The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Other Bass Brands => Topic started by: amptech on September 19, 2019, 02:03:59 AM

Title: Stingray moment..
Post by: amptech on September 19, 2019, 02:03:59 AM
Ok, not Gibson related but I have to share... I've posted stuff about my MusicMan rig before (HD-130 head with 212RH and 115RH/EV)
but the other day a '78 Stingray passed though my workshop.. It's for sale at the local music shop, but I had to borrow it a few hours
just to see if it was a good match to my 130 head, which is very sensitive to what you feed it with.. A mudbucker needs some eq to sound right, a P too.. But the Stingray was a real hand in glove! Sounds really good at any setting, and you can even push the transistor pre without making everything nasty. Guess I shouldn't be surprised, but this really blew me away! Although I grew up with AC/DC, it never
crossed my mind that I wanted a bass like Cliff's. But ever since I first saw one, I have liked the 3+1 head so much I actually lusted for one. But the ones I have tested, have not been that good (Ernie Ball's). Damn, if I wasn't so used to resting my thumb on the mudbucker (and actually not interested in going back to long scale) I'd consider coughing up the 3.5K they ask for it! It's near mint with just a nice light checkering.. a beauty! Well, a cool 'flirt' with something else anyway :)

(https://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae259/sjokoladen/IMG_20190911_105714_zps6lssyayr.jpg)
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: Dave W on September 19, 2019, 09:36:51 PM
That's a beauty!

I've played a few pre-Ernie Ball Stingrays and didn't care for any of them, given a choice I'd take the newer ones any day. To each his own.
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: gearHed289 on September 20, 2019, 07:27:55 AM
That's a real classic! I always liked the StingRay look and sound, but I never liked the necks enough to buy one. Plus, yeah, they need a thumb rest.
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: Dave W on September 20, 2019, 08:37:34 AM
You need a zero-mod thumbrest (http://www.zero-mod.com/models.html) (scroll down for Stingray models)

Thirty-four bucks here (https://www.bestbassgear.com/zero-mod-music-man-stingray-bass-thumb-rest-black.htm). Problem solved!
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: westen44 on September 21, 2019, 12:27:18 AM
I've always liked the way they sound. 
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: uwe on October 01, 2019, 06:20:20 AM
Except for the G-string. Spoiled from Gibson basses, I find that lacking on quite a few Stingrays.
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: Rob on October 01, 2019, 03:43:45 PM
Except for the G-string. Spoiled from Gibson basses, I find that lacking on quite a few Stingrays.

I have noticed that defect seems guitar specific.
Some seems okay but it's hard to fing enough to sample for the good ones.
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: westen44 on October 01, 2019, 04:56:43 PM
Having a problematic G string wouldn't be good, especially since I probably use it more than most people.  It's a shame.  Because I've noticed Stingrays seem to often sound above average in sound tests, IMO. 
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: Dave W on October 01, 2019, 10:31:42 PM
I've heard complaints about the weak G string on MM basses but the one I own and the one I used to own were fine, likewise with ones I've played but not owned.
Title: Re: Stingray moment..
Post by: amptech on October 02, 2019, 10:32:48 PM
No G problems with this specimen. Not Gibson G but sounded fine.
On my '74 P, though.. there is very little going on between 5th and 9ht fret on the g string.
No wonder I never use it!