Which Stingray would you buy?

[Valerus]

if you want more mids control, 3-band. otherwise, seems like everyone likes 2-band

 

[Horny Toad]

if you want more mids control, 3-band. otherwise, seems like everyone likes 2-band

You're no help!

 

[Surly]

There's supposedly a difference between the 2 and 3 band, but I can't hear it. To me the classic 'Ray tone is the classic 'Ray tone (like a P-bass) being a single H more towards the rear. So I would say play a few and get one that you like, unless you're buying online...

 

[Ian Perge]

3-band single humbucker - I've found that the Bongos and Sterlings seem to "work better" with multiple pickups than the classic 'Ray, and I'll never own a bass without control of the mids... even if it means aftermarket mods, which my Spector ReBop DLXs are getting in the form of Aguilar OBP-3s. Having control of the area of frequencies has saved my live sound more than once, and IMO is essential for a fretless bass.

 

[mvw356]

get a used one from the early to mid nineties. i prefer 3 band.

 

[vin*tone]

2 band HH.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

If you can find one........ get it.

 

[CapnSev]

^ +1

My all-time favorite bass.











I hate you

 

[mikeswals]

2 band single H all the way.

After well over many-many SR4's with; 2eq, 3eq, and multiple pickups. Nothing sounds sweeter, fatter and fuller than the old 2eq.

The preamps are voiced different, so simply having that mid knob doesn't mean much to me. The 2eq has plenty of mids voiced in it.

Oh, Dr Jim....
Paul's Ray is a 78, ash body with maple board. My similar 78 sounds exactly like it. I believe those early black epoxy preamps combined with the funky long pickup poles sound even more sweeter yet.

 

[Solarmist]

I've never owned one, but I pretty much insist on a 3-band EQ

 

[Jeff K]

Okay, I'm going to show my MM ignorance here, so don't flame me too hard. (I've only owned one EBMM, and that was a 3-band around '95.) I thought they stopped making the 2-band years ago. So I guess my question is, did they start making them again; or are you guys talking strictly used?

If the 2-bands are only available used, then I would think they'd be getting rather hard to find. (In my best Dylan whine, "Sooooomebody help me, pleeeeeease!")

 

[Horny Toad]

Okay, I'm going to show my MM ignorance here, so don't flame me too hard. (I've only owned one EBMM, and that was a 3-band around '95.) I thought they stopped making the 2-band years ago. So I guess my question is, did they start making them again; or are you guys talking strictly used?

If the 2-bands are only available used, then I would think they'd be getting rather hard to find. (In my best Dylan whine, "Sooooomebody help me, pleeeeeease!")

Yes, they are still made. It's a custom option. If you look around, some of the bigger shops have a handful in stock.

 

[air_leech]

I own two fretted 2 band Stingrays and one fretless 3 band.

I was looking to get the classic Stingray tone as featured in Sade, Chic, Supertramp and Brothers Johnson albums and these were recoreded with a 2 band Ray so naturally the shortest way to achive this tone was to get a 2 band.
I also prefer my bass to have the least amount of knobs so knowing my Stingrays sound the way I want straight out of the box helps me focus on playing but of course your demands may vary and if you want a one-bass-do-it-all solution you're better off with the HH or at least the 3 band single H (also take a look at the HS, I hear they are more versatile than HH).

p.s. initially I wanted my fretless to be a 2 band too but alas, havent found one so I settled on a 3 band.

 

[Horny Toad]

.....if you want a one-bass-do-it-all solution you're better off with the HH or at least the 3 band single H......

Well, I already have a 3 band single H (and other basses) so I'm covered there, so......

I've been in touch with Beaver Felton at Bass Central and I've got my name on a natural ash/maple 2 band. Should be placing the order tomorrow.

 

[Quadzilla]

The 2 band KILLS! Just sounds more full, rich, etc. The 3 band just has a thinner sound overall. Mine:

 

[Quadzilla]

Ya know, you can buy the 2 -band and convert your 3 band to a 2 band for pretty cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160345556419

 

[Horny Toad]

The 2 band KILLS! Just sounds more full, rich, etc. The 3 band just has a thinner sound overall. Mine:

That's really pretty, but not exactly a Stingray.

 

[Quadzilla]

That's really pretty, but not exactly a Stingray.

It's better, it's a Sabre (flame retardant jacket on)!!!!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Okay, I'm going to show my MM ignorance here, so don't flame me too hard. (I've only owned one EBMM, and that was a 3-band around '95.) I thought they stopped making the 2-band years ago. So I guess my question is, did they start making them again; or are you guys talking strictly used?

They are still available new as an option. You do not see them very often because only a very small percentage of them have 2-band EQ.

 

[rappa29]

Well, I already have a 3 band single H (and other basses) so I'm covered there, so......

I've been in touch with Beaver Felton at Bass Central and I've got my name on a natural ash/maple 2 band. Should be placing the order tomorrow.

Yeah, according their site, they look like they have 3 (err 2) of them, black and egyptian smoke.

My question is: how do the current production 2 band Stingrays compare to the original\classic 2 band Stingrays, Pre EB or whatever (not sure when EB took over or when they stopped producing 2 band as the norm).

Is the current production 2 band basically a current production 3 band minus the Mid knob? Or is it a completely different preamp? Or is it designed with the same or similar guts as the original 2 band?

 

[ghostjs]

i prefer the 3 band. 2 band doesnt have the growl i like in the stingrays. its too warm!