Stingray vs Classic Stingray

[drewgtv]

Just thought I'd share a few brief thoughts on my newly acquired Stingrays. A few months ago I got a 'modern' Stingray (2 Eq, trans-red, maple board) and immediately felt and sounded like a different bass player (ie better!). I've gigged it a couple of times and got some nice compliments - it really is a bass that will cover all types of music (we play rock, pop, soul, funk etc) and now I don't have to keep swapping basses for different sounds on different songs. The 'Ray' does the lot and the neck has to be the best in the business! (IMHO)

On the back of some great reviews I've just pawned the family jewels and invested in a Classic Stingray (Black, maple board) and its awesome in all respects - just the coolest looking bass I've seen, with gorgeous birds eye maple neck/board - BUT........ Its a very different animal to the modern 'Ray' in most respects but i'll come back to it in Part 2 of this monologue...!

 

[oli@bass]

The Audience Is Listening

 

[five7]

They should be close to the same, both with the 2 band.

 

[Moondog]

Close but they are different.

I'm listening too because I have both as well and have my own impressions . . . but you first.

 

[mfallmann]

The Audience Is Listening

... and waiting for pictures ...

 

[DBtoys]

Anticipation Galore!!

 

[Movielife]

Anticipation Galore!!

So, did we ever get a review of the 2EQ vs the Classic 2EQ?

Im on the fence about which to order.

 

[Rano Bass]

And part II never happened

 

[sydfunkyslap]

Hello, someone can explain me the difference between a standard 2EQ and a classic? The classic has mute pads, birdseye maple neck, and the string through body, but would like to know if the pickup and the 2eq preamps are the same. Someone who has tried them both? Thanks.
Sorry for my english

 

[jlepre]

OK now where is Part 2? Now I'm pissed

 

[Golem]

OK now where is Part 2? Now I'm pissed

The OP'er is apparently a one-post-wonder.

After 3 yrs, his post count remains Uno, 1.

 

[Tom F]

I'll bite...

I owned and gigged a "modern" 2-band 'Ray for a while, and currently own a Classic 5. Feel is definitely different, but the sound is the same as far as I can tell.

The difference in feel, apart from the 4 string vs. 5 string thing, is the gloss neck on the classic vs the oil/wax non-classic, and the lack of contours on the classic body. To me, these differences aren't an issue, but if you have a strong preference about either, it could be a deal breaker.

Sound wise, the two models are the 99% same as far as I can tell. I doubt I could tell the difference if I was listening. EQ operates the same, and the pickups sound like they are the same.

I don't really use the mutes, but they seem exactly the same as the ones on my old '93 3-band 'Ray. The string through body doesn't matter to me - I've never been able to tell the difference, and the B isn't any better or worse than my old "modern" Stingray 5 (which had a great B).

Honestly, for me, the differences are non-issues. The figured maple on the classic neck is stunning, and the 2-band tone is one of my favorite bass sounds on earth.

Since no post is complete without pics...

Modern (matte pickguard, nice digital camera pic)...

Classic (gloss pickguard, crappy iPhone pic)...

 

[Golem]

`
I'd say that of all the "non-issue" differences, to me the greatest
one is visual, and applies only to the 5-strings, and especially if
you like a beautiful finish, and want to see more of that finish, be
it an opaque color or terrific grain pattern under trans' finish. By
this point you've either guessed that I mean the smaller PG on
the classic vs the std SR5 ... or you just aren't bothered by the
huge ugleee PG on the std version. Perzanally, I find the std PG
highly objectionable, but I train myself to ignore it rather than
pay the difference for a classic. And I have three SR5's including
a trans orange, which appears to have cool grain ... from what
little I get to see of it :-/

Now, since we've got this zombie walking, and it's about classic
version features, I'll ask if anyone is using the mutes on fretted
classics and does that screw up your intonation ? I have only a
fretless with mutes and I spoze I'm just adapting by ear ... but
with frets ? Is it a problem or what ?

 

[Tom F]

The mutes aren't an issue in my experience - no noticeable affect on intonation for me. It doesn't seem any different than putting a piece of foam under the strings or palm muting at the bridge.

Regarding finish, I pretty much agree. Loved the black cherry burst that was largely covered by the big pickguard on my old Ray 5 (would look awesome on my classic Ray) and I'm 100% jealous of your trans orange SR5, Golem. Easily my favorite EB finish of all time alongside Inca Silver. I like the style of the classic/Ray 4, but I think the black looks pretty slick as well.

 

[TheSleepwalker]

I own a Classic and a '98 2 EQ and when the 98 had still a wooden neck I noticed very little difference between the 2, but sometimes even 2 exact models can sound different...so in my very humble opinion there is no (substantial) change in sound.
(sorry for the over saturated pic)

 

[Golem]

`


I assume the black SR with no truss
rod wheel has a graphite neck ? ?

 

[Chris C]

`
... By
this point you've either guessed that I mean the smaller PG on
the classic vs the std SR5 ... or you just aren't bothered by the
huge ugleee PG on the std version. Perzanally, I find the std PG
highly objectionable, ...

I've always felt the same about the SR5. Wonderful bass (I've had two of them), but in the end, the PG ended our relationships. I finally got a (USA version) SUB 5 that, of course, looked like a regular Stingray with an extra string. I really wish Music Man would make the SUB series Stingray 5 they have now look like the old SUB 5 did. At this point, both the Sterling SUB 5 and Sterling RAY35 are copies of the SR5. Why not make the SUB 5 a copy of the old SUB 5?

As it is, the only choice we "objectors" (to the SR5 pickguard) have is the very pricey Stingray Classic 5.

 

[TheSleepwalker]

`


I assume the black SR with no truss
rod wheel has a graphite neck ? ?

Yes, a brand new Status neck, but I still have the wooden one.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Looks like I'm the only who likes SR5 "big ugly PG"