Thinking about a StingRay, but...

[superfunk47]

...but i have some questions.

im a passive bass person (got turned off from actives after that whole variax disaster...) but i realize that not all basses eat up batteries like that.

how long will a battery last? are there any passive options, like an active/passive switch?

what kinds of different tones are possible? i know it can growl, but can it sing?

would it be better to go HH, HH/piezo, H/piezo...?

might i want a cheaper one (OLP, jay turser) to start out with?

thanks for your help. \m/

 

[Joe Nerve]

An active bass is NOTHING like a Variax regarding batteries. I gig every weekend and change batteries about every 6 months, just to be safe. A 9 volt battery can last you up to a year depending on how much you play, and the signs are pretty clear when it's about to die. Super easy to pop in and out on a Stingray too.

No passive option that I know of although I guess you could mod it yourself if you wanted to badly enough.

If you're playing any kind of rock, the piezo isn't really going to make much of a difference. I've got one on my Bongo and I rarely if ever use it. Somewhat cool in some recording situations, but you won't miss it any if you don't have it.

If you get one of the cheaper ones, you're not getting a Stingray. You're getting something that looks like a Stingray.

My stingray is H/S and absolutely love it. There are an unbelievable amount of useful tones in that thing. It's got all the versatility I ever dreamed of in a bass, PLUS the Stingray sound. Who could ask for more.

 

[armybass]

I would go with the single H version of the Ray. You need to get one of these basses. They are very versatile and they are very easy to fall in love with.

 

[Beav]

Battery life on most active basses is a loooooooong time. I actually disagree with Joe. I've had active bass batteries last years without failing. You just have to be smart with them. If you're not using the bass unplug it.

 

[tdogg]

go play a real stingray and you will know that you need one. the OLP and jay tursers are definitely not a solid alternative. when you buy a real ERNIE BALL you will wonder how you got by without one.... i miss mine. i was very stupid for selling it and now im saving for another one

 

[lovemybasses]

it's an all active bass, it can growl,it cant sing well (if you need singing bass,get fretless), but it sounds good - if you like the sound. think bernard edwards. see for your self.

 

[mynan]

I think the battery thing has been covered. I tested the one in my SR5 after 6 months and it was still cranking out just over 9 volts.

If you are looking for growl and sing, I would try some of the different pup configurations for yourself. I've heard that you can get a really sweet mellow tone from the single-coil on the HS. My SR5 is an HH and I find it to be pretty versatile.

 

[Ostinato]

Take your time...go play all the Stingrays in all the configurations you're interested in. The dual pickup versions are mindblowing...but just don't rush out and go for the first one you see.

 

[birminghambass]

I'm also a passive guy, but I love my Stingray. The only active bass I've ever really liked for very long.

 

[mike_v_s]

...but i have some questions.

im a passive bass person (got turned off from actives after that whole variax disaster...) but i realize that not all basses eat up batteries like that.

how long will a battery last? are there any passive options, like an active/passive switch?

what kinds of different tones are possible? i know it can growl, but can it sing?

would it be better to go HH, HH/piezo, H/piezo...?

might i want a cheaper one (OLP, jay turser) to start out with?

thanks for your help. \m/

As stated, battery life shouldn't be an issue. If you're still not sure, maybe you should check out a G&L L-1500 or 2000 as they have an active/passive switch.

Mike

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I have two HH stingrays and love them to bits! Battery life isnt a problem, just remember to unplug your bass when your not using it (breaks the preamp circuit so the battery is no longer being used).

Another benifit, that once every 6 months when you change it (ive had my HH rays for almost a year, still on the first batteries i put in when i got it), it is an easy change, especially in newer rays which have the flip out battery box, which i think they've been using since the late 90s

(the sounds, the sounds are oh so amazing aswell!)

 

[MaddAnthony_59]

6 Months? You must not play much. I've found that a DuraCell is good for about 75 hours. I have 3 active basses that I play 5 - 10 hours each a week. I change them every other month just to be safe...2 of the 3 are Peaveys, and have a Passive bypass just in case. My MM doesn't...

 

[steamthief]

If you get one of the cheaper ones, you're not getting a Stingray. You're getting something that looks like a Stingray.

Well put!

I'm a passive guy too, my main player is a P/J, thought I'd sell my SR4 when I got a Jazz, but I just can't do it. I've got the single H, and it just growls like neither of my Fenders.

If you're looking to save some dough, look used - Stingrays are built like tanks. Another option may be to get a EBMM SUB - lots of folks dig 'em.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

6 Months? You must not play much. I've found that a DuraCell is good for about 75 hours. I have 3 active basses that I play 5 - 10 hours each a week. I change them every other month just to be safe...2 of the 3 are Peaveys, and have a Passive bypass just in case. My MM doesn't...

The shortest lasting one i had was my ibanez EDA905, the stock battery lasted well over a month, and it was left always plugged in (before i realised that finished the circuit)

 

[markjazzbassist]

go for the stingray, great bass. long battery time (2 months and i play 3 hours a day). They are very versatile tonally (3 band EQ is your friend) and if you choose to add pickup (HH/HS) or go Piezo then you have even more options.

Enjoy the Ray baby!!

 

[DeanT]

There is no substitute for a real StingRay. The OLP and JT look like a StingRay, but that's where the similarity ends.

The SR can growl and it can purr. It's all in how you play and what you dial in on the EQ. They are among the most versatile basses available.

 

[superfunk47]

now, if they only made 4 strings with a pickguard shaped like the 5 string version. dang.

and now to raising enough money...!

 

[Figjam]

Battery will last a long time. Months and months.

On a stingray, you dont lose anything by getting an HH over an H (compared to a sterling/sr5 where you lose the series/singlecoil/parallel switch). So Id go with an HH. Position 4 rocks

 

[Rumblin' Man]

I've used several SR4s and STLs in the past but haven't had one for about 10 years.

However I do have an old MM Sabre neck on a Warmoth Quilt Koa/Mahogany J body with an SD ceramic MM pickup set up for hotwired passive (no eq or controls). It has a beefy tone with enough clarity in the low end for me but nothing extreme.

Unfortunately, now I've currently got serious GAS for a SR4 in Trans Gold/RW/Tort.

Mercy! ::::::::::::::::::

 

[mvw356]

My stingray works without a battery, so passive is possible as the pickup doesn't need any poswer (just no tone controls, only volume). i'm sure that installing a switch shouldn't be too much of a problem.