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Stingray question

J

jmjbassplayer

Justin Meldal-Johnsen
Gold Supporting Member
Mar 25, 2005
4,014
3,599
#1
Hi there,

I was thinking about buying a Sting Ray to add to my collection; it can be a useful tone, and I had one years ago that I regret selling. But some advice would be greatly appreciated.

Firstly, should I consider the new models with extra pickups, or just the single humbucker? I want the old school tone, but not too bright' in other words, I want to make sure I get plenty of booty out of it. I talked to Mike at Bass Central, and he and Beaver say they prefer the single-pickup version.

Does the maple board add too much brightness?

2 or 3 band EQ?

Any difference in tone with that 30th Anniversary one? I could get down with that, if it was the right price. Very pretty bass.

Just wanted to get some tips and advice, and any other things I should look for...I'd like something classic looking, like white/black guard, or brown/black guard, or something cool like that.

Thanks very much,
JMJ
 
#2
Since nobody else is chiming in, I used to have a stingray with maple board and flats that didn't sound super bright - yet it was extremely punchy and defined when recording. It stood out more than any other of my basses when it went to tape as it had a certain presence my Fender's didn't. Although, I am not sure if that was due to the 'maple board.' ;)

If you are gong for a classic sound (Lonnie Turner's tone?), I would guess the 2-band EQ and single humbucker are going to suit you best as that is the original configuration.

Brown/black would be super cool...if you go with that combo, make sure you post some pictures. :bassist:
 
#3
The 30th is really punchy and sounds more pianolike than regular stingrays. Less scooped.

If you like the really scooped sound, 2 band stingrays are really cool. My fretless stingray is 2 band and gets some unique tones that you cant really get on a 3 band. (the bass boost etc is at a different frequency than the 3 band i believe).

If you like a more middy tone, the 3 band obviously will be better.

As far as H vs HH. If you decide 3 band, get HH, because you dont lose anything by doing it. (unless we'lre talking sr5)
 
#4
If I had to get one all over again I would still get an HH. Looks-wise, I always thought a killer combination would be Rolls Burgundy with a tort guard, maple neck.

Check the neck for straightness before you buy..yada yada yada etc.
 
#5
These tips are awesome.

Interesting, Mike at Bass Central told me he thought the HH configuration doesn't have the same output or tone as the single H, is that not correct?

And Lonnie Turner tone, yes - that's a great reference.

I sure like that 30th Anniversary one, visually. Are any of those still around to be had? Seem a little cost-prohibitive, though. It actually sounds different than other ones? It looks the same, electronically.

Thanks,
JMJ
 
#6
I've got all the one you listed....30th, HH, 3eq, 2eq.

I mostly have 2eq's and they are my favorites. They have more meat to the lowend, and I don't get all that noisy-clickety highs, like the 3eq gets. I prefer mine with maple boards too (asthetic only) but never really noticed a sound difference in fretboards.

Bass Central has had that natural/maple 2eq hanging there for quite some time, they ought to give a heckuva deal on it...seems like the ideal bass.
 
#7
Figjam said:
As far as H vs HH. If you decide 3 band, get HH, because you dont lose anything by doing it. (unless we'lre talking sr5)
Click to expand...

Is that because of the different magnets currently in SR5s? If so,that's about to change - EB are reverting to alnico magnets in the SR5 because the Sterling 5 is now in the pipeline which will have ceramic pups.
 
#8
A looong time ago I had a pre-EB Stingray (the ONE I truly wish I never let get away)
It was natural/black pickguard and all-maple neck, 2 band EQ.

Thats EXACTLY what I would get if I were to get another one. I've NEVER been able to recapture that tone-even with the treble up full, the bottom was always there-I loved that scooped sound!! Not that I'm a slappy-poppy kind of player but I thought the primary voice of that bass worked with anything! I'm not sure if a maple board really brightens the sound THAT much but I just think thats the way those basses were meant to be.

I recall playing it through my original Bass Rockman with the distortion effect on-that sound was greasier than a full bucket of KFC with mayonnaise on top!

Anyway-single pickup, 2 band EQ, maple board-thats the way to do it.
 
#9
I am gassing for a SR4, 2 band EQ, maple board, natural, tort--think Paul S. Denman.

One thing that haunts me...Birdseye Maple. :eyebrow:

Has anyone one else seen incredible Birdseye maple necks/fingerboards on an SR4? Have I just dreamt this? :crying:

Got Pix? :ninja:
 
#12
Anyone who tells you that a maple FB on a fretted bass makes some huge difference is either delusional or just being pretentious. You *might* possibly hear a very small difference on a fretless, but I have to stress *might*. I have Stingrays with both - can't tell a difference either way. Get what you like.

As for the sound - if you want the classic Ray tone - you need to go with the H. No way around that but be aware that it's a bit of a one trick pony - a completely awesome one trick pony though! If you want more tonal variations then go with the HH. Either way you go I would recommend the 2EQ. The 3EQ is a little too fidgety to deal with in my opinion but it certainly won't limit you to only certain sounds as others have suggested. Any sound you can get out of the 2EQ you can get out of the 3 - you just have to work the dials a little more to do so.

I don't spend much time adjusting the EQ settings on any of my basses though - I do all that at the amp and for the most part leave the controls on the bass alone once I dial them in to a sound I like (which is usually very close to flat).

As far as looks go - in this man's humble opinion - it's really hard to beat the looks of a Stingray that has vintage sunburst paint, a maple fretboard, non-matching headstock, and a pearloid pickguard. :)

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#14
Figjam said:
If you want the classic ray tone you dont need an H. THe HH in position one is EXACTLY the same.
Click to expand...

Ya, I've heard that too - but it definitely sounds different on my Rays.

One other thing - I've been through lots of strings on the Stingrays - the ones that I feel give the best classic Ray sound are the DR Fat Beams. But depending on your amp and playing style YMMV.
 
#15
You people are making me want a SR even more.
I used to own an SR5 which I loved/hated for a while and sold it. Now I regret it everyday. Anyways I'm now playing only 4s ang GASing for a natural/maple/2EQ Stingray like crazy.

Very good advice from everyone.
I still think that SRs are one of the best constructed basses and bargains around. The quality is just excellent.
 
#17
If I wanted a StingRay with old school thumpy tones and a classic look I'd pick up a nice natural, black pickguard, maple board, 2-EQ Single H Ray. Oh and for good measure throw on some flats.

That being said I've owned 5 Rays in the past. I have to admit I favor the 3-band EQ, mainly because I like to crank up the mids, but the 2-band Ray i had rocked, and had a way more old school vibe to it. I think the new dual pickup models are great but after playing one for a while at GC I found that I really just liked the bridge pup solod tone the best so Single H is it for me.

Hope that helps.
 
#20
I love my EB's I have 2 SR and 1 bongo. The one SR is your typical set up, single H with a maple board. i love it, Ive been using it for over 10 years now. has a very very nice punch, it could get bright if you dont eq properly but naturally i dont feel its overally bright.

My other SR is a five string frettless. that one leaves me speechless. the tone is so warm but at the same time it has the same in your face sound you expect from EB.

As for the bongo....that's another beast in of itself and at the moment its my main piece.
 

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