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ronnyG

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Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
142
Location
Los Angeles, USA
So I get a lot of recommendations for the Bongo and the Sterling, but no Stingray? Is there a reason why? I've had bassists tell me it's the best they've ever played, but the tone is really punchy, and it's hard to get it to lay back. Is this true?

Well I may be the wrong guy..or right guy to ask that very question. I do own a 95 Fender Jazz, A 95 Fender P-bass Special (which has a an active circuit and PJ setup for pups) a late model rosewood neck MM SUB (basically a lower priced version of the single pup stingray and is not made anymore)..and my main bass which I have owned for almost 18 years...a 1990 stingray, maple neck, one pup, 2 band eq.

Now I will be honest..I am not that happy with the overall tone of the 90..don't get me wrong..other people like it's tone..I wish it had more mid (on another thread I have been discussing adding another pup and/or other options...but the bass is so easy to play and has such excellent fast low action, that my other basses do not compare. And I have no problems cutting through a mix..but this is also due to a heavy attack in my playing style..you mentioned you use a pick so I think you will cut through as well. The bass does have plenty of bottom but IMO is too bright overall..so I keep the bass knob up high..and the treble knob off (sometimes may up it a smigen for slapping..which you mentioned you don't do. I also like the strings to wear in a lot before a gig which does help with the brightness..perhaps I am just very picky but we all have our nuances and personal tastes.

With that said...I am not familar enough with any of the newer MM basses, I do plan on hitting the Guitar Center here in LA and spend a few hours checking out new MMs..2 pup models. And I feel this is what you should do as well. I would spend some time with a stingray 4..and other model MM4s..then try 5s (well you, not me I prefer 4s only)..I bet you will be happy with the way they all play and sound. Your decision will be best decided by you having first hand experience playing it yourself before purchasing.
 

ronnyG

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Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
142
Location
Los Angeles, USA
Honestly, I don't know. I was thinking of bands like Korn and Evanescence, and Alterbridge. When the guitarists play in low B, does the bassist use the low B string too? or stick to a conventional B note?

As you can tell, I'm totally clueless about basses.:p

I would imagine so....and I have seen all those bands live and from what I remember (well you know concerts lol) they all used 5 string basses. However don't hold me to that as I have no evidence at this time.

But I have tuned my 90 SR4 to B it's about a millimeter "over the edge" for that bass..but it can do it and sounds just like the Korn sound to me (like a rattling fretty sound attempting to describe it..muddy heavy etc). My typical tuning is drop C# on the low "E" string..all other strings down 1/2 step from standard.
 
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ronnyG

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
142
Location
Los Angeles, USA
Honestly, I don't know. I was thinking of bands like Korn and Evanescence, and Alterbridge. When the guitarists play in low B, does the bassist use the low B string too? or stick to a conventional B note?

As you can tell, I'm totally clueless about basses.:p

Actually I don't think I really answered your question in the last post so I will try again.

Now I have not read any interviews with these bands to find out how they tune or set up their basses and guitars but I can speculate. With Korn I would have to imagine the bass player has his 5th tuned to B..at least on some if not most tracks.

Alterbridge might be a different story..not sure but the bass sounds good as well Creeds bass did also..definatly tuned down..not sure if as low as B however..but could be.

With Evanescence if I play along for example with "bring me to life" I find the song itself is in D#..but there are C#s in there..since my 4 is drop C#, I have no problem playing it on my bass.

For you...if you tend to play or write alot of songs that are in B, a 5string would potentially be the best for you IMO. (or a 6 if you feel the need for so many strings, I would hate it but that's a personal preference). If you do not play too many songs based in such low tunings then a 4 string should cut it just fine, I have no problems with it and I write plenty of songs based around C#. If a song is not written in very low keys..but occasionally hit lower notes then the bass is tuned to..you can play them up an octave on the 4 with no ill effects in my experience.
 
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MrMusashi

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Mar 26, 2007
Messages
2,840
Location
69 degrees north
you know.. if i were you id wait and see what bp got up his 25th sleeve ;)

other than that, the bongo is an excellent choice and the dual pickup will give ya lots of different sounds.
i esp like the stealth! the only thing not black are the strings, the inlays and the nylon bushings under the straphooks. it has that smooth discrete ballsy look!! :D

MrM

MrM
 

RobertB

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Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
1,657
Location
Denver area.
Uh... the lowest string on the 7 is a B. That's why I was asking...:D

My bad. I don't know why I thought the 7th string was on the treble side. Then yeah, I agree that a 5 makes sense. I like the way you're thinking - the Stealth 5 is a monster.
 

LoEnd

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Joined
Jan 9, 2008
Messages
153
Location
VA
you know.. if i were you id wait and see what bp got up his 25th sleeve ;)

other than that, the bongo is an excellent choice and the dual pickup will give ya lots of different sounds.
i esp like the stealth! the only thing not black are the strings, the inlays and the nylon bushings under the straphooks. it has that smooth discrete ballsy look!! :D

MrM

MrM

+1 on the Stealth:D I love mine
 
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