Stingray players, who are your main inspirations?

[gimmeagig]

Hi guys.
I have been playing J Basses forever and I have my favorite guys for that. But I want to incorporate a Stingray 5 into my playing and add a new vibe to my normal stuff. I get the sense that the Stingray is a completely different animal and I need to play it differently than my J Basses. I am hoping I might get some suggestions on Bassists or Songs that inspired you guys to be Stingray players. Something that I may not be familiar with. In Funk R&B Soul Fusion even Latin jazz Salsa, Brazilian,World music..
I know most of the obvious ones, Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards, Randy Hope Taylor, Pino, early Jeff Lorber.

 

[SF_Bassist]

For me, the inspiration initially came from Dave Allen, who played one in later years with Gang of Four, and Joe Lally of Fugazi. Later on, Gail Ann Dorsey from Davie Bowie's band. You mentioned Stingray 5. Everyone I mentioned played a Stingray 4.

Yes, it is definitely a different feel, especially with the neck profile. That said I am generally happy having switched from my J bass to a Stingray 4HH. Hope this helps.

 

[pgpete]

Stingray players I like
- Tony Levin
-Pino Palladino
- Rebecca Johnson
-Joe Dart
-Paul Denman

 

[NigelD]

Tyrone Brunson
Dexter Redding

 

[bass12]

I haven't had a Stingray in a long time but my inspiration for checking them out in the mid-'90s was seeing Meshell Ndegeocello playing one.

 

[jerry]

All the above and Freebo with Bonnie Raitt.

 

[tb-player]

Tim Commerford

 

[Brandon Shea]

This thread already has my favorites covered: Bernard Edwards, Tim Commerford, and Tony Levin. Absolutely huge range of tones between those three players.

 

[John Sparkman]

Tony Levin.

 

[Heiwa]

 

[MVE]

Carl Radle, played a Stingray towards the end of his career. I can't cite any specific recordings, but he probably would have gotten it around the time of the Slowhand album.

 

[Wyrdlow]

First off - I'm not a Stingray player, but... I reckon John Glascock's tone on Jethro Tull's "Heavy Horses" and "Songs From the Wood" is one of the greatest committed to tape....

 

[Rgmxx]

J. Lally Fugazi
T. Commenford RATM
Flea RHCP

 

[McFarlin]

Check out Dan Rathbun of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Free Salamander Exhibit and Idiot Flesh.

 

[vincent69]

Tim Commerford RATM
Simon Gallup The Cure (1985)
Steve Queralt Ride
Janice-Marie Johnson A Taste of Honey

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I'm going to add nothing new to this thread, but I too have been asking the same question of myself regarding the Stingray. Who are the "go-to" players, and more importantly, what does the Stingray do that works SO well in certain groups I play with?

My players:

Paul S. Denman
Pino Palladino
Flea
Tony Levin
Louis Johnson
Joe Lally
Bernard Edwards
Me'Shell

It still baffles my mind that Leo Fender created the Precision (2x), Jazz, and Stingray: the "Holy Trinity" of basses!….. And oh yeah, he also did the Mustang, Bass Vi, G&L, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Fender amplifier line.… why his genius isn't celebrated more is a crime!

 

[Heiwa]

Thread 'What song is the best commercial for a Stingray?'

Aug 10, 2025

If you were trying to get someone to consider a Stingray, what song would you play them to give the best idea of how the instrument sounds?

One caveat: You can't use Get On The Floor.

• SpankBazz
• Replies: 121
• Forum: Basses [BG]

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[andymcclure]

Gail Ann Dorsey plays a Stingray (and a Bongo) at times.

 

[Grahams Groove]

Jamiroquai records have some Stingray work on them. Nick Fyffe used them regularly during his time, but I think Zender and Paul Turner also brought them in for certain tunes.

Also:
-Jeff Caxide (Isis)
-Dave Larue (Dixie Dregs, Steve Morse, etc.)

 

[Element Zero]

I wouldn't say these players inspired me to want to play a StingRay, but they're certainly awesome playing who inspired my playing in general.

-Tim Commerford w/ RATM

-Dave LaRue w/ Vinnie Moore

-Jennifer Young w/ Travis Larson Band (though I think she may just play Sterlings now but pretty sure she played Stingrays back in the early days)

-Tony Levin w/ Peter Gabriel

-Flea w/ RHCP