RagaMuffin Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I have recently wanted a new bass and there are two contenders. [b]Musicman 2/3 eq 4 string stingray[/b] or [b]Sandberg basic 4[/b] Now I know the point about how a "Stingray's tone cannot be replicated" and I definitely agree with that, however I feel the Sandberg has a lot more versatility and I know others have said about that. I'm not sure if this has already been asked but can anyone help me decide. Money is not an issue. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterfire666 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 For me sandberg necks are far superior. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 The Sandberg Basic with one MM pickup will get close, but those with the MM at the bridge + another p/up in the neck have the MM p/up sounding more like a very ballsy J pickup. Very flexible instruments though and much lighter than MMs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 [quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1385231101' post='2285926'] I'm not saying your gay if you don't buy a Stingray but people who don't buy Stingrays generally like to please other men. Hope I have been of some assistance. [/quote] Haha he's not wrong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 [quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1385233316' post='2285970'] The Sandberg Basic with one MM pickup will get close, but those with the MM at the bridge + another p/up in the neck have the MM p/up sounding more like a very ballsy J pickup. Very flexible instruments though and much lighter than MMs. [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I loved my Sandberg Basic, but in truth it didn't sound like a Stingray. The tone is tamer and smoother than a Stingray. Not better or worse, but different. But as already said, Sandberg necks really do take some beating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingus Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I've got a Musicman bass and I like to please everybody. There, I've said it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Shame the sandberg is called basic and has an awful headstock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RagaMuffin Posted November 23, 2013 Author Share Posted November 23, 2013 Reason's for stingray deterring me 2eq / 3eq have varying opinions and the colour that I would prefer (white body and a rosewood fretboard) isn't available in the UK, and if it is, it's over priced. So sad the US prices are low, and I think MM don't like importing, due to cheaper prices. Saying that, I've seen a black with black pickguard one 2eq for £1100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 Get thee unto the [url="http://www.configurator.sandberg-guitars.de/"]Sandberg configurator[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 [quote name='Horizontalste' timestamp='1385231101' post='2285926'] I'm not saying your gay if you don't buy a Stingray but people who don't buy Stingrays generally like to please other men. Hope I have been of some assistance. [/quote]he he. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted November 23, 2013 Share Posted November 23, 2013 I've played two sandbergs, and I wasn't bowled over at all. I think that was down to the setup of the pair of them. I own a stingray classic, and have owned other musicman basses. I'd like a decent bit of time with a sandberg or two, but I'd be more into the California models, and I can't deal with their take on the fender type headstock...shallow, I know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiMarco Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) Look for a (used) EBMM Sterling (not "sterling ray" or "sterling by musicman" but the real thing) with hb/sc/sc switch. Neck is thinner then that of a ray and it sounds really good with lots of punch. Edit: like such! Edited November 24, 2013 by DiMarco Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 (edited) I don't get the "a stingrays sound cant be replicated" thing ? If a company wished to make a pickup the same as the MM then surely there is no secret recipe ? Edited November 24, 2013 by lojo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1385278570' post='2286273'] I don't get the "a stingrays sound cant be replicated" thing ? If a company wished to make a pickup the same as the MM then surely there is no secret recipe ? [/quote] It's the one sound I've not heard replicated properly...Jazz basses seem incredibly easy to get right though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabba The Hutt Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Hiya ... I've tried both and once the Sandberg's correctly set they play and sound like a peach :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='DiMarco' timestamp='1385251334' post='2286215'] Look for a (used) EBMM Sterling (not "sterling ray" or "sterling by musicman" but the real thing) with hb/sc/sc switch. Neck is thinner then that of a ray and it sounds really good with lots of punch. Edit: like such! [/quote] I owned a USA EBMM Sterling and agree, it's a very slim and fast. Then I got a USA EBMM Stingray (3EQ) and found the two have quite a different tone. The Sterling's is far more edgy and aggressive. The Stingray's is thicker and to my ears, more useable, in a variety of styles. Sandbergs are very good quality and different again from a MM. Got to try 'em, I guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 Another vote for the 'other' Musicman! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1385278570' post='2286273'] I don't get the "a stingrays sound cant be replicated" thing ? If a company wished to make a pickup the same as the MM then surely there is no secret recipe ? [/quote] Doesn't work at all without the fairly basic preamp though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon1964 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1385278570' post='2286273'] I don't get the "a stingrays sound cant be replicated" thing ? If a company wished to make a pickup the same as the MM then surely there is no secret recipe ? [/quote] It's the pre-amp rather than the pickup which colours the sound on a Stingray. Put a Stingray pickup in a Sandberg, and it still won't sound like a Stingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='RagaMuffin' timestamp='1385230259' post='2285907'] I have recently wanted a new bass and there are two contenders. [b]Musicman 2/3 eq 4 string stingray[/b] or [b]Sandberg basic 4[/b] Now I know the point about how a "Stingray's tone cannot be replicated" and I definitely agree with that, however I feel the Sandberg has a lot more versatility and I know others have said about that. I'm not sure if this has already been asked but can anyone help me decide. Money is not an issue. Thanks [/quote] Play both and you will answer your own question....that will reveal your favourite. Anybody else will have their own subjective opinion gathered through their individual perceptions..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='lojo' timestamp='1385278570' post='2286273'] ...surely there is no secret recipe? [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='simon1964' timestamp='1385299271' post='2286509'] It's the pre-amp rather than the pickup which colours the sound on a Stingray. Put a Stingray pickup in a Sandberg, and it still won't sound like a Stingray. [/quote] I have said before that you could bolt a stingray neck to a piece of wood,maybe an old table top, put the pickup and the preamp on it and it will sound like a stingray but you need both which you could do easily enough to the sandberg. Lakland is a better alternative imo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='Musicman20' timestamp='1385291986' post='2286407'] It's the one sound I've not heard replicated properly...Jazz basses seem incredibly easy to get right though. [/quote]i think its more to do with the fact that more companies use the jazz bass pickup config, as its more versatile. the only reason bass makers dont do the Musicman humbucker a lot is 1. the preamp 2. not alot of bass manufacturers want to sound like a Stingray and only a Stingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted November 24, 2013 Share Posted November 24, 2013 [quote name='winterfire666' timestamp='1385231757' post='2285942'] For me sandberg necks are far superior. [/quote] Obviously not felt a Classicray neck then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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