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Stingray GAS! HH or classic?

what should i get?

  • Total voters
    60
  • Poll closed .
ghostjs

ghostjs

Aug 14, 2008
925
3
33
ghostjs
Disclosures
Unofficially Endorsing: D'Addario, Lakland
#1
i tested a HH stingray and LOVED its punch and power and also tested a 2-band stingray (not classic) and it sounded fairly punchy also... my question is what to get? i love the looks of the Classic and its laquer but... i can assume it isnt as hard hitting punchy as the 3-band stingrays... unless there is a way to EQ it to make it sound less vintage and more modern.
so, anyone can put some insight? especially owners of Stingrays and people who played the Classic stingrays.
im playing in a metal band and and funk-rock band and im seriously having GAS for both of them but i can only afford to get ONE. so no sarcasm please!
 
#2
Try playing the Classic before you make any purchase. Some folks vastly prefer the oil and wax finish of a standard SR vs. the lacquer on the Classic. Plus, the radius on the Classic is 7.5" vs 11" on a regular SR, so it may feel better, or worse, to you.

If I was buying one of those, I'd go with the Classic, hands down. To me, the neck feels perfect, and I prefer the 2-band eq. Th treble pot is very responsive in roll off for vintage tones and boost for modern. I've played two of them, and I want one, so much so that my 30th Anniversary SR4 may be going up for sale soon.


Any interest in the 30th Anniversary model? ;)
 
#4
It's a hard choice for sure, but having previously owned an HH for a few years I would say the classic hands down. The standard stingrays are a dime a dozen, there are dirt issues with the oil finished necks, and all the maintenance issues that go with an oil neck too, as well as the large frets and flat radius board...I would take a vintage board with small frets any day, and lacquer to boot? it's a no-brainer.
 
#6
steamthief said:
You should be able to get any of them for $1,800. Mine for a lot less!
Click to expand...

lol true. im quoting $1800 because thats how much the Stingray Classics are. can someone show me a vid of a REAL punchy and hard hitting stingray 2-band? ive seen Davidsinrocks' videos but thats a 1992 stingray and i wonder if these classic ones can give that harsh punch i want...
 
#7
Ever hear Rage Against the Machine's 1st Album? That's a 2eq Ray.

I've owned them all, and all I've had for a while now are a fleet of 2eq Musicmans. The 2eq is voiced more in the low mids which to me is a harder hitting punch. The 3eq is voiced in the high mids, I don't find that punchier in comparison, just a high end grittier edge.
A "modern sound" is achieved by turning the treble knob all the way up, then it's grit city. A vintage-y tone, simply set the treble knob at 60% or lower. That's all.
 
#8
Caca de Kick said:
Ever hear Rage Against the Machine's 1st Album? That's a 2eq Ray.

I've owned them all, and all I've had for a while now are a fleet of 2eq Musicmans. The 2eq is voiced more in the low mids which to me is a harder hitting punch. The 3eq is voiced in the high mids, I don't find that punchier in comparison, just a high end grittier edge.
A "modern sound" is achieved by turning the treble knob all the way up, then it's grit city. A vintage-y tone, simply set the treble knob at 60% or lower. That's all.
Click to expand...

ahhh thanks so much for the info! i hope it cuts through in my hard rock/metal band tho
 
#9
I'd go for the HH personally, you'll have more tonal options and all the nice refinements that have come along with the bass. I just played a new classic and I think I remember it having a boost only preamp but I could be wrong. I will say the neck was still very comfortable on the classic, not that sticky and it looked killer. Also the slab body isn't that comfortable, no forearm contour sucks.
 
#11
ghostjs said:
i tested a HH stingray and LOVED its punch and power and also tested a 2-band stingray (not classic) and it sounded fairly punchy also... my question is what to get? i love the looks of the Classic and its laquer but... i can assume it isnt as hard hitting punchy as the 3-band stingrays... unless there is a way to EQ it to make it sound less vintage and more modern.
so, anyone can put some insight? especially owners of Stingrays and people who played the Classic stingrays.
im playing in a metal band and and funk-rock band and im seriously having GAS for both of them but i can only afford to get ONE. so no sarcasm please!
Click to expand...

FWIW, You can't make a bad decision either way.

I've owned several 3-band SRs. Liked them all.
Never thought I'd care for the 2-band SR... until I played a Classic. ;)
Now I understand why some folks rave about the 2-band SRs.
The 2-band is naturally a little warmer/fatter.
The signature aggressive low-mid growl/punch is there in spades. To my ears, this is the perfect SR tone.
 
#12
I have a few EBMM basses and if I were you, I would go for the HH model. The single H is cool, but it (either the 2 band or 3 band) is more chain saw than sledge hammer with the bridge pickup alone. If you want a fat punchy tone, you need a mid/neck located pickup. My Big Al SSS is the finest Musicman bass I've ever played, btw :)
 
#14
RFord04 said:
Do they make HH rays with 2band EQ?
Click to expand...

No. But, I like both the three and and the two band, so the three band is fine with me for two pickup Rays. We have all been using the three band Rays for years, but I know the two band has become the current flavor of the month (not counting mike who has loved them all along :)). EB has so many basses, now with multiple eq/pickup choices, you are bound to find something you like.
 
#20
Get a classic now and pick up an HH used later. They pop up here every now and then.

I'm sure the Classics will show up used eventually, but it'll take a while. They're barely showing up on the retail shelves yet.

FWIW, I'm simple. I'm not a knob twiddler. I have a Stingray 4H, 3EQ. In the 2 years I've owned it I've never used the Mid knob. I have a Classic Stingray 4 en route as I type. After playing the Classic twice at GC, I'm completely sold.

I'll keep my 3EQ around long enough to do an A\B comparison and maybe even record it for future "2eq vs 3eq" threads. After that it's gone. Classic all the way!

If I want a different tone option, I play my Jazz or my G&L.

YMMV.
 

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