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Which Music Man Stingray would you recommend?

#101
drTSTingray said:
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.
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Woah... that's a thorough explanation. Thanks! :) The one I have my eyes on is a 1994, 3EQ, single H in a Transparent teal finish with rosewood fingerboard.... hopefully still available when I have the money for it.... thank you! :)
 
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#104
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I recommend them all. You really can’t go wrong with any StingRay!!! Take your pick. I’m partial to the Old Smoothie, 2Band, Classics, and Specials. No matter the era, all of my StingRays wear flats.
 
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#106
I've owned 3-bands, Classic 2-bands and Pre-EBMM 2-bands and loved them all. The new 4-bands are, IMO, ridiculously over priced here in Australia and there is very little chance of me getting my hands on one.

Of the ones I've owned, if I had to choose just one, I would take a simple EBMM 3-band .... but only just. The 2-bands have their thing, and their thing is pretty awesome (particularly the pre-EBMM 2-bands), but for me the 3-bands can do most of what the 2-bands can do and a whole pile of things they cannot.

The Classics are really nice (I've owned two of them and regretted getting rid of them both), but the slab body is heavy and awkward. The "finished" neck on the Classics is not as nice for me as the standard 3-bands.

Personally if I particularly wanted a 2-band I would look for a nice Standard and drop in one of the many (and some are very very good) aftermarket pre-EBMM 2-band clones. I've done this and it is my main gigging bass.

But - short answer, you can't go wrong :) Happy choosing!
 
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#108
Since it's been 3 years - almost to the day - since the OP asked for advice, I imagine he's made his choice a while ago, now. But, since we're all still here... personally? I never wanted a single pickup Stingray - of any description. I'm a lefty, but even though they did make leftys - once in a while - I just never had a use for one. The tone that everybody raves about, was a tone I didn't have much use for. And,the other tones it could make? I already had basses for those tones. What I really wanted, was a 4HH Stingray; which of course they did not make as a lefty. Until the end of 2020, when they started making a few lefty 4HH Stingray Specials. I snatched one of those up - quick as a bunny. With the right strings (Galli Jazz Flats), that bass does make tones that I can use...:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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#109
Michael Rosen said:
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 :)
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Between those choices: Classic without a doubt.
 

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