Could be. Some will say a P Bass is better, too. But I wouldn’t offer either up as a solution to the tone the OP seeks.
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Sell me on a US-made Stingray
- Thread starter Pings Bass
- Start date
Get the real deal. If you can afford it, why not? In my 'Ray gigging days, I had a Sterling Ray35 (non-SUB) and a Ernie Ball Stingray 5. The USA built Stingray 5 was worth the extra money in my opinion. Much better fit, finish, and overall quality. The playability was fantastic and the oiled neck was incredible.
Personal experience:
I've owned and played both Indonesian and American made Fenders/Squiers.
I've owned and played both Tribute and American G&L's.
I've owned and played SUB and American made MusicMans.
I currently own an American Fender Precision, a Tribute L-2000, and an American MusicMan Sterling. My favorite tone of them all is the Precision, but the one I cannot stop picking up is the Sterling, especially because of the neck. It is so comfortable to play that I will find excuses to use it over my other instruments, despite it being a touch too aggressive sounding for my overall tastes.
Also, I bought it used at $800. The deals are out there and well worth the wait.
I've owned and played both Indonesian and American made Fenders/Squiers.
I've owned and played both Tribute and American G&L's.
I've owned and played SUB and American made MusicMans.
I currently own an American Fender Precision, a Tribute L-2000, and an American MusicMan Sterling. My favorite tone of them all is the Precision, but the one I cannot stop picking up is the Sterling, especially because of the neck. It is so comfortable to play that I will find excuses to use it over my other instruments, despite it being a touch too aggressive sounding for my overall tastes.
Also, I bought it used at $800. The deals are out there and well worth the wait.
They have more than one look:
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IMHO the SRX700 looks heaps better than a StingRay:
Try to find a 2-band EQ MM Stingray. It's a fair bit cheaper than the standard or classic ones (got mine new for 900 GBP - about $1100-1200 or so) because it's only a 2-band eq obviously, doesn't have a side-mounted jack, comes with a gig bag instead of a hard case, has a standard bridge instead of the classic-style bridge, and they come in fewer colours (solid Red, Black and Blue only). It's a no-frills, US-made Stingray - same silky-smooth neck, same perfect setup and finish, same feel, just as playable, just as impressive tone-wise as the rest. Not sure if MM even make them anymore but keep an eye out. I love mine and wouldn't trade it for anything.
Here it is on the day I got it (the shop threw the hardcase in for free)
Here it is on the day I got it (the shop threw the hardcase in for free)
You must be from the camp that thinks all Ibanez sound the same.
You also must have never picked up a SR eXtreme.
When I took mine to the local luthier he commented about how it reminded him of his StingRay, only more aggressive.
I bought & returned a SRX700, because it sounded too much like a StingRay, with the AlNiCo-magnet pickups.
Personally I think they are overpriced. I would get a Sterling Ray34 and call it good. You can always upgrade those over time if needed as well. Just my opinion.
For people who like that kind of thing, that's the kind of thing they like.They have more than one look:
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neck-thru:
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IMHO the SRX700 looks heaps better than a StingRay:
The shape doesn't appeal to me.
As for sound, I can get pretty close to a Stingray sound with my L-2500, and basically spot on with my cheapo Sterling.
I'm not looking for something that sounds like a Stingray, with all due respect. I want a Stingray, and I'm questioning whether the extra cost justifies a us-made stingray over the import stingray I already own.
And once more for those in the back, I'm not gonna buy new and pay street price, I just used that for comparison purposes, since used pricing is wildly inconsistent and includes far too many variables to be useful for comparison.
Mmm
As for price, if you ask, you can get a deal. Whether the price is worth it, you’ll have to decide.
You should be able to find stores in Portland that have StingRays to try. But keep in mind, not all StingRays are the same — big difference between the Classic and the Special. Both are great, but I recommend you try them.
If you want spot-on StingRay tone, look for a two-band StingRay Classic. The new Specials are great and will do more, but they’re just not the Classic two-band sound.
As for price, if you ask, you can get a deal. Whether the price is worth it, you’ll have to decide.
You should be able to find stores in Portland that have StingRays to try. But keep in mind, not all StingRays are the same — big difference between the Classic and the Special. Both are great, but I recommend you try them.
They have more than one look:
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neck-thru:
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IMHO the SRX700 looks heaps better than a StingRay:
Not that this is what the OP wants or is asking, but I've always thought the ATK captured the Stingray tone just fine while still nailing the vintage vibe.
If you are open for a previously owned/used EBMM Stingray, there are numerous to be had. I just, like yesterday, received a Sr 4H, used, for right at $1,000. She looked pretty good for a used Sr; zero buckle rash, zero scratches/blemeshes, truss rod free-n-clear, electronics great, etc. After a proper refreshment/wipe down, conditioning, set-up string/battery change, installation of a Hipshot Drop, and light sanding and fresh oiling of her neck...
KaPow! Even had the original EBMM case (a little beat, but A.O.K. inside/out.) Not sure of her year, still looking into it, but it has a 3-band EQ without 3 position selector for the P/U.
She sounds as great as my 2014 4HH and 2018 Special 4HH.
After a little maintenence, she looks brand new.
Psst, don't tell anyone, but I even found her on the GC website.
Yes, there are some good more affordable basses out there, but IMO, it's hard to beat a San Luis Obisbo Stingray; new or used.
IMO, if you want a new Special or even the Classic then go for it. However, again, there are a TON of used EBMM Sr out there.
Totally stoked with EBMM Stingrays.
KaPow! Even had the original EBMM case (a little beat, but A.O.K. inside/out.) Not sure of her year, still looking into it, but it has a 3-band EQ without 3 position selector for the P/U.
She sounds as great as my 2014 4HH and 2018 Special 4HH.
After a little maintenence, she looks brand new.
Psst, don't tell anyone, but I even found her on the GC website.
Yes, there are some good more affordable basses out there, but IMO, it's hard to beat a San Luis Obisbo Stingray; new or used.
IMO, if you want a new Special or even the Classic then go for it. However, again, there are a TON of used EBMM Sr out there.
Totally stoked with EBMM Stingrays.
whatever you do, DO NOT get a thru neck. I have one. The truss rod design is a little off. It acts weird. Stick to the bolt on.
- Nov 12, 2007
- 350
- 140
- Disclosures
- Former Ampeg Regional Touring Artist, Currently Playing Overwater Basses
I just bought a used G&L Tribute L-2000, great bass and I can fully understand where you're coming from - it can sound like a Stingray, or well, even a P-bass - it's a jack of all trade kind of bass.
In terms of Ibanez, I love those basses too, in fact there's an ATK-800 in my neck of the woods that I've been keeping an eye on- these too can sound like a Ray and it also has it's own unique character too. I love slim necked SRs too.
I guess what I'm saying is there are a lot of terrific choices out there, some will get you that Stingray sound, some ...arguably a better version of it, but you've got that Stingray itch in which the only remedy is really to get a Stingray. The cheaper (but good) Sterling SUB can certainly get you closer to it however, a used Sterling Ray34CA (around $500 or less) or Ray34 is pretty darn close in sound to the more expensive EBMM Ray, but not quite there in quality and feel.
My suggestion is to go and try the Sterling Ray34, the Ray34CA and even the Ray24 at the store and see if there is enough difference from your Ray4 to justify the upgrade. To me, it is. I've owned four of those SUB Ray4s and while I loved those basses, the regular Sterling models (34, 34CA and 24) are noticeably better. For comparison sake only, the Ray24 sells brand new for $499.99 - the Ray4 for $299.99 - is it worth the $200 difference? I have to say "yes" but don't take my word for it, definitely recommend trying one at the store and see if you agree with this.
You can buy a used Sterling Ray34 or 24 and as it's used, you can sell it for the same price so you lose nothing if you later decide to move up to the US model - basically a free rental.
Another option, and probably a good one is to keep playing your SUB4 but set money aside for an EBMM Ray and when a good used one shows up, you'll be ready to get it.
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Play the one you have until you develop a lasting dislike for some part of it. If that never happens, then keep it. If you do eventually decide there is some part of it you don't like, the reason to consider another model will be....obvious. If that other model solves that issue, then buy it. If not, then....don't.
Those are four very good reasons to get a Classic. (But some have flamed maple rather than birdseye.)
I'm into the US Stingray 5... It's the best bass you can buy in that price range: Sounds excellent, looks nice, perfect for recording or playing live, really well made, so you can take it to the road with no worries... That's the main difference between these and the SUB's or Ray's: they're not as "strong" as the US made MM's are...
I have one and I used to used a lot, but since a got my Zon Sonus 5st, she has been sitting in the rack... I'm just selling it because my wallet -and my wife- can't stand to see it there doin' nothing, but -without a doubt- I'll keep it if I could!!
I have one and I used to used a lot, but since a got my Zon Sonus 5st, she has been sitting in the rack... I'm just selling it because my wallet -and my wife- can't stand to see it there doin' nothing, but -without a doubt- I'll keep it if I could!!
