k, so i've been playing bass for a few years but ive always used fenders and Ibanez 5 strings. I wanted to get a new 4 string and someone recommended an ernie ball music man but i dont know which i should start with. can anyone tell me which one i should try?
- Thread starter skavoovie
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xcental34x
Well-known member
Well, it depends on what you're looking for and how much you want to spend. Stingrays and Sterlings are gonna run you a 1000+. Best sounding basses money you can buy. The new SUB's can be had for about $550 if you look around, and gives you the same feel as a Stingray, but you sacrifice just a little brightness in the sound. Hope this helps.
~Patrick
~Patrick
Beutiful works of artseandorian
Active member
I do agree that Stingrays and Sterlings are the best basses that money can buy, but I do have to disagree with xcental34x on one thing. I have a Sterling and two of my friends each have Stingrays. I'm not sure if xcental34x has ever played a new Sub or not, but I've played a couple of active ones at various guitar centers and they have the same sound and brightness as a Stingray. I've also heard from many other people that the Subs are even brighter than StingRay. Not sure about that, but they do have the same pickups. Now the passive Sub has much less brightness, you might as well spend $20 more to get the active one. The main differences between the Subs and the Stingrays are looks. They put more time into the shape, neck and paint job of a Sting Ray. Also, all of the Subs are 2 EQ, while most Stingrays are 3 EQ (some are 2). So pretty much any EB bass you buy (not including OLPs) you're going to have similar tones, and if you're just a beginner, I'd go with the active Sub. EB's are well above the quality and sound of any Ibanez and most Fender basses. You can't go wrong with an EB.
xcental34x
Well-known member
The ones I've played were passive. Not really bright at all. You can still tell the Stingray sound but its duller. The active EQ option is closer to a $55 upcharge, not $20.
~Patrick
~Patrick
seandorian
Active member
Yeah, I agree. The passive Sub isn't very bright. At the guitar Center where I live, the active Sub is $724.99 and the passive Sub is $699.99. That's a $25 dollar difference, but of course the price will vary depending in where you buy it at.
