I've really been gassing for one of these and haven't been able to go to guitar center in a while to try one out. I'm a poor little kid who would have to save up for a quiet a while to buy one of them. I'm wondering is it worth it for someone with a limited budget or should i look at some other basses? of course i need to try it out myself but opinions on it?
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The Stingray
- Thread starter cheesemonkey
- Start date
Get a SUB or an Ibanez ATK both can get close to the stingray tone. The SUB is discontued but can be found easily for like $500. And you can get a new ATK for about 500 or 600.
The Stingray is a classic and loved by many both for its sound and playability. If you're on the fence, buy one used from the classifieds. If you decide that it isn't to your liking, you will most likely be able to sell it for what you paid for it without much trouble at all.
+1
I would save up and get a used one instead of the SUB or ATK. If you want the real tone and feel, get the real thing.
you can find used stingrays at used.guitarcenter.com in the $800 - $1000 range.
they're a love 'em / hate 'em type tone .. I'd suggest going to a local GC and trying one first.
I love mine! actually have a Sterling HH but I love the Stingray tone.
they're a love 'em / hate 'em type tone .. I'd suggest going to a local GC and trying one first.
I love mine! actually have a Sterling HH but I love the Stingray tone.
They're awesome basses and built extremely well. QC is one of the best and its also nice to have all the options you can order. Only thing that some people dont like is the MusicMan tone. You can get a whole lot of variation with the different Preamp and Pickup options, but it will always have that MusicMan vibe goin on. Its a love it or hate it type thing.
Try one before you buy one. Like others said it is a love hate thing. Personally I love mine. Look for one on the used market. You can get one in good shape for under a grand.
Haha, I'm in the exact same situation as the creator here. I'd say try it then buy it, I tried a Stingray before and it made me feel like I was playing an entirely new type of instrument (a much nicer, better sounding one) compared to my Ibanez Soundgear.
Anyone know cool finishes for it? I sort of like the black cherry and the regular black one.
Anyone know cool finishes for it? I sort of like the black cherry and the regular black one.
As another kid who had to save up all the $$ in his piggy bank (and sell his Pearl drumset) for it, I'd say it's worth every penny and then some.
The build quality on those is fantasmic and it will help you're playing 100 fold.
Start saving, theyre worth it
Edit: If the sound is too clanky and thin for you, then check out the HS (One MM, and One Single Coild Pup, kinda rare but awesom) or the HH (two MM humbuckers)
The build quality on those is fantasmic and it will help you're playing 100 fold.
Start saving, theyre worth it
Edit: If the sound is too clanky and thin for you, then check out the HS (One MM, and One Single Coild Pup, kinda rare but awesom) or the HH (two MM humbuckers)
Buy a used OLP licensed Musicman knockoff for a couple hundred bucks. It will serve you well. If you cannot afford it, and cannot pay cash... you do not need it.
When you can afford a real one, if you like/love the sound of the OLP then you'll love an actual one even more.
When you can afford a real one, if you like/love the sound of the OLP then you'll love an actual one even more.
scottbass
Bass lines like a big, funky giant
Well, I can't agree 100% with this. But that's just me. An OLP neck is different than a real Ray - a fair amount chunkier in my opinion. The pickups & passive circuitry on an OLP are rather muddy in comparison to the clean, preamped sound of a real Ray. Yeah, an OLP looks like a Ray and balances on your shoulder like a Ray, but the quality isn't there once you start to play it. I admit a stock OLP does sound kinda like a Ray in a 10,000-foot flyover macro comparison, but the detail and headroom isn't there.
Me? I modded an OLP with a Seymour Duncan preamp & alnico pickup and it sounds almost like a Ray now. And I play it outdoors and in BAD BAD neighborhoods without much aprehension.
Usual disclaimers: IMHO, YMMV, I'm just one guy with one opinion, etc.
As he originally posted...
"I'm a poor little kid who would have to save up for a quiet a while to buy one of them. I'm wondering is it worth it for someone with a limited budget"
Very often GOOD ENOUGH turns out being GOOD ENOUGH if you give it a chance to be.
A vast majority of you guys are like crack dealers on a corner that get someone knew to join their addict club.
He should PLAY... LEARN... and move up in gear as he can afford it. But odds are alot of you pushers couldn't possibly let someone think they could enjoy something affordable now, could ya.
"I'm a poor little kid who would have to save up for a quiet a while to buy one of them. I'm wondering is it worth it for someone with a limited budget"
Very often GOOD ENOUGH turns out being GOOD ENOUGH if you give it a chance to be.
A vast majority of you guys are like crack dealers on a corner that get someone knew to join their addict club.
He should PLAY... LEARN... and move up in gear as he can afford it. But odds are alot of you pushers couldn't possibly let someone think they could enjoy something affordable now, could ya.
like the others said definitely try before you buy, like the others said rays are a very "love it or hate it" bass. that being said ever since i got my ray 5 i don't see my self playing much else
i'm a big fan of the trans teal finish
i'm a big fan of the trans teal finish
I have been gassing over the stingray too. Just try it before you buy you might hate it who knows. I love the warm but punchy tone of the stingray. I cant wait to pick one up. You cant do this yet I doubt your old enough for a job but. Every paycheck I put 200$ into an account that is pretty much my bass account. So in a couple months Ill have my stingray. I like the black cherry burst and the honey sunburst and the white. I cant decide on what finnish to go with eather. I already have a white bass so its probably between the black cherry and the honey sunburst. And for the olp I thought it was terrable.It sounded really muddy I already have a muddy sounding bass and I hardly ever pick it up. The sub was ok but doesnt have the tone of the stingray.
Well i've been playing for a while now and am doing well. I know its more about the player and not the bass but i would like a nice bass as well. And since it will take a while for me to buy one that more bass practice. I'm not rushing in their trying to get my parents to buy me the big expensive toy so i can be good but i would actually like one.
+1 on the SUB. I found one in great condition at the local music shop for $430. I put it on layaway and I'm making my final payment on it today. 
I am a huge fan of Stingrays and have a 4 and 5 string. They are an agressive sounding bass that really cut through a mix and sound very distinctive. They are very different in tone to a Jazz or Precision so of course there are huge rabid fans like myself and dissenters as well.
I don't think many will argue that Ernie Ball make a very high quality product and have a fantastic reputation for customer service. Their basses have fantastic playability and use very high quality materials. It really comes down to you either liking the tone and feel of the bass or not.
I own a couple of Jazz basses as well but if I could only have one, it would be a Ray!
I don't think many will argue that Ernie Ball make a very high quality product and have a fantastic reputation for customer service. Their basses have fantastic playability and use very high quality materials. It really comes down to you either liking the tone and feel of the bass or not.
I own a couple of Jazz basses as well but if I could only have one, it would be a Ray!
