Active/Passive Stingray Classic - wow! (NBD content)

[Tom F]

After selling both of my basses (a Stingray 5 and Bongo 4) and going on a quest to play everything I could get my hands on over the last few weeks, I stumbled across this gem on clearance at Guitar Center: a Classic Stingray 5 with active/passive switching. I've spent the last week playing it through my new Aguilar setup, and am absolutely blown away with everything about it. I thought I wanted a Big Al, and it may be my next bass when funds allow, but this bass snuck up on me and demanded attention. The price was impossible to turn down, and the guys at Guitar Center were great to deal with.

My two favorite MusicMan basses all time were the 'Ray 5 I just sold and the 2-Band non-classic Ray 4 I sold to buy the Ray 5. This bass is almost like those two were combined and then taken to the next level. The addition of the passive mode is stunning - what a great, aggressive sound. The passive tone control doesn't sound like it operates like a typical passive control. The sound stays tight - it doesn't become a woofy mess.

The pics below are not-so-great iPhone pictures, and don't even begin to do the neck justice. Plus, it's a light bass. I haven't gotten it onto the scale yet, but I'd guess it's well under 10 pounds.

 

[Tom F]

I should add that the clearance prices on Classic Stingrays will last through the end of April. Not sure if it's limited to just the NJ stores I went to or is nationwide, but there are some amazing prices on great instruments. I was almost lured in by a retro burst Classic 4 at the Paramus store before I found this one in Springfield.

 

[keko]

So active/passive SR5 Classic is now available as an official feature?

 

[Tom F]

I don't think so. This one was part of a Guitar Center special run from a couple years back (there are still a couple of 4 strings listed in the platinum section of their website). Just these and the gilded PDN as far as I can tell. It's a great setup though. The bass *thunders* in passive mode.

 

[five7]

I would love to try one.

 

[keko]

Ohh, ...I see, ...thanks for the info and congrats for the new bass!

 

[Tom F]

I would love to try one.

Doesn't seem like there are too many out there in the wild, but if you can find one I'd definitely recommend it! I've owned 2 band Rays, 3 band Rays, Stingray 5's, etc, and so far this is the nicest sounding and playing 'Ray I've owned.

Ohh, ...I see, ...thanks for the info and congrats for the new bass!

Thanks!

 

[laneline]

Yeah, thats a beauty. Congrats on a nice score. Great to hear there is/was another run with the passive option which is better than some passive only basses, imho. And mutes to boot. All the best with your new bass.

 

[rutgart]

+1 on loving the Active/Massive (Passive) on MM basses They Rock !!!

 

[rutgart]

So your Controls are Volume, Treble, Bass and Active(Down)/Passive Tone(pulled) ?

 

[Tom F]

Yeah, thats a beauty. Congrats on a nice score. Great to hear there is/was another run with the passive option which is better than some passive only basses, imho. And mutes to boot. All the best with your new bass.

Totally agreed - the Stingray definitely works well as a passive bass. Would love to understand how the tone control actually functions, since it doesn't sound quite like other passive basses I've heard.

+1 on loving the Active/Massive (Passive) on MM basses They Rock !!!

Massive is the right word. The 2-band EQ can definitely put out more true low end, but the passive mode is like a steamroller!

So your Controls are Volume, Treble, Bass and Active(Down)/Passive Tone(pulled) ?

That is correct.

 

[OldManMusic]

Very cool bass man. Congrats!