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Sell me on a US-made Stingray

Should I...

  • Stick with the Sterling SUB, don't be a fool, it does what you want, and you know you love a deal

    Votes: 54 32.9%

  • Get a EBMM Classic StingRay, it's worth the 8x price difference because... (comment please)

    Votes: 37 22.6%

  • Get some other EBMM model (specify in comments)

    Votes: 27 16.5%

  • Carrots

    Votes: 46 28.0%
  • Total voters
    164
#141
Pings Bass said:
I didn't start the thread for advice on getting something that sounds like a Stingray; I've already got that.
Click to expand...

That's all you need to know, then.
You've got the sound you want.

I considered getting a MIJ Prestige Ibanez, but like you I asked about them.
The pickups in them would not be to my satisfaction, so I'm glad I asked on here first.

On second thought, I'm glad I threw the SRX up here, because maybe somewhere someone is reading it & thinking "I've got to try one of those!".
I do the same thing with Strat threads, recommending G&L's S-500.

I compared my SRX2 side-by-side with a StingRay on the day I bought it & preferred the more aggressive sound of the SRX, but maybe we all define aggressive differently.
It was also about 500 Grams lighter, which is important to me.
 
#142
Killed_by_Death said:
That's all you need to know, then.
You've got the sound you want.

I considered getting a MIJ Prestige Ibanez, but like you I asked about them.
The pickups in them would not be to my satisfaction, so I'm glad I asked on here first.

On second thought, I'm glad I threw the SRX up here, because maybe somewhere someone is reading it & thinking "I've got to try one of those!".
I do the same thing with Strat threads, recommending G&L's S-500.

I compared my SRX2 side-by-side with a StingRay on the day I bought it & preferred the more aggressive sound of the SRX, but maybe we all define aggressive differently.
It was also about 500 Grams lighter, which is important to me.
Click to expand...

There's a P-bass/Ampeg thread going today; you should stop by and offer up the Ibanez. :p
 
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#143
The SR500 is a more versatile p-bass, it uses split-coil reverse-P MK1 Bartolini's:

p_region_SR500_BM_1P_07_sub_en_1.png
 
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#147
Have you played all the Ray variations out there?
Do you know what one of those other Rays do that your Sub doesn't?

Unless it's a BFR, one off wood like my old 30th 4str all mahogany, Neo, neckthru, etc you can probably aftermarket mod your Sub without much difficulty.

Keep iterating until you hit that end recipe, then pull the trigger on a build that encompasses all that.

Otherwise you may find yourself Ray hopping.
 
#149
somebrains said:
Have you played all the Ray variations out there?
Do you know what one of those other Rays do that your Sub doesn't?

Unless it's a BFR, one off wood like my old 30th 4str all mahogany, Neo, neckthru, etc you can probably aftermarket mod your Sub without much difficulty.

Keep iterating until you hit that end recipe, then pull the trigger on a build that encompasses all that.

Otherwise you may find yourself Ray hopping.
Click to expand...

Nope, haven't played even a fraction of all the variations. I find it quite frustrating, actually, how all over the map Music Man has been with their branding and product management. (Having their premium model named the same as their budget brand is just... weird. Imagine if Fender's top-of-the-line guitar was called a Fender Squier.)

I think the SUB Ray4 is a great base model, with the active 2-band boost/cut EQ and a nice hot pickup in the right place. Also has the narrow nut (which I can take or leave). So I don't even know what historic US model checks those boxes, other than the current Classic (with a slightly wider nut).

As for my upgrading what I have, I don't see the point. I like how it sounds! I was just casting about for reasons to buy a US Stingray, and so far I'm not hearing any compelling arguments. I mean obviously you get nicer looking wood, and the whole fit and finish thing, FWIW. IMO those don't justify the cost difference.
 
#151
Pings Bass said:
Nope, haven't played even a fraction of all the variations. I find it quite frustrating, actually, how all over the map Music Man has been with their branding and product management. (Having their premium model named the same as their budget brand is just... weird. Imagine if Fender's top-of-the-line guitar was called a Fender Squier.)

I think the SUB Ray4 is a great base model, with the active 2-band boost/cut EQ and a nice hot pickup in the right place. Also has the narrow nut (which I can take or leave). So I don't even know what historic US model checks those boxes, other than the current Classic (with a slightly wider nut).

As for my upgrading what I have, I don't see the point. I like how it sounds! I was just casting about for reasons to buy a US Stingray, and so far I'm not hearing any compelling arguments. I mean obviously you get nicer looking wood, and the whole fit and finish thing, FWIW. IMO those don't justify the cost difference.
Click to expand...

Well then go slow and leave it alone.
Some guys are fixed in a specific era and build.
So if you gotta have RATM, Thunder thumbs, live Flea of a specific era, specific King Crimson album or live clip, etc you are going to end up with a ton of different us factory made Ray's.
 
#152
Pings Bass said:
Nope, haven't played even a fraction of all the variations. I find it quite frustrating, actually, how all over the map Music Man has been with their branding and product management. (Having their premium model named the same as their budget brand is just... weird. Imagine if Fender's top-of-the-line guitar was called a Fender Squier.)

I think the SUB Ray4 is a great base model, with the active 2-band boost/cut EQ and a nice hot pickup in the right place. Also has the narrow nut (which I can take or leave). So I don't even know what historic US model checks those boxes, other than the current Classic (with a slightly wider nut).

As for my upgrading what I have, I don't see the point. I like how it sounds! I was just casting about for reasons to buy a US Stingray, and so far I'm not hearing any compelling arguments. I mean obviously you get nicer looking wood, and the whole fit and finish thing, FWIW. IMO those don't justify the cost difference.
Click to expand...

What wasn't mentioned yet (or at least I don't think it has) is a simple pickup upgrade to your existing SUB, an Alnico like the EBMM Rays. Far more inexpensive and will probably sound pretty darn close to the classic ray sound.
 
#153
I vote look for a USA made sub 2003-2006.
Pretty much a "real" ray apart from the wood, finish and the tuners. Everything else the same and made in the USA factory. And they can be found for a reasonable price.
Failing that a used standard ray.

I work on instruments and the far east made sterling sub is no where near any USA model. Having worked on sterling and ebmm models vintage and new.
Saying that the sterlings are not a bad instrument. You could upgrade it with some used USA parts.
 

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