Which Music Man Stingray would you recommend?

[N4860]

Interesting that the last 2 responses suggest the Old Smoothie as a darker response. I had the opposite experience. Mine has a distinct sharpness in the upper frequencies that I never got along with. I usually run the treble nearly all of the way off with the bass boosted a lot to even it out.

 

[bigswifty1]

I own two pre-2018’s and a classic. In the past I have owned several more of each. Out of those, if I could only keep one, it would be one of the pre-2018’s. The Classics have their thing, the 2-band is a sweet preamp and many of them look fantastic.

But the 3-band has, IMO, many more options. Also, and this surprised me, the contoured body is a lot more comfortable for long gigs than the Classic slab. You can play anything on a 3-band Stingray and there will be a tone that works. I love the 2-band, but the treble control on it is a quirky thing. The 2-band always sounds great to me, but it always sounds like a Stingray 2-band. The 3-band can sound like all sorts of things.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

I own two pre-2018’s and a classic. In the past I have owned several more of each. Out of those, if I could only keep one, it would be one of the pre-2018’s. The Classics have their thing, the 2-band is a sweet preamp and many of them look fantastic.

But the 3-band has, IMO, many more options. Also, and this surprised me, the contoured body is a lot more comfortable for long gigs than the Classic slab. You can play anything on a 3-band Stingray and there will be a tone that works. I love the 2-band, but the treble control on it is a quirky thing. The 2-band always sounds great to me, but it always sounds like a Stingray 2-band. The 3-band can sound like all sorts of things.

^ditto

My 4H Stingray Special has become my new work horse because of it's versatility. The neck profile fits my average size hands very well. I've tried the HH version and didn't think the tones from the extra humbucker would be useful. The single H + the special's 3 band EQ + the 18v pre-amp is surprisingly effective. AND it will always sound like a Stingray. I've heard plenty of classic rays lose their tonal character on stage because the player boosted too much low end. Every time I listen to live recordings of myself with my Ray special I am satisfied with the tone. With the new design it's also not a back buster, mine weighs 8.4 lbs. Yes, like some have said, the Special is more tame than any pre-special version of the Stingray, but honestly, I don't miss it. While I love that vintage Ray sound, to me it's kind of dated and works best only in specific styles where you want that sound.

I also love the current version of the EBMM Sterling! If you don't know, the Sterling is the jazz bass equivalent to the Stingray... mostly because of its thinner neck profile, which on the 4 string is 1.5" at the nut just like a typical jazz. With the ceramic pick-ups, the HH version is amazing. So many useful tones! If gigs ever go back to normal I've been gassing for an EBMM Sterling 5 HH.

Like others have said, it's really difficult to go wrong with an EBMM bass. If I ever win the lotto I am buying one of every bass they make. There's always EBMMs on the classifieds and they seem to hold their resale value well.

My two cents... take it or leave it...
- Shane

 

[nivagues]

Classic or Old Smoothie.

 

[AjCalderon]

Get the short scale, sure to be a collectors item in the future.
View attachment 4035449

I kinda wish I had grabbed both model’s of short scale when sweetwater had them but ended up with just the Starry Night. If they do another run of them next year and the maple neck isn’t as cool as the vintage sunburst I’m gonna kick myself haha

 

[mouthmw]

If you want the classic 2 band Stingray, I'd recommend a used USA SUB. Fantastic basses, with a less fancy finish than a Stingray Classic and less $$. They also have 2 advantages IMO (just my preference) - bridge isn't string through body and the radius is a modern 11" instead of 7.5". Those are just my preferences, you might not feel the same. They don't look as pretty though, but they're great classic 2 banders for less $$.

I used to be a die hard 2 bander when it came to Stingrays, but now I'm rocking a late 90s 3 bander and I love it because it has that 90s aggressive, growly, funky tone. The 3 bander is really great once you get used to it, and if you love mids like me, you'll appreciate the addition of the mids knob. It doesn't quite do the 2 band tone, because it's inherently different - it has a HPF so it doesn't do the same thundering lows (but there's still enough low end for sure) and it's not as clear on top. I'd say the 3 bander is actually less hi fi than the classic 2 bander. It's dirtier and raunchier. I love it, but I also love the classic 2 band.

Specials have a redesigned 18V preamp and new neodymium pickups. I haven't played one but I've checked every imaginable youtube video of them, looking for some live footage, covers, reviews, everything. In simple terms - it sounds tamer than the older 3 banders. In every single case it sounded less good to me in a band setting and in covers. I still wanna try one for myself, but so far, the older ones just have more character IMO, and I'd rather hunt for an older one, and try to hunt one that doesn't weight more than 9 lbs (you can find them, but they're rarer). I'm also not a fan of the hollow saddles they use on the Specials because they can't go as low as the regular saddles, and that might be an issue if your action needs to go lower (and then you gotta shim the neck).

If weight is an issue and you don't mind the somewhat tamer nature of the new Specials, go for it. If you want the 2 bander or an older 3 bander, hunt for a nice used one, and ask sellers about the weight. I found mine that way and it's pretty good 9 lbs. You could technically find them at lower weight, but those are quite rare. Not impossible though.

As for HH models, I don't care for those at all, the neck pup and combinations bridge+neck to me sound absolutely generic, characterless, boomy and uninspiring

 

[Rib 13]

If you play a lot of slap style don't do the HH. The neck pickup gets in the way. .

I had zero issues thumping it, and my slap technique is very refined and precise ( been doing it for 30 years lol). For myself, there are plenty of basses where the neck pickup is an issue - this
wasn't one of them. I found there was just enough open real estate between the neck pickup and neck and the strings didn't hit the pickup..... not a boast - just a statement

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Interesting that the last 2 responses suggest the Old Smoothie as a darker response. I had the opposite experience. Mine has a distinct sharpness in the upper frequencies that I never got along with. I usually run the treble nearly all of the way off with the bass boosted a lot to even it out.

Strings, pedals, cable length, amp, etc; there are many further parameters that could lead to different experiences for different players.

In my experience; Old Smoothie has less "zing" than a regular StingRay, Ceteris Paribus. That's how/why it was designed in the first place. But it still has lots of treble available, I agree with that.

 

[N4860]

Strings, pedals, cable length, amp, etc; there are many further parameters that could lead to different experiences for different players.

In my experience; Old Smoothie has less "zing" than a regular StingRay, Ceteris Paribus. That's how/why it was designed in the first place. But it still has lots of treble available, I agree with that.

For sure, it was just a surprising experience for me as I thought the old smoothie would have been a lot tamer than other stingrays. I even have la Bella flats on my old smoothie and I find it a bit too harsh in the high end compared to my sr special with round skinky's

 

[Dbassmon]

Here is what will most likely be a controversial suggestion, but it here goes. Consider a Ray35 or Ray34 Sterling by Musicman.

Here is why I suggest these basses;

I own 2 Stingrays - a Stingray 5 Special with Neo Pickups and the new pre-amp, the other is a Ray35 Sterling by Musicman.
Both are excellent basses. The MM Special costs $2k ish, the Ray35 with a quilt maple top was $900ish (Ray35 not the SUB)

They both sound like Stingrays, with some variation due to the different pups and preamps and wood. Both sound great and which sounds better would be hard to say.
The shape of the neck of the Ray35 feels more comfortable to play (for my hands). The hardware is better on the MM Special Ray5, but completely serviceable on the Ray35.

I will say that the Sterling by Musicman Ray35 or Ray34 if you are a 4 string player, is about the best damn value in the world of musical instrument retail. For the price, you could buy two of these basses and have money left over and have a totally Pro instrument.

If you are dead set on having the Ernie Ball name on your headstock, this may not work for you. Buy one from a place where you can return it if you don't like it. Pretty sure this bass will not be returned.

 

[Lloydtownsend]

You’re going to poop yourself when you play a musicman. When you hear that for the first time it’s like, “oh! Wow! This is what it was supposed to sound like.”

merry Christmas to you!

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

For what you're looking for, I have to agree with those suggesting Old Smoothie. Just a great bass--wish I pulled the trigger on the one I tried out a while back.

 

[TheReceder]

I'm biased... but I've only played one Stingray... My wife told me I'd be better off not touching another one... since I'd probably buy it. I think you won't go wrong no matter which one you choose.

This is one of my favorite basses. Bought it very cheap as a ten year old case queen. It had only been played 4-5 times. (Came with a tort pickguard, I had to pack it away and put on something else)

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I just tried out a Dual MM pickup Stingray today (HH Stingray). My goodness, what a flexible Mofo that thing is!...I tried the Sterling version and was thoroughly impressed...Like a Bongo with a Classic look. It gets the Classic Stingray thing but a thousand other things too......and the neck pickup isnt in the way for old school style slapping

View attachment 4035372

yep, that’s the one!

 

[Skygoneblue]

If you play a lot of slap style don't do the HH. The neck pickup gets in the way. As great as Stingrays are, I really like the USA Sterling basses a lot better. The smaller body, round pickguard, ceramic pickup. It just combines all the great Ernie Ball bass elements in a really nice way. I own both a Stingray and a USA Sterling and I reach for the Sterling more than the Ray.

You can always lower the pickup a bit. I never have any issues with it.

 

[DukeCC]

Just don't convince yourself you need the HH. The single pickup is exactly where it needs to be to give you the sound you buy a Stingray for.

 

[TheReceder]

Just don't convince yourself you need the HH. The single pickup is exactly where it needs to be to give you the sound you buy a Stingray for.

I'd say don't talk yourself out of an HH either. It's all about what's out there when you've got the cash to buy something.

 

[DonH]

Hi guys!

The Christmas is coming and so are my needs growing for a new bass, and I thought I want to add a Stingray into my collection, since I have Fender P and J, so Ray is the only one missing.

I really love that funky tone but I simply can't decide which type of this beauty should I get. I've found some new Stingray Specials and Stingray Classics in the same price range, also there are slightly cheaper brand new Stingrays made before 2018.

I know that Classics have 2 band EQs and others have 3 band EQs, but I am just curious, what would be your first choice?

I play funk, heavy disco riffs, slap and chucking, and I thought the Classic might be my gear, since I love Bernard Edwards's and Louis Johnson's riffs, but I've watched some demo videos on YouTube about the Standard and the Special Stingrays and man... Those have some extra beef, growl and bite to their sound, and they can even emulate that Classic tone as well.

Long story short, I'm just stuck between Classic, Special, and pre-2018 Standards. Help me decide

I bought my first bass a few months ago. Not long after that, I discovered the MM basses. I like the beefy sound like in Bernard Edward's riffs. This week I went to the shop and played a SUB and Classic. I really liked the feel and sound of the Classic over the SUB. The Classic is a few hundred dollars more than the cheaper SUB, but definitely worth it to me. If I get the chance, I'll play the Special before deciding. The Classic may be my next choice at the current price point. It would also be nice to have a Fender P and J in my collection.

 

[milesdavisblue]

I have a 2005 and love that Bass. Three band EQ, single H. Love this Bass it is low 9lb in weight black in color with Maple fretboard and just a gas to play. Many Musicman tone options.

 

[TheMartianBassist]

I just got my hands the aqua sparkle HH 5 Special.
I don’t claim to be a MusicMan historian and this is my first ever stingray, but boy, does it sound good and is SUPER versatile.
5 way selector switch let’s you get so many usable tones, it’s just awesome to have.
Slapping on the HH is no problem at all either. Takes a second to get used to the slightly less space but really not a problem at all.