Classic Stingray vs Stingray Classic Sound-wise

[stingrayguy]

Hi there!

I own a Stingray ´78, 2EQ of course, and a Stingray ´93, 3EQ.

I set the 2EQ to about 12 o´clock each and the 3EQ is set flat.
My impression with this setting is that the ´93 is much weaker in the highs, i.e not as "crispy" as the `78, and that it does not at all have the same "punch" in the lows. Especially for slapping, the `78 beats the `93 by far.

I also couldn´t find any setting in the 3EQ which comes close to the ´78´s 2EQ sound. I also already tried replacement EQs (Seymour Duncan, Glockenklang) for the ´93. They sound nice, but nothing which lets the ´93 sound like my ´78.

So my question is whether the EBMM "Stingray Classic" will sound more like a ´78 pre EB or will it sound more like a SR 3EQ?

I know, a lot of this is very subjective, but so far, i wasn´s able to compare my ´78 to an actual SR Classic. So does anybody have experience with this?

Of course the ´93 is a nice bass, but i actually prefer the ´78. So for stage use, i´d like to have a newer bass, but with the "old" sound (for reliability and to reduce the risk of having the old one stolen)...

Thanks for any input o this issue, and sorry if the question was already posted. I used the search on the Forums, but couldn´t find anything similar.

 

[keko]

I don't know the answer to Your Q, but recently tried brand new Classic SR 5 in the store (black, Birdseye maple neck /board) and it was great experience!
First turned both tone controls all the way counterclockwise and than started to add both, treble was enough around half position and bass about 3/4 clockwise!

Great sounding bass and very simple to operate, I like it very much, must get one soon or a later!

 

[drTStingray]

Hi there!

I own a Stingray ´78, 2EQ of course, and a Stingray ´93, 3EQ.

I set the 2EQ to about 12 o´clock each and the 3EQ is set flat.
My impression with this setting is that the ´93 is much weaker in the highs, i.e not as "crispy" as the `78, and that it does not at all have the same "punch" in the lows. Especially for slapping, the `78 beats the `93 by far.

I also couldn´t find any setting in the 3EQ which comes close to the ´78´s 2EQ sound. I also already tried replacement EQs (Seymour Duncan, Glockenklang) for the ´93. They sound nice, but nothing which lets the ´93 sound like my ´78.

So my question is whether the EBMM "Stingray Classic" will sound more like a ´78 pre EB or will it sound more like a SR 3EQ?

I know, a lot of this is very subjective, but so far, i wasn´s able to compare my ´78 to an actual SR Classic. So does anybody have experience with this?

Of course the ´93 is a nice bass, but i actually prefer the ´78. So for stage use, i´d like to have a newer bass, but with the "old" sound (for reliability and to reduce the risk of having the old one stolen)...

Thanks for any input o this issue, and sorry if the question was already posted. I used the search on the Forums, but couldn´t find anything similar.

It'll be much more like your 78. The Classic has the same 2 band EQ as the 79 onwards pre EB AFAIK. There were a number of EQ changes pre 79 - look at Music Man | Music Man (or is it musicmanbass.org?) for more details. There are slight diifferences in construction than the 78 bass (mainly to do with the neck - 6 bolt attacmment and different,more reliable/easy to use truss rod adjustment). Otherwise they're similar.

The 3 band has a different type of EQ plus body contouring, and the neck changes as above. To get an approximation of the 2 band sound (I use both a 2 band classic and a 3 band fretless on the same gigs) cut the mids a little and booost the bass a treblea little. AS you say, the 2 band can boost both bass and treble slightly more but to be honest, I would never use that much EQ in a gig situation.

They both have their advantages. I boost the upper mids on my amp when using the classic (it's a bit light in this area IMO) to cut through slghtly more - I play in a Cliff Richard and The Shadows tribute band (there are 2 VOX AC30s for the guitar players!!) and use the Coral Red as the main bass - the fretless comes out for Nivram and I put the amp flat with that.

They both have their advantages - the Classic is a great point and shoot bass - simple controls lovely sound - which you can tweak by playing style and hand plucking position.

Oh I should have said - the Classic will come with a beautifully figured neck - I used to own a 79 and I think the Classic is very reminiscent but I prefer it for looks and one or two practical issues. I hope this helps a little.

 

[Rano Bass]

Hi there!

I own a Stingray ´78, 2EQ of course, and a Stingray ´93, 3EQ.

I set the 2EQ to about 12 o´clock each and the 3EQ is set flat.
My impression with this setting is that the ´93 is much weaker in the highs, i.e not as "crispy" as the `78, and that it does not at all have the same "punch" in the lows. Especially for slapping, the `78 beats the `93 by far.


So my question is whether the EBMM "Stingray Classic" will sound more like a ´78 pre EB or will it sound more like a SR 3EQ?

The Stingray Classic will sound and feel a lot like your old 2 band Ray, the 3 bands are a little different sounding IMO.

 

[Golem]

`

Mebbe you should test a Sterling.
Way crisp and aggressive. It's not
intended to mimic a pre-EB, but
the way you describe tone makes
me think it might twirl your crank.

 

[stingrayguy]

Thanks a lot for the relpies!

i was hoping to hear the "classic" sound more like an old Stingray.

The funny thing is that in some threads in this forum you can read that the 3EQ sounds like the 2EQ if set properly, which is not the case in my opinion (also with a 2004 2EQ Ray i owned some time ago). Moreover, some write that the 2EQ is the same since pre-EB times. This, in my opinion, is also not the case. The huge differemces in sound cannot be due to different woods only, but substantial changes in the electronics / pickups must have taken place.

Golem's suggestion of trying a Sterling is a good idea. However i already own one ) )
It sounds amazing, much more aggressive than the '93 3EQ Ray, but i actually prefer the thicker necks of the Stingray basses. So a Stingray with Sterling electronics might be the "best of both wolrds" for me )

But in the meantime, i'll go for a "Classic", sooner or later

 

[drTStingray]

There's a nice Classsic in the for sale thread right now.

As you probably know, the classic comes with either rosewood or maple board - whereas almost all pre 80 ish Rays were maple - my experience is this makes a difference to the sound.

 

[keko]

but i actually prefer the thicker necks of the Stingray basses. So a Stingray with Sterling electronics might be the "best of both wolrds" for me )

But in the meantime, i'll go for a "Classic", sooner or later

Why don't You consider reflex?

Thicker neck, actually Bongo's profile with 22 frets, ceramic pickup(s) at the sweetspot (H and HH models) and brutal 4 band EQ!

Trust me I own one, playing only reflex lately, Sterling collect dust right now!

 

[oli@bass]

T
The funny thing is that in some threads in this forum you can read that the 3EQ sounds like the 2EQ if set properly, which is not the case in my opinion (also with a 2004 2EQ Ray i owned some time ago). Moreover, some write that the 2EQ is the same since pre-EB times. This, in my opinion, is also not the case. The huge differemces in sound cannot be due to different woods only, but substantial changes in the electronics / pickups must have taken place.

Well that's your opinion...up to now. But you probably never owned two instruments with identical specs that sounded very different. Which can happen. Wood does funny things to the sound waves trying to travel through it...

 

[supadave]

I'm not sure what the answer is but I run my '88 3band with everything fairly flat and my tops rolled back a little more. I find myslef using the tilt eq on my compressor more and more and making subtle changes to amp occasionally. What was the question again?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The Classic will be like your Pre-EB. They have the same pre-amp