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Sire Z7 vs Lakland 55-02

55-02 or Z7


  • Total voters
    67
  • Poll closed .
Yes. But not just any humbucker and not just any active preamp.

And besides being specific parts of the equation, placement of that pickup is very much an important part of the MM sound.

To my ear, and with an MM bass always within arm's reach, I haven't heard or seen another bass that nails that tone. I'm certain the others are great basses (based on what I've ready around here) and make a very usable tone(s).
Agreed. Like Rickenbacker, nothing really sounds like a Stingray except a Stingray. Even the import Sterling models don't sound like a real Stingray. If you want that sound, get that bass.
 
Even the import Sterling models don't sound like a real Stingray.

Please 'sticky' this as 'Opinion'. Not fact. Even LowEndLobster did a side by side comparison and if you think they sound nothing alike.... I question your ears. They aren't exact, but they aren't in totally opposite ballparks in Los Angeles and New York.
 
Please 'sticky' this as 'Opinion'. Not fact. Even LowEndLobster did a side by side comparison and if you think they sound nothing alike.... I question your ears. They aren't exact, but they aren't in totally opposite ballparks in Los Angeles and New York.
That sounds an awful lot like an opinion.

It goes without saying that when we express our opinions they are just that.

This is all subjective. It's talkbass
 
That sounds an awful lot like an opinion.

It goes without saying that when we express our opinions they are just that.

This is all subjective. It's talkbass

It's all subjective, until someone provides *objective* evidence refuting that subjectivity, even on a partial level. Again - the video evidence which exists from a trusted member of our TalkBass community is there to examine - and these 2 types of basses do not sound so far apart in their characteristics to be deemed as 'nothing alike.' The biggest gripes were QC issues and weight - but not tone. It's a fine line between objectivity and subjectivity sometimes.

 
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It's all subjective, until someone provides *objective* evidence refuting that subjectivity, even on a partial level. Again - the video evidence which exists from a trusted member of our TalkBass community is there to examine - and these 2 types of basses do not sound so far apart in their characteristics to be deemed as 'nothing alike.' The biggest gripes were QC issues and weight - but not tone. It's a fine line between objectivity and subjectivity sometimes.


Do you own one of the licensed imports? How much time have you spent with real Stingrays? Just curious.
 
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Do you own one of the licensed imports? How much time have you spent with real Stingrays? Just curious.
I do own one of the licensed imports - a 3-band Ray34 natural ash with a roasted maple neck - the one Lobster reviewed in their video. I used to own 2 mid 2000s fretted and fretless USA 2-band SUBs (essentially a StingRay Classic with the slab body), and owned a 3-band early-2000s StingRay as well. All of them had different 'shades' of character as would be rationally expected.... but all sounded like StingRays, as does the Ray34. The SBMM sounds the most similar to my 3-band early 2000s 'Ray, which makes sense. So I have objective experience with what most consider REAL 'Rays, as well as my SBMM. Any questions?
 
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I do own one of the licensed imports - a 3-band Ray34 natural ash with a roasted maple neck - the one Lobster reviewed in their video. I used to own 2 mid 2000s fretted and fretless USA 2-band SUBs (essentially a StingRay Classic with the slab body), and owned a 3-band early-2000s StingRay as well. All of them had different 'shades' of character as would be rationally expected.... but all sounded like StingRays, as does the Ray34. The SBMM sounds the most similar to my 3-band early 2000s 'Ray, which makes sense. So I have objective experience with what most consider REAL 'Rays, as well as my SBMM. Any questions?
I think you still may be confusing objective and subjective. Objective isnt based on personal experience and opinions, its based on verifiable facts. For instance, the way a bass sounds is subjective. How much a bass weighs is objective. Your subjective opinion is no more or less valuable than mine is. I was stating mine and you stated yours. I dont agree with yours and you dont agree with mine. But none of that is objective in any way. Hope all is well. Have a great day!
 
I think you still may be confusing objective and subjective. Objective isnt based on personal experience and opinions, its based on verifiable facts. For instance, the way a bass sounds is subjective. How much a bass weighs is objective. Your subjective opinion is no more or less valuable than mine is. I was stating mine and you stated yours. I dont agree with yours and you dont agree with mine. But none of that is objective in any way. Hope all is well. Have a great day!

I am not confusing the terms. Your 'opinion' that both basses sound 'nothing alike' is, when refuted with objective evidence (i.e. concrete and repeatable).... wrong. If one of them sounded like a P-Bass despite having similar circuitry and a pickup that is similar, but claimed to sound like a StingRay, then you'd be objectively right. If you had stated that they both sound like StingRays but the 'real' 'Ray exhibited qualities A, B, and C which the 'not real 'Ray' didn't, then we'd have some actual aspects and points to compare *objectively*. Stating that they 'sound nothing alike' is your opinion (subjective), but is flawed and not supported with any actual evidence. My position is supported with video evidence and a side by side comparison, and personal experience as well.

Good day indeed.
 
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I currently own an upgraded 55-01 and have been wanting a 55-02. I see sire has released the Z7. I feel like I'm drawn to the MM tone. I thought I'd get your guys take. I don't have a location to try them out. Anyone have a feel for them. I primarily play worship music at my church. Thanks.
My choice would be the Lakland.

I owned a US 55-94 for many years and recently a 55-02, which was pretty close. They were both class acts with great tone and virtually played themselves. The 55-02 is a lot of bass for the money.
 
Shall we play a game?

It's a shame I no longer had any of the 3 EBMM USA SUBs I had, and the SUB5, it would have been great to add them to the list.
I also had a Lakland 55-02, which I no longer have (that was a fantastic bass, but I was stupid and thought I would never get much mileage out of 5-strings... and then of course I changed my mind and my 4-strings barely get played).

What I can do is record a few short clips with a few different basses and see what people think they are.

I can use:

2-band 2002 4-string Stingray
Ray35
Harley Benton MB-5 (this one is passive at the moment)
and I ordered a Sire Z7-5 which should be here in a couple of weeks.

:)

Not to prove or disprove a point, just out of curiosity and because I like making pretty graphs :D