Which Stingray to Get?

[Figjam]

I love the mid 90s ones Plus, blueburst was an amazing color

 

[Art and Music]

If it came down to picking a bass based on the battery cover(?), then I would pick the new design...it's the best designed cover I have ever used! All my other basses need screwdrivers to get to them.
But, unless you just have to have that color....I would take my time and shop around. You can get a newer model for that price or less used. Did you pick your car based on the color? I pick my cars based on what features they have; or in the case of gear, how it sounds and feels! Only if I couldn't stand the color would I let that influence me too heavily.

 

[Jeffrey A-Bomb]

I've always felt the older stingrays had better woods, more birdseye, better action, and just sounded 'better'. Everyone I've tried that's post 2000 or so has lacked birdseye, felt cheaper, and had more buzzing overall. Just my opinion though.. Go w/ your gut.

 

[bovinehost]

Post-2000 Stingrays:

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Mahogany body. Birdseye neck. No Stingray has ever sounded better. No buzzing (and if it did buzz, I'd adjust the truss rod and FIX it).

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Light and resonant. Martini inlays! Sounds almost as good as the one above. No buzzing. See above for what I'd do it if did. Nothing cheap about it. Fat, gutsy, plays like a dream.

I've always felt the older stingrays had better woods...

Nothing happened in or around 2000 that would cause the basses to be better or worse. You're more than welcome to your 'feeling', of course, but it isn't supported by reality.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

The one thing i love the idea of with the mahogany one there bovine, is the string through option. I wish all 'rays had that (that and the mutes would be awesome )

 

[64jazzbass]

The Stingrays ARE built like tanks, but that damn plastic battery housing is the achilles heel. I've replaced more than 2 in a short period of time.

 

[tadawson]

Post-2000 Stingrays:

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Hey! It's a "Jack in the bass" . . . . nice reflection there, Jack!

Great basses too - I've played them both! The current EBMM basses are all a "no-lose" proposition - I've never seen one that was not just excellent!

- Tim

 

[nickbear]

i bought my stingray brand new in 02 and i have not had one problem with it.. it has been regularly gigged and had a bit of abuse.. its so solid! ive never had any problems with the battery compartment either.. i would go for a new one.

 

[phatduckk]

I've always felt the older stingrays had better woods, more birdseye, better action, and just sounded 'better'. Everyone I've tried that's post 2000 or so has lacked birdseye, felt cheaper, and had more buzzing overall. Just my opinion though.. Go w/ your gut.

action and buzz are both something you can take care of on just about any bass. i dont understand why people bring thing us... grab some allen wreches and turn things (truss rod, maybe saddle screws) and the buzz will go away if you know what you're doing. if u dunno what you're doing find someone who does and $30 later its all good.

birdseye still shows up on Stingrays but its random - also, birdseye maple is less abundant than it used to be - so, ya, less SR's have em but they're out there.

 

[GregC]

The Stingrays ARE built like tanks, but that damn plastic battery housing is the achilles heel. I've replaced more than 2 in a short period of time.

Stay low, the EBMM black van is pulling up to your house.

 

[Jeffrey A-Bomb]

action and buzz are both something you can take care of on just about any bass. i dont understand why people bring thing us... grab some allen wreches and turn things (truss rod, maybe saddle screws) and the buzz will go away if you know what you're doing. if u dunno what you're doing find someone who does and $30 later its all good.

birdseye still shows up on Stingrays but its random - also, birdseye maple is less abundant than it used to be - so, ya, less SR's have em but they're out there.

I've owned 6 stingrays over the years, and nothing has outplayed my '88 and my '92 (my personal fave). The newer one I had was translucent orange and just didn't play the same.. The action just wouldn't get as low as my earlier rays and I ended up selling it.

 

[Jeffrey A-Bomb]

Post-2000 Stingrays:
Nothing happened in or around 2000 that would cause the basses to be better or worse. You're more than welcome to your 'feeling', of course, but it isn't supported by reality.

Damn, butt hurt much?

 

[ajb]

I've always felt the older stingrays had better woods, more birdseye, better action, and just sounded 'better'. Everyone I've tried that's post 2000 or so has lacked birdseye, felt cheaper, and had more buzzing overall. Just my opinion though.. Go w/ your gut.

I wholeheartedly agree with this (sorry bovinehost). I own a 1993 StingRay 5 that I have compared to the current models on a couple of occasions, and although the new ones are certainly excellent basses (esp. with the new pickup configs), I still think mine has a definite edge in terms of resonance and overall meatiness in the tone department. The open E string is just sick on my bass.

So my suggestion to the OP is to definitely play both, but take a good hard look at the mid-90s model. The differences are minor but to my ear at least they are definitely there.