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That MM string ray sound, I why don't I like it?

#22
HeavyHand said:
Ok, Not trying to start a String Ray hate thread or anything like that, but I have recently been in the market for a new bass and have been out perusing guitar stores and have had the chance play a classic and modern String Ray couple of separate occasions. I was pumped because, I've never played one before. But, as it turns out I didn't really like the tone I was getting. I was boosting and cutting the bass, treble, and mids (in one case). And couldn't really get something I liked.

I was mostly okay with the E and A strings, but when I got up to the D and G, especially the G, I just felt like the tone was to treble-y or bright or...something? And the closest thing I got to liking the sound was pretty much rolling the treble the whole way off, but even then it was like it was too much still.

Anyone else have this experience?

In an (un)related note, I think I dislike that bass tone usually found in a lot of jazz music (from an electric bass at least). If you have ever checked out Scott's bass lessons, the intro to many of his videos has the tone I'm talking about. I think people refer to this as a "woody" tone? This tone may be great stylistically for jazz music, and I'm not trying to say this tone is "bad," but I just don't enjoy it.

So, I feel like I may be lacking the vocabulary to describe my tone preferences. Is there any kind of commonality between that typical electric jazz bass sound and the string sound? Or how would you describe those tones? Just for an example of what I do like, I've always been happy with a P-Bass.
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It is your right as an artist and a consumer to reject a tone that does not work for you. I say this as someone who genuinely loves Stingrays.
 
#23
I like the sound of 'Rays, just not when I play 'em! Seriously, I love Denman, Deacon, etc. etc. when they use one, but I've tried and nothing I'm ever working on is the right context for that sound. I will say though, I've only ever owned a 3-band. I still want a 2-band someday nonetheless...
 
#26
MD Stingray said:
Your band, the sound-engineer and your audience will disagree with you.

You can try our all the basses you want in a store, but you'll only know when playing it live how it sounds in the mix.

The problem is of course that in general there's not a live setting available at stores ;)
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This is what I was wondering! because obviously i never go guitar shopping with the whole band so its tough to tell
 
#28
A Ray can sound pretty aggressive with roundwounds, especially the 3 band eq models. If you can, try a 2 band with flats with the treble at around 2-3 and the bass at around 7-8 and see what you think. It's a much different sounding instrument - more smooth, less mid scooped, and less zing and clack.
 
#29
HeavyHand said:
Ok, Not trying to start a String Ray hate thread or anything like that, but I have recently been in the market for a new bass and have been out perusing guitar stores and have had the chance play a classic and modern String Ray couple of separate occasions. I was pumped because, I've never played one before. But, as it turns out I didn't really like the tone I was getting. I was boosting and cutting the bass, treble, and mids (in one case). And couldn't really get something I liked.

I was mostly okay with the E and A strings, but when I got up to the D and G, especially the G, I just felt like the tone was to treble-y or bright or...something? And the closest thing I got to liking the sound was pretty much rolling the treble the whole way off, but even then it was like it was too much still.

Anyone else have this experience?

In an (un)related note, I think I dislike that bass tone usually found in a lot of jazz music (from an electric bass at least). If you have ever checked out Scott's bass lessons, the intro to many of his videos has the tone I'm talking about. I think people refer to this as a "woody" tone? This tone may be great stylistically for jazz music, and I'm not trying to say this tone is "bad," but I just don't enjoy it.

So, I feel like I may be lacking the vocabulary to describe my tone preferences. Is there any kind of commonality between that typical electric jazz bass sound and the string sound? Or how would you describe those tones? Just for an example of what I do like, I've always been happy with a P-Bass.
Click to expand...

Try the HH model ... run the neck pickup and boost the mids ... you get a marvelous tone
 
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#36
HeavyHand said:
Ok, Not trying to start a String Ray hate thread or anything like that, but I have recently been in the market for a new bass and have been out perusing guitar stores and have had the chance play a classic and modern String Ray couple of separate occasions. I was pumped because, I've never played one before. But, as it turns out I didn't really like the tone I was getting. I was boosting and cutting the bass, treble, and mids (in one case). And couldn't really get something I liked.

I was mostly okay with the E and A strings, but when I got up to the D and G, especially the G, I just felt like the tone was to treble-y or bright or...something? And the closest thing I got to liking the sound was pretty much rolling the treble the whole way off, but even then it was like it was too much still.

Anyone else have this experience?

In an (un)related note, I think I dislike that bass tone usually found in a lot of jazz music (from an electric bass at least). If you have ever checked out Scott's bass lessons, the intro to many of his videos has the tone I'm talking about. I think people refer to this as a "woody" tone? This tone may be great stylistically for jazz music, and I'm not trying to say this tone is "bad," but I just don't enjoy it.

So, I feel like I may be lacking the vocabulary to describe my tone preferences. Is there any kind of commonality between that typical electric jazz bass sound and the string sound? Or how would you describe those tones? Just for an example of what I do like, I've always been happy with a P-Bass.
Click to expand...

EBMM basses shine brightest in a live band playing situation. Nothing wrong with your opinion, but plucking, thumbing, and slapping any unfamiliar bass in a store setting has its limitations.

I see your are new to TB (2016), so I have no idea of your exprience, but this "treble-y or bright" sound you are hearing setting in a storefront could very well be the sound that you would love when paying live. Amp/cabinet choices and settings play a huge part in what sound you hear.

I play EBMM Sterlings, and I go for and get more of a thick, deep, full bass sound over the high end sizzle snappiness.

Most any quality bass is pretty flexible tone wise. If you play a Fender P right now and really like it, then yes a Music Man is going to feel and sound different. But if you switch to Music Man, you could there forever.
 
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#37
If you can try out a Sterling or a Stingray 5. They have a 3 way switch that has the series wiring. The series wiring of the Musicman humbucker gives it more mids and less treble which makes for a much richer sound in the mix. I like the Stingray sound in my bedroom but not in my band.

A Sterling HS has an even broader tonal pallette. They are seriously nice and very overlooked basses.

As stated above the strings make a huge difference. I reccommend trying a few different styles and sets to see what makes your bass sound the best to you.
 
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#38
I love the Stingray tone but when I play it in my pop/soul band it seems just entirely too funky. Bootsy would be proud but I just can't get the funk under control with it. It worked with my rock band well though. Sounded ridiculous when I played a Grateful Dead set with it.
 
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#39
avvie said:
I love the Stingray tone but when I play it in my pop/soul band it seems just entirely too funky. Bootsy would be proud but I just can't get the funk under control with it. It worked with my rock band well though. Sounded ridiculous when I played a Grateful Dead set with it.
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I took a warwick thumb 5 NT to an open jam once....big mistake.
 
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#40
avvie said:
I love the Stingray tone but when I play it in my pop/soul band it seems just entirely too funky. Bootsy would be proud but I just can't get the funk under control with it. It worked with my rock band well though. Sounded ridiculous when I played a Grateful Dead set with it.
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Sounds like you need to give Sir Nose a call because having too much funk is like having too much air:)
 
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