'd love to get a real Ray, but I'd prefer to just get decent electronics in my current Sterling, because otherwise it plays fine (and it's lightweight).

A real Stingray will be a real Stingray. I've never owned or even played a Spector but I suppose if you want that sound, just play Spector.