Stringray for country?

[Shinbone]

Hello. Don't think I've ever posted here before but I've been lurking for quite a while. Anyway, my question is for the EB Stingray players in the group.
I don't know much about these basses (I've only played Fender and Peavey.) Are they very versatile? Seems to me that the funk players like them a lot but I don't see many country players using them these days. I remember Teddy Gentry of Alabama played them back in the 80s. Any of you guys do country gigs with an EB?

 

[mikeswals]

They can be used for anything. The limitation lies in the player, not the bass.

I don't know why people still say "funk", I really haven't seen a funk genre around for decades, but seen them used plenty in everything...heck, even Chuck Mangione's bassist used a Ray.
BTW, the country genre of today has seen a ton of SR5's being used.

 

[5StringBlues]

Seems to have worked for Waylon's bassist.


Video - Waylon Jennings - Clyde Plays Electric Bass - YouTube

 

[PWV]

Based on that pic, looks like maybe Alabama was sponsored by Musicman?

And yeah - what Caca said. Lots of SR5's in today's country stuff.

 

[Pilgrim]

Almost any bass can be used for almost anything.

The sound is created by YOU. No matter what you play and no matter what you play it through, you will sound like YOU.

 

[Tupac]

Too growly for country. I'd imagine a Hofner would sound nice. They have a big, thick, thump to them, sounds nice.

 

[erock138]

A country band just opened for us, they were really really good, and the lead man played a stingray 5 string. sounded great.

 

[Shinbone]

That was some pretty good thump in that Waylon video. That was cool!

Most of country guys in this neck of the woods play Fender but I've been thinking about picking up a used Stingray. Thanks for the opinions guys.

 

[5StringBlues]

That was some pretty good thump in that Waylon video. That was cool!

Yeah,that solo at the end really shows what the "Ray can bring in thump.



I'm GUESSING he had the mutes on,tho strictly guessing.

 

[electracoyote]

I have used my MM in my country band, mainly because it has a Marty Bell sparkle finish, but also because it's a very versatile instrument. It sounded great.

 

[metalstorm]

Bass player for Brad Paisley plays a stingray fairly often.

 

[georgestrings]

Too growly for country. I'd imagine a Hofner would sound nice. They have a big, thick, thump to them, sounds nice.

I've seen a ton of Fenders, and quite a few EBMM basses in country - don't think I've ever seen a Hofner, though - I'm just sayin'...


- georgestrings

 

[stingraysvt]

Michelle Poe played a S5 when she was touring with Dierks Bentley, and I've seen her use one with Hank Jr.

But she plays a Peavey Cirrus 5 with Jr. as of lately.

 

[darkstorm]

I could certainly see a modern or more edgy country band useing them. Or one that wanted a little kick to the dance groove part of their country music.

 

[P. Aaron]

MM for Country? Heck yeah!

 

[skunky36]

I play in a locally popular rockabilly/alt country/bluegrass band. It doesn't matter what bass you play as long as you keep the treble down and the low mids up. Tele's and acoustics are twangy enough. The worst thing you can do in a real country band as a bass player is to put a bunch of high end on your bass tone.

 

[duff84]

you can use a musicman for pretty much any genre, i used to think they were too aggessive but playing with the eq alittle and they work for anything, great bass's.

 

[scraig]

I concur with the comments. I play a SR5 in a country band and the bass sounds great. I would learn to mute with your hand or fingers. My recommendation would be a five string bass for the new country like Jason Aldean's music. Much of the new country music demands a lower bass range. You can also tune the E string down to D on a four string bass. I bought a Fender Deluxe four string bass thinking it would be a better choice but it turns out I prefer the five string for versatility. I don't want to bring two basses to gigs.

 

[JTE]

Based on that pic, looks like maybe Alabama was sponsored by Musicman?

Yes, they were. Teddy used a StingRay and HD-130 (later 150) heads and the RH cabs (I never knew if they were 212 or 115), Jeff Cook and Randy used StingRay guitars too. Seems Randy still uses his StingRay guitar a good bit, which is unusual as there were hardly ANY people using the StingRay guitar.

StingRay basses were pretty common on Austin City Limits back in the early to mid '80s with a LOT of country music road bands.

John

 

[crookerbass]

Almost any bass can be used for almost anything.

The sound is created by YOU. No matter what you play and no matter what you play it through, you will sound like YOU.

Yup.
Its in your finger attack [and pick].

I use an American Standard P Bass with an Edan rig set flat., dead strings Bass players and soundman have asked be how do I get that tone ?