Getting THAT Classic Stingray Sound, but still having modern features.

[tbonesullivan]

It's been a long time since I've considered picking up a new Stingray Bass. With the SR5 HS Ceramic and SR5 H Alnico, I thought I was set. However, I find myself using the SR5 HS less and less. It has some great variety in tones, but the one tone I have not been able to really get is that classic bridge HB tone, which I can get easily on the SR5 H. It's not a bad sound, but it's lacking that classic growl. I've also been increasingly wanting a 4 banger again, and after listening to way too much Queen and AC/DC, am really looking for a 4 with Flats to get that nice vintage sound.

I thought about the Stingray Classic when it was out, and also was looking at the 70's Stingray, but honestly, I need that oiled neck. I like having a 3EQ preamp, and the bridge mutes won't be used. I'm also really not a fan of the 7.5" fretboard radius. So my options are pretty much get a used SR4H from before the SR Special came out, or to get an SR Special 4H. I'd be putting flats on it, maybe even the Brite Flat groundwounds that were on the stingrays in the 70s.

Would I be able to get "That" Bernard Edwards type sound on a Stingray Special with Ground wounds?

 

[nebadon]

Would I be able to get "That" Bernard Edwards type sound on a Stingray Special with Ground wounds?

Yes Special has ability if you and your equipment do
May want to check out EBMM Slinky cobalt flats

 

[tbonesullivan]

Would I be able to get "That" Bernard Edwards type sound on a Stingray Special with Ground wounds?

Yes Special has ability if you and your equipment do
May want to check out EBMM Slinky cobalt flats

Yeah, I've found some good Youtube videos now. Just stuck on the fence. There being a 2001 Blue Dawn SR4 on Reverb has nothing at all to do with this. Definitely not.

 

[bovinehost]

Another vote for the Cobalt Flats. I have them on my SR5H Special and get plenty o’ grrrrrowl.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Another vote for the Cobalt Flats. I have them on my SR5H Special and get plenty o’ grrrrrowl.

I already have a set I was going to put on a bass. Now... I just need a 4 string stingray with Alnico pickups. Probably should have held on to the one I had years ago.

 

[nebadon]

Yeah, I've found some good Youtube videos now. Just stuck on the fence. There being a 2001 Blue Dawn SR4 on Reverb has nothing at all to do with this. Definitely not.

That Blue Dawn is Sharp maybe a tad pricey unless it is popular hard to find finish

 

[tbonesullivan]

That Blue Dawn is Sharp maybe a tad pricey unless it is popular hard to find finish

I've been surprised at how high the secondary market is now.
As for Blue dawn, it may be the most sought after finish, as it has only been available a handful of times. 2001, 2007 limited edition, and maybe a few other times. It's up there with Dargie Delights for rarity.

Still, if that's the price they want, with the shipping, that's almost as much as brand new Stingray Special. If it was any other color than Blue Dawn, I'd just wait until a good deal came up.

 

[TheOldDuffer]

Another vote for the cobalt flats. As it happens in an effort to try and recreate a 70's sound, I fitted a Sterling Stingray 4 with a Seymour Duncan AlNico pick up and an East 2EQ preamp, together with the aforementioned cobalt flats. It sounds really nice - such that I'll reach for it rather than the Musicman Stingray HH as often as not.

 

[DrKev]

I’ll be the dissenting voice here on Cobalt Flats. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Cobalt Flats but I’m not sure I’d choose them if Bernard Edwards sound is my goal.

I recall an interview with (I think/assume) it was Nile Rodgers who said Bernard used the strings that came on the bass, never changed them, they were dead as doornails. That suggests WARM tone from the strings. Any brightness on the recordings comes from the EQ and being DI’d into the recording desk. But Cobalt Flats are almost as bright as rounds. So maybe they are not the best choice?

 

[tbonesullivan]

I’ll be the dissenting voice here on Cobalt Flats. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Cobalt Flats but I’m not sure I’d choose them if Bernard Edwards sound is my goal.

I recall an interview with (I think/assume) it was Nile Rodgers who said Bernard used the strings that came on the bass, never changed them, they were dead as doornails. That suggests WARM tone from the strings. Any brightness on the recordings comes from the EQ and being DI’d into the recording desk. But Cobalt Flats are almost as bright as rounds. So maybe they are not the best choice?

I believe the stock strings were made by GHS at the time, the 0.049 to 0.108 set, today known as the "brite flats". I also get that yeah, I'm not Bernard Edwards, but it would be one place to start. Rotosound RS77LD 0.045 to 0.105 strings are what John Deacon used, another hero for me sound wise.

Right now I'm still on the fence over whether I want to track down a 4H, 4HS, or 4HH. I have tried the 5HH before, and honestly I can't find a use for several of the positions on the selector switch. in particular the neck H is so boomy.

 

[nebadon]

I’ll be the dissenting voice here on Cobalt Flats. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Cobalt Flats but I’m not sure I’d choose them if Bernard Edwards sound is my goal.

I recall an interview with (I think/assume) it was Nile Rodgers who said Bernard used the strings that came on the bass, never changed them, they were dead as doornails. That suggests WARM tone from the strings. Any brightness on the recordings comes from the EQ and being DI’d into the recording desk. But Cobalt Flats are almost as bright as rounds. So maybe they are not the best choice?

Maybe the New Pino Cobalt Flats? Seem to be marketed as more traditional sounding flat

I can get " close enough for hand grenades" with my Special 4H and cobalt flats played solo and in mix or even just with just my Beat Buddy pretty spot on sounding with a little EQ and technique adjustment

But my guess is most have their own perception of Bernards tone also most have a different resource as reference from which they hear it

To OP; Classic [as you mentioned] is in my opinion a 4H and somewhat 5H; also for me single H is more ascetically pleasing even if HH or HS may work better/easier for what I was doing would still buy 4H

PS; One of his musician friends also said Benard told him he used a P Bass for 'Good Times' and another friend said his action was so high you could land a Jet on fretboard under the strings; I am not willing to go that far to find the' Magic' tone

 

[tbonesullivan]

To OP; Classic [as you mentioned] is in my opinion a 4H and somewhat 5H; also for me single H is more ascetically pleasing even if HH or HS may work better/easier for what I was doing would still buy 4H

PS; One of his musician friends also said Benard told him he used a P Bass for 'Good Times' and another friend said his action was so high you could land a Jet on fretboard under the strings; I am not willing to go that far to find the' Magic' tone

That is true. The single H aesthetic is classic. It's not a Sabre. And after my experience with the 5HS, I can say that while having options is nice, it doesn't matter if you don't like the sound. With the 3-band EQ there is also so much tonal possibility in just that one pickup. I guess I just need to keep watching Reverb and the forums until one that I really like shows up. Not really in any hurry.