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Which MM Stingray, they are all good looking!

Hello all.
Been thinking about getting a Stingray. I am thinking 4-string single H. No local shops have them, so will need to order online. There are so many cool Stingrays, it's almost criminal!

I mean, natural with black pickguard is a classic, and the black and maple, so cool and relatively neutral in a way. Then the 50th Molten gold is the wife's favourite. Costs a bit more but is limited in numbers and anniversary models have their own cool factor.

A bassist friend urges me to get a 2-band, like the 70's reissues. He loves the classic tones. I fear for a heavier instrument, and missing out on modern touches of the Special, like flatter radius, lighter weight, rosewood, revoiced preamp, cool sparkly colours and so on. Then there is the Pino signature, in fretted. Must be good right?
Darkrays and Commenford signature are not desirable to me, but still there are many cool colours.

What to do my friends? What to do.
 

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The struggle is real!

I went with a Special. I owned a 1997 StingRay 4H in trans red from new until a few years ago. It looked beautiful, and felt great in my hands, but had major dead spots and I never could get it to sound right with my band.

The Special sounds perfect for my mix, with the same feel, no dead spots, and much lighter.
 
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I have a Special 3-band (Paua blue burst) and an older BFR passive special (natural okume). I love 'em both. IMHO the magic is in the pup and position, not the preamp. I leave my active pre in neutral 95% of the time and it sounds exactly like my passive one. If I was buying one now I'd be all over the trans orange!
 
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The struggle is real!

I went with a Special. I owned a 1997 StingRay 4H in trans red from new until a few years ago. It looked beautiful, and felt great in my hands, but had major dead spots and I never could get it to sound right with my band.

The Special sounds perfect for my mix, with the same feel, no dead spots, and much lighter.
Do you think it sits differently than the non Neodymium/old pickups? I normally play P-basses, so that is interesting.