New to ernie ball basses

[mpete1990]

I am looking to purchase a ernie ball stingray bass. I have a couple fender basses, but I can never replicate the stingrays sound. I think it is just awesome. My question is, is there any real difference between years of these basses? Because I like the sound of the some bass players who used them in the late 90s and early 2000s, I figured they all sound the same, but I could be wrong. Anyway, sorry for rambling. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[KevinM]

I'm not good on the specifics but different years used different materials and different pick-up configurations will get different tones.
I'm sure someone will be along soon with better details.

 

[stingray96191]

There are differences between certain years, but the most honest answer you will get is a Stingray sounds like a stingray. That does not mean they all sound identical, and there are options to be considered, but for the most part a 2 band Stingray is the same as a 2 band ray from 1990. A three band would be the same. Now you have multiple pickup options, and fingerboard options, and colors to choose. Even a standard vs skinny neck. (Slo special)
But really a stingray is a stingray, and they all sound great, go Ay a few at your local shop. That will tell you a lot more than someone on a web forum.

Erin

 

[Chris C]

... but for the most part a 2 band Stingray is the same as a 2 band ray from 1990. A three band would be the same. ...

Exactly right. I've had a number of Stingrays over the years, and like you said, they don't sound identical, but they've all sounded like Stingrays (a good thing). There's just nothing quite the same out there.

 

[AnthonyD]

I presume there are nuances, but yeah, expect they'll "sound like a Stingray".

Unlike other companies that have looked to offset / reduce cost by cutting corners and reducing quality over time, Music Man has consistently innovated and improved their product over time, truly introducing features and options to make their products "better" - pay attention to things like the truss-rod wheel, battery access, neck-bolt config, compensated nut, electronic config, tuners, etc. as you consider your choice - good luck in finding a great bass for yourself with that "stingray sound!"

 

[Golem]

`
Not knowing how knowledgeable you might be about Rays,
mebbe it's worth a mention that some "StingRays" you see
and hear ... but don't get really physically close to ... may
be Sterlings. It's hard to read the headstock at a distance,
and both models look verrrrry much alike.

-------------------------------------------------

Thaz a simple enuf piece of advice, above, if you're going
for a 4-string. If you wanna 5, it gets more complex, cuz
in the 90's and early 2K's, most SR5's were the same bass
as the Sterling 4 but with an extra string. Today, to mimic
those SR5's you get you a Sterling 5 [if buying new bass].

 

[mpete1990]

Ok thanks for the info guys. So basically the sterling is almost like squier to fender. Like a cheaper model? And is there really a difference in sound and quality between a stingray and sterling?

 

[Gravesend Black]

Ok thanks for the info guys. So basically the sterling is almost like squier to fender. Like a cheaper model? And is there really a difference in sound and quality between a stingray and sterling?

There is EBMM Sterling - a premium bass model that stands alongside with Stingray - Basses There is no quality difference between them. Just another EBMM model. You can view all of the current basses they produce by the link I added.

The squier by fender thing is Sterling by Musicman ( the brand name - not the bass ) that is licensed cheap basses and guitars that look like EBMM.

 

[Holdsg]

although the quality difference is much narrower between EBMM/Sterling by MM than it is between Squier/Fender. the SBMM are less expensive, but pretty damn good basses.

 

[KevinM]

although the quality difference is much narrower between EBMM/Sterling by MM than it is between Squier/Fender. the SBMM are less expensive, but pretty damn good basses.

I would never touch a squire but I would consider buying an SBMM.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I have been tempted to buy a SBMM but I came across a StingRay5 in perfect condition. A friend had decided to sell it on consignment at the local music store. He calculated what it would sell for and deducted the 20% the store owner would have collected, and sold it to me for that amount. I just put a set of Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats on it, and it sounds great. It's going to my next gig with me instead of the P I've been playing for years.

Now I'm glad I didn't give into temptation.

 

[jlepre]

You know the rule?

NO PICS = NO BASS