Stingray popularity decline?

[Nephilymbass]

It seems like Music Man Stingrays aren't as popular with working bassists (especially rock bassists) as they were 15-20 years ago, while on the other hand, P basses, J basses and Rics seem more popular than ever in this niche.

Any thoughts on why this may be? The desire for passive grind is the only explanation that I can think of, since the Stingray is otherwise a marvelous instrument.

It seems like Music Man Stingrays aren't as popular with working bassists (especially rock bassists) as they were 15-20 years ago, while on the other hand, P basses, J basses and Rics seem more popular than ever in this niche.

Any thoughts on why this may be? The desire for passive grind is the only explanation that I can think of, since the Stingray is otherwise a marvelous instrument.

They are good basses, I’ve owned two. I think the ever increasing prices are a big issue. Also I think companies like dingwall are taking away some of their business. For example ng2 is Sort of an updated version of a stingray and the new stingrays are so expensive it’s cheaper to get an ng2

 

[ezstep]

Just my theory....

For decades, a Sting Ray was about as good a mass-produced bass that you could get, under $1500.

Recently, other brands have increased quality control and the Sting Ray is no longer under $1500 (not all of them). Before I drop two grand on one instrument, I am going to compare the hell out of whatever-else-is-available near the same price range, and there is much more competition than before. More choices generally equal some lost sales. It is still a very good instrument, but others are comparable - perhaps better? - at that price range.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

If you ask a beginner, or someone contemplating learning bass, it’s either a Fender Precision or Jazz, or a Rick. Music Man/Stingray? G&L?Dingwall? Never heard of those.

And the brand name Music Man and logo sucks. Makes me think of Hohner harmonicas or something like that.

 

[Slevage]

I hope they fixed the dead D on the G string that my ‘76 Stringray had since it was new.
The active electronics were quite impressive at the time.

These days I often run my Elrick in passive mode.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

I love the 3+1 headstock. My biggest gripe is that the output of my MM is probably 70% of every other bass that I own. However, I don't get too aggressive with the EQ.

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

A stingray (or possibly EBMM sterling) are on my GAS list now. The biggest thing in the way is the cost. But I guess I have to acknowledge that I already have a p-bass type and a j-bass type.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Mixed fonts, when done well, and are well known brands, work well together.

 

[amper]

I always thought the one thing that hurt the Stingray more than anything else is the 'Music Man' company moniker and logo that looks like something off a kid's toy. And the overly busy (and straight out of the early 70s font) "Ernie Ball" they wedged on top of it doesn't help matters either. It seems hokey and out of place on that instrument.

Three different and totally clashing fonts? That mess would earn you an immediate F in any school of design that was worthy of the name.

As a graphic designer whose work has been featured nationally in graphic design annuals, I totally disagree with this.

 

[amper]

A couple of years ago, I got an American S.U.B. 5 in a trade. After messing with it, I discovered that all that brightness CAN be tamed and it has a distinctive voice that is actually quite versatile. It has gained a spot in my regular rotation.

I'm sort of kicking myself for not picking up a US S.U.B 5 back when they came out.

 

[amper]

I feel like stingrays need to be amplified well to sound great. Mine sounds excellent through my Mesa or Ampeg stack, but not so hot through a small neo combo. The popularity of these small gigging amps may be a factor.

Mine sounds perfectly lovely through my 55 lb. Mesa/Boogie Walkabout Scout 12 combo.

 

[scowboy]

I have two!

 

[Toddcaster64]

The thing is, usually at that point Darren was too preoccupied with having been turned into a frog by Endora, so it’s hard to get a real fix as to where he was at. The better authority would be Don Draper, though I suspect the answer would be the same - he seemed pretty minimalist.

I have to agree on the toy logo look.
View attachment 3097277
Darren Stevens never would've tried to submit this to Larry Tate for approval.
Entire headstock is too busy, just like the Sterling SUB Rays...which are a thing of the past, by the way.
I think it’d look much better with just MUSICMAN StingRay.
It wouldn't stop me from buying one, of course, but then again, they’re simply not for me. Better options for better prices, IMO.

Of course, Music Man fans are every bit as steadsfast as Fender fans...they're not going anywhere and neither are the basses.

 

[GonzoBfiddy]

It seems like Music Man Stingrays aren't as popular with working bassists (especially rock bassists) as they were 15-20 years ago, while on the other hand, P basses, J basses and Rics seem more popular than ever in this niche.

Any thoughts on why this may be? The desire for passive grind is the only explanation that I can think of, since the Stingray is otherwise a marvelous instrument.

It seems like Music Man Stingrays aren't as popular with working bassists (especially rock bassists) as they were 15-20 years ago, while on the other hand, P basses, J basses and Rics seem more popular than ever in this niche.

Any thoughts on why this may be? The desire for passive grind is the only explanation that I can think of, since the Stingray is otherwise a marvelous instrument.

I don't agree with the idea of a decline in popularity of 'Rays or any other particular instruments. People play instruments that speak to/for them. StingRay Basses have remained virtually unchanged for over 40 yrs. There are some who have connected to that particular 'vibe' while many others have gone in a different directions. The 'Ray always been a bit of a polarizing instrument partly due to the perception by many who see it as a "one-trick pony". I have always believed a 'Ray can do anything from a tonal standpoint. I've recorded and performed diverse stylings of music and have never had an issue with an engineer or bandleader regarding my tone. It's actually been a much more positive response than anything else. My 1st 'REAL' bass as a beginning player was a new '82 StingRay. As I went on to become more financially secure I looked at pretty much every 'high-end' bass on the market over the last 20 yrs as a possible addition to my collection but have always come away with a feeling of..."wow, this is a REALLY nice axe!! Beautiful, sounds great....but not really for me!" The thing is I really didn't want or need anything else but had the curiosity bug. I checked it all out and discovered I already had what I needed as a player. It's all relative to each individuals' situation...and I just believe the popularity of a particular instrument has more to do with peoples' perception and limited experience with said instrument than a decline in its' popularity. But that's just my take.

 

[GonzoBfiddy]

I have to agree on the toy logo look.
View attachment 3097277
Darren Stevens never would've tried to submit this to Larry Tate for approval.
Entire headstock is too busy, just like the Sterling SUB Rays...which are a thing of the past, by the way.
I think it’d look much better with just MUSICMAN StingRay.
It wouldn't stop me from buying one, of course, but then again, they’re simply not for me. Better options for better prices, IMO.

Of course, Music Man fans are every bit as steadsfast as Fender fans...they're not going anywhere and neither are the basses.

I've always LOVED the MM logo. I always assumed it was a nod to my heros at the time. (The Brothers Johnson...lefty and righty playing side-by-side!! lol)

 

[amper]

Is it really a thing that a Precision with flats is a current trend? Because I've noticed younger players in my area using that combination, and it leaves me scratching my head.

To be sure, flats sound better on a Precision or StingRay than they do on a Jazz, but for Rock, I'd go rounds on a Jazz or StingRay long before I'd use flats on a Precision. Rounds sound better on a Jazz or StingRay than they do on a Precision, IMO.

Perhaps the fact that I am a 99% finger, 1% plectrum, 0% slap player influences me in this direction.

 

[LowEndOperative]

Regarding the logo, I’d like to see it simplified (namely, remove the guitarists graphic). Have the attached graphic run along the same angle as the bottom of the headstock. Perhaps those who are well-versed in Photoshop can play around.

 

[amper]

In fact, what made me consider a StingRay in the first place was demo-ing a fretless StingRay with flats. I had never before realised how good that combination really is, but once I demo-ed one, I had to have one. Now, I just really need a fretted one with rounds.

 

[Stevorebob]

OMG! StingRays in sudden popularity drop because of a 40-year-old logo design and company name! Really?

 

[amper]

Regarding the logo, I can't think of a gig where I'd be embarrassed to show up with my bass. Sometimes, you can overthink a think.

 

[CapnSev]

The Stingray has cemented itself as an icon, right up there with the Jazz, P and the Ric. The sonic trend might lean towards darker, vintage tones, but the Stingray isn’t going anywhere.