You might want to try this.
Not one of the entry-level TMBs...$550 bit I wouldn't have been surprised if it was $750.
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Not one of the entry-level TMBs...$550 bit I wouldn't have been surprised if it was $750.
A used stingray is a great sub $1000 Stingray alternative.
How about the new G&L Kiloton Bass?
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A Reverend Mercalli - MM/P sure the MM is not quite in the sweet spot - but it is a killin bass.
If you like the 'Ray, be prepared to be disappointed in anything you feel has to sound like one but isn't. Most active basses sound like themselves, especially those with a proprietary preamp. The 'Ray is one of many basses with a humbucking pickup centered 30.5" from the nut (If my measurements are off, please forgive me), and none of them are going to sound exactly like any of the others.
I'd suggest trying out as many genuine EBMM Sterlings as you can get your hands on and also keep your eye open here and at Reverb for a used one.
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The Atlas is shaped kind of like a Stingray, but mine is alder, and weighs 9 pounds.
If it can't be a MM product my vote is with ATK or Dimension.
ATK is big and heavy so you will probably be happier with Dimension. It's light and sleek. And it sounds great.
ATK is big and heavy so you will probably be happier with Dimension. It's light and sleek. And it sounds great.
You might want to try this.
Not one of the entry-level TMBs...$550 bit I wouldn't have been surprised if it was $750.
It's a great bass, but is P/J all the way with zero Stingray tone.
The first that comes to my mind is one the OP already pointed out-- the L2000
Next would be something from Kiesel-- like the PB4 (or PB5) with the SR humbucker. Kiesel bodies tend to be thiner (front to back) than the fenders/G&L, and I think Stingray (though my SR is in the shop with a bad pre-amp, so I can't compare them at the moment). If I remember correctly, the PB is also narrower in the waist.
You can custom order one to your liking and still be under your target budget, as the PB starts at 800 (and you typically get $100 in free options as well).
At the very least, they are worth looking at
Good luck!
(BTW: Kiesel is the recently updated Carvin company)
Next would be something from Kiesel-- like the PB4 (or PB5) with the SR humbucker. Kiesel bodies tend to be thiner (front to back) than the fenders/G&L, and I think Stingray (though my SR is in the shop with a bad pre-amp, so I can't compare them at the moment). If I remember correctly, the PB is also narrower in the waist.
You can custom order one to your liking and still be under your target budget, as the PB starts at 800 (and you typically get $100 in free options as well).
At the very least, they are worth looking at
Good luck!
(BTW: Kiesel is the recently updated Carvin company)
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IF he can find one of the early MIJ ones. The later models had the pickup in the bridge position rather than the typical Ray position.
Mine is MIJ. I am glad I found this bass after I became old enough to recognize quality instead of simply stressing over brands because I love this bass more than a slew of expensive ones I have owned.
Ibanez ATK 250. I had a fretless that was absolutely killer in tone. Dead ringer for the Sting Ray, which I also owned around the same time. Only problem was it weighed about 12 pounds and after a near fatal heart attack I didn't have the stamina to use it for several hours at a time on a strap.
So if you're young and healthy, the ATK series is hard to beat for that big Sting Ray sound with punch.
So if you're young and healthy, the ATK series is hard to beat for that big Sting Ray sound with punch.
I've fallen in love with EBMM Sterling 4H basses. They're lightweight, smaller profile, thinner necks and punchy as hell. I've picked up three of them in the past two years and the most I paid was $750. That's for a USA made, real McCoy Musicman bass. If you're patient and scour the Internet, I'll bet you can land something nice.
