Lookin' to buy a Music man but i need a tad bit of help

[faelun]

Hey guys, I want to buy a music man bass it was my b-day on monday and the cash is coming in and i think i will have enough for a bass (new or used). so the thing is what are the differences ? i dont get the difference between the SUB and the Stingray other then the 2 and 3 band Eq which hikes the price about 1000$? cuz the SUbs are like 6-700 CDN i think and the string rays are like 1.6 i think ( i want a 4 string btw) anyways so can someone help me out a bit? like do i reallllly need the 3 band EQ n stuff or is there that much of a difference in materials/ quality of the bass etc please help me MXTABS!
-faelun

[Tryxx]

There's also: the body wood difference, and the finish difference, the pickguard difference, the matching headstock or not, you have the option of piezo's, neck wood, the Sterling version, etc.

I think it's worth it for a Stingray, the overall quality is better.

[Saberpunk]

Sterling......the absolute best musicman ever, all the sound of a stingray, with the three way switch and it weighs less too.

[The_Red_Death]

I say to save up for the actual Stingray. The quality and options really do justify the price.

Sort of a hijack here.. but can anyone tell me if there are any major tone differences between a Bongo and a Stingray? I've yet to try one for more than a few minutes, and unplugged, but everything else on the Bongo seems great.

[Criss Frantic]

Yeah you I think you should save up for the Ray, even a used one. That's what I did, at first I wanted a SUB, but then the Bass Centre had a used 'Ray in immaculate condition, totally mint, for half the price of a brand new one and i pounced on it. I haven't regretted spending the extra cash, it's one of the best purchases i've ever made.

Second hand 'Ray over a SUB any day.

[Led_Zeppelin678]

Sterlings are the best playing, Bongos are the best sounding.

[Chris K]

Bongo's sound awesome. I would love a jazz bar/humbucker Bongo.

other than that, buy a real Stingray. You can feel the difference between that and a SUB.

[funkyhoney]

if you've got the money go for a sterling, most definately
failing that, then a bongo or 'ray

[blizzard]

Rays. sterlings and bongos are definately better quality than the SUBs. Like Tryxx, SUBs cheap out a bit on the actual finish and wood. Also Rays and the like play a lot better then SUBs so save up and don't get a SUB.

[Scooch]

New Sterlings > Stingrays unless you're going to get a vintage Ray go for the streling, it's got a 3 way switch and can easily get the new Rays tone and plays much better.

[Misanthropic]

As always I have to say I think the huge price difference SUB-'Ray is NOT justified IMO. 2nd hand ray over a sub anyday, but I'd think twice before buying a new one... but if you got the money, so why the hell not.

[funkyhoney]

try and find a vintage ray, when they still made them body-through :naughty:

[Mailman]

New Sterlings > Stingrays unless you're going to get a vintage Ray go for the streling, it's got a 3 way switch and can easily get the new Rays tone and plays much better.
It doesn't replicate it perfectly. Also I'd still go a Ray over a sterling, because the sterling is smaller profile. Ray is all about slap, and I want that P-Bass style string spacing.

[Akira]

Remember that SUBs don't have arm cutaways. That is what I can't handle about them.

[Sergio]

try and find a vintage ray, when they still made them body-through :naughty:

Do you mean neck-through? Cause they never did that. Unless you mean string-though body, which they still do.

[funkyhoney]

Do you mean neck-through? Cause they never did that. Unless you mean string-though body, which they still do.
string through body is what i mean :upset:
they still do that?!

[tinnitus]

Had your problem, im still in school, was gonna buy a sub, but i busted my a.ss working and bought a new stingray... i wish i bought it 2nd hand though, woulda saved 600 bucks and it would have been just as good, i spose nothing beats being the first person to own a bass though. :D Subs are pretty good man for what your paying, it mimics the ray tone alright, but you mainly feel the difference when you play the stingray, the neck is mad

[darrell]

My Stingray is being shipped out this morning from Seattle. It should be here early next week. I bought new because 1) I'm left-handed; and 2) I like to have a warranty as well as being the first person to play it.

I plan on keeping it for a long time -- I'm trying to not by cheap crap that I'll have to replace every year or so. I'll let you know how it is.

What are the major differences between a Stingray and a Sterling? I've heard Stingray has more of a P-neck while Sterling has more of a Jazz neck. Weight as well... There's a 3-way selector on a Sterling... Other than that and the other minor things (shape of pickguard, control plate), is there anything else different between the two?

[Chris K]

I always think "If a P bass was good, it would be a Stingray". They're cool little basses, and the QC is generally good, but they're over priced.

[darrell]

I always think "If a P bass was good, it would be a Stingray". They're cool little basses, and the QC is generally good, but they're over priced.

How much are they over by you? I've heard they are a lot more in Europe than here... I may be wrong. I paid $1150 for mine new, which is just about 900 Euros. 3 band EQ, Black finish, black pickguard, maple fingerboard, left-handed.

[Chris K]

They're at least £1000 new, which is abysmal. However, I have a few friends who can get them used for about £600-700 on request, but I still think they're too much here. However, we get Status basses as cheap as chips so I can't complain!

[darrell]

They're at least £1000 new, which is abysmal. However, I have a few friends who can get them used for about £600-700 on request, but I still think they're too much here. However, we get Status basses as cheap as chips so I can't complain!

Ohh. Well I've heard that Stingray is THE bass for a great slap tone. I was looking into a Jazz, but they haven't made them left-handed for a few years. Finding one, even on e-bay, is nearly impossible. I might be able to get one for a few grand, but nothing I'd like to spend right now.

[Misanthropic]

How much are they over by you? I've heard they are a lot more in Europe than here... I may be wrong. I paid $1150 for mine new, which is just about 900 Euros. 3 band EQ, Black finish, black pickguard, maple fingerboard, left-handed.
¨
Over here, you get a SUB for 900 euros. A 3-band eq stingray would be 1700-1800 euros.

[darrell]

¨
Over here, you get a SUB for 900 euros. A 3-band eq stingray would be 1700-1800 euros.

Yeah... I'm getting my 3-band Stingray for $1150... which is just about half of what you would pay for it over in Finland.

ChrisK, were you talking about SUB's or Stingrays? Or could the price vary that much over there?

Edit: Nevermind. I didn't realize there was that big of a difference between Euros and Pounds. I'm going to guess that $1150 would be a steal for a Stingray in Europe, then.

[ultim8bassist]

stingrays are great guitars but they r sooo pricy. if u really want a music man
i would suggest a stingray because ive played a couple b4 (my friend has one)
and they have great tone control and sound. on top of that hey look cool and they r just plain nice.

however there r nice guitars out there that may not give u the same sound but then again u wont blow all of ure money. either that or find a used one.

[faelun]

the reason im asking all this is because there was a cheap stringway on ebay 200 CDN!! but now it's jumped to like 600 and yeah i think i'll wait and try n find a used one in a store near me...thanks alot for ur help guys

[Sergio]

string through body is what i mean :upset:
they still do that?!
They sure do.

I <3 my Ray.

[darrell]

They sure do.

I <3 my Ray.

I didn't know that... I would have possibly looked into it. Oh well. I'll be happy with mine the way it is. :)

It's on its way from Seattle. It'll be here Monday/Tuesday. I can't wait!

[BenJammin]

I didn't know that... I would have possibly looked into it. Oh well. I'll be happy with mine the way it is. :)

It's on its way from Seattle. It'll be here Monday/Tuesday. I can't wait!

You'll make a thread right? I love Stingrays... I'll be buying one myself in a couple of months (hopefully).