Stingrays for small hands

Damonjames · Oct 27, 2015

Hey guys,

I'm a newbie on the forum, but wondered if I could pick the brains of the knowledgable folk on here regarding the neck profiles of the stingrays.
I have smallish hands, and usually prefer a jazz style neck as opposed to a precision, so my question is do they offer any stingrays with a jazz neck without a full custom order? I think I recall reading somewhere that the SLO special is a jazz profile?
I tried a us Ray in my local store today and really noticed the difference, not sure it's something I couldn't live with but I'd need to play a few gigs wth it and see, if I could find a jazz size neck I think it would seal the deal!
Appreciate any advice give guys n gals!!

mmbassplayer · Oct 27, 2015

Welcome and you are correct... The SLO Special Stingray has the smaller as we call it around here "Sterling" profile neck. Not the most common build for a Stingray but far from impossible to find. JOSH

SugarMaple · Oct 27, 2015

I prefer the smaller (Jazzish) neck over the larger (P-ish) neck, too. The Stingray SLO has that smaller neck, and I've been considering getting one. I started playing regular 4-string Stingrays 20 years ago, bought 3 of them total along the way (as seen in my signature line)... but when I got my Sterling, it was a revelation. So much easier to play if you prefer the smaller neck! Sterling also has a smaller body, usually a little less weight, and usually a more aggressive tone.

So yeah, if you want Stingray tone with a smaller neck, look for a MusicMan Stingray SLO 4 string. If you want the same smaller neck in a slightly smaller overall bass, with more aggressive tone (which is subjective, but a fairly common observation), look for a MusicMan Sterling 4 string.

With either of those basses, you will be pleasantly surprised at how nice the oil/wax finish on the neck is, how straight the neck is, how easily the truss rod is adjusted if necessary, how nice the edges of the fingerboard feel, etc. MusicMan nails all of the practical playing items like nobody else.

Welcome to the Forum, too!

sanderhermans · Oct 27, 2015

The slo special is a great option. Feels perfect for me and it is free if you order it on a new bass.

Damonjames · Oct 28, 2015

Would it be possible to order a replacement neck for a stingray, but order with the SLO neck profile?

sanderhermans · Oct 28, 2015

Damonjames said:
Would it be possible to order a replacement neck for a stingray, but order with the SLO neck profile?

i doubt it, unless you send in the Original neck mayebe, but even then i dont know if they do that. contact customer service for more info regarding this.

Damonjames · Oct 28, 2015

Thanks for the info guys! About to purge my collection of basses and get some stingray's, will have to contend with a standard Ray 4 for now though, unless an SLO special happens to crop up!

nurnay · Oct 28, 2015

You can always order one new with the SLO neck. I did that for the one I got, and I love it.

ElectricMatthew · Oct 29, 2015

Damonjames said:
...unless an SLO special happens to crop up!

According to their web site Bass Central has 3 SLO Specials in stock now.

Damonjames · Oct 30, 2015

I got excited for a second, then I realised it was in the USA!!! I'm based in the UK &#55357;&#56862;

Damonjames · Nov 2, 2015

Ok, so just this afternoon a USA sterling bass 4 string has become available at a very reasonable price. It is the standard type with I am assuming 3 band and volume, but with a bridge with mutes. Although I really want an SLO stingray, I am torn as to whether to try a standard width stingray and hope I get along with it, or to go for the sterling and know that although the sound may not be bang on the 2 band Ray I crave, it will be close enough and miles more comfortable.
Anyone who has both, I'd really appreciate some feedback on how the sterling is in real terms, I have heard words like "more aggressive" than a stingray, and this has me a little worried. I wanted a stingray for my new country band to compliment my fender PJ as they seem the most common types of basses used.

sanderhermans · Nov 2, 2015

If its for country the stingray might be the better choice. Sterling sounds a bit more modern. I love mine but it just doesnt do 100% stingray tone. Altough in paralel mode it gets pretty close. Can you go and try it out? It might be worth checking, the sterling does single coil mode too and you might like it.

Damonjames · Nov 2, 2015

Yeah, the guy is someone I know from one of the local forums and only lives a few minutes away. Will keep you posted!

Damonjames · Nov 2, 2015

Also, how do the sterlings compare to the Stingray 5's? I'm assuming they are fairly similar?

sanderhermans · Nov 3, 2015

Older stingray 5 are exactly the same as the sterling 5 only with a larger body. The newer sr5 have alnico pickup magnets and have a more typical stingray sound. Same as the 4 string version.

five7 · Nov 3, 2015

give the sterling a go, love them

Damonjames · Nov 13, 2015

Hey all, just to for to an update, but I have just picked up a VERY nice 1992 translucent candy red stingray 5 with maple board!! It is absolutely gorgeous and a dream to play! While I have only played it through my practice amp, I can tell it is definitely a stingray!!
Massively pleased!!!