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Which Music Man Stingray would you recommend?

So I've found my love after months of searching and years of working and saving money, here it is - Music Man Stingray Classic in Vintage Sunburst :) I'm the happiest guy on Earth right now :)

Also, I want to thank you guys for all the help here, it's such an amazing community!

As I said, I cannot express how I love the tone of this beautiful beast, that classic Stingray sound is what I was looking for my whole life. I've set up the action and adjusted the truss rod, now it plays like a butter. Other than these simple adjustments, everything on this bass is perfect: the neck is beautifully lacquered, the slab body is absolutely gorgeous and comfortable, the bridge is stable, the mute foams are fantastic additions for some funky stuff, and the 2 band EQ is just beyond amazing.

Not the greatest pictures because of my phone, but I tried, here they come:
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Congrats! Sure is a beautiful StingRay. Bet it sounds great too. Thanks for sharing the pics.
 
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Michael, what do you think of a tort pickguard?
Here's my Ray.
And yes this is a great community!
Mike ;)
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I wouldn't go tort on this combo (especially not modern tort, it's usually ugly anyways - go Spitfire if you're a tort fanatic).

Black is already perfect IMO, but I'd also dig mint green or white that's slightly yellowed, maybe parchment. Whitey white is kind of boring/cheap/flat IMO.

Here's my Ray.

Perfect. Black with matte b/w/b guard. One of my favorite combos. Love both maple and rosewood fingerboards on a black Ray (mine is maple).

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I wouldn't go tort on this combo (especially not modern tort, it's usually ugly anyways - go Spitfire if you're a tort fanatic).

Black is already perfect IMO, but I'd also dig mint green or white that's slightly yellowed, maybe parchment. Whitey white is kind of boring/cheap/flat IMO.



Perfect. Black with matte b/w/b guard. One of my favorite combos. Love both maple and rosewood fingerboards on a black Ray (mine is maple).

View attachment 4106782
But that is just your opinion!. Basically he can put any colour pick guard on his Ray, and if he likes it then that is all that matters. Some people would call black on black boring so it is all personal opinions in the end that don't really matter.
 
I've had every model of the stingray available . If you want that Bernard Edward's sound ,real stingray sound , short of a pre eb mm. nothing beats a 90s 2 band stingray
I like that Bernard Edwards sound. Which 90's 2 band stingray are you referring too? Also, what strings or type of strings (Flat, Round, Hybrid, etc) would help get that sound?
 
When I can afford it I will buy a special, they have a lot of improvements and sound great! If you want a cheap and light 2 band there’s always the new ray4’s. I got one and it’s amazing for the price. I think both 2 and 3 bands sound great though, just don’t overdo it with the eq!
On the 2 band, the low band seems to add more than the treble band does. I would rather set them in the middle.
 
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Hi guys,

What would be your recommendation? I've only played for a couple of yrs and I have a nice Sandberg Electra TT4 (jazz bass). I am GAS-ing for a stingray type of bass.... Initially was thinking about the Sterling SUB4 and replace the pickups straightaway but I was also thinking that if I save up for another couple of months I could get a second-hand EBMM Stingray, which is subject to me liking the stingray sound, of course. I have my eyes on a 1994 EBMM 4 string Ray.... I suppose it's better to wait and try a USA-made stingray and probably answered my own question..... :) :) Thanks!
 
Hi guys,

What would be your recommendation? I've only played for a couple of yrs and I have a nice Sandberg Electra TT4 (jazz bass). I am GAS-ing for a stingray type of bass.... Initially was thinking about the Sterling SUB4 and replace the pickups straightaway but I was also thinking that if I save up for another couple of months I could get a second-hand EBMM Stingray, which is subject to me liking the stingray sound, of course. I have my eyes on a 1994 EBMM 4 string Ray.... I suppose it's better to wait and try a USA-made stingray and probably answered my own question..... :) :) Thanks!
I've only played EBMM StingRays and absolutely love them.

I've demoed a few of the Sterling Rays, but they never felt nearly as good, fit and finish-wise, as the EBMM variant.

There are some who think the Sterling or the SUB Rays have a better sound, but I am not in that camp. Nothing against them, I just haven't found one that has followed me home yet.

If possible, now that the UK is opening up a bit, I'd try to get out and demo as many as possible to see if saving up the extra cash is worth the effort.

Good luck!
 
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Hi guys,

What would be your recommendation? I've only played for a couple of yrs and I have a nice Sandberg Electra TT4 (jazz bass). I am GAS-ing for a stingray type of bass.... Initially was thinking about the Sterling SUB4 and replace the pickups straightaway but I was also thinking that if I save up for another couple of months I could get a second-hand EBMM Stingray, which is subject to me liking the stingray sound, of course. I have my eyes on a 1994 EBMM 4 string Ray.... I suppose it's better to wait and try a USA-made stingray and probably answered my own question..... :) :) Thanks!

I'd absolutely recommend that you grab the USA EBMM Stingray, especially the 90s one. Those have some serious mojo.
 
I've only played EBMM StingRays and absolutely love them.

I've demoed a few of the Sterling Rays, but they never felt nearly as good, fit and finish-wise, as the EBMM variant.

There are some who think the Sterling or the SUB Rays have a better sound, but I am not in that camp. Nothing against them, I just haven't found one that has followed me home yet.

If possible, now that the UK is opening up a bit, I'd try to get out and demo as many as possible to see if saving up the extra cash is worth the effort.

Good luck!
Thanks, Admiral!! :) I am leaning towards EBMM I think.... and defo would try one first.... Thanks!
 
Advice re the 90s Ray is good - they often have figured maple necks and some of the rarer colours are very cool (eg blueburst). The 3 band version gives a little bit more flexibility - however if you cut the mids (about -3 out of -5 from centre detent) and boost the bass and treble a touch, you can get very close to a 2 band sound. The other difference between the two is the 3 band has a high pass filter which reduces the boomier sounds in the bass EQ.

Other alternatives you could consider are the US Sub - a full fat 2 band US Stingray with cheaper finishes. Same hardware but not stamped Musicman. Built between 2003 and 2006, these are excellent basses and more affordable than a used Ray.

Using flatwound strings will help to achieve a Bernard Edwards type sound. However I aim for a get a sound I like approximating to this using either a Stingray Special, 3 band, Old Smoothie or SR5 (with roundwounds) or a Stingray Classic with flatwounds.


If buying a used EBMM Ray, you could consider a dual pick up version - these have more tonal versatility but still give you the option of the classic bridge H sound.