Question bass advice

[billy carr]

I play guitar, but I'm getting into another band as a bass player. Looking for a well rounded bass for many styles. What's the best musicman bass for a metal and rock and roll style? What do you all recommend?

 

[Golem]

`

Even tho many metal players want 5 or 6 strings, cuz your
a guitar player, I suggest getting a 4 string, preferably the
StingRay over the Sterling, cuz the Sterling has a narrower
neck. A big neck is also better able to handle the really fat
toadally unbendable heavy strings that you should use. A
4 string has much wider string spacing than a 5 or 6 string
and this will keep you bass-oriented, preventing any guitar
habits from sneaking into your bass style.

Perhaps it's becoming obvious that I'm concerned about a
guitar player, presumably a very skilled player, taking up
bass. Yeah, OK, Sir Paul certainly proved that it can be a
great success story. Well, he did it with a 4 string, didn't
he ? Finally, you can get a heavier sound for your metal
tunes if you choose a dual humbugger Ray. All 4 coils at
once is a pretty heavy sound, even without a B-string.

 

[billy carr]

Awesome thanks for the advice.

 

[nervous]

Stingray. SR$ or SR5.

As someone who has done both, as you are planning, I can give you my perspective. I consider myself a bass player first so that always has been the passion driving my involvement in anything and the greatest turnover of gear. And, over the last 30+ years I have owned and played a very wide assortment of basses and guitars, electric and acoustic. I started really playing the electric guitar 20+ years ago when a drummer friend and I formed an 'electric' duo playing a big assortment of classic rock, pop and dance tunes. Making the transition from bass to guitar took some getting used for the obvious physical differences in scale length, number of strings and their relative string sizes. But, once I found that I could actually play the guitar the song to song transition over a 4 hour gig became effortless. So know that little bit going in.

To the instrument itself, as I said, having the experience of playing so many brands and PU/pre combos I could give many opinions on all them. But, in respect for the forum and the fact that you are in here specifically asking about a MM product I'll stay focused on that, but only allude to the many other brands as a point of reference to what I'll offer next. I am now in a 5 piece classic rock/dance/party band and am planning moving into a modern country band this coming year as a second project. And while I cannot speak to the metal side of your question I can say, based on all my past experience I can't imagine there is anything that you could not happily do with a SR4 or SR5. Period. Especially in a live setting. Round wound strings should make the good noise you're searching for. The single H could easily carry the night but my HS adds just enough variety that it's perfect. I'd think an HH would be similar. The three band EQ option is a great choice for added versatility. And, as a guitar player you might want to be mindful of scale length, 34" vs 35". These are 34" scale which is very comfortable coming from guitar. 35" is fine but not worth chasing IMHO. Any discussion of the magical 'B' string, especially on longer scale instruments, is more ofter 'B'S. The B on my SR5 is a tight, deep, clear and present as any longer scale bass I have owned.

And, the question of 4 vs 5 strings is a valid one. As a guitar player you are already used to working EADG. Sometimes adding the low B can be challenging mechanically simply because of the way your brain is wired to think as a guitarist. It can be overcome it just depends on if you want to make that effort and if those lower notes matter enough to you ad your music. I made the transition from 4 to 5 a few years ago and can't imagine ever going back.

Mind you, I am a little late in coming to the EBMM party. It wasn't until very recently that I overcame a prejudice I had from a Stingray experience at the beginning of my playing days a long long time ago and they honestly never even showed up on my shopping radar. Now, after the first one a few weeks ago, I just bough two more and they will be the only brand I have. They are the first basses that I have had ZERO desire to change anything on. And, I even strung it up with the standard OEM strings, which are almost always an afterthought on other instruments. Exceptional values in a very high quality, USA made instrument. And a solid company, backed up by great customer service and excellent forum. Pretty awesome package

 

[five7]

metal, get a black bongo 5 HH and a loud amp

 

[tunaman4u2]

Sterling hh of course. The most aggressive with ceramic pickups & a ton of series modes but also can do a parallel mode.

 

[sanderhermans]

Or sterling single h. Also alot of tone modes and quite an agressive animal! Altough i have become to like the stingray tone slightly better. You can never go wrong with a classic sr4!

 

[Golem]

`

Forgot to mention the EBMM Cobalt strings.

Bassically, you get you a set [of 4 acoarst!]
and then you put a bass under them [a MM
bass, if you're sane]. Then you plug & play.

 

[MattOfSweden]

Lots of great advice here.
My personal choice would be a StingRay 4H, but I'd also like to mention the Big Al SSS - if you have the opportunity to try one out you might find you love it. To me the Big Al is just spectacular, however my heart belongs to the StingRay 4H.

 

[tunaman4u2]

I'm personally loving my Big Al SSS right now... I may be trying to pickup a Stingray 5. Probably a 5H... but I still think the best for what hes asking for is a rosewood Sterling!