Stingray like Sterling?

[mntngrown]

Believe it or not I have owned 3 Bongos a Sterling, but have never played a Ray. I bought a used Sterling strung with DR hibeams and loved the single H
sound but I eventually had to sell it cause the jazz bass curse (thin front to back) neck got to me. i.e. cramping up. I was wondering if a recent model single H Ray would sound similar to my previous single H recent model Sterling, or are the preamps different. Is the Ray neck thicker front to back like Fender P's are thicker than J's. I so far like the Bongo neck best.

 

[TheBassGuy]

The Stingray sounds way different. More vintage and subtle. Also it doesn't have the 3 way selector... I love the stingray sound, but again, it's different.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Is the Ray neck thicker front to back like Fender P's are thicker than J's. I so far like the Bongo neck best.

Yes, the Sterling is 1.5" at the nut (Fender "A" neck, ie. Jazz), Stingrays are 1 5/8" (Fender "B" neck, ie. modern Precisions) - same as Bongos. The 1.75" Fender "C" width neck was used in the 50s and 60s.

 

[Basscake]

The Material of the polepieces is also different. Ceramic vs. Alnico.

My impression is that even in parallel mode the Sterling tends to sound a bit "tighter", whereas a Ray produces a more broadband-like allround-sound.

Anyway:
Both definitely got the typical "in ya face"-punch and the crisp attack that one expects from a EBMM.

I also prefer the chunkier SR-neck, by the way...

 

[jerimy77]

I have played stingrays for about 10 years now. But about a year ago I built a custom Project bass and used a modified Jazz bass neck, and it is about 1 1/2" wide at the nut. after a good setup I could fly all over the neck like greased lightn'n, but after a little time of playing I did experience some hand cramp like what you are talking about. I guess it is just what your hands are acustomed to. The sound of a stingray is quite different from other basses. I'd go plug one in and try it out.

 

[Big Poppa]

the ew stingray slo is a stingray with a sterling neck

 

[Jazzbassman23]

the ew stingray slo is a stingray with a sterling neck

Haven't been around for awhile, but I seem to recall hearing about my personal "holy grail," the Stingray w/a Sterling neck, and this thread is all that I could find. Are they available? Are there any already in the hands of knuckleheads? I couldn't find any info on the MM site. Point me in the right direction.

 

[meeder2]

They had one @ Guitar Center in Atlanta as of 9/2/09
cherry burst, HH, Ebony fingerboard, sterling nut width.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

So if I call my dealer, he should not be surprised when I make this request on an order.

 

[Sting]

What about a Sterling with a Stingray neck? I like the sound of the Sterling but I am one of the seemingly few sick bass players that are more comfortable on a beefier neck.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

What about a Sterling with a Stingray neck? I like the sound of the Sterling but I am one of the seemingly few sick bass players that are more comfortable on a beefier neck.

What can I say? I'm a wuss. My dealer has always been Chuck Levin's Washington Music, and they're really on the ball, so I suppose I should just give my guy a buzz and see what happens. Would it be silly to order a third MM bass in Trans Teal? I just love that color.