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Axis 30th Anniversary

Inquiry to Stingray players

Figjam

Figjam

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
2,331
Location
Poughkeepsie, NY
Let me start off by saying that this is in no way meant to be an argumentative, insulting thread.

I play a sterling.... I find that i can get the stingray tone (parallel) and more (series...singlecoil).

My question is, those of you who play a Stingray, why do you choose that over a Sterling in parallel position? Is it because of the larger neck? Overal larger body? More mass= more balls?

Im just curious to see why some people prefer Stingrays over the Sterling alternative, because i havent had the opportunity to play many stingrays (very few in fact) and im wondering what the magic is with them, because obviously they kick ass.
 
I like the bigger neck. Also, a Sterling/SR5 in parallel mode does not sound like a Stingray -- the sterling/SR5 is more hi-fi sounding. That said, I have a SR5 and I love it.
 
More hi-fi.. i spose that makes sense.
So your SR5 in parallel mode sounds different than your stingray? Good to know.
Thanks.
 
The shape of the Stingray always appealed to me. Now that I've been playing 'Rays for 5 years, I really love the look, feel, & sound.
 
I see that you have a Sr5... that is basically the Sterling sound though, no?
Does your SR5 sound noticeable different than your Sr4?
 
I prefer the wider neck and larger body primarily. Most 'Ray's I've played have sounded like they have a little more bottom to my ears, as well.

I still miss the trans-orange Sterling I had a few years back. That was a good looking bass!
 
Figjam said:
Let me start off by saying that this is in no way meant to be an argumentative, insulting thread.

I play a sterling.... I find that i can get the stingray tone (parallel) and more (series...singlecoil).

My question is, those of you who play a Stingray, why do you choose that over a Sterling in parallel position? Is it because of the larger neck? Overal larger body? More mass= more balls?

Im just curious to see why some people prefer Stingrays over the Sterling alternative, because i havent had the opportunity to play many stingrays (very few in fact) and im wondering what the magic is with them, because obviously they kick ass.
Click to expand...


Well as an owner of 76 stingrays and 5 sterlings I must say I love the stingray due to the fact it plays so much Like my Old fenders do and still sounds incredible.

The sterling is awesome too maybe a bit more punchy but I never use anything other then Parallel.

The Sterling has a great neck which at times I'd wish they'd offer that same neck on a Ray.
But at any event Ernie Ball Makes the best Damn basses going. DJ
 
Neck and body size for me. I actually like the aesthetics of the Sterling, just not the smaller body.

Although, I'm still prone to temptation...
 
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Musicman Nut said:
Well as an owner of 76 stingrays and 5 sterlings I must say I love the stingray due to the fact it plays so much Like my Old fenders do and still sounds incredible.

The sterling is awesome too maybe a bit more punchy but I never use anything other then Parallel.

The Sterling has a great neck which at times I'd wish they'd offer that same neck on a Ray.
But at any event Ernie Ball Makes the best Damn basses going. DJ
Click to expand...
If they offered that neck on the Stingray id be confused and would say they are combining the models too much :-p
 
Comparing 3 band 'Rays to Sterlings led me to believe that they actually do not sound the same. Maybe it's just my ears.

Then, factor in the 2 band, and there ya go...
 
Joining late here, but it's primarily tone for me. The Stingray just sounds better to me. I really like the feel of the Sterling though, especially that neck! I've also been unable to find a really lightweight Sterling yet, but I will someday.
 
My Two Cents

Hi,

I do prefer the beefier neck and larger overall mass. I'm also pretty old-fashioned and like the (what would now be called old-school) style of it, as it has been around now for about thirty years...

Not to mention, three of my top bass influences (Louis Johnson, Bernard Edwards, and Paul S. Denman) played MusicMan Stingrays.

I guess one could say I'm more into sticking with tradition.:)

...And don't let me get started on the tone...
 
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I'm a big guy (6'3" 190) but I prefer the smaller body and definitely the smaller neck of the Sterling. Having said that, I prefer the more ballsy tone of the Stingray. As previously stated, when they offer the Ray w/a Sterling neck, I'll be all over it. However, I'm not holding my breath.
 
Why?

I´a P lover, 2 pots, 1 pup. Stingray are closer to P. I like the simplicity, no parametric eq, only 1 hot pickup, volume, and tone.
And of course the magic to be a Stingray.
 
When I bought my SR, I couldn't afford a Stingray and a Sterling, that's why I play a Stingray:D I really love the classic look and tone (2 EQ)!
But one day, I'll also own a Sterling
 
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