drTStingray

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1481974030' post='3196667'] That was mine. Not for sale anymore - see post above... [/quote] Looks great. Never seen or heard of one before.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1481972452' post='3196649'] Stonking, 35" inch Stingray with wide spacing, just what so many people say they want so I don't understand why these are not more popular? [/quote] Well there's the rub I guess. Clearly not as popular a requirement as appears from forums.

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1481971943' post='3196637'] Not meaning to hijack the thread, but you did ask... :-) [URL=http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/lowwregisterhead/media/IMG_7115_zpsn2rq2cal.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n588/lowwregisterhead/IMG_7115_zpsn2rq2cal.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [/quote] There was one of these in the for sale thread for many months - possibly still there.

I think most people compare the MM SR5H with the Lakland 55 (94, 01 or 02). However the MM can be had in the same HS arrangement as the Lakland or also in HH format so you can get that cute sound but with the added versatility of multiple pick ups. Although a different bass I find I often use the HS setting on my Sabre as it just fattens the H sound slightly giving it slightly more bass. Back in the early 2000s I was in the market for a 5 string and ended up with a shortlist of Lakland, Warwick Streamer, Yamaha BB2005 and MM SR5 - I did try others including Fenders - after a long time deliberating ended up taking the SR5 simply because I dug the core sound so much and the bass had enough versatility to do what I wanted - I even used it in a rockabilly band for a while!! I switch between MM 4 strings with 19 MM spacing and the SR5 with 17.5 without problem - however I don't have large hands so find the spacing for a 5 to be just right - slightly more difficult to slap accurately but still easily possible - and the build quality and playability is just excellent - it's a heavy bass but no problem on a wide strap - and I think it gives it more growl and resonance.

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1481734799' post='3194701'] There's a whiff of spinal tap's stonehenge about those measurements [/quote] They make a lot more sense in imperial - US basses presumably designed and built to imperial measurement standard!

There's some info in this thread http://basschat.co.uk/topic/295364-the-perfect-jazzmm-tone-in-one-instrumentis-there-such-a-bass/page__st__30

Glad you have some options there. Regarding the US Sterling, it's actually a lot more versatile than a Stingray, having a series, parallel and a single coil type option available by selector switch, on top of the usual 3 band EQ. The pick up is ceramic - so they are basically similar electronics to a 1992-2008 SR5. The body is smaller than a Stingray and as you know the neck is more to a Jazz bass profile. The SLO Stingray, which along with all Stingrays also has one less fret than a Sterling, is as rare as hen's teeth but could be ordered new. You could order one with a 2 band EQ if that's what you're after.

You could email the UK distributor of EBMM, Strings and Things and ask them if there are any in stock in the UK and where you can try one. Any approved dealer would be able to order you a new one once you've decided.

Musicman Stingray 5 is one of the best 5 strings money can buy. Closely followed by Warwick Streamer or Thumb and I'm sure a Wal would be great or a Sadowski. The Stingray 5 was one of the first mass produced 5 strings. A USA Sub 5 is also good if your budget is tighter. I personally wouldn't entertain the idea of a passive 5 string - One of the main points of a 5 string in my view is to enable playing keyboard-like bass lines on a bass guitar. I've never found 50s technology with an extra string fitted to achieve the heft required.

A couple of things I would add to Pete's extensive review. 1) The strings through definitely adds sustain 2) I have a classic SR4, an Old Smoothie SR4, a US Sub 5 and a ceramic SR5 (2003). The US Sub 5 is a Classic in utilitarian clothing, without strings through and with a poplar body - it has a great 2 band MM sound and a great B string. 3) My ceramic SR5 is an absolute tone monster - it's natural ash but is far more resonant than the Sub - the body positively vibrates and that resonance transfers to the output sound - it's also a bigger instrument than the Sub - it also weighs upwards of 11 lb whereas the Sub is a feather weight for an MM - so much so that it suffers from neck dive seated as the body is so light. I'm not sure how heavy a Classic 5 would weigh but the 4s are about 9.5 lbs. 4) I have a beer gut body shape (gradually reducing, to be fair!!) - I don't have a problem with the lack of contours on any of the three 2 band basses mentioned. 5) Even though the SR5 is heavy, it is such a well balanced instrument, particularly on a strap, that providing a well padded strap is used it's not a problem for an old guy like me to gig!! However I've heard of SR5s that are much lighter - around 9 lbs.

No doubt you've heard him play lots of warm vintage tones on his Rickenbacker as well 😉

There could be several answers:- 1) He can't afford you in January (this in my experience is not in the least unusual whilst venues recover from Christmas and New Year costs - particularly if they haven't got the ticket sales etc they expected) but may give you a gig on Valentine's Day. 2) You were too loud and he's got problems with the neighbours - so would prefer an acoustic band - of course a duo might be cheaper for him as well (not always the case - a singer with a band I used to play with could get as much as the whole band performing swing crooning to backing tracks). I think these are the most likely.

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1480488743' post='3184720'] I was going to say exactly this, including the bit about the 40th Anniversary as my one arrived yesterday and it's superb. [/quote] Hey glad you finally got it. I really do like the sound of mine - it can be really thumpy even without the mutes on

[quote name='NJE' timestamp='1480545148' post='3185377'] Does the reissued old smoothie actually have a pickup cover stuck together with tape? I saw some pictures online that seems to show tape. It's fun I guess but would seriously bloody annoy me if so. [/quote] Yes it is - quite neat though, you barely notice it and it's simply modelled on the original bass, which was made that way.

Crikey there's a lot there! My favourites are the powder blue standard SR4 and SR5 - and the 30th Anniversary Stingray 5 is just fabulous. That yellowy gold Stingray with black hardware looks good as well. A Bongo in that colour would be very radical!!

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1480156419' post='3182039'] Happy Saturday felllow Basschatters! Back in 1987 (when I had black hair and a six pack) I bought a brand new Musicman Stingray, it was heavy but played like a dream and had a very, very special live and recording sound in what was a successful period in my personal musical adventures. Isn't the way that a musician can spontaneously reminisce about an instrument with which they have long since parted very strange? Anyway, we eventually parted company in a long forgotten trade in deal for something else that has been long forgotten. I have always loved the whole Stingray thing but never ever went there again (no idea why!) This has got me thinking - what was the golden era of this particular breed of bass, was my 80's version a classic or did I get lucky? [/quote] Well I've just bought a brand new 40th Anniversary Stingray and it's great - in fact I've had basses from the 80s (pre EB) from new - unfortunately sold - 90s, 00s and 10s - they're all rock solid live and recording basses so I would say there is no duff period. The golden years depend on what floats your boat - certain colours are from certain periods only (eg pastel colours 2010-11 Classic Ray/Sterling only) - highly figured necks are late 80s- early 90s or current model Classic Collection (2010-date). Different people will have different views. But if you want a slab body, two band natural Stingray with a maple neck like Bernard Edwards you can order one as standard production, which in my book is a cool thing to be available.

[quote name='White Cloud' timestamp='1480456658' post='3184628'] 1976 - "I'll be good to you" by the brothers Johnson (the legendary Louis on bass). Reached no 3 in the US singles chart. [/quote] He didn't use a Stingray until the Blam album I think. For 1976, you need to think of the first people to have them - Carl Radle with Eric Clapton is an example - bearing in mind the earliest production bases didn't get done till around September 76.

Any Jamiroquy with Nick Fyffe - talking Canned Heat etc. Runaway with Paul Turner is part on a Stingray (choruses IIRC). Early Take That is on Stingray; some Westlife. Some Culture Club (later singles). The Feel No Fret AWB album - Lets Go Round Again single probably. David Bowie singles from the late 70s on. Paul Young singles (Pino); Elton John (Nikita) Pino - most recent singles also. The theme to Later with Jools Holland is on an SR5 I think from the era when Dave Swift was an endorser (same era as Paul Turner with Annie Lennox).

Unfortunately that's what everyone says about their favourite colours - EBMM has stated that in reality they sell mostly black, white, natural and sunburst basses - outnumbering other finishes by a vast amount. Other colours crop up on the limited edition/PDN models which can usually be ordered in any type or spec of bass available from EBMM. They usually also have a couple of other colours for standard order - chilli red is one this year which is a pretty cool colour - Bongos have sky blue and tangerine pearl - suitably off the wall and whacky - the Cutlass and Caprice seem to have two or three special colours. Other than that - you're looking used. Remember 80s-90s standard sunburst was what more recently was called honey burst - used honeyburst basses crop up relatively frequently - so you may find an SLO Stingray from the 00/10s era used if you wait long enough!! There was a used all rosewood neck SLO Stingray on the EBMM forum for sale a few days back but since disappeared. Spare a thought for at least two of us here who think peach is the coolest MM colour of all - available custom order for a couple of years around 87-90 and absolutely rare as hen's teeth - Tony Levin has an SR5 in that colour. I certainly don't have an MM in that colour.........got a coral red which is pretty cool and not too far away from peach!!

To answer your question - yes you can learn it - I'm proof of it. For me it's taken a very long time to develop the technique (I first played it in the mid 70s - Rose Royce songs but have improved over the last few years) - I can now do it well enough to play entire songs, fills or small solos with it. I use it quite sparingly however (as did my 70s bass heroes most of the time). My experience is that audiences like it (they also like Fretless). I saw Level 42 at Hammersmith Appollo a few weeks back and it was packed - Mark King's bass solo as an encore attracted a frenzied response from the audience. In fact it seems the only people who really don't like it are some musicians and particularly some bass players - no doubt some music producers also. Each to their own I guess, but I suspect it challenges some people's perception of what a bass should do/be. In moderation I think it's great (always has been). IMHO it can be quite an exciting element when used well and musically.

[quote name='Chiliwailer' timestamp='1480364845' post='3183776'] Bass Direct have one in, and they even made it look chocolatey on the top horn! Very cool bass IMO. Warren, has yours landed yet? [/quote] The colour is even cooler in the flesh - dark chocolate round the edges with milk chocolate on the top and bottom horns (to represent faded paint on the real one its modelled on). Changes colour with bright light also. I could only describe the sound as fabulous - mine has done half a dozen gigs now and there are one or two videos with it on - the sound is very old school Stingray - very bassy but defined - nice slap sound but not in your face. I'm using it all the time currently. The pick up is quite different - elongated pole pieces and non curved edges - EQ is different and epoxied - knobs are as pre EB - lots of period detail including the logo - no logo on bridge. Altogether very nice indeed. I'd be surprised if Warren doesn't have his if Bass Direct are claiming to have one in stock ......

My new Old Smoothue Stingray has one but it's not sticky at all - in fact the neck is as slick as the oil and wax finish ones I have. I have a 93 Fretless and fretted Ray and a 2010 Classic Ray all with lacquered shiny necks - none are sticky - all are slick and fast. Musicman clearly know how to make a very playable and slick neck - I suspect there in lies the rub - some manufacturers go the extra mile and others are not so bothered.

[quote name='Grassie' timestamp='1480067407' post='3181374'] Bernard is on there, er...Leo Lyons isn't... An oversight, sorry! Like i said, it's kind of a prototype (a work in progress maybe) so I can add players later. [/quote] No worry - he is a contemporary of JPJ, John McVie, Andy Fraser and the like - pretty awesome and was always in the top 5 bass players in the MM say 69-71. Another good one is Larry Taylor - these guys taught us 60 somethings a lot about bass playing so we're quite formative. I can't read it properly btw so forgive me if I've stated people already there!! Regarding font, I believe the original font is s standard typeface like sans serif. TfL may try to copyright it but it would be like someone trying to copyright times new roman or anything else generic - they'll try anything - I heard there were thoughts of copyrighting new Routemaster bus seats - which are largely generic 1950s/60s bus seat design - it's a bit like trying to copyright wheel, or car etc. That said the bulls eye and diagram are definitely theirs!

[quote name='dudi8' timestamp='1480027828' post='3181211'] I ordered Seymour Duncan weather report pickups, and I will make an epoxy coat for the fingerboard [/quote] You only need the epoxy if you're going to use the roughest of all rough stainless steel roundwounds on it!! But as a Jaco tribute it's important I suspect - and would help you not to wear holes in your fretboard before too long if you're going to use the strings Jaco was said to have used.

Leo Lyons; Bernard Edwards? Excellent idea - look forward to seeing the bigger one!!