Which of These Stingrays Would You Recommend?

[Hot Rats]

Last time I was interested in a Stingray I tried a bunch and wound up buying a Bongo HH instead.

Carrots.

So, It's the Bongo for Mongo.....


sorry, just had to...

 

[mongo2]

So, It's the Bongo for Mongo.....


sorry, just had to...

You really didn't.

Never heard that before.

 

[Hot Rats]

You really didn't.

Never heard that before.

I took a shot...

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Whichever one has a sealed neck.

Oh my goodness - they DO exist!



Not many Ray players I meet dislike the oiled and waxed necks. Gotta be honest though, this thread is a big shock for me - an HH Stingray is being favoured over a single pickup model. Is this a TB first? Must be a glitch in the matrix...

 

[Briton]

Oh my goodness - they DO exist!



Not many Ray players I meet dislike the oiled and waxed necks. Gotta be honest though, this thread is a big shock for me - an HH Stingray is being favoured over a single pickup model. Is this a TB first? Must be a glitch in the matrix...

Probably would have been different if there was a Pre EB Stingray or Classic in the poll.

 

[Richard I]

Seems I'm going to have to make a lifestyle change. The good news is that, in addition to potential health benefits, I'll be saving up to $300/month. Maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more. Doesn't take an arithmetical genius to figure out that's in the neighborhood of $3000/year. Which brings us to which Stingray would you recommend? I really like my Sterling Ray34 HH, but why not step up? The choices, in order of expense, are an Old Smoothie, a Stingray Special 4HH in Raspberry Burst, or the new Tim Commerford long scale passive model. The reason I chose the Raspberry Burst from all the Stingray Specials available is it's one of the least objectional colors to me and the ebony fretboard.

I know some of you hate Stingrays, but I already have a great Jazz and it was hard enough to find that one.

I voted CARROTS because any of the choices would be my pick. In fact, I would buy a Classic at first, it's just my idea of "Stingray" - in place of a vintage one
If the radius and the vintage frets bother you, I'd pick a Special H. Those newer Stingrays sound great - a bit different from the vintage SR sound, though.

I personally love the Stingray, It's my second choice after the Precision Bass. It's simply great. It has its own sound, very useful in the mix but, of course, you gotta like it. And yep, I wouldn't use it in a blues band.

 

[vvvmmm]

And yep, I wouldn't use it in a blues band.

I gotta say this just so accurately describes my feelings re my Ray4: "I wouldn't use it in a blues band."

 

[Hot Rats]

Mmmm, I don't know. I play blues with my Stingray classic. Old blues like Son House, Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, etc. Not all modern type stuff and with control over the treble, bass and playing position, it does nicely.

 

[Michael Jewels]

I agree with Datsgor.

Bass to taste.
Mids to taste.
Treble about 3.

Play near the end of the neck.
Blues tone.
At least I think this.

Mike

 

[Michael Jewels]

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.

Jeff100.

I went back to the first picture I posted, and you are right.
There is navy blue cast around the edge.

I never noticed this before.

You have a good eye for detail.
I guess I don't.

How did I miss this all this time?

Mike

 

[Richard I]

Mmmm, I don't know. I play blues with my Stingray classic. Old blues like Son House, Howlin Wolf, John Lee Hooker, etc. Not all modern type stuff and with control over the treble, bass and playing position, it does nicely.

Datsgor, of course it's a matter of personal preference
Let's consider slap tone: some people prefer/think as "the" slap tone jazz bass tone, but I personally prefer P bass one! Rougher, less precise, but...

As far as concerns the 'Ray, I love that bass, but I find it a bit lacking on the dynamics...it's hard to be described, but it seems to me that the Stingray (no matter what version, Classic, Special etc) simply gives everything all the time, no matter how you set the volume. That can be transposed to a large variety of active basses, imho.
A passive bass is (again, in my hands/for my taste ) a lot more sensitive to volume/tone control, and finger pressure/attack/whatsoever.

 

[jefff100]

I agree with Datsgor.

Bass to taste.
Mids to taste.
Treble about 3.

Play near the end of the neck.
Blues tone.
At least I think this.

Mike

Depending on where the band is at in a song I play in just front of the neck pickup frequently for a warm fat tone, which I prefer, but as more instruments & vocals come in the mids get thick & I migrate towards the bridge & use a sharper attack for better punch.

It drives the soundguy crazy but to me it’s important to adapt to the dynamics of the song. Its also why I like to have my cab on the platform.

 

[drTSTingray]

I grew up hearing Larry Taylor playing a Precision with Canned Heat and John Mayall. Between him and Leo Lyons (Fender Jazz) with Ten Years After, those guys were my major initial influence, but they both had in common playing the bass very aggressively - almost in the style of an upright.

The Stingray is perfect for this - in fact you don’t have to play it so hard as those guys did. A Stingray is fine for blues, R and B, Country, you name it. Because of its dynamics and flexibility, a skilled player can get a Stingray to work in most settings. I’ve been using them for all these genres since the end of the 70s!!!

My latest acquisition, a Tim Commerford signature 34” scale passive Stingray (natural/black hardware/ebony) will be used on a blues/R and B gig later in August (ps the passive is exceptionally good - but I won’t be giving up my active basses - more playing it alongside them).

 

[amcrory]

Are you talking about the Sterling by Music Man basses made in Indonesia or the EBMM Sterling basses made in the USA? I'm pretty sure amcory is talking about the later.

Yes, sorry - I DESPISE the “Sterling” branding (and talked to a rep at NAMM about it years ago - he agreed it wasn’t a great decision)… NAming your cheaper offshore brand THE SAME as one of your high-end US-made models? Brilliant, dummies. Way to sow confusion in your crowded market. Just terrific strategy there.

Anyway, I did indeed mean a US-made Sterling 5. Lovely bass, best 5 I ever owned, slim neck, comfy for 4 sets a night, HUGE pick tone, but did not sound like a Stingray, despite trying to.

 

[Hot Rats]

Yes, sorry - I DESPISE the “Sterling” branding (and talked to a rep at NAMM about it years ago - he agreed it wasn’t a great decision)… NAming your cheaper offshore brand THE SAME as one of your high-end US-made models? Brilliant, dummies. Way to sow confusion in your crowded market. Just terrific strategy there.

Anyway, I did indeed mean a US-made Sterling 5. Lovely bass, best 5 I ever owned, slim neck, comfy for 4 sets a night, HUGE pick tone, but did not sound like a Stingray, despite trying to.

Ego tends to have a way of interfering with the normal coarse of logic/strategy.