Barks Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I am considering a couple of deals at the moment on some Stingray basses. I quite fancy owning one for a while to see if it suits me. (Mild case of GAS! ) I nearly bought one a few years ago and the failed deal still haunts me...! My question is about the relative merits of going for a pre-Ernie Ball bass as opposed to a fairly new model. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as ever. Thanks in advance, Neil 'The most important thing is to settle on a bass then commit to it. Get to know your bass inside and out and play it in every situation you can.' Marcus Miller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I've owned two Musicman basses. A 4 string Sterling and a Stingray 5. I eventually sold the Sterling simply because I thought it was silly having two basses that sounded exactly alike - one just having fewer strings. The Stingray 5 was one of the only basses that survived my recent herd thinning if that tells you anything. I've played the old late 70's Musicman basses and they are quite nice. I don't think they are really worth a premium price though. The new ones that you can buy off the wall at the local music shop are just as good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Yes, the Ernie Ball stuff is just great. The pre-EB market is really steep; it's mostly dominated by collectors, I reckon. For a bass to play, check out the new ones. Especially with the extra pickup options now available! Plus, Ernie Ball's service is brilliant. The Stingray is great. Don't count out the Sterling, though (for a 4-string). It's the same bass, but (a) it has a series/parallel/single coil switch, which is nice, and (b) a "J" type neck. Dishy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 i am in love with the sterling. it is wrong that i don't have one. i agree that the pre-EB stingrays are really not worth the extra money, particularly if you're going to play the instrument. robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
... Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 i am in love with the sterling. it is wrong that i don't have one. Indeed, sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Bear Jew Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I have a Stingray 4-banger. It's really great for doing that thing it does. I seriously doubt the older ones sound appreciably better. \m/ Erik "To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting." --Sun Tzu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Here's another post saying that the new basses are just as good as the old basses. I am a former owner of a Sterling fretless...a great bass (which I sold for the same as what I bought it for). Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 Yes, I too used to have a Sterling fretless (in the very same finish as Jeremy's, coincidentally). I sold it; I think I may have actually made a little on the deal... And I sold it only because of an international move. I'd gladly have another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Sweet Willie_ Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 i am in love with the sterling. it is wrong that i don't have one. Indeed, sir. What he said. I loves me my StingRay5 fretless. I haven't played a pre-EB StingRay so I can't help w/ the comparison. I would like to finger a Sabre one day, though. Peace. --s-uu spreadluv Fanboy? Why, yes! Nordstrand Pickups and Guitars. Messiaen knew how to parlay the funk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picker Posted February 22, 2008 Share Posted February 22, 2008 I loves me my OLP MM3, which is a cheaper version of the Stingray 5. I got the Tony Levin signature model, with the active electronics, and it has the greatest neck I've ever played on a % string bass. The GC guy tweaked it a bit for me when it cane out of the box, and it hasn't given me a moment of trouble since. Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rowbee Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I've bought and sold quite a few basses since I started playing and the only constant has been my Sterling which is easily the best instrument I've owned. I can't comment on the Pre-EB either but what I would say is that there are tons of great options on the new ones. As was previously mentioned with the pickups but also the matching headstocks and the new pickguards which are only visual but dammit they look great. Now theres three of you in a band, youre like a proper band. Youre like the policemen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moot Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 The Stingray 5 is my dream bass. Every one I have had in my hands has been, well, dreamy. I should own one but really don't play enough (make enough money off of music) to justify the expense. Someday . . . "He is to music what Stevie Wonder is to photography." getz76 I have nothing nice to say so . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jar546 Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I purchased a Singray 5 HH and now my Fender P just collects dust. In my opinion it has a great feel, is built solid and is extremely versatile due to the range of sounds. "The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know" by Me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenfxj Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 I am so painfully tempted to pull the trigger on this guy. Damn. Gotta stay strong. Push the button Frank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruuve Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 I've got a 1996 Stringray5 that I've had since 1996. It's indeed a most excellent bass, whether you consider price or not. I actually don't play it very much at all anymore...but even with all my bass-flipping I haven't been able to bring myself to sell it, or at least not yet. Dave Old bass players never die, they just buy lighter rigs. - Tom Capasso, 11/9/2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretless5 Posted February 24, 2008 Share Posted February 24, 2008 here is an alternative to consider: buy a fender american whatever and have a MM type pickup put on it. you'll come out financially ahead. i have a vintage MM and as much as i love it i would not consider buying one of the new ones because they are just to expensive. you might also consider one of the OLPs. for the money they are a real deal and like i suggested above, it's a cheap enough instrument should you decide to put a pickup upgrade on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.