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Stingray or Sterling

#3
Well, the idea is to buy one second hand in the next year or so. Not exclusively, or obssesively, but the RATM sound is more what I'm lookign for I suppose, and also funk. So, you can see why the choice is between these too..I'm not too fussy about the neck really. Tone is more of an issue. And weight, but mostly with respect to tone. Do both of them have the maple neck and fretboard?
 
#5
It is true that you can get a RATM sound with a stingray (only on the self titled cd i think, that is when timmy c used a stingray, after that it was a jazz). But i have a Sterling and was playing some Rage stuff today with my drummer and you'd be surprised how great it sounded. Sterlings can sound like a Ray if wanted, and i feel a sterling can get a jazz tone better than a stingray.
 
#6
Stingrays and Sterlings will usually go for $750 to $1K used. I picked up and SR5 3 weeks ago for $850. $#!tty case and horrendous pickguard though, so I'm out another $35 for a PG and $65 for a case. That being said, the SR5 diplaced my MTD Grendel (original production run with wenge head stock, serial #14, yes, 14) and my 1986 P-bass at the top of the food chain. For Rock, there simply is no better bass. You may find some others that are as good, but none better. As far as funk, Stingrays and Sterlings were created for funk.

Stingrays are not light. They are not going to break your back (10.5 lbs), but they are virtually all made of ash. If you are used to playing a bass made our of basswood, it will take you a couple of weeks to get used to the weight. They have maple fingerboards. Mine does, and personally I think that maple best compliments the intrinsic tone of a Stingray.

All of this info applies to Sterling, except the weight. They are a little lighter. The tones are very similar between the two, although the Sterling a coil tap feature and hot-rodded Pup setting. These features are also found on the StingRay 5, but not the 4 as far as I know.

You will lover either one.
 
#7
Joe Boom said:
Stingrays are not light. They are not going to break your back (10.5 lbs), but they are virtually all made of ash. If you are used to playing a bass made our of basswood, it will take you a couple of weeks to get used to the weight.
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If ever.

When I picked that new X01 for $319 at GC a few months ago, I was just in love with it, but the weight (which is a little less than eleven pounds) is something I simply can't get used to.

Sad.
 
#10
I'm personally a sterling guy. It can get a Stingray sound, as well as quite a few others. It is quite versatile, not the most versatile. but more so than the SR4. Most of this is accomplished with the pickup switch. I also love the neck, if it was slightly flatter, I would die of happiness.
 
#12
stingray for me. for you? only you know the answer. I'll parrot what figjam et. al. have said, for Rages's first record, it's a brightly EQ'd stingray. The other albums and audioslave feature jazz basses.

as far as playability, the sterling has a slimmer, faster neck (like a jazz) and has the toggle switch to change the pickup (series, parallel IIRC). The stingray has p-bass spacing and has a "fatter" neck, more beefy for lack of a better term. Go try both and find out for yourself.

As far as US price, they usually vary depending on condition from $650-$800 used, you just have to shop around. (READ: in stores, NOT online) :)
 
#14
PolkaHero said:
The Stingray I just bought (my first) tips the scales at just under 9 lbs. Not heavy at all; actually lighter than my G&L L-2000. Man, these basses have punch! :bassist:
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Aren't the G&L L2K's practically musical tanks, though? Every one of them I've tried has been like a wood boat anchor, albeit with a GREAT tone.
 
#15
5stringDNA said:
Is 10.5 lbs really that bad of a back breaker? My fretless is 7.5 lbs, semi-hollow featherweight, but my fretted is a killer 13 lbs, and with a good strap it really isn't that troublesome, and I have a bad back. I'd say get whichever one sounds best, unless teh weight factor really ends up being a kill-joy.
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Ever use that bass to play 3 one hour long sets in one night?
 
#17
rowyco said:
Where do you see them selling for that? I've been looking for one in that price range for a long time and haven't been able to locate one.
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I've seen several on ebay go for that. Also look around at some local stores or the the classified section in the news pape, I saw one for $750 recently in the newspaper.
 
#19
Govithoy said:
Aren't the G&L L2K's practically musical tanks, though? Every one of them I've tried has been like a wood boat anchor, albeit with a GREAT tone.
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My L-2000 weighs in at around 9 lbs. Not exactly a boat anchor, only slightly heavier than my Stingray. After playing the Stingray some more, I don't think I have any more need for the G&L. Why have one bass that mimics (but doesn't sound exactly like) the sound of three (Precision, Jazz, Musicman) basses when one has all three at their disposal? But that's for another thread topic!
 

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