StingRay Encounters

[Smooth_bass88]

What is the best MusicMan StingRay Bass that you’ve ever played? Was it a BFR, a 4string or a 5? Was it an H, HH, or HS? Did you buy it and keep it? Do tell.

At a Guitar Center...Classic Series StingRay with 2 band EQ. G string was nice and even.

 

[five7]

I have owned close to 50 and most were 5 strings. The one I have now is a joy. USA Sterling 5 H. Between the neck and the tone of the single pickup, I love it. The fretless 5 I sold awhile back was equally nice.

 

[Wolfhound32]

The StingRay has always been one of my favorite basses, and I've had several super-fine examples. However, when I found this 2018 SR Special at our local dealer, it was love at first sight. After playing it for a bit, I ended up selling all my other 'Rays as the Special covered the same ground and a lot more. And the metal flake finish is just the best!

 

[Nebadon2000]

I feel they have surrendered much of the StingRay character in pursuit of Vintage Fender tones, which seem to be the new Modern

Yes, and it is perplexing how many Stingray owners both Pre Specials and Specials are now putting Flats on them

The once limited P with flats crowd is even growing among the Young and limiting the greatness of that Bass

The new 'Tone' with Specials I don't find as dire as you[ but hear it] and most likely will give one a shot this year and hope I can coax the 'Stingray sound in my head' out of it with right strings, technique and slight EQ

 

[Odinbass]

I had a chopper blue Stingray Special 4H. Best one I had. I do not have it anymore. As much as I liked that bass it always had a certain baked in tone and eventually it got old to me.

 

[Gloompunk]

not as fancy what others have posted, but i still have fond memories of my sbmm sub4. only reason i don't have it anymore is because i had to leave it behind when i moved to australia.

 

[kmd88]

Owned a bunch of EBMM Basses over the years. My DarkRay is quickly becoming my favorite.

 

[FishDub]

I’m surprised 76-78 pre eb rays haven’t been mentioned. I’ve played many rays but the 78 I had an sold smoked all of em.. it was like 11 pounds lol

 

[Jim C]

I've kept two out of 3 Stingrays. All 4 strings. The 83' is awesome but too heavy at 10.5 lbs.
The 2010ish bass is a 3 EQ, 8.5 lbs, and also really good.

Edit: Also have a Ray 4 in the box that is a deal for the price (especially wired in series) but the other two make it useless.

 

[InhumanResource]

What is the best MusicMan StingRay Bass that you’ve ever played? Was it a BFR, a 4string or a 5? Was it an H, HH, or HS? Did you buy it and keep it? Do tell.

I know someone who has a Stingray Special 4HH in dropped copper with a roasted maple neck that is just outstanding. Lightweight and sounds excellent. I really only like the sound of the single pickup but it’s easy enough to turn off/mute the neck pickup. Haven’t met 5 yet that I fell in love with, but I’m sure one is out there and I’ll probably snag one some day.

 

[swink]

I am faithful to my first Stingray5 H.
Bought mine in new 1994, never considered to look at another one.
It was love at first sight, and the flame is still burning.

 

[roller]

1990 Stingray 5. If it wasn't for the three-way switch, I wouldn't have dug it so much. For me, being able to get something besides the parallel Stingray humbucker sound is sooooooo key.

 

[Steve59]

Best playing and sounding stingray was a 1996 anniversary model. Had to sell it, but I always have a musicman bass. Love Leo’s work. Here’s the current lot.

 

[cholyoke]

I have enjoyed playing every EBMM bass I've seen. I have a Stingray Special 5HH and a Big Al 5H. The necks and B strings on both are perfect. I had a Sterling 4H that was great, but sold because I was moving to mostly playing five string basses. The two SBMM basses I've owned were also really good (Ray24 and Ray25).

 

[swink]

My favorite is my first, a 2004 EBMM Sterling. May not be a Stingray, but it’s easy enough to take the ceramic pickup by turning the treble down a single notch, and it sounds absolutely perfect with a set of Cobalt Flats on it. I had this bass for 16 years, sold it, and missed it so much I tracked it down and bought it again. Won’t let it go this time!
View attachment 4951567

It's a Ceramic Stingray5 with one string less to me.
It's the only 4 string I'dd consider buying to complete my collection.

 

[Mike Vee]

I got this guy in mint condition for $1700. I sold in about a week later for $1800, and I still have no idea why. Played so good, it was set up so low with no buzz. It was my firststingray, and I didn’t know what I had until it was gone.

 

[Dasgre0g]

I've probably had at least 10 different Ernie Ball music man bass guitars. I really liked every single one of them very much. That's why I keep going back. However, my favorite by far, which I sold for stupid stupid reasons and would love to have back, was a 2010 stingray classic 5 in Blue Frost.

 

[Bassinthemudd]

My 2005 EBMM 4H with the bridge piezo option is the nicest I've played.

It came with a ceramic pup and 3 band preamp. I replaced the pup with a Nordstrand MM4.2 and the preamp with an East MMSR 2 Band.

I didn't dislike the sound of the original electronics, but I had read such good things about the East and Nordstrand combo, and I wanted to convert it to stereo (or dual mono to be more precise.) The 5 hole control plate now has V/T/B, a push/pull for parallel/series switching, and an independent output jack for the piezos, which runs to an outboard Red-Eye by Fire-Eye preamp.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Had a 70’s stingray that neck issues, sold it. Had a Sabre around 1990, sold it. Have a Sub Ray now that has been modded and I love it. Pre and pup in it are great. I have to say my wish is to get another Sabre, my favorite EBMM.

 

[ics1974]

I love my 2007 Stingray 5 HH with ceramic pickups, wired in series.
Looking to get a stingray special 5 single or double H but can’t decide.