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natselection

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Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
23
I am guarenteeing myself that this question has been posted many times, but I could not find it with the search tool.

I currently play through a Markbass Little Mark II and one HT112. I'm looking to purchase a musicman bass soon to add a permanant piece to my collection. I've owned a Stingray and Bongo in the past but traded them. I traded the Stingray for the Bongo to check out how a Bongo would be, and eventually sold the Bongo because i basically decided i really don't need it. I have a skjold custom 5 string and it covers everything i could want in the 5 string realm.

So now i'm basically looking for a four stringer to carry around with me places since i really don't want to bring my custom around with me everywhere i go. for the four string department in musicman, i've narrowed it down to stingray and sterling. i'm looking for the bass that can produce the classic MM tone (of the stingray) PLUS a little more (it has to be versatile, but not SO versatile that it paints over the 'ray tone). I've heard that the sterling can produce the 'ray tone nicely, and i've heard wonders about the deadly HS combination...so would a sterling HS be my best option? What about the classic 'Ray with a 3band?

i'm in the USA

Any help would be appreciated, thanks for stoppin by
 
Last edited:

Jim_F

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Joined
Aug 9, 2006
Messages
389
Location
London UK
Hi Nat

Not sure whereabouts in the world you are ... you could always go down to your local guitar centre and try 'em both (Stingray and Sterling), preferably through a MarkBass and see which suits you best.

Having said that - the 3-band 'Ray is guaranted to give you that classic Musicman sound we all love! And given all the love the rest of the forum have been showing for the new 30th Anniversary model, sounds like MM have produced the best Stingray ever.

Good luck and which ever you choose I am sure you will be happy. Looking forward to seeing the pics ....
 

Eggman

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Jun 5, 2006
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1,440
Location
Centennial, CO
Yep - got to go try them and hear them for yourself. Stingray and Sterling - both fine instruments - but totally different feels. I am comfortable with an SR5 - but not so comfortable with the SR4 - thus my 4s are Sterlings and Bongos.

The Sterling HS is sure worth a try - very flexible tone-wise. So is the HH. I prefer dual pick-up models to singles. YMMV.

Glad I could help!
 

EBMM7181

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Jan 4, 2007
Messages
1,494
Location
Atlanta, Ga
I would say, Try a StingRay HS, You get the classic humbucker tone, plus the added sounds of having a single coil.
 

AnthonyD

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Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
With the dual pick-up configs either should do for you tonally - I suggest you need to hold 'em to decide...
 

natselection

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
23
the only local places around here are my sam ash's. in your experiences, which do you prefer for versatility n tonality?
 
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