Could the Stingray be the perfect bass? Why yes I think so....

[whamonkey]

You know, I just got done playing my beautiful SR5 and as I looked at it the thought occured to me that there aren't many better looking or sounding basses out there. Solid as a rock, a finish that looks bulletproof, massive chunk o' metal for a bridge, stylish headstock and a bit fat pickup in the exact spot for maximum tone. Now, you can argue that some basses are as good as the Stingray sure, but better? Hmmpppfff.

 

[Mobay45]

That's high praise indeed coming from someone that owns a 55-94D. I do agree that the Stingray is one hell of a bass, but I'll have to give EB some credit for giving it some stiff competition by inventing the Bongo. My Bongo moved to the head of the class very quickly as my main gigging bass. IMHO, it has a bigger, fatter sound than even my SR5, it's easier to play and it's more comfortable to wear. I've finally come to the end of my search for the "perfect" bass.

 

[StingRayzor]

That's it, I need to get me a Bongo. All of this non-stop Bongo praise is wearing on me. I owned a Lakland Skyline 55-02 (yeah, not quite a 55-94), and I would have to agree that the SR electronics and pickup are more to my liking.

 

[AnthonyD]

More appropriately, you might say that Ernie Ball/Music Man offers the "perfect" bass, as EVERYTHING you've originally stated would apply equally to Sting Rays, Sterlings and Bongos...

Relative to the competition, and especially in the realm of a "production" unit, we have all found the "perfect" bass guitar.

For me, it was the Sterling - it's all about the neck!

 

[SterlingFan]

I have to agree, for me it is my Sterling. If any bass has a better feeling and playing neck, I've yet to find it. Is it true we have EVH to thank for these necks?

 

[bovinehost]

I would thank Sterling Ball, if it were me looking to thank someone.

 

[Psycho Ward]

I agree with whamonkey, my SR5 is gorgeous and by far the most versatile bass in my stable.

Chuck

 

[SterlingFan]

I would thank Sterling Ball, if it were me looking to thank someone.

Of course, Thank you Sterling. However wasn't the first oil necks by EB on the EVH models, because Eddie wanted a neck as close to the bare wood as possible. So we can thank Eddie for wanting this kind of neck, and Sterling for making it happen. IMHO, other companies could learn a thing or two from Ernie Ball Inc. The customer really does come first at EB.

 

[whamonkey]

That's high praise indeed coming from someone that owns a 55-94D. I do agree that the Stingray is one hell of a bass, but I'll have to give EB some credit for giving it some stiff competition by inventing the Bongo. My Bongo moved to the head of the class very quickly as my main gigging bass. IMHO, it has a bigger, fatter sound than even my SR5, it's easier to play and it's more comfortable to wear. I've finally come to the end of my search for the "perfect" bass.

Don't get me wrong...the Lakland is an awesome bass, worthy of adoration in it's own right, but the whole Stingray vibe is just so perfect. The thing just makes you want to play. That being said and with all due respect to my Bongo brothers....I just can't get past the look of the Bongo. I have heard that folks just freak over 'em, I'm afraid to play one. Could they possibly take over the top spot? Nope....just too different looking....like a Steinberger.

 

[midopa]

That's cool. Something about EBMM basses that make you wanna grab 'em up and play 'em all day! It was so when I had a StingRay and now with my Bongo! I think they put something in the finish...

 

[Mobay45]

I own a 55-02D. I own a SR5. I own a G&L L2500. I just sold a JO5. I now own a Bongo 5. It took me a long time to get over the looks of the Bongo. I tried them out a few times last year and every time I really liked the sound and feel but couldn't get past the appearance. I just have always liked the classic look. I even played Jack's Graphite Bongo with TI flats last summer and loved the way it played and sounded. I just decided to take the plunge a couple of weeks ago when I saw one on Ebay and to hell with what everyone thought about the looks. It is just such a pleasure to play that I'm sorry that I bought other basses before I bought this one. I must have looked at the used Desert Gold 5er that they had on Bass Central's web site a hundred times (well, maybe 5 or 6 times) and passed on it for some other bass. Call me a Bongo-er, Bongoist or even a Bongoloid. I have finally seen the light and that light is a Bongo!

 

[Psycho Ward]

I have a Lakland Joe Osborn, fine instrument, but I haven't touched it since my SR5 arrived. The SR has such a wide pallet of sounds right from the bass, where as the Joe is pretty much a one sound wonder. I’m thinking about several changes to my bass collection, selling off several to make room for a Bongo lefty (as soon as they are available) and a 4 string EBMM.

I don’t know what took me so long to discover this great bass company, I’m hooked.

Chuck

 

[whamonkey]

I own a 55-02D. I own a SR5. I own a G&L L2500. I just sold a JO5. I now own a Bongo 5. It took me a long time to get over the looks of the Bongo. I tried them out a few times last year and every time I really liked the sound and feel but couldn't get past the appearance. I just have always liked the classic look. I even played Jack's Graphite Bongo with TI flats last summer and loved the way it played and sounded. I just decided to take the plunge a couple of weeks ago when I saw one on Ebay and to hell with what everyone thought about the looks. It is just such a pleasure to play that I'm sorry that I bought other basses before I bought this one. I must have looked at the used Desert Gold 5er that they had on Bass Central's web site a hundred times (well, maybe 5 or 6 times) and passed on it for some other bass. Call me a Bongo-er, Bongoist or even a Bongoloid. I have finally seen the light and that light is a Bongo!

How do you like the G&L L2500? I've heard they are some of Leo's finest work actually. What pickup config does it have, similar to the Lakland or dual soapbars? Anyhow, the Bongo is cool...if Dave Larue can play one they must be ok. Like I said, guys freak over them so with a look like that they must play well.

 

[Mobay45]

How do you like the G&L L2500? I've heard they are some of Leo's finest work actually. What pickup config does it have, similar to the Lakland or dual soapbars? Anyhow, the Bongo is cool...if Dave Larue can play one they must be ok. Like I said, guys freak over them so with a look like that they must play well.

I'll bet I played the L2500 one time and went straight back to my SR5. (I really need to put that one on the market.) It has dual humbuckers and just didn't seem to have any oomph after playing a Stingray. I'm afraid to pull it out and compare it to the Bongo. It would probably just curl up and die!

 

[Psycho Ward]

I also have a L2500 (lefty of course) as well, I can’t get it to sound like a bass, no where near the bottom my SR5 has, even when set to the indents! But the big issue on my L2500 is the B string, wimpy, floppy and I can’t intonate no matter what I do. EBMM has some sort of construction magic, the B on my SR5 KILLS!

It’s very rare that I heap such praise on a product, but my SR5 deserves it. I’m taking her out to the jam tonight and let her mingle with two of the best bassist in town, both multiple SR5 owners and the inspiration for the purchase of mine.

Chuck

 

[phatduckk]

for me it is my Sterling.

but my sr4 is dope too. my f*&*ders get no love.

+ 1

 

[Mobay45]

I still have an '80 P that I will never get rid of for sentimental reasons. I doubt if I'll play it very often any more though. I used to have a '92 Jazz Plus 5 string. I thought is was a good bass at the time. Too bad I didn't try a SR5 before I bought that one.

 

[AnthonyD]

I would thank Sterling Ball, if it were me looking to thank someone.

Thank you Sterling Ball!

 

[Oldie but noobe]

I love my SR5 but the Bongo is comfortable. I just played ( sorta) a green one I really did not like the color but it was nice.

 

[DR. Cheese]

I have to agree that Musicman makes the best basses among all mass produced basses. I would agree that G&L L-2500s can have some floppy B strings. The B's on the Tributes are actually better.

Musicman and I go way back. My first Stingray was a pre-Ernie Ball natural finish maple neck beauty that I got for $250 back in 1986 or '87, a few years before Flea blew up and sent the prices through the roof. Like a fool, I traded that bass for an Ibanez 5 or something. I have since owned two SR5's, a Sabre, and a couple of SUBs. I believe the total of MM basses I have owned is seven. I have owned some other basses that were just as great a couple of Alembics, a great Modulus Quantum 5, a USA Spector 5, and an awesome Ken Smith 6 bolt-on neck bass. The thing you notice about all those great Non-Musicman basses is that they are all super expensive, all the others were at least $200 ( a low-end Alembic on sale) the others were $800-1,600 more than any Musicman I ever bought.

It took me owning the SR5 I had before my current one, trading it for a Modulus, and then having to cut back because of family children and other expenses. I realized that a return to Ken Smith etc. was out of the question but after considering Lakland Skylines for a while, I came to the conclusion that the Musicman bass was the bass for me.

The Stingray is versatile the way the Fender P bass is versatile, in other words, it has a distinctive sound that can be tweaked but it is always recognizable (unless you are Tony Levin). The catch is that, like the P-bass, that one sound can be matched with any music if the player knows his bass. I'm glad to be in this forum now too.