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Which of These Stingrays Would You Recommend?
- Thread starter Roger W
- Start date
I know right?!? I had to buy the black pg separately, but once I got it on there I was stunned. The ivory, black, and all roasted maple neck have a great aesthetic. That bass is currently in the shop getting plek'd. Can't wait to have back in my hands!
I have tried both the MIA Sterling and the Indonesian version and both of them were a long way off sounding like a true Stingray. Certain characteristics were there but overall it is better to fork out the extra for a proper Ray.
The EBMM Sterling is meant to be a different instrument than the Stingray just like the Bongo.
Yes I know that and it's just a pity that other people cannot grasp that fact because a lot of people think that you can get the same tone and sound out of a Sterling the same as you can out of a EB Stingray. It ain't happening.Personally I would opt for Pre EB Stingray obviously 2 band, but these are hard to come by so the next nearest would be a Classic which isn't as warm and dark as an Old Smoothie, but also doesn't have the zing and hi fi tone of a 3 band.
That's like wanting an SG to sound like a Les Paul just because they're both Gibson, have 2 humbucking pickups, and set necks. With enough distortion, I suppose.
I know the same goes for the Special with endless owners stating that they can get it to sound like a 2 band which is not possible due to its components. Basically EB no longer currently provide an original sounding Stingray with that special tone which is very sad, unless you can get your hands on a Cliff Williams model but the problem there is that there where only 26 made.
There's a bunch of threads about the Specials that you could look up. Also plenty of pro level demo vids on YouTube. To my ears they are more mid/treble present which gives the whole sound a balanced tone. The 3-band EQ is amazing. The broad frequency mid-freq band has a huge range. I love pushing the bass and lowering the treb/mid for reggae tunes. The bass always sounds like a ray. IMHO, I was never a huge Ray fan before the specials. I thought they sounded way too scooped and if you cut the treble then the bass was just mushy. But the specials are my #1.
anyways, my two cents.
One can buy a Cliff Williams model right now from various places including MF. The problem is that they are way too expensive at $7000.00 apiece.
That is way too expensive, you can get a Pre EB for less than that but that would depend on if you like that kind of tone. Some prefer 2 band some prefer 3, some prefer H and some prefer HH it is each to their own. Which ever model you prefer you can be assured that it will be well made, and that is what binds them all together.
Thanks, ComeHomeShane.
I watched a few videos, and your description of the new ones being more mid/trebley is pretty much on the money.
Mike
I watched a few videos, and your description of the new ones being more mid/trebley is pretty much on the money.
Mike
They will be out there on the used market - shop for a while and you can get a good deal.
Jeff100 are you referring to my Stingray?
It's just standard black.
I took the picture with my Pentax camera and a good lens.
The bass had just been set up and cleaned when the photo was taken.
Would you like to see a few more photos?
Mike
Ok, a few more Stingray photos.
Stingray on a wicker couch. Boring.
Add a point of interest and some color - better picture. Mickey makes things better.
On a picnic table.Color.
Black & White.
Close up.
I did three things to create these pictures.
1.) Used a good camera and lens.
2.) Used a tripod.
3.) Metered the light carefully.
Mike
Stingray on a wicker couch. Boring.
Add a point of interest and some color - better picture. Mickey makes things better.
On a picnic table.Color.
Black & White.
Close up.
I did three things to create these pictures.
1.) Used a good camera and lens.
2.) Used a tripod.
3.) Metered the light carefully.
Mike
I played an OLP once so I am not qualified to even post here. But regarding the topic I will to say, I really like the look of that Old Smoothie in Butterscotch. Oh, and deep in my ever en-feebling mind, there is a logic to those big poles lying either side of the strings.
Really, I want to offer my best with the challenge and wish you all the best on the road ahead.
(PS I've been known to stash a Thermos flask and a cup of tea behind my amp at gigs and it can be very refreshing.)
Really, I want to offer my best with the challenge and wish you all the best on the road ahead.
(PS I've been known to stash a Thermos flask and a cup of tea behind my amp at gigs and it can be very refreshing.)
Its light reflections- in the first photo you posted, caused the illusion of a two toned bass, IE looking like the top was gloss black and the sides / back / beveled section were a navy blue. Then the gloss black was picking up a woodgrain look from perhaps an adjacent structure? Gloss will act as a mirror like that.
In either case, I thought it looked pretty cool, especially if it were a two tone finish in solid colors like that.
Nice bass in either case!
Hats off for using a tripod and metering. I used to use a tripod and cable release allot.
I haven't been doing as much serious photography recent years though.
