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You can just as well ask "Why do I don't like the color [insert any here]?" or the other way around "Why do I like the color [insert any here]?". Or "Why do I don't like Ketchup on my meals?".
Mind you, that there are people who choose not to play the bass at all, due to that they're not liking the sound of the instrument AT ALL. Neither Fender, MM, single coil pickups, scooped sounds or whatever. They choose trumpet, piano, guitar, drums or something else. Why don't we start a thread here about that? Like "I can't get my way around for not liking the bass at all". Like it should be some aqcuired taste that you must force yourself into liking. There are too many basses out there, that isn't a MM Stingray, and sounds so different, that this should be a non issue for you, or anyone else. I slightly wonder the bizarre, absurd rationale behind asking such a question at all.
And have you ever thought of the idea, that pickups can always be swapped out if you want anything different sounding?
It's like a spice shelf. There's sure are one sound to be found if you probe deep enough. Altogether I think there's several hundreds of models (if not into the thousands) out there variant of bass pickups with this or that SPECIAL wound and timbre that is different from everything else already out there. If you care to spend time/money to dwell on this is all up to you. Not anyone of us around here can decide that one for you.
Happy hunting for a bass tone that you'll like!
Mind you, that there are people who choose not to play the bass at all, due to that they're not liking the sound of the instrument AT ALL. Neither Fender, MM, single coil pickups, scooped sounds or whatever. They choose trumpet, piano, guitar, drums or something else. Why don't we start a thread here about that? Like "I can't get my way around for not liking the bass at all". Like it should be some aqcuired taste that you must force yourself into liking. There are too many basses out there, that isn't a MM Stingray, and sounds so different, that this should be a non issue for you, or anyone else. I slightly wonder the bizarre, absurd rationale behind asking such a question at all.
And have you ever thought of the idea, that pickups can always be swapped out if you want anything different sounding?
It's like a spice shelf. There's sure are one sound to be found if you probe deep enough. Altogether I think there's several hundreds of models (if not into the thousands) out there variant of bass pickups with this or that SPECIAL wound and timbre that is different from everything else already out there. If you care to spend time/money to dwell on this is all up to you. Not anyone of us around here can decide that one for you.
Happy hunting for a bass tone that you'll like!
I sold my old 2-band Stingray years ago for pretty much the same reasons that the OP hasn't got on with them.
After seeing this vid by Ed Friedland, I instantly regretted that I sold it.
After seeing this vid by Ed Friedland, I instantly regretted that I sold it.
I don't like the tone of Stingrays in general. I love my P basses and my Gibson.
Aaaaand I don't see a problem with that. Problems with these kind of things come when someone doesn't respect the other's opinion.
Don't feel bad for not liking that kind of tone.
Aaaaand I don't see a problem with that. Problems with these kind of things come when someone doesn't respect the other's opinion.
Don't feel bad for not liking that kind of tone.
I understand. Tried to love the Stingray. But after years I can say I 'm a P or jazz player. Do like the look ofStingrays. The feel of the instrument, especially the neck. But no, its just not for me. If I ever going to like them have to change the strings to flats, the pickup for Bartolini and adjust the e.q. drastically. At the end there will be not much left of the Stringray sound. I do appreciate the Stringray in the hands of a Bernie Edwards, a guy like Flea or Louis Johnson.
Never cared much for them, either. Don't like the trebly sound found on many modern jazz recordings. The tone of an instrument can ruin the performance. I love jazz, but some potentially stellar songs have been made less appealing to my ears by a tinny sounding bass. It is obviously the choice of the performers and engineers to obtain this sound, though, owing to the fact that with the technology in amps and effects these days pretty much any tone is manageable with almost any combination of gear, it's just a matter of manipulating the controls properly until you reach your destination. Some instruments suffer from the reputation of being a one trick pony, even if that's not true. Ric 4003's are capable of much more than the signature clank, and Telecaster guitars actually have a working rhythm pickup. Imagine that. Try facing your cab downward to diffuse the top end. Works wonders. If you like the StingRay for it's quality, balance, finish options, neck shape or any other reason, then by all means buy one.
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Some people think Leo got it right the first time with the P bass.
Then the Sting Ray came along, an entirely different animal.
Of course, there is a lot to the old adage, the third time is the charm.
The foundation of the L-2000 is a pair of G&L Magnetic Field Design™ humbuckers backed by the flexible Tri-Tone™ control system, providing the sort of versatility that’ll let you find your tone no matter what kind of bass line you’re laying down. The Tri-Tone system features a trio of mini toggles for pickup selection, series/parallel signal routing and active/passive operation, as well as a trio of knobs for volume, treble and bass. With all that under the hood, Leo gave the L-2000 the kind of chops that’ll fit in any situation, from classic R&B to power-packed rock to poppin’ funk. What’s more, the L-2000 features an innovative Leo Fender-designed Saddle-Lock™ bridge to transfer string energy right into the body end-grain for an incredibly resonant instrument.
I tried one out a few weeks ago and was very impressed with the quality of the instrument and versatility of this bass. If you can't get the tone you want out of this thing, you might as well stop searching.
topic -- That MM string ray sound, and why don't I like it?
yeah you are -- or you wouldn't have started a thread with a contoversial topic but, instead, waited for the next Stingray thread to appear to voice your opinion.......
"OK, I'm Not trying to start a _____ hate thread or anything like that" is almost always the first line in threads with negative subjective titles....,
yeah you are -- or you wouldn't have started a thread with a contoversial topic but, instead, waited for the next Stingray thread to appear to voice your opinion.......
"OK, I'm Not trying to start a _____ hate thread or anything like that" is almost always the first line in threads with negative subjective titles....,
The Stingray didn't float my boat either. I put it in the same category as SVTs and flatwound strings - they sound great, as long as somebody else is playing them.
Although I agree with previous posts that say you can't judge a bass until you have played it live, don't sweat the fact that you didn't dig the 'Ray. Lots of other basses out there to love....
Although I agree with previous posts that say you can't judge a bass until you have played it live, don't sweat the fact that you didn't dig the 'Ray. Lots of other basses out there to love....
Thanks for the post!
I suppose this was point all a long. Besides a jazz bass, which I do enjoy, or the Gibson short scale basses (I dislike the thunderbird as well). And I really want to like the 'Ray because so many people here rave about them. But What other bass avoids that very very aggressive treble-y sound? As above someone mentioned the G&L l2000, and many others suggested throwing some flat wounds on a Ray and see if I like that. All awesome suggestions which I plan to consider, but what about the Lakland 44-02? Should I bother given the placement of the mm style pickup?
Hi, I appreciate your skepticism, but promise I'm not. In fact I'm pumped that this thread has remind civil so far, with many people offering helpful suggestions. As I just stated a few minutes ago, I really want to like the 'Ray. The quality, playability, and not to mention some awesome used prices. But I just can't get over the treble I suppose.
So, I was trying to figure out the tonal properties of the 'Ray, like apparently it is also very mid scooped according to other people here. I had no clue.
You know what to do when a bass is trebly or middy. Turn down the treble and mid knobs. The eq is fantastic. Most people have no idea how to use them. Probably why MM had to include the mid detents on the new models.
This pointless thread is pointless
This pointless thread is pointless
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OK, you don't like the 'Ray tone (for reasons mentioned) but you also dont like the tone from Scott's bass lessons intro.......I did a listen for the comparison of the disparity between the two: I agree with something with a single mid-mounted pickup (like a P-bass) but brighter and punchier.......Fender Ps are all over the map in consistency so the G&L LB-100 with Roundwounds or Bright Flats (pressurewounds) would be a good place to start
Yeah, Ive made a lot of discoveries on my Stingray with EQ shaping. Ive turned up the mid and turned down the treble on a few recordings before and got a very nice Classic non-signature Rayish tone on a few recordings....Fast forward to 2:54 (fingers) and 4:00 (slap) below -- I dont think anyone would guess that as a Stingray (and it has rounds)
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I took this to mean OP was wanting the descriptions of tones he may like, or at least how pickup style/placement affects tone. I only know the very basics of how that works, but I'm sure others can tell MUCH more. Basically, pickups close to neck = thump and pickups close to bridge = clarity, brightness, and articulation.
Maybe OP wants a bass with pickups closer to the neck? That may be a tone more to his liking?
Maybe OP wants a bass with pickups closer to the neck? That may be a tone more to his liking?
Move on!
You've just discovered Stingrays are not for you. There are plenty of other basses that may serve your bass palette.
What do you currently own? You may have everything you need and you're just suffering from a bad case of GAS.
You've just discovered Stingrays are not for you. There are plenty of other basses that may serve your bass palette.
What do you currently own? You may have everything you need and you're just suffering from a bad case of GAS.
I've played everything. I loved Jazz basses for a long long time. Now I can't stand the sight of them. I wanted to be into P basses but never liked the sound I got. I didn't care for Stingrays and now that's about all I will play. Taste in tone changes. That's why they make so many basses.
