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John Myung Bongo 4

Whats the closest sounding 5 string, to a 2 band 4 string Ray?

S

Slapfest

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
62
I was thinking of getting a 5, but I am really quite happy with the sounds from a 2 band Stingray. So ideally, I would just like that extra B string, with the same sounds.
Now, I know thats asking a bit much, but I would be interested in hearing opinions from 2 band Stingray fans (like me), as to what 5 string EB basses they have, and think might fill the hole for me.
So, 2 band 'Ray heads ...... What 5's are doing it for you, tonally..... not just 'cause its an EB, (I know we all love 'em) ... but purely for the sound.
I'd appreciate your input, guys.........
 
Well, the closest thing to your 2eq SR4 is going to be a Musicman SUB 5, since those also had the 2eq.
They were discontinued about a year ago, but they're still out there.

As far as what I have...I used to have a collection of 5 string basses; Smith, G&L, Spector, and Warwick. But I only have one 5 now, and that's a dual humbucker SR5.
 
This is what a SUB looks like;

image.php
 
How about a 20th Anniversary SR5? They have alnico pickups (like the regular SR4) instead of the SR5s ceramic.

The 2 band versus 3 band eq is another issue. It would seem to me that the 3 band could do a 2 band impersonation pretty well.
 
The 2band versus 3band debate is way overblown, if you ask me.

As I've mentioned before, Chuck Moses and I took two nearly identical SR4s (same body weight, both rosewood boards, strung with same strings) and, using the exact same signal chain (one cable) and amp/cabs, did some critical listening with our heads cocked like the RCA dog.

Subjectively, we both noticed that there might have been a little more bottom to the 2 band. We also agreed that by barely touching the bass knob on the 3 band, the difference disappeared.

We DEFINITELY agreed that in a live band situation, no one would have ever noticed the difference anyway.

How about a 20th Anniversary SR5? They have alnico pickups (like the regular SR4) instead of the SR5s ceramic.
Click to expand...

I agree. The 20th SR5 has a very "traditional" (as long as we're talking traditional Music Man) sort of tone with tons of shaping ability.

I think the question of 2 band versus 3 is....measurements in the twilight zone.

(I mean, if it's important to YOU, I have no problem with that, to be sure. Just offering up another relatively well-informed opinion from someone who's been playing these basses - pre-EB and modern era - for a long time.)

Jack
 
I've owned a couple SR5's and don't think they sounded anything
like my SR4's. The closest might be a SUB5 if you can get one.

I agree w/Jack on the 2 vs. 3 band thing.

The difference is negligible - there's more of an audible difference
in STRINGS, body/neck woods & signal chain IMO. I love the 2-band
simplicity but also love having that seperate mid control on the 3-band.
 
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In my experience, if you're really into the SR4 sound, there's nothing that sounds like it (except for the SR5 20th maybe, never seen or played one).

I was looking for the same thing (a 5 string bass that sounds like an SR4) a couple of years ago and ended up with a different brand... and came back to playing 4 strings and finally buying StingRays in the last couple of months.

BTW, what would you need the 5th string for?
 
Additional thought: Give a Bongo 5 a chance, even a HH. It will sound different, but will also give you a completely different bass.
 
I have recently bought an SR4 to go woth my SR5 and I am amazed at how different they sound. The SR4 has a hotter output, more low end when set flat and seems to growl more.

I love my SR5 but buying a single pickup SR4 was the best choice I could have made. I'm in tone heaven!
 
Fair enough.... I'm just not that sure that all things ARE always equal.
(not wanting to bang on about it, too much)
I have had an SR5, and a 3 band Stingray that I tried to like, but in the end, I had to sell, because they were not in the same ball park, tone-wise, as the Stingray that I was used to.
They were different, but not in a good way.
But that cant be ALL 3 band and SR5's right?
Maybe it was just bad luck, and a couple of "Friday afternoon specials"
I dont know
But its getting tough here in Sydney (Australia).... the only specialist bass store just went broke and shut down, and most of the places I go into just arent carrying a very good range of quality instruments.
And I'm not into buying instruments without playing them first, so I guess I better do the miles, untill I find something compatable.
And I've had some nice basses... Foderas (2), F Bass, Yamaha BB3000's, and I've had 5 stringers as well, but I'm back down to the good old 2 band 'ray, and I'm absolutely loving it.
I dont think I am over-fussy, I just like the traditional Stingray sound.
When I finally returned to a vintage Stingray, I knew the instant that I plugged in, that I was home again.
My previous experience here, tells me I have to be careful... and this is why I threw this question out there.
I WILL try and find a HHSR5, it sounds interesting....
My other thought is that maybe I AM asking too much and that I should shoot for a different sounding 5, and be happy with the one I have, and enjoy the versatility...... but I was kind of hoping I could find something close, and join the EB team, as well.
I'm not that comfortable about jumping on BP's space and sprouting that "my old one's cool, but the newer ones that I'VE had...werent"
Thats not good...... but at the moment, unfortunately , its true, for me
So this is why I thought maybe some people here might identify with my experience, or something... ( its not the most dynamic thread, I know...but there must be an answer here, somewhere....its like the old joke....50,000 flies cant be wrong)
Anyone else with relevant experiences, feel free to help me out, here
 
a 2 band 4 string tuned BEAD? you may have to switch positions on some of the stuff you play but you might be surprised how little you miss the G string.
 
Slapfest said:
Maybe it was just bad luck, and a couple of "Friday afternoon specials"
Click to expand...

Oh shiite...I just checked and noticed that the born-on date of my SR5 was a Saturday. Is the EBMM factory open on Saturdays, or does that make mine a "Friday afternoon special"?
 
word said:
a 2 band 4 string tuned BEAD? you may have to switch positions on some of the stuff you play but you might be surprised how little you miss the G string.
Click to expand...

word... its not a bad thought
I've considered it
But part of the idea here, is for me to stretch myself,
although I must admit, I am a big fan of removing the g string.

(what can I say)
 
Slapfest said:
Fair enough.... I'm just not that sure that all things ARE always equal.
Click to expand...

Of course not. Any time you're comparing two 'like' instruments, you have to consider wood density, etc etc. You and I will never come up with two 'identical' instruments.

I've owned too many Stingrays to keep track of anymore, but at least five or six pre-EBs and - I really don't know how many EB SR4s. I can think of at least ten or twelve Stingray 5s, and probably that many Bongos.

I don't/can't hear much difference between the average pre-EB SR4 and a modern 2band SR4. People tell me I should, so I've listened pretty closely, gigged both types fairly recently - it's a coin toss.

This is not to minimize your experience; it's yours, you own it, go nuts, but I just don't get it, in spite of trying.

I don't expect you would find an SR5 comparable to an SR4. They're very different instruments. The SR5 has been used in all kinds of different genres, though, and is a damned fine bass on its own. I love mine, although again, I don't expect it it to replicate my SR4 tone. That's why I have both.

When you say your SR5 and EBMM SR4 were different, "and not in a good way", I think you can rightly expect to find that the vast majority of forum members here are going to disagree. Nothing wrong with that, either. No one has to fit a certain mold here.

Slapfest said:
I just like the traditional Stingray sound.
Click to expand...

As do I. I get it in spades from my modern Stingray, too. And no micro-tilt!

Slapfest said:
My previous experience here, tells me I have to be careful...
Click to expand...

I don't know what your experience was nor is it necessary to replay it for me, but it's pretty easy to get along around these parts, within certain parameters.

Slapfest said:
I'm not that comfortable about jumping on BP's space and sprouting that "my old one's cool, but the newer ones that I'VE had...werent"
Thats not good...... but at the moment, unfortunately , its true, for me
Click to expand...

True for you. No problem there. As I mentioned, you're likely to run into people here who have had a rather large representative sample of both types of Stingrays and, like me, have differing opinions.

Keep it between the white lines and it's fine.

Jack
 
Slapfest said:
Fair enough.... I'm just not that sure that all things ARE always equal.
Click to expand...

You're right. At one time I've owned as many as 5-6
3-band SR4's. All well built, great instruments but some
felt and sounded better than others. I've tried pre-EB
Rays, wouldn't mind owning one, but haven't found one
I liked enough to buy yet . I've owned rays from '90 to '07,
my favorite of all time is a 2005 3-band.

Again, I think there are too many variables and you can't
generalize between 2-band vs 3-band, pre-EB vs EB,
90's vs, 00's, etc. Depending on who you ask, how many
they've owned/years of experience w/MusicMan basses,
you're going to get varied opinions.
 
I don't/can't hear much difference between the average pre-EB SR4 and a modern 2band SR4. People tell me I should, so I've listened pretty closely, gigged both types fairly recently - it's a coin toss.

This is not to minimize your experience; it's yours, you own it, go nuts, but I just don't get it, in spite of trying.

Hi Jack,

I agree... from what people tell me, the ebmm 2band sr4 is a very similar sound, and this is why this thread calls out for fans of that sound to help me out
But,

You do seem to be a little put off by what I have said.

For this, I apologise.
I have been completely honest and "up front", and am not trying at all, to get outside of the lines.
I completely respect EBMM, and would like to stay "on the team"
I thought if I put my experience forth honestly, I might gain from others experience, to help resolve an issue that really bugs me

I thought it might be a bit much, and it seems I was right.

Once again, apologies

Just looking for some solution.....thought I'd put it to the team.

thanks for your input..... I do appreciate it, Jack
 
Slapfest said:
I don't/can't hear much difference between the average pre-EB SR4 and a modern 2band SR4. People tell me I should, so I've listened pretty closely, gigged both types fairly recently - it's a coin toss.
Click to expand...

That's my point, that's been my experience as well. Audible differences
are negligible IMO, the only reason I haven't owned a pre-EB is they've
been well worn (as expected), expensive, and the ones I'vetried did not
have the build quality of my EBs (ie. finish, body matching, tight neck pockets, fret work,etc.).
 
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