Dilemma, opinion needed

[Gabriel]

Hello,
First post here and I have a question (imagine that).
I heard a 1995 SR 4 string once and really liked the sound, so I asked the owner all about it and it was stock also he named the strings he was using.
I have been looking for some time for one of these and I've had no luck, however I found a nice 1999 SR and it is available but I won't be able to hear it before purchase.
My question is; How similar do/can these bass compare? I understand they have completely different preamp, but can the 99 be adjusted to sound like the 95?
I've been playing since 1964, I currently play a US cirrus 5 and a Spector 5 string fretless, for whatever that information may be worth?
Thanks

 

[Soulkeeper]

I believe the greatest differences between models are between the 2 band preamp and the 3 band preamp ones. Other than that, I can't help you with the 4 stringers, sorry.

But since you play 5 stringers, you might want to check out the new (post 2008) SR5 basses, as they come with an AlNiCo humbucker like the SR4, and are said to sound more like a (3 band) SR4. The Classic StingRay 5 might be even closer, as it's more like a 5 string version of the Classic SR4, as far as I understand (2 band EQ on the Classics).

 

[Gravesend Black]

Why do you think that 1994 and 1999 SR4 basses have completely different preamp?

 

[Oldtoe]

If the 1994 and 1999 Stingrays you're talking about both have the 3-band preamp, then any difference in tone is going to be in the wood. There is a 2-band preamp available on the Stingray, which (for no other reason than taste) I slightly prefer. Even so, there isn't going to be a fundamental difference in tone between Stingrays. The character may be altered slightly by the fingerboard and body woods, but that's about it. You can always swap strings until you find your personal match.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

The basses should be very comparable. The newer ones are every bit as good as the older ones.

 

[Gabriel]

Wow, I was not notified there was a reply and just happened by to check.
Thanks for the input about any real differences between the two basses.
The 95 I liked is a two band 4 string and the 99 is a 3 band 5 string, that's all I meant about being different because I don't have a clue about these basses other than I really like the sound of that 94 and was hoping I could achieve a similar tone from the 5 that I am thinking about buying.
I really appreciate the info here because most likely I won't have a opportunity to try it before I buy it.
I have owned over 75 basses through the years and not all of them were wise choices for me, but the good thing about MM is I already know I like the sound plus I have a recording of it and no matter when or how many times I listen to it, I like it.
I'm going to buy one but it's hard to read enough to become well informed without some direct input, like this thread.

Thanks again for any help, it matters!

 

[Holdsg]

if you've owned 75 basses, then for sure you know that if you buy it, and its not the sound in your head, you pass it on to the next guy and rinse/repeat.