Sell me on a US-made Stingray

[somebrains]

I'm almost 45, so the Stingray was the IT bass for a lot of guys watching Flea or RATM in the mid-late 80's - various 90's rock mutations. J bass for punk and metal was huge in California. You see it in a lot of the later active basses.

I have a thing for active PJs bc that was the cool guy bass of the metal era.

For the OP to evaluate his needs he's going to have to see the Ray as a classic design that's gone thru a lot of iterations. I went thru my context, he can evaluate his to get that sound he wants. If it's just a perceived construction issue, any old us Ray will work.

Some guys want to 3-band ceramic sound, so.e want earlier 2-band + Alnico, there are plenty of modern interpretations aftermarket.

So a SoCal made Ray isn't 1 thing to everyone u like the P is on TB.

 

[Stevorebob]

It's not practical to fit them all in a single photo. I don't have time to move them all to do that.
Here are some of them.

Yowza!

 

[Samatza]

It's not practical to fit them all in a single photo. I don't have time to move them all to do that.
Here are some of them.

Thank you! I sent this pic to my wife who thinks I have too many basses, argument settled, I win hands down!
On another note, keep the SUB, it's so close to the MM Stingray that buying new price can't be objectively justified. Second hand maybe...

 

[mouthmw]

They have more than one look:

IMHO the SRX700 looks heaps better than a StingRay:

To each their own. To me personally, the only Ibanez that looks alright is ATK. Still not as good looking as a Fender or a Stingray. It's all personal. All the others you've posted here are completely unappealing and just ugh. Not sure why you'd recommend an Ibanez to a dude who asks about Stingrays. I'd understand ATK I guess, but others? Meh.

 

[mouthmw]

Not a fan of the gloss necks and slab body on the classic. I do like the 2 band boost only tho. I suggest finding a used Stingray with the oiled neck and 3 band. They come up all the time in the sub 1000 range.

He can find one with the oiled neck, contoured body and 2 band preamp. No need to "settle" for a 3 bander. I have one of the older standard Stingrays, but with a 2 band preamp. They're a bit more rare to find, but can be hunted down. Best of both worlds IMO - you get contours, you get the 2 band classic preamp, you don't need to string through the body (not a fan) and you get the super fast neck finish that is flexible in terms of maintenance and customizing (Wanna add more Tru Oil coats? Easy! Heck, make it a glossy neck if you want to!)

 

[Maxdusty]

If you think the Sterling SUB Ray4 "plays like a dream," it might have a lot to do with the fact that the neck is 38mm at the nut (or, Jazz/EBMM Sterling neck profile). So if you go US made, shoot for the Sterling 4 or Stingray SLO Special (maybe even a Bi Gal...ooops, Big Al), as they share this neck profile.

The Sterling Ray34-CA (Classic Active) has a 38mm nut-width also and they are a nice step quality-wise above the Sterling SUB Rays. Everytime I find one under $400 (and I see this quite often), I grab it and immediately slap in a Seymour Duncan SMB-4 PUP along with the STC-3M3 Preamp. Just an insanely monstrous combo!!

My $0.02.

Also the new Sterling Ray 34QM has a similarly thinner neck (38mm) than the standard Ray34. So if you want a 3 band Sterling with the thinner neck, that would be an option.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I recently bought a cheapo Sterling SUB Ray4. Cheapest bass I've ever owned... and I friggin love it. So easy to set up, plays like a dream and basically has exactly the tone I've been chasing, but never quite achieving. (I know, duh!)

Anyway, it makes me think I should invest in a US Stingray, probably the "Classic."

I'm not looking for a "do everything" bass (that's what my L-2500 is for).

But is a $2400 EBMM that much better than my SUB? I know "fit and finish" will be better, but if it sounds good and plays well, I'm not all that bothered by cosmetic differences. I do like Made in USA, and I'm willing to pay more for that. But what else makes the 8x price difference worth it?

If you think I should consider a different model, I'm open to that, but not really interested in HH, and actually kind of like 2-band EQ over 3-band, FWIW.

I don’t recommend the new musicman MIA basses at their now higher prices. I’ve owned 3 American made Musicmans and one Sterling by musicman. This was the most recent made in America.

Musicman does make nice basses but I highly recommend if you do buy one
That you go the used route. I’m not saying that musicmans are bad basses or anything like that but I do feel that as their prices have crept up over the years that at a certain point they got into a price range where they are much less competitive imo. In the $800-$1300 range MIA musicmans are a great deal. But I do not feel they are worth $2k. For example, in my opinion my Dingwall is a better bass than every musicman I’ve owned and it didn’t cost me $2k

so the problem musicman ran into for me anyways is they are now in a price bracket where they aren’t nearly as competitive as they used to be when they were in the $999-$1299 range.

As for the sterling by musicman range. I do like the upper end models like the ray34 and 35. You get a lot of bang for your buck at that level. This is a ray34cafl I owned.

 

[mouthmw]

In the $800-$1300 range MIA musicmans are a great deal. But I do not feel they are worth $2k. For example, in my opinion my Dingwall is a better bass than every musicman I’ve owned and it didn’t cost me $2k

I agree go used route, and he pretty much has to in order to get more options for a 2 band Stingray (he can only get a new Classic nowadays, to get a 2 bander). I don't agree that Dingwall is better, since that's subjective. If he wants a classic Stingray look and sound, there's nothing that does that except a Stingray. It's a classic bass just like a P bass, or J bass or Rickenbacker etc. Modern basses like Dingwall are something different, for a different type of need and/or scratch IMO.

 

[Sml175]

Check out mine for sale in classifieds. Mint for sure. Asking 1675.00 4HH pacific blue.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I agree go used route, and he pretty much has to in order to get more options for a 2 band Stingray (he can only get a new Classic nowadays, to get a 2 bander). I don't agree that Dingwall is better, since that's subjective. If he wants a classic Stingray look and sound, there's nothing that does that except a Stingray. It's a classic bass just like a P bass, or J bass or Rickenbacker etc. Modern basses like Dingwall are something different, for a different type of need and/or scratch IMO.

Sure it’s all subjective. But I’m sure there are plenty Dingwall owners who are or used to be musicman owners that agree with me

 

[Fishheadjoe]

Well, after reading this thread all the way through, my gassless state, having lasted the better part of two years, is officially over! I now find myself searching locally for a used MM!
Fishheadjoe

 

[Sml175]

I can split shipping with you !

 

[RedWire75]

I had my EBMM 4H 2EQ for sale for quite some time. Finally had dropped the price to $1025 shipped on here (still with no nibbles) when I decided at that price I should just keep it. So you can definitely find a used one out the at a good price. Maybe not a Classic at that price but a good US made one.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Not sure why you'd recommend an Ibanez to a dude who asks about Stingrays.

You've obviously never tried a SR eXtreme or you'd understand why.
Did you not read my other post where I explained that the local luthier said my SRX2 reminded him of his StingRay?
If they're good enough for Carol Kaye, they're good enough for most players.

You're basing your opinion on Ibanez solely on the looks?
I can't help but laugh, but I'm also sad!

 

[Stevorebob]

Some of us have played the Ibanez SRX series and EMBB StingRays and know the SRX does not do StingRay — especially the two-band StingRay.

The SRX is just too polite. Edgier than the SR, for sure, but not in the territory of a StingRay. My guess is it’s the preamp that makes the difference, maybe it’s the woods. But large exposed pole pieces on pickups do not equal StingRay tone. That’s not a criticism of the SRX. It’s a fine bass, and I’m sure it wasn’t Ibanez’s intent to cop a StingRay tone there. But I would never recommend it to someone looking for the StingRay tone.

Now the ATK, that’s a “StingRay” with the Ibanez brand.

 

[Pings Bass]

You've obviously never tried a SR eXtreme or you'd understand why.
Did you not read my other post where I explained that the local luthier said my SRX2 reminded him of his StingRay?
If they're good enough for Carol Kaye, they're good enough for most players.

You're basing your opinion on Ibanez solely on the looks?
I can't help but laugh, but I'm also sad!

Don't be sad, my friend, I have a bass that can sound like a Stingray, and one that actually is a Stingray, albeit imported. I have no need for another bass that sounds like a Stingray; I'm just contemplating whether an upgrade to a US Stingray is worth the extra scratch.

I have no doubt the Ibanez you like is a great bass and a great value. I don't need it or like its look, and, being in show business, that's important to me. If it's not important to you, or you like its look, great! Go with it.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I grow weary of repeating myself, haven't you?

The SRX is just too polite.

 

[mouthmw]

You've obviously never tried a SR eXtreme or you'd understand why.
Did you not read my other post where I explained that the local luthier said my SRX2 reminded him of his StingRay?
If they're good enough for Carol Kaye, they're good enough for most players.

You're basing your opinion on Ibanez solely on the looks?
I can't help but laugh, but I'm also sad!

No offence but if a pickup is not in the same location and the preamp is not a ray preamp - it doesn’t sound like it. Luthiers say a lot of things, it doesn’t make it universal truth. And yea I wouldn’t want to play a bass that doesn’t look good to me, nothing wrong there. My old custom made PJ reminded me a bit of Stingray with both pups on. Still wasn’t a Stingray.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

It's completely irrelevant anyway, the OP has stated multiple times that he's not looking for the StingRay sound. All he wants it the looks of a U.S. StingRay
I'm tired of disagreeing on this & should have just kept my opinion to myself.

 

[Pings Bass]

It's completely irrelevant anyway, the OP has stated multiple times that he's not looking for the StingRay sound. All he wants it the looks of a U.S. StingRay
I'm tired of disagreeing on this & should have just kept my opinion to myself.

OP here and, um... no? I absolutely want the Stingray sound. In the first paragraph of the original post I said the import Stingray I already have "basically has exactly the tone I've been chasing...." It looks nice too, no complaints there.

I've been contemplating getting a US Stingray because, get this: I like the Stingray's looks and sound! Was just wondering if the 8x cost difference for a US-built specimen is worth it. That's what the OP is about. I didn't start the thread for advice on getting something that sounds like a Stingray; I've already got that.

I don't mind reading your opinion about the Ibanez; it's interesting to me and not at all offensive that Asian manufacturers have arguably improved on Leo's designs in many ways. They are good values, and people like them. But they're not for me, and that's OK! It's a big world.

If I had asked whether it was worth it to upgrade my Tribute L-2500 to a G&L L-2500 I wonder if I'd get similar recommendations. Or if I had a Squier P and asked about Fender Ps.... I'm always interested in what others are playing and why, but it's a very specific Stingray itch I'm scratching today.

I'll most likely continue with the Stingray that's already in my stable for now, because honestly nobody's convinced me it's worth spending the extra dough on US Stingray at this time.