Best Stingray basses?

[Octaviafuzz]

I dont know if there is any difference, but is there specific years that is better or worse among Stingray basses?


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[sanderhermans]

All stingrays are verry good. Modern ones can be bought with 1 or 2 pickups, 2 or 3 band eq (for single H) also a slo special option is available if you prefer a slimmer neck and they are great.
That being said older models often have figured (birdseye) maple necks, allways 2 band eq, wich in my opinion sounds much better and smoother. If you buy one from the 80's or 90's you will also have string mutes wich sound cool in some styles. Even older models have no body contours.

A perfect mix between the old and new models is the "classic series stingray" it really combines the best of the old and the new, truly some awesome basses. If you like oiled necks and body contours, search for a mid-90's stingray. This was a point when musicman had made some improvements like the 6-bolt necks but still had 2 band eq and string mutes.... ideal period for me.

 

[Octaviafuzz]

I have seen that there is also different bridges. Some isn't string thought body. Which is to prefer?

 

[sanderhermans]

The new style bridge is allways stoptail. The old style is string tru on the verry old ones and top loaded on the 90's models, the string tru is used today only on classic stingrays.
I don't think sound is way different but string tru is a bit warmer and a bit more sustain. But i dont know if there really is a noticeable difference. Both systems are fine but if i had to choose i'd go for string tru body design.
My 94 bass is perfect in my opinion. And this one has a stop tail design but still with mutes. Also 6 bolt neck. Oil finished neck, 2 band, body contours, .... perfection. But i also love my classic ray with no contours and string tru design and laquered neck. It's all good.

 

[Golem]

But if you need a fifth string, the whole story toadally changes.

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[sanderhermans]

But if you need a fifth string, the whole story toadally changes.

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Yup. With the sr5 you have the changes in pickups from ceramic to alnico. Old sr5 basses are exactly the same as sterling pickups and ellectronics.

 

[vates]

Some old one-off SR5s are AlNiCo though

 

[Kong]

There are the some differences, but without the 2-Bd - EQ. All them 5ers have the 3 Bd. The difference is the Ceramic PU on old SR 5 and AlNiCos on the newer ones.

There are other things that make a difference between older, newer and Classic Rays.

I like to say that the Classic SR 5 is a different animal. The Neck has a different radius, and you feel it. It's not like grabbing a pre EB after playing your EB Ray 4 and asking yourself "is there any difference? " Except for the EQ.

When it comes to bridges I would like to have one that allows both opinions, top load and string through. Because the top winding on some strings is not made in a length who allows to mount the strings through the body. The top layer of the winding is not reaching the saddle, so no D'Addarios or Elixir from my favourite shop. I have to get them via Interwebz, ordering a single XL B- String. It's a PITA. No chance for an emergency - buy. You always have to plan string changes. Or have some spare strings.

But this is the only "bad thing", or let's say "not so good thing" about those Basses. I own a SR 5, a SR 5 Classic and a SR 4 with 3 - Bd - EQ, and I love them all.

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[73jbass]

The best sounding MM bass I ever heard was the 30th Anniversary Stingray.

 

[nurnay]

They're all great, you really can't go wrong. I have 2-band and 3-band, excellent either way.

 

[Meypelnek]

Funniest thing - My all-time-favorite StingRay Sound is the SR5 with ceramic PUs - what is actually a Sterling.
So does that make me a StingRay or a Sterling-Guy?

 

[Octaviafuzz]

Im going to buy a 4 string stingray. I really like the look on the classic, but I don't know if they worth the extra money. I haven't tried a classic in real so I don't know if the slab body feels uncomfortable and how they are to play compared to a modern. It seems that you(sanderhermans) think they worth the extra money? Im glad for more inputs.

 

[vates]

They have different looks, 2 band preamps, hi-gloss necks, slab bodies and string-thru-body bridges.
Each of these aspects may worth an extra to somebody, therefore the higher price.
Say, if you're not for the looks but rather for the sound only - you can always order a regular SR4 with a 2-band preamp

 

[sanderhermans]

Im going to buy a 4 string stingray. I really like the look on the classic, but I don't know if they worth the extra money. I haven't tried a classic in real so I don't know if the slab body feels uncomfortable and how they are to play compared to a modern. It seems that you(sanderhermans) think they worth the extra money? Im glad for more inputs.

Yup. To me they are deffinetly worth the extra cash... the figured and laquered maple necks look great and feel really nice too. The thinner frets play verry well and the string mutes are a nice addition. Also it is the smoothest sounding bass i have.

 

[danny-79]

If you like oiled necks and body contours, search for a mid-90's stingray. This was a point when musicman had made some improvements like the 6-bolt necks but still had 2 band eq and string mutes.... ideal period for me.

That's what I'm after, not too fussed about mutes or even body contours but a 6x bolt neck mixed with the original style pre-amp is perfect !

 

[sanderhermans]

That's what I'm after, not too fussed about mutes or even body contours but a 6x bolt neck mixed with the original style pre-amp is perfect !

Well in that case you could just get a new 2band eq stingray. Still the same design pre amp as far as i know....

 

[danny-79]

Well in that case you could just get a new 2band eq stingray. Still the same design pre amp as far as i know....

Even better !

 

[Octaviafuzz]

I have now tried some basses. A couple from early 2000 and one from 1997 and a classic from 2011 that I bought. I think the classic 4 from 2011 was the best regarding tone and feel. It was really fantastic. You can really feel the string vibration in your body. Its maybe because of the string through body bridge, I don't know but the classic that I bought was much more responsive than the other Stingrays. The colour was retro burst, very odd colour, very brown but a stunning bass. The sound was also warmer, even though some of the other basses had rosewood fretboards.

 

[sanderhermans]

I have now tried some basses. A couple from early 2000 and one from 1997 and a classic from 2011 that I bought. I think the classic 4 from 2011 was the best regarding tone and feel. It was really fantastic. You can really feel the string vibration in your body. Its maybe because of the string through body bridge, I don't know but the classic that I bought was much more responsive than the other Stingrays. The colour was retro burst, very odd colour, very brown but a stunning bass. The sound was also warmer, even though some of the other basses had rosewood fretboards.

Same here. My 2010 classic stingray is by far my warmest sounding bass. While i would have expected a laquered maple neck would sound harsher. But i gues the neck-tru design really helps along with the 2 band eq.... there is just something magical abouth the classic series in my opinion. Best basses ever built.

 

[vates]

You mean strings-thru- bridge design, not NT?


I think the most part of that warmth is due to the 2-band preamp design.