Played a used Stingray at a local GC today...

[Deaj]

...and I was totally knocked out by this bass. I'm all Bongo these days but I love Stingrays just the same. This bass had something special going on! It was a dream to play and sounded wonderful - and PUNCH! It's a dark teal stain over a swamp ash body, black pickguard, and a maple fretboard. Aside from some shallow scratches here and there and a little wear from regular use it was in fantastic condition without issues. Even the setup was spot-on. Asking price was $799. I'm in no financial position to be buying new instruments but I was having a very hard time walking out without this bass. I can't really swing it and I have a feeling I'll regret having ever played it. I even considered selling one of my beloved Bongo's to finance this one but I can't bring myself to do it.

I'm sure I'll be trying to figure out a way to make it work until someone snags it. This one definitely had a great vibe!

 

[oli@bass]

If it's that good, get it. Probably trade your "less good" Bongo (yeah, I know, there's no such thing, they say ) for it?

 

[Russel]

If it's that good, get it. Probably trade your "less good" Bongo (yeah, I know, there's no such thing, they say ) for it?

I'd agree.

You'll be kicking yourself for a while.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I haven't been in a Guitar Center in eons, but today I ventured to the Towson, MD store and was pleasantly surprised. A lot of good instruments in easy reach and most of the basses I picked up were decently setup, though a few could have used new strings, but that's no big deal. Pleasant help and after I let them know I was just looking, I was left alone. A number of EB's including a Silhouette (sp), but they did have a used SR4 natural with a maple board that seemed to be in very nice shape at a fair price. Don't know if it included a case or not. No Bongos, however, at least that I saw.

 

[Deaj]

I'd agree.

You'll be kicking yourself for a while.

Indeed - I expect I will. Still, when I returned home and played both Bongo's it was clear that neither was worth sacrificing to buy this bass. I'll have to look for some other means. I'm thinking about this bass quite a lot but it's not worth selling either Bongo. Damn but I wish I had an extra $800 on hand.

 

[TheAntMan]

I love my Stringray 4H even though I have 2 Bongos (4HH & Fretless 4HHP). I want a SR4HH and SR5HH to balance things out. The Stingray just has a "good old buddy I can count on" feel and tone to it. The Bongos are awesome and would never trade or sell them. Each has its own personality. The real solution is to buy an EBMM bass in every configuration

 

[syciprider]

There's always room for a Stingray. There's still nothing like it out there (Bongo and Sterling 4H notwithstanding)

 

[mattmccaleb189]

looking to buy an active 4 string bongo, or stingray w/ two hum-buckers around 800

 

[RobertB]

Depends on which kind of regret you prefer & deal with better: regret over letting one slide, or regret over spreading yourself thin financially at a bad time. The way I honestly feel about EBMM basses these days (though I used to anguish over "THE one" & the idea of letting a candidate slide) is that even if there were only one left in the world, and you therefore had no choice about preferences or specs, that bass would make you happy, whether it be Bongo, SR or Sterling.

Edit: I'm sure the same goes for the Sabre, though I've not yet had the chance to play one.

 

[Aussie Mark]

looking to buy an active 4 string bongo, or stingray w/ two hum-buckers around 800

Apparently, GC have HH Bongos in rolls burgundy for $599

 

[Duarte]

I love the stingrays - but when I played Bongos at the london international music show I fell in love. Instantly. I Extensively A/B/C'd the HH, HS and H models. I was there for hours. Loved every minute of it. The only thing is, I don't think I can bring myself to sell the Rays in order to buy one. I almost did it, but the buyer pulled out - which may or may not be good news for me!

Me wanty bongo.