Question Which (affordable) Bass to get Paul Denman (Sade) sound?

[QuestionAsker]

I know he played a Stingray, although there's many different varieties.

The 1978 he has is very expensive these days, is there a cheaper Stingray version that would give the same sound, or at least get very close?

 

[DrKev]

Any and all StingRays will get more than close enough, because the character of the StingRay bass is determined by the design of the pickup and it's position on the bass, much more than anything else. That said, a bass with a 2-band EQ could be the most historically accurate (that means three knobs on the instrument, volume, bass, and treble, rather than the 3-band EQ which has 4 knobs.) But a StingRay always sounds like a StingRay no matter what kind it is. The Sterling by Music Man basses (which are licensed overseas-made versions of the US Music Man basses) start at real entry-level prices.

 

[QuestionAsker]

Any and all StingRays will get more than close enough, because the character of the StingRay bass is determined by the design of the pickup and it's position on the bass, much more than anything else. That said, a bass with a 2-band EQ could be the most historically accurate (that means three knobs on the instrument, volume, bass, and treble, rather than the 3-band EQ which has 4 knobs.) But a StingRay always sounds like a StingRay no matter what kind it is. The Sterling by Music Man basses (which are licensed overseas-made versions of the US Music Man basses) start at real entry-level prices.

Thanks @DrKev , good to hear I won't need to break the bank.

I found this Sterling Music Man near me for $250, I'm wondering what I should check for to make sure it's in good condition to play.

Think this one would fit the bill of recreating Sade's bass sound?

Should I take it to a guitar/bass shop for them to tune it up and check it first? Or is that not really necessary?

Here's some pics:

https://images.craigslist.org/01717_2KhwXarGcsJ_0Bq0t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/01010_eirmuyGIbo0_0t20t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00202_ao8zBMgry5l_0t20t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00505_qVxEsAyiHt_0t20t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00a0a_75FK9sq6jnF_0CI0su_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00z0z_jbGSXjjbY5u_0wq0t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00k0k_5OApGsj0pft_0yQ0t2_1200x900.jpg

https://images.craigslist.org/00A0A_eoxrfyqFii5_0CI0qk_1200x900.jpg

 

[Golem]

$250 is very bottom dollar in bass pricing. Just buy it. And BTW, the difference in sound between one SR and another is small compared to the sonic difference among amps so in that sense youre barking up the wrong tree.

Actually, there is no "right tree". You cannot buy another players sound. And do you want his recorded sound, or his arena sound, or his outdoor festival sound ?

Buy the bass, put cobalts on it, and go shopping for an amp. The sound of your rig when you first acquire it is not the sound of that same rig six months later, after you and it become "broken in" to each other.

If you already have an amp and dont plan on replacing it, its kinda pointless to shop for the "correct" version of your heros bass. Any basically similar ax is plenty close enough. He will deliver his signature sound on almost any ax anyone hands him.