My new band and Stingray 5

[Tom F]

Some of you may remember my recent thread talking about the merit of getting a 5 string vs keeping my 4 and getting an octave pedal. I ended up doing both...

Picked up one of the new MXR "Bass Octave Deluxe" pedals for the first couple gigs with my new band. It actually worked out really well, but some of the logistics of punching the pedal in and out for individual phrases was a little cumbersome. For anybody considering one of these pedals, I will say it is easily the best octave pedal I've ever used, period. Tracks and sounds great, all the way down to G-F# on the E string.

In the end, I decided that a 5 string was best for this gig, so after a couple weeks of searching, I ended up finding a nice Stingray 5 on eBay. Best part is that he seller was relatively local - only an hour or so away. Picked it up yesterday and haven't been able to put it down since.

Unfortunately, I'm going to have to sell my 2-band Stingray, but I'm OK with it knowing that it's being replaced by a pretty nice bass.

Without further ado, here's a gig picture from my new band, and a few shots of the new 'Ray 5.

 

[strummer]

Stunning bass, and it will work with the octave pedal too

 

[Tom F]

Stunning bass, and it will work with the octave pedal too

Thanks! I've seriously considered that. Unfortunately I need a backup amp and backup bass, so any extra stuff laying around is going to go to make up the $$ and room.

 

[strummer]

Thanks! I've seriously considered that. Unfortunately I need a backup amp and backup bass, so any extra stuff laying around is going to go to make up the $$ and room.

Well, I have no idea what you'd use a backup bass for, not when your first instrument is a Stingray 5? I mean, unless you are one of those rare players who actually break strings? I've broken exactly one string (a G) in all my 25 years of playing, and I used to play with heavy picks only...
I never bring a backup bass, unless maybe if we do more than one set, of I know there'll be fellow bass players in the audience or if someone asks me to

 

[Tom F]

Well, I have no idea what you'd use a backup bass for, not when your first instrument is a Stingray 5? I mean, unless you are one of those rare players who actually break strings? I've broken exactly one string (a G) in all my 25 years of playing, and I used to play with heavy picks only...
I never bring a backup bass, unless maybe if we do more than one set, of I know there'll be fellow bass players in the audience or if someone asks me to

I've gone back and forth about this too. In all the shows I've played over the years, I only ever brought one bass. Never broke a string, never had anything fail except one show when we had a power surge and the magic smoke escaped from my at-the-time amp. I certainly don't expect anything to go wrong with my new 'Ray, either!

My new band is a little different though. 4 hour, 3 set gigs just about every Friday and Saturday nights, to pretty packed audiences. I'm probably just being paranoid, but it just feels like I need backup gear.

 

[keko]

Nice bass!

I'm glad to see EBMM bass players giggin' their basses!

 

[Norm66]

Nice bass. Love the color.

 

[drTStingray]

V nice bass - the SR5 is a great bass - pity you gotta sell the 2 band though.

 

[Tom F]

Thanks guys. I'm still hoping I don't have to sell the 2-band 'Ray but it's looking like I will.

The 2-bander has performed admirably on my gigs so far, and I have no doubt the 'Ray 5 will do the same. Will post more gig pics from the next couple weekends when I have them.

 

[OldManMusic]

I'm an tech guy by trade, so its hard for me to gig without a backup bass. But I've never needed it. Cables, batteries, amps and drummers have all failed in the middle of gigs but my MM's have never let me down.

 

[syciprider]

Black cherry burst is one of MMs best colors.

 

[Tom F]

Black cherry burst is one of MMs best colors.

Agreed. Thinking it would look pretty awesome on a Bongo, too.

 

[strummer]

Tom, can't you restring the 2-band BEAD? That'd kill the bridies without you getting rid of your fave bass

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I've had many internal debates on whether to bring a backup bass to gigs or not. I have downsized my gear a lot in the past few years and I try to keep the load in and out painless and the hassle factor low. I am mostly bringing only one bass these days (with a spare set of strings, battery and strap). I too, have only broken one string in my twenty or so years of playing and that was when I was about sixteen.

Nice SR5, by the way. You may want to consider a Ray35 as a backup.

 

[Tom F]

Update of sorts...

I had my first gig with the new Stingray 5 last night. My wife has been around for a *lot* of basses and several bands, and this is the first time she's gone out of her way to compliment the bass tone. The band loved the tone and look (and the low B), I loved the way it played, and the audience...well, the audience was probably too drunk to notice or care. I'll take the fact that everybody was up dancing all night as a ringing endorsement.

The attached is up in the gig pics thread, but I figured I'd put it here as well.

 

[five7]

When your wife compliments you, you have to be doing good! Does the B feel good or what?

 

[oli@bass]

Thanks guys. I'm still hoping I don't have to sell the 2-band 'Ray but it's looking like I will.

The 2-bander has performed admirably on my gigs so far, and I have no doubt the 'Ray 5 will do the same. Will post more gig pics from the next couple weekends when I have them.

Tom, how about thinking of your 2-band as "backup"? Since you'll most probably never need a backup anyway, it gives you some peace of mind while you can still keep your beloved 'Ray. Just a thought.

Nice StingRay 5, and it does look great on you!

 

[Tom F]

Tom, how about thinking of your 2-band as "backup"? Since you'll most probably never need a backup anyway, it gives you some peace of mind while you can still keep your beloved 'Ray. Just a thought.

Nice StingRay 5, and it does look great on you!

Wish I could Oli! Was actually hoping things would work out that way, but it's becoming pretty clear it won't. I'll tell you what - I feel a lot better about selling it after spending a gig with the SR5.

I wont go on and on about how it's the SR5 is best bass I ever played, etc, but it's becoming pretty clear that it doesn't matter which EBMM bass I take on stage - I will always sound and look better than I should!