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Short scale Stingray!

#261
Christcr said:
I'll take a stab (only my opinion, mind you): a lot of that "modern tone" comes from active electronics and most folks associate that sizzly top end as "modern." The short scale Stingray, in my opinion, has plenty of high end, but a different kind of high end--it is not that sizzly hi-fi top end. So in that regard, I'd call it more "vintage." BUT... the bass definitely sounds like a good stingray should. The parallel setting is pretty much dead on except for the fact that the highs are not as "sizzly" as an active Ray. It's also not quite as "scooped" a tone. That suits me just fine because on all of the Stingrays and Sterlings I've had over the years (I've had quite a number of them), I've almost always run them with the treble backed way off (nearly all the way off much of the time). I don't have to worry about that now. The tone control takes it from a good solid Stingray sound when full on to a more beefy/dubby sound when full off, as any good tone knob will do. Comparing the two, I actually prefer this tone knob/coil switching to the normal Stingray 3-EQ control.

I can't really compare it to a lot of players who use Stingrays, but I will say that it does not get as sharp a tone as, say, Louis Johnson. On the other hand, I can get a dead-on copy of Paul S. Denman's (Sade bassist) Stingray sound and close approximation to Bernard Edwards' tone (when he used his Stingray).

I love this bass. As much as I also love my Mustangs, other short scale basses, and J-bass, the short scale Stingray has quickly become my favorite bass. I even like it more than my short scale Spector, which is a hell of a bass (and very "modern" sounding). The Stingray wins out over all of them.

Then again, even though the SS Stingray kicks complete butt... I'd doubt it will do anything to curb my PJ Mustang collecting addiction, though. :rollno: (it's just all those damn colors!!! Sherwood green? How could anyone resist a sherwood green Mustang??? Or the black/ebony??? Irresistible. :D)
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Thanks, that's super helpful! By the way, are you referring to the Spector Bantam? It sounds like it has sizzle to spare!
 
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#262
Green Knight said:
Thanks, that's super helpful! By the way, are you referring to the Spector Bantam? It sounds like it has sizzle to spare!
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Yep, the Bantam. It definitely has top end sizzle. But that can be dialed out and it does have a massive tone (earth shaking if you want to go there) that fills a room very well and cuts through any mix. Great bass.

But... there is something about the Stingray sound that I've always loved. And I love the SS Stingray's version of that sound even more. Oh, and something else: the playability of the SS Stingray is THE BEST. It feels SO comfortable if you like the 1.5 J-bass width necks. Super fast. The thing just melts in your hand.
 
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#264
Joe Nerve said:
@Christcr Dude, yer killin me :).

All your responses are EXACTLY what I would say. Our experience with this bass is identical. I completely agree with everything you said, and I'm happy I didnt have to write it all out. Thanks :) .
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What they said. Almost verbatim. Has become my number one electric bass. Since getting it I have played 2 gigs with my regular band and tonight will be gig number 2 with a band I occasionally sub for. I didn’t solicit opinions, I just keep hearing “wow, that bass sounds great!” It’s unanimous, EVERYONE LOVES IT! Most of all me! Now I want a second one just ‘cause, you know, maple and rosewood.
 
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#265
Today will mark my 6th gig (I think?) with this bass.

Now that I've grown comfortable with the controls I'm finding it all incredibly usable. I think I mentioned this already before, but I found that when switching to a pick I cut the bass boost and it does precisely what I want it to. And when the band starts getting louder, or I need a real in your face sound, I throw it into series mode.

FWIW, even with me sweating on the strings for 5 gigs, I still haven't turned the tone up to 10. This doesn't have the sizzle of my active HS, but its not anything I ever used anyhow, and it certainly doesn't need it. I know I sound like I'm gushing continually here, but I REALLY am :). I feel like the sound of this bass sits precisely where it needs to, and leaves 2 numbers on the tone control as headroom in either direction. I've had no need to roll off the highs completely yet, and no need to open them up either.

For me, it REALLY doesn't get much better than this. Only improvement for me would be if it were black, but I'm getting used to the blue. I love that its passive (I can leave it plugged in all night), I love the weight, I love the feel, the action is awesome, tuners feel unique in an awesome way and hold their tune perfectly, the neck is even super stable. I did a minor adjustment when I first got it cuz we tune down a half step, and I haven't had to touch it since.

I'm waiting for others to get theirs and give their reviews and opinions. I think its going to be interesting... could this be the first bass in history where EVERYONE feels the same :). HaHa...
 
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#267
Talkbass is a dangerous place. I got mine today. Under 7 lbs!

20191002_114927.jpg
 
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#269
Don't forget to share your feelings when you get them and put a few miles on them. I'm still thrilled with mine. In fact, I only get happier with it as I play it and explore various combinations of the controls. It's definitely a great contrast to the sound of my Mustangs and short scale Spector. But that is good; it gives me a reason to have anything besides the SS Stringray. If I had to keep only one and get rid of all others, it would definitely be the SS Stingray staying with me because it sounds best out of all of them to my ears.
 
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#273
Nice pics. (That green strat is lovely -- always loved seafoams and teals).

Now kinda jonesing for a downsized, short-scale, lightweight Sterling bass... and/or a conversion of the Silhouette Baritone to a 4-string bass. Something a bit more streamlined looking and with a smaller headstock, mini tuners or Ultralites, etc.

I did that with a couple of OLP licensed copies ages ago. SOLD - NO LONGER AVAILABLE - Custom Short Scale OLP MM5 Bass w/SGD Pickups, SKB Case
 
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#274
Joe Nerve said:
LOL... I've got mine in MY strat bag.

I mean... of course I do :).

This is my strat... which I love, but never really play...

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That is a good looking strat. I've always loved sea foam green, surf green, and similar colors both metallic and non-metalic. In fact, a sea foam green short scale Stingray would look great... don't you think, guys from Music Man??? (hint, hint, wink, wink) ;)
 
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#275
hooky_marr said:
Now kinda jonesing for a downsized, short-scale, lightweight Sterling bass... and/or a conversion of the Silhouette Baritone to a 4-string bass. Something a bit more streamlined looking and with a smaller headstock, mini tuners or Ultralites, etc.
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A short scale Sterling was what I was hoping would eventually come out when I first saw the Stingray and I hope the success of this one will lead to the next.
 
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#277
sleddogn said:
man, i've always loved the bodies on the stingrays, just can't get into the 3 + 1 headstock, thats always bothered me. I need symmetry in life, lol love them shorties though
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You can look at it another way: rather than just being asymmetrical, the odd numbers of tuners on each side of the headstock follow a design/decorating principle called the rule of odd numbers.

For instance, one or three candles on a table (not two), one or three paintings on the wall (not two), three or five bushes along the driveway (not two or four), that sort of thing. Groupings of odd numbers look more natural and appealing to the eye.

I don't know if this was a conscious part of the Stingray headstock design (very well could have been), but regardless, it works.
 
#279
Akami said:
A short scale Sterling was what I was hoping would eventually come out when I first saw the Stingray and I hope the success of this one will lead to the next.
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It sort of IS a short scale Sterling (assuming you are talking about the USA Sterling model) without the active preamp. Think of it this way: 1.5 width neck, downsized body, coil tap switch... just like a Sterling. Yes, the control plate is definitely a Stingray look and the switch is not a lever. But there is a lot about this bass that reminds me of the several Sterlings I've had over the years. I actually prefer the passive electronics in this bass over the 3-EQ in the Sterlings. Other than that... they are nearly the same. (well, then there is neo pickup, but I don't hear a huge difference there)
 
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#280
Christcr said:
It sort of IS a short scale Sterling (assuming you are talking about the USA Sterling model) without the active preamp. Think of it this way: 1.5 width neck, downsized body, coil tap switch... just like a Sterling. Yes, the control plate is definitely a Stingray look and the switch is not a lever. But there is a lot about this bass that reminds me of the several Sterlings I've had over the years. I actually prefer the passive electronics in this bass over the 3-EQ in the Sterlings. Other than that... they are nearly the same. (well, then there is neo pickup, but I don't hear a huge difference there)
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Well, only so much as a Sterling is the same thing as a Stingray; they're not, and that's why both models sell. Definitely interested in the passive electronics, and the Sterling body. If they never do it, not a problem as I won't worry about something that doesn't exist, but if they do a short scale Sterling, I'll belong to the demographic they're making them for.
 
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