Stingray-the most divisive bass sound?

[bluesblaster]

It sounds like a bass......how is this divisive ? There are bigger fish to fry

 

[dkelley]

Yea it's super divisive.

Of course, that's the default rounds sound set in the typical stingray setting, which is (IMHO) and INCREDIBLE tone for playing rock music and funk music, but less than ideal for some other styles.

It's possible to lose the mid scoop with one, but it's not possible to get the mid hump that jazz or precision basses can give you (precisions always do, and jazz basses can give it if using only one pickup, particularly the bridge one).

That being said, then they made the 3 band eq, and that kind of changed everything, allowed you to bump the mids like on a classic fender. Kind of. Sorta.

Damn they're mighty fine basses though.

My USA ernie balls were tied as the best built basses I've ever owned. And I loved the fretted one dearly for some styles.

You can't get that sound without one, and it's hard NOT to get that sound with one.

But... WHAT A SOUND

 

[Sazazie_Spring]

I like them, but only if i cut the treble on them just a bit. Some of the Kyuss/Unida recordings use an Ibanez ATK, which similar and has a similar high end clank, but with the tone rolled off a tad it sounds great.

 

[Chickenwheels]

 

[bluesblaster]

Always dug this gal, that being said the bass player could have easily used a jazz bass and copped the same sound.

Sade has got it goin on

 

[renejaime]

the stingray has a pretty wide tonal spectrum available...
there's the stereotypical ray sound that can be annoying but it's more the player than the instrument if you're going to cheese it will be cheese.

same goes for fretless and slap bass.

 

[burgerdj]

I played my Sterling for years and suddenly hated the tone. Turns out the bass was awesome, I had just bought into the flavor of the month of everything flat on the EQ. Once I realized no one else cared, I dialed in the sound that I wanted and fell back in love with the bass. It's one of three that I will never part with. It's a machine. Your taste may vary.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Agreed. Sometimes, people get a different kind of bass, try the same things they do on other instruments and when it doesn't work, they give up on it. Understanding tone and how to shape it is a separate skill from playing IMO.

Yes it is.

 

[Freekmagnet]

This thread has got to be one of the most egregious examples of TB hyperbole, but I'll comment anyway.

The 3-band StingRay with flats was my main bass for 25+ years. I played many many gigs with it and did tons of recording with it. Never once did anyone complain and say, "Hey, $&#% you on the StingRay - get out of here and never come back!" A lot of people would say, "You're a great bass player and you make that bass sound really good!" The only reason I don't play the it anymore is because I started designing and building my own instruments, so the StingRay now spends a lot of time in its case.

The StingRay sounds like a bass, for crying' out loud. How could anyone dispute that?

 

[JakobT]

I think the reason is that many StingRay players simply overdo it. Sure, the StingRay has a distinctive sound, but the preamp makes it quite versatile, and it can really work in practically any setting.

 

[Chickenwheels]

Once I realized no one else cared, I dialed in the sound that I wanted

Always do this.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Treat em right, they'll treat you right.

That is killer! I wish Pino used his Stingray more often these days. I love the dark tone with no mwah that he got on that song.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I think the reason is that many StingRay players simply overdo it. Sure, the StingRay has a distinctive sound, but the preamp makes it quite versatile, and it can really work in practically any setting.

Flea

 

[Todd Hamby]

I am a Stingray fanatic and definitely don't think they are one trick ponies. Here are two vastly different tones from the same Stingray.




My herd <3

 

[Geri O]

Always dug this gal, that being said the bass player could have easily used a jazz bass and copped the same sound.

Sade has got it goin on

Nope on copping that sound with any Jazz. Own both of them and try it.

 

[TrustRod]

To my ears the stingray sound is a very strong flavor. That leads to responses that are passionate one way or another. A less intense flavor doesn't inspire the extremes.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am a Stingray fanatic and definitely don't think they are one trick ponies. Here are two vastly different tones from the same Stingray.



View attachment 4261429
My herd <3

Great playing and you have a wonderful collection too!

 

[Todd Hamby]

Thank you @Dr. Cheese! My love of Bernard Edwards lead me to this

 

[Lesfunk]

Assuming that the stingray sound is divisive, and I'm not sure it really is,
I suppose it's a testament to its strong character.
It refuses to be denied. It elicits a response

 

[Tubehed]

Divisive? Not sure that would be the correct description. It's a bass guitar. No point in getting divisive over a piece of wood with wires and strings. I love them, but could really care less if other people don't like them, or even hate them. Who cares?