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Why do we sell our Musicman Stingray?

#63
Calaverasgrande said:
...
I dont get folks taht dont liek the "clank". You do know there is an EQ on that thing right? Dial up some bass, or dial back some treble...
I never could understand the weirdos that change the pickups or the electronics. It's like getting a 69 Camaro and putting a different engine in it!
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Is it weird to want the one feature that made the Stingray so popular in the first place – the unique tone of the original?

I kept my Stingray because it looked so good but I didn't play it very often because of that clank -and EQ didn't fix it without killing the tone.

When I bought the bass, I just thought a Stingray was a Stingray and that I would eventually get the sound I wanted by twiddling the knobs and finding the right strings.

I eventually learned that the Stingray sound that I was searching for was the pre-Ernie Ball sound. So, last month I installed the John East Stingray pre-amp. My Stingray sounds like a real Stingray now and I can't put it down.

I'm glad EB is doing their Classic series now with the two-band pre-amp and finished necks. I tried one and liked a lot but I won't be buying it because I've got that sound and more with the East preamp – plus its in a gorgeous mahogany 30th Anniversary Stingray.
 
#64
I purchased in my life a lot of them and then sold a bunch losing a lot of money to purchase more again and... because I always suffer a mix of love and hate with these basses.
In my hands have been passing no less than 40 Stingray in the last 20 years and I truly think they are in general terms the most consistent/better value for the money high end basses in series ever produced; but while all of them are truly well manufactured and sounds VERY GOOD only a few ones are SPECIAL and that kind of one and only bass you know you will love it forever.
The later 80's and 90's examples with those incredible birdseye necks were unique in every sense, after that and before the arrival of the excellent -but weighty- Classic series and except the Anniversary and Limited Run models have been absolutely sterile IMHO.
I can't understand the med/high EQ bandwidths on them: Not many basses of this category sounds so harsh and clanky with all the controls fully open, but in the other hand ANY Stingray and in particular the 80's and 90's beforehand mentioned sounds superb with the controls at the center position and a bit of lows enganged. This way can solve any musical job, in any style and in any gig or studio. That's the way it is.
Currently I have a Pre-Ernie, a 20th Anniv, a Classic series and a 90's example that I love and think it will stay with me a lot of time, but who knows.
I will get more for GAS impulse, but I know perfectly once in my hands I will be double minded as usually with this family.
Hard to describe (and more in a foreign language for me) what happen with the 'rays. :hmm:
 
#65
I'm selling mine to get a Carvin SB5000. Why? After years of going through and playing many basses I realized that I've always been more of a jazz/P type person..more jazz than P as I would only use a P with flats in certain situations. The Stingray, though a great sound, is just not my sound. I haven't listed on TB classifieds yes but it will be there soon.
 
#67
jsixties said:
I purchased in my life a lot of them and then sold a bunch losing a lot of money to purchase more again and... because I always suffer a mix of love and hate with these basses.
In my hands have been passing no less than 40 Stingray in the last 20 years and I truly think they are in general terms the most consistent/better value for the money high end basses in series ever produced; but while all of them are truly well manufactured and sounds VERY GOOD only a few ones are SPECIAL and that kind of one and only bass you know you will love it forever.
The later 80's and 90's examples with those incredible birdseye necks were unique in every sense, after that and before the arrival of the excellent -but weighty- Classic series and except the Anniversary and Limited Run models have been absolutely sterile IMHO.
I can't understand the med/high EQ bandwidths on them: Not many basses of this category sounds so harsh and clanky with all the controls fully open, but in the other hand ANY Stingray and in particular the 80's and 90's beforehand mentioned sounds superb with the controls at the center position and a bit of lows enganged. This way can solve any musical job, in any style and in any gig or studio. That's the way it is.
Currently I have a Pre-Ernie, a 20th Anniv, a Classic series and a 90's example that I love and think it will stay with me a lot of time, but who knows.
I will get more for GAS impulse, but I know perfectly once in my hands I will be double minded as usually with this family.
Hard to describe (and more in a foreign language for me) what happen with the 'rays. :hmm:
Click to expand...

40 Stingrays in 20 years? Next time you go through one just give it to me and write it off on your taxes!
 
#70
Paul M said:
Is it weird to want the one feature that made the Stingray so popular in the first place – the unique tone of the original?

I kept my Stingray because it looked so good but I didn't play it very often because of that clank -and EQ didn't fix it without killing the tone.

When I bought the bass, I just thought a Stingray was a Stingray and that I would eventually get the sound I wanted by twiddling the knobs and finding the right strings.

I eventually learned that the Stingray sound that I was searching for was the pre-Ernie Ball sound. So, last month I installed the John East Stingray pre-amp. My Stingray sounds like a real Stingray now and I can't put it down.

I'm glad EB is doing their Classic series now with the two-band pre-amp and finished necks. I tried one and liked a lot but I won't be buying it because I've got that sound and more with the East preamp – plus its in a gorgeous mahogany 30th Anniversary Stingray.
Click to expand...
Do you have any sound clips? I think I've finally put my P/J away for a while, since I've really been digging playing my 30th - it's so punchy and the neck is perfect! However, I'm getting some weird overtones from the D string - an almost "boingy" sound, if that makes sense. I've tried changing strings, from GHS Fleas to Group II flats to Slinkys, and it won't go away, so I'm wondering if it's the 3-band eq.
 
#71
i sold mine..a beautiful SR5 in blue pearl with matching headstock...nearly 2 years ago.. i really really regret selling it.. (see my post)..like Jsixties said, when you get a good one, hold on to it.. this is a good un..and i wont let it go again.. no flame maple, just a great looking/sounding/weighing, SR5.... if im honest im a jazz bass guy 4 and 5 active passive....

but i really do think the SR5 is the best mass produced 5 string available today still.. its all in the punchy warmth..

a small detail but i love the way the neck is unfinished then has a gloss headstock..perfect... and details like that sell it to me..
 
#74
joelb79 said:
I found myself selling my old musicman because It was sounding to bright and too punchy for all the work I was doing. I remember being in distain about owning this over $1k bass that sat in the case and never saw action while $400 Fenders that had a bigger rounder sound got all the show work.

So I sold mine for that reason, to purchase another Fender.
.
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This is why I sold mine. Only I sold mine to buy a Ric.
 
#78
I sold my pre EB Stingray a long while ago because I had stopped playing bass completely, and did not want as fine an instrument as this to just languish in a closet. I regretted the sale, but only after I returned to playing the bass again years later. So I had to go out and get a new Stingray. I'm lucky that I found one I love.
 
#79
badboy1984 said:
Is something I don't quite get. They are nice bass and is very good in terms of tone and quality.

I've own a Musicman Stingray myself and is a 3EQ trans orange. Cost me over £1250 brand new.

I don't know why but I feel I wanted to get rid of the musicman stingray for a nice MIA Precision or a Warwick Streamer Stage 1 or LX ........
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Because you want chunky tone and/or pseudo upright tone.
The Stingray won't go there. I should know. I had the same Stingray for 22 years. I did finally sell it in favor of an American Fender Precision and I've never been sorry. Something so natural and rootsy about a P Bass!
 

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