Question Interested in the 2 band classic Ray vs the 3 band modern Ray.... pro's and con's

[mrfstop]

Well after over a year of building on my Musicman collection, and the entire time wanting to get a Ray Classic with the mutes and 2 band EQ and all the other goodies.
I found one that was mint like new for a fair price and jumped on it tonight.
She should be here in 2-3 days or so.
It is a 2010 MM Stingray Classic 4H with the upgraded flamed maple neck and board.
It is the vintage white color....white PG and pup cover.....Chrome hardware.

Gotta admit, I am itching to get this and see what all this talk is about the 2 band / 3 band difference. I have read and read, how people love the traditional classic stingray 2 band eq set up....but never played one.
I find it hard to believe anything can sound better than my HH and HS rays.
But if this 2 bander does? I am all for it!

I am sure.... as a big fan of musicman basses, I will LOVE the new bass....
And the flamed neck looks like it will be amazing for sure.

Any feedback would be appreciated from you guys out there playing these.
Always looking to learn more from people who know more than I do....
Thanks for the help

 

[mrfstop]

This is a shot I grabbed from the seller of the bass...I will be taking some other shots to post when she arrives in a few days.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Well first off 2 band and 3 band are totally different animals in my opinion. I like them Both, but I seem to favor the 3 band maybe a bit better and I love the contoured bodies, But the Classics are very cool I have 5 or 6 of them.

 

[Elad_E]

I've seen this one on TalkBass I believe.
looks wonderful though I'd Tort that SR if it was mine.

regarding the 2 vs. 3 bands - 3 band sounds too hi-mid heavy to me. it seems fret clank is also inevitable with the 3 band (my fretless 3 band seems to pick lots of fretboard clicks too).
the 2 band seems to be more low mid emphasized with a much more pleasent high-end and while it has an unmistakingly active bass tone it does so like no other active bass I've played or heard (none of that "modern-ness" which makes an active sound out of place in some mixes).
if Leo set out to create a succesor to the P-Bass than he got it right with the 2 band 'Ray - it has the punch, bottom and authority to fill the mix plus it has an articulation and bite to cut through and to work well with modern music styles and playing technique - it's a swiss army knife of a bass for me.

all of the above is IMO of course.

 

[davidjbass]

I like the 2 band a lot more than the 3 band. I have never been a mid fan. Also the 2 band classic has the string thru the body which I feel gives the bass a little more sustain. I also love the feel of the finished neck.

 

[bassplayer1494]

This is a shot I grabbed from the seller of the bass...I will be taking some other shots to post when she arrives in a few days.

So you were the lucky guy to nab that beauty off of Talkbass. That is a great price for a killer bass! I used to play the exact same on at GC. I hope you enjoy it! And i do prefer the 2 band over the 3 band. doesnt sound as clanky

 

[mrfstop]

Thanks!
I REALLY like the 3 modern day stingray basses I now own.
The 3 band...The contour....Impressive basses for sure.
Should be cool to try out the classic.
"5 or 6 of them"....hahaha wow, thats awesome!! Congrats

Well first off 2 band and 3 band are totally different animals in my opinion. I like them Both, but I seem to favor the 3 band maybe a bit better and I love the contoured bodies, But the Classics are very cool I have 5 or 6 of them.

 

[mrfstop]

Thanks!
Sounds great! Seems it will fit into it's own nitch nicely in my lineup!
Who knows the 2 band may become my new favorite?
Loved the quote " swiss army knife of a bass"....very cool way to put it.

I've seen this one on TalkBass I believe.
looks wonderful though I'd Tort that SR if it was mine.

regarding the 2 vs. 3 bands - 3 band sounds too hi-mid heavy to me. it seems fret clank is also inevitable with the 3 band (my fretless 3 band seems to pick lots of fretboard clicks too).
the 2 band seems to be more low mid emphasized with a much more pleasent high-end and while it has an unmistakingly active bass tone it does so like no other active bass I've played or heard (none of that "modern-ness" which makes an active sound out of place in some mixes).
if Leo set out to create a succesor to the P-Bass than he got it right with the 2 band 'Ray - it has the punch, bottom and authority to fill the mix plus it has an articulation and bite to cut through and to work well with modern music styles and playing technique - it's a swiss army knife of a bass for me.

all of the above is IMO of course.

 

[mrfstop]

Thanks!
I like mids when they error more towards the low mid side of things....
Not a fan of the thin sounding mids...They need have oooomph to them...
Hard to explain I guess
I think from what I hear from everyone...I am going to play the heck out of this Classic!
My rig runs the highs and high mids through a 410 cab....and the low mids and lows through a 115 cab...
I love the tone the GK rig delivers. My old Hartke 810xl rig did not have enough chest thumping lows....

My one Stingray I already own has the string through Body.
I totally agree...more sustain!
Wish all of my Rays had that option.

I like the 2 band a lot more than the 3 band. I have never been a mid fan. Also the 2 band classic has the string thru the body which I feel gives the bass a little more sustain. I also love the feel of the finished neck.

 

[syciprider]

Had a two band. It sounds warmer because the bass knob boosts a wider range of freqs (sort of like a Loudness button I guess). All in all I prefer the 3 EQ because I can control narrower bands of freqs.

 

[mrfstop]

Thanks....
That was kinda my thought on it all initially as well.
More tone control the better was my feeling.
I HAD a G&L SB-2 fretless recently...It only had a volume control for each PU....NO tone control at all, other than raising or lowering volume to each PU....
Did not like that at all

I am way to spoiled with the musicman basses I own and love. And the array of tone I can obtain from them is mind blowing to me.

 

[lefenton]

Sweet looking classic mrfstop! I really like the simplicity of the 2 band. It really allows you to get super boomy, fat tones, with a retro taste. It's active sounding but in a vintage kind of way. I would agree with some of the other posts saying that it's more of a low mid sound. That's mostly what I like best about it because you can have a very bass heavy tone but with loads of clarity. I play mine lots, and it has quite a lot of tonal differences for a 2 band. A little tweak goes a long way. Enjoy it!

 

[mrfstop]

Sweet looking classic mrfstop! I really like the simplicity of the 2 band. It really allows you to get super boomy, fat tones, with a retro taste. It's active sounding but in a vintage kind of way. I would agree with some of the other posts saying that it's more of a low mid sound. That's mostly what I like best about it because you can have a very bass heavy tone but with loads of clarity. I play mine lots, and it has quite a lot of tonal differences for a 2 band. A little tweak goes a long way. Enjoy it!

Thanks! I really like the all white thing with classic body and bridge and the flamed neck...
Been wanting either a flamed neck or birdseye neck on a ray....
Psyched for this to arrive with the FEDEX guy mon or tues!

Sure it will bring joy to my ears!!

 

[lefenton]

Forgot to mention about spending some time playing with the mutes as well. You can get some very cool tones with those in play.

 

[mrfstop]

Will do for sure, looking forward to messing around with the bass and seeing what she can do!

Forgot to mention about spending some time playing with the mutes as well. You can get some very cool tones with those in play.

 

[mrfstop]

So you were the lucky guy to nab that beauty off of Talkbass. That is a great price for a killer bass! I used to play the exact same on at GC. I hope you enjoy it! And i do prefer the 2 band over the 3 band. doesnt sound as clanky

Yep that was me!
I have wanted a classic for awhile...finally found a good one for a decent used price!
Excited for it's arrival!

 

[Elad_E]

Thanks....
That was kinda my thought on it all initially as well.
More tone control the better was my feeling.
I HAD a G&L SB-2 fretless recently...It only had a volume control for each PU....NO tone control at all, other than raising or lowering volume to each PU....
Did not like that at all

I am way to spoiled with the musicman basses I own and love. And the array of tone I can obtain from them is mind blowing to me.

then the 2 band EQ works like no other preamp you've played.
it isn't about cutting/boosting freqs, just treat it as a "more meat", "more snap" adjustment as it seems the controls exhibit overlapping of frequencies, don't have a center detent, the bass knob seems to be boost only and generally it's more of character change rather than adding or detracting frequencies from the same basic tone (though it retains a distinct Stingray flair all the time).
I think with the 2 band EQ, plucking hand position and plucking technique you'll learn to produce as many a different useful sounds as your two pickup basses.

 

[mrfstop]

then the 2 band EQ works like no other preamp you've played.
it isn't about cutting/boosting freqs, just treat it as a "more meat", "more snap" adjustment as it seems the controls exhibit overlapping of frequencies, don't have a center detent, the bass knob seems to be boost only and generally it's more of character change rather than adding or detracting frequencies from the same basic tone (though it retains a distinct Stingray flair all the time).
I think with the 2 band EQ, plucking hand position and plucking technique you'll learn to produce as many a different useful sounds as your two pickup basses.

Ah HA!
Sounds interesting ....Should be a cool ride for sure just messing with it and having some fun.
This might become a Great new tone tool no doubt about it.
Something different to inspire!
Glad I went with a Classic Ray rather than some of the others I had considered.
It helps justify selling off the gear I sold to raise the cash for the purchase of something new and different my the stable of basses.

 

[Laredo]

Meh............You've Been Bit!

Well after over a year of building on my Musicman collection, and the entire time wanting to get a Ray Classic with the mutes and 2 band EQ and all the other goodies.
I found one that was mint like new for a fair price and jumped on it tonight.
She should be here in 2-3 days or so.
It is a 2010 MM Stingray Classic 4H with the upgraded flamed maple neck and board.
It is the vintage white color....white PG and pup cover.....Chrome hardware.

Been there, done that! You're gonna have a pretty nice collection before you are done!

 

[mrfstop]

Been there, done that! You're gonna have a pretty nice collection before you are done!

Hhahaha Hey my friend!
Yes been bit, no doubt.
Just made up my mind...sold a ton of gear...Raised up enough funds from gear sales annnnd obtained 3 amazing new MM basses within a month!!
All worked out ....pheeeeew ALOT of work for sure...like a second job dealing with it all....
Almost over with now...
See ya tomorrow night to pick up the Dargie!!