Help in choosing out my Stingray 5

[divinenow]

I've been looking around for a solid sounding bass with power and lots of range to help me in my step up. Lots of people have recommended a stingray 5 to me, saying that it has lots of power and plenty of accessible sounds. Now I am not focusing on a strict genre to play. One band I'm in is focused on a ska/reggae sound, another on a punk and metal mix. The main band I'm focusing on is primarily alt-metal/alt-rock, but with funk and industrial sounds as well (my main influences for this band are The Vines, Nine Inch Nails, and VAST with artists like KoRn, Franz Ferdinand, and Red Hot Chili Peppers playing a large influence in the sound as well. These are just a few of the different sounds I'd want to implement. From mellow to punchy to just kind-of bizzarre...). From your guys' experience with the Stingray 5, can you tell me if this bass will do the job the best?

Also:

-Will the dual-pickup be a huge benefit to me or should I just stick to the standard model?

-I've been looking at color choices for a considerable time now and I have two main choices at this moment. Looking at their pictures at http://www.basscentral.com/musicman/stingray5_fretted.shtml, can any of you tell me if the pictures of the Radiant Red (scroll down a little above the middle of the page) and the Candy Red (scroll down a small amount from the Radiant Red model) bass models are accurate pictures of the color types (different lighting can cause the color to look very different, so I just want to be sure)?

 

[Figjam]

I think the dual pickup models definitely help make the bass more versatile. I find new tones in mine all the time. But they arent a necessity, the classic stingray tone can get it done pretty much anywhere. You can adjust your tone a lot just with your technique.

I think those pictures represent the colors pretty well. Candy red is a bit richer and has a darker hue to it.

 

[divinenow]

Thanks very much! I have been hearing about the Stingray 5 having issues with midrange and higher tones which would really be critical to my playing style. With the color, my main interest is in the Radiant Red, so I'm happy to know that it looks similar to the picture. Any more opinions and posts are appreciated!

 

[Psycho Ward]

Here's a shot of Candy Red on a Bongo. The neck is finished in a NASA super high tech finish, but the body is the Candy Red.

 

[divinenow]

Yeah, they definitely made the Candy Red look completely different in the picture. Does anyone have any other images of some Radiant Red models?

 

[Psycho Ward]

There are a few shots of Rad Red in this thread, scroll down to them.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14598&highlight=radiant

 

[slucas]

Is the cat preparing to eat the Bongo too????

 

[PzoLover]

SR5 or BONGO5 + 1 Word

I've been looking around for a solid sounding bass with power and lots of range to help me in my step up. ... From mellow to punchy to just kind-of bizzarre...)

Piezo

 

[divinenow]

Thanks Psycho, those pics helped a ton. Guess radiant red it is, just need to change the order to a dual-pickup model.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Piezo

Too bad the dualies can't be made with piezo.

If I had to choose between a piezo and a dualy, i'd say dualy. They're absolutely amazing.

 

[Eggman]

My new SR5 is an HS - and it sounds great. HS - that's my vote.

 

[armybass]

I am a huge fan of the standard single pup SR5 but I must say that the HH makes a tremendous difference. It gives you a real sweet deep bass tone. The dual pup helps also to make the bass versatile as you would expect it to. There are more tonal possibilities and they are all usaeable tone. That will be my next new bass purchase.

 

[Brim]

If I had the money for a brand-new ordered stingray5 it would be dual H pickups, Pacific Blue Burst, white pickguard, mathcing headstock.

 

[divinenow]

I'm ordering my Stingray 5, rosewood body, radiant red color with matching headstock, white pickboard, and dual pick-up tomorrow. I'd list the price and store for comparison but I'm not sure if that is allowed here. Now there are a few more things that I need some aid with.

For a metronome I have decided to go with Boss DB-30 Dr. Beat Metronome. Although I doubt it matters too much what metronome I go with, is this a good choice?

I'm looking for a decent bass tuner because my skills in that area are... kinda lacking. Along with that, I'm looking for a beginner's multi-effects pedal that will do the job good. Once again, can anyone help me out in those areas?

 

[strummer]

I'm ordering my Stingray 5, rosewood body, radiant red color with matching headstock, white pickboard, and dual pick-up tomorrow. I'd list the price and store for comparison but I'm not sure if that is allowed here. Now there are a few more things that I need some aid with.

For a metronome I have decided to go with Boss DB-30 Dr. Beat Metronome. Although I doubt it matters too much what metronome I go with, is this a good choice?

I'm looking for a decent bass tuner because my skills in that area are... kinda lacking. Along with that, I'm looking for a beginner's multi-effects pedal that will do the job good. Once again, can anyone help me out in those areas?

I would suggest a cheap drum machine instead of a metronome. Much more fun. I have a Zoom Rhythm Track 123, and it makes practice a lot funner.

Tuner: A Peterson StroboStomp will not only give you more accuracy than any other tuner, It'll also do a great job as a DI, and it has great visibility on stage, both total darkness, stage lights and daytime outdoors. It is expensive, but imho worth it.

 

[divinenow]

The tuner has some good reviews but I'm lookin for a cheap one. Do you think this would do the job?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seiko-GuitarBass-Digital-Auto-Tuner?sku=210067

Also, any comments on an effects pedal? Am I allowed to list price of my Stingray for opinions?

 

[PzoLover]

sorta depends on your priorities eh?

Do you think this would do the job? Seiko-GuitarBass-Digital-Auto-Tuner?sku=210067
Also, any comments on an effects pedal?

Personally I like to go in 3D to a decent store and check out their selection;

I took a newbie buddy out for some gear recently and he bought a combo tuner/metronome for about $40 (US);
his priorities were tuning precision and practising scales to improve his hearing and timing; all-in-one lightweight, portable, inexpensive package; he likes AA batteries

I prefer good quality utility devices that fit in my instrument case and run on 9v batteries.

Can't comment on effects; never use em.

Whatever, if you get an SR5, you got a quality musical instrument (with a 9V battery)

 

[divinenow]

This is just a metronome right?
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Boss-DB30-Dr.-Beat-Metronome?sku=213016

 

[Bill]

It looks like that Seiko tuner is a good little unit. I have a similar one, but it's a Korg.

I wouldn't worry about effects right now. I've been playing bass for over 10 years & have never found a need for them.

And thanks for not posting the price of your new Stingray! That's one of the few things the mods & admins ask that we don't do on the forum.

I'm not familiar with that Boss metronome, but it appears to be just a metronome.

Congrats on the new bass!! We need to see photos once it arrives.

 

[divinenow]

Thanks very much, I'll be happy to post the pictures when it arrives ! Going to be a very long wait for the next few months though...

So I got the tuner done, and the metronome, but the effects I'll need for sure. In my main band (called The Divine Now, what do ya guys think about the name?) I'm definitely going to be experimenting with the sound, and adding some industrial elements to the mix.
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Also, just to clear things up while searching through topics about Stingray, Sterling, and Bongo there are a few things I'd like to know. In most topics that ask which bass they should get, people just shout out a random model and don't specify too much why. Now I'm a little lacking in my terms category (if anyone could show me to a site that explains all about the bass and model terms that would be highly appreciated), so I can't really tell from looking at the specs but this is what I got from the descriptions:

Stingray - A four-string with a very powerful sound and punch with a good range. The HH model added more to the range and added three-way switching (correct me if I'm wrong)?

Stingray 5 - The most popular 5-string that musicman has and comes with three-way switching and much range. The HH model once again expanded on the range of the sound.

Sterling - A lighter and smaller version of the Stingray with more range and easier access to higher tones?

Bongo - This is what confuses the issue. I'm pretty sure that the Bongo is said to have an amazing range and an excellent comfortable design (although I'm not going for it just because of the design . Not my thing I guess). It's supposed to be very user-friendly to a whole range of bassists.

Now can someone that has tried a few of these models fill me in please?