Stingray or Sterling fretless(4 strings)

[noisetree]

Hi there,
I am new in this forum.
I can´t make up my mind about this.Where I live I can´t try a Sterling
so I have to ask your opinion.I´m lefthanded.
Thank you and my best regards.

noisetree

 

[Duarte]

In my opinion, you can't beat a fretless stingray. Coolest sounding instruments on the planet!

 

[Jodizzle]

What kind of music do you play?
The Sterling is just right for me. I have small hands. It just feels better in my hand.
Where are you located?

 

[noisetree]

Thanks for your replies.
I live in Portugal and I like to play jazz,pop,funk,rock
and some world music.I have small hands but I´m used
to big basses(like a 7 strings Conklin).My fretless is 6 strings
Zon,but I want a more traditional fretless 4 strings bass.
I also play acoustic guitar.
Thanks again!
noisetree

 

[Jodizzle]

Well,
even though I love my Sterling .. it sounds like the Stingray might be great for you. A lot of bassist's just want that "Stingray sound" I can't speak for a fretless .. never owned one (have always wanted to though). I do like the way they sound. Warm, smooth, rich

 

[Will_Spengler]

Fretless stingray is the way to go IMO.

Are the HH models avalible for Lefties? If so, i'd say definatly get an HH model!

While in band situations with a fretted, i'll use the bridge pickup about 50% of the time, when using the fretless, ive very rarely used the bridge pickup solo, the 'single coil' options, both pups all the way on, or the neck pup all have amazing tones for fretless (damned good for fretted too!)

 

[Psycho Ward]

The Bongo is currently the only left handed EBMM bass you can order with two pickups. Stingrays and Sterlings are both great basses you can't go wrong with either one of them. I tend to be a Sterling guy but there is not a Ball that I wouldn't love to own. I own several and have had a couple more in the past, every single one of them are great.

I had a fretless Sterling but I never played it, I'm just not good enough so I sold it. Here is what a lefty Sterling looks like if that will be of any help.

And here is a picture of a fretted StingRay lefty (I really wish I kept this one!)

Good luck with your search and if I can be of any help let me know.

 

[noisetree]

Beautiful basses!Thank you!
noisetree

 

[Ole Man Blues]

Bongo........

OMB

 

[oddjob]

Bongo........

OMB

+1

 

[noisetree]

Bongo........

OMB

I don´t like how it looks and I hate the name "bongo"!
I´m sorry but that´s what I think about this basses.
But it´s a Musicman so the sound must be excelent!
noisetree

 

[oddjob]

Bongos are an acquired taste and don't let the name fool you - It is, like all EBMMs, a killer instrument. To each, their own

 

[oli@bass]

If you like the sound of the fretless StingRay then get one.
Accept no substitutes. Not even Bongos.

 

[noisetree]

I like the sound of fretless Stingray but I travel and maybe the Sterling is
better to take on a plane.And my hands are small so I wonder how I would
feel playing with a fretless Sterling...
noisetree

 

[oddjob]

I like the sound of fretless Stingray but I travel and maybe the Sterling is
better to take on a plane.And my hands are small so I wonder how I would
feel playing with a fretless Sterling...
noisetree

Not going to be too much difference in traveling these 2 (so now you are back to the question of feel and sound)

 

[oli@bass]

subliminal message

StingRay

 

[Jodizzle]

^^Very subtle Oli

NOisetree, my boss has a fretless Sterling ... it sounds sick!!!!! I borrowed it from him and thought about keeping it. Thought I'd make up some story about evil gnomes, or purple polka dotted deers that trampled it. Then I felt guilty.

I really, really liked it though. Sounds totally different than fretted ... but in an equally as enjoyable way.

Are we making it hard enough for you yet?

 

[noisetree]

It´s true!A very hard decision...but I have all the time.
I found that lefthanded musicmans are a little more
expensive.
I was trying to get a good deal with two equal musicmans
but one fretless and one fretted because I would like
to play with two similar basses.
I play with a vintage J Sadowsky fretted and maybe I´ll
get another vintage J Sadowsky but fretless...
I´m going to wait a while.I play with a nice 6 strings Zon,
amazing sound and where I live I´m invited many times to record fretless
and I realized that is very important to me to get a 4 strings fretless.
Thank you for your patience!
noisetree

 

[phatduckk]

sterling baby, sterling

i'm with miss dizzle on this

 

[oli@bass]

I'd dizzle with Jodi
The whole day long,
But regarding the 'Ray,
It has to be....my way!