Stingray 5 as only bass

[beaglesandbass]

Hey,

So a few years ago I traded for a Stingray 5 and its been my only bass. I like it a lot but I miss having a 4 string, there's just something in the tone of a 4 string that I feel 5s don't get. As well I prefer slapping on a 4. I have the opportunity to trade my stingray 5 (2000) for an American Jazz 4 (08). Ideally I would rather have only one bass, but I don't want to regret trading away my 5 string. Interested in opinions, if you were in my shoes what would you do?

I'd keep the Stingray 5 and save up my loonies for an inexpensive Jazz.

What garp said. Keep the SR5, buy a MIM or Sire Jazz.

 

[Anhg77]

That 5th string and extra hardware and weight all for only 5 extra notes. Ain't worth it. Dump it.

Its not so much about those 5 extra notes. Five stringers main advantage is being able to play more notes at any position without having to shift.

 

[Giffro]

How could you part with something as beautiful as this..not to mention the rest of the long sleek neck and great body. My wife just came in and thought I was writing about some girl...well she wasnt far wrong lol

 

[scowboy]

Somebody liked my post this morning and here is a follow up anticdote. The guy I got my current Stingray 5 from (the "third" in my OP) contacted me about a month ago to buy it back. Now, we did agree that if I ever sold it I would give him first shot at it.

In all my years of buying and selling basses I've regretted selling three different basses, the Stingray I mention in my OP, a Warwick Thumb NT and a Conklin Groove Tools Rocco Prestia model. I was not able to re-aquire any of them. So far be it from me to prevent this guy from having his bass back.

We PM'd for about a week and agreed on a price but I was very clear that I really wanted to keep the bass because I really liked it but, if he REALLY wanted it I'd sell it back. I was left in the "now what the hell am I going to do" quandary. I found one other SR5 which by normal standards would have been an upgrade. However, the original owner agreed to find a different SR5 and moved on. I was pleased with myself for demonstrating restraint and keeping a bass that I really liked. Anytime in the previous ten years I would have sold it in a second and then went and pissed away more money on a bass I may or may have not liked.

The other thing about Stingray's I have figured out is that I really like the ones before the compensating nut. I've had a '98, '06 and my current one which is an '01. I don't know much about the changes in the neck profile but those are the ones that always feel best to me. I also have a '17 SR4 three tone sunburst with a matching headstock and it's a beautiful bass but again the neck profile is a bit different and so far I've never taken it out of the house. I mention this because I did factor this in to the decision to want to keep my current bass. The older SR's are not quite as plentiful. My SR5 has a matching painted headstock which is another more difficult thing to find.

Another vote to keep your SR5. I'm on my 3rd one, it's the bass I always go back to. My second one was "the one" that I foolishly sold. My third one a 2001 model is very cool and it's a keeper. FWIW I also have a P-bass and a few others rotating in and out but I nearly always play my SR5. Don't sell it, I so regret selling the second one and even tried to get it back at one point before I got the one I have now.

 

[jlepre]

That 5th string and extra hardware and weight all for only 5 extra notes. Ain't worth it. Dump it.

If that's what you think that a 5 string bass gives you, then you obviously don't play one. That low B does alot more.

 

[Yammybass]

This..... assuming "loonies" means money.

If it means bullets or pizza crusts or empty dog food cans then no.

Loonies are Canadian lol eh!

 

[selowitch]

I love my 2001 SR5 without the compensated nut. It sounds great and the neck feels amazing. The only knock is that it is heavy and difficult to play standing up. I wouldn't mind getting a SR5 Special for the weight issue alone.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I could definitely see my Stingray Special 5HH being my only bass , if I was forced to. It is very versatile .
But I’m glad I don’t have to make that choice.

 

[bassdude51]

If that's what you think that a 5 string bass gives you, then you obviously don't play one. That low B does alot more.

The original thread asked for opinions and I gave mine. It was my opinion and nothing more. I'm not preaching gospel on 5ers vs 4 bangers and I am nobody.

I liked your expression and I respect your opinion on 5ers.

My #1 complaint with 5ers is that the fundamental of 31 hz @ a flat output with no minus or plus db.............well, there are literally no bass cabs that can do justice to the low B.

Now TBers have stated over and over again that it is not necessary to hear the true fundamental of the low B. They say that our brains "fill in the blank" and the harmonic overtones are good enough. Whatever. I don't believe it. 31hz is 31 hz. Either it is there or it is not.

For me, to have a 5 string bass and not have a bass cab that'll do 31 hz is like having a sports car and never driving it over 60 mph. Unrealized potential.

But yeah, when we hit an open low B.........we do hear something, don't we?

I personally like the sound of Eb/D# and D. But in my humble opinion, notes lower than D only sound good as whole notes or half notes. At 1/4 notes or faster, the Db, C and B don't have enough time to vibrate a distinct sound, But this is just my feelings about it and nothing more.

The stand-up bass which is "the standard" for bass is 4 strings and with the E @ 41 hz. I'll go with 4 bangers.

Ultimately, we can play whatever we want and be happy about it.

Obviously, the creator of this thread was having doubts about his SR5 and wanted our opinions of the matter.

 

[mesaplayer83]

The original thread asked for opinions and I gave mine. It was my opinion and nothing more. I'm not preaching gospel on 5ers vs 4 bangers and I am nobody.

I liked your expression and I respect your opinion on 5ers.

My #1 complaint with 5ers is that the fundamental of 31 hz @ a flat output with no minus or plus db.............well, there are literally no bass cabs that can do justice to the low B.

Now TBers have stated over and over again that it is not necessary to hear the true fundamental of the low B. They say that our brains "fill in the blank" and the harmonic overtones are good enough. Whatever. I don't believe it. 31hz is 31 hz. Either it is there or it is not.

For me, to have a 5 string bass and not have a bass cab that'll do 31 hz is like having a sports car and never driving it over 60 mph. Unrealized potential.

But yeah, when we hit an open low B.........we do hear something, don't we?

I personally like the sound of Eb/D# and D. But in my humble opinion, notes lower than D only sound good as whole notes or half notes. At 1/4 notes or faster, the Db, C and B don't have enough time to vibrate a distinct sound, But this is just my feelings about it and nothing more.

The stand-up bass which is "the standard" for bass is 4 strings and with the E @ 41 hz. I'll go with 4 bangers.

Ultimately, we can play whatever we want and be happy about it.

Obviously, the creator of this thread was having doubts about his SR5 and wanted our opinions of the matter.

Yeah, it's easy to tell that you've never gigged a 5er while playing music that pretty much dictates it's use... Of course, you're entitled to your opinion, however misinformed it may be...

 

[JZQuantum]

Stingray > Jazz bass all day every day.