4 Strings

Thought it was just body size. Not played one myself.

[quote name='Ou7shined' timestamp='1342895094' post='1742566'] Ray [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXUBE_wiPtU[/media] Sterling (I think) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaA4lXiqClI[/media] [/quote] Yes, first one has it definitely, second one less so

[quote name='lowregisterhead' timestamp='1342941484' post='1742881'] The lacquered neck, string-through slab body and dampers are so reminiscent of my old pre-EB. It's like snogging an old girlfriend! [/quote] .. except she's a lot younger!

[quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1342945486' post='1742914'] Stingrays are one of the basses I've never really tried. Want to though, I had a project where a made a fretless mess of a bass with a no name MM pup in the right spot. that was nice. Prob I will build my own bass in a stingray style. To me it, it's not the same, but the way that it can sit in the mix and fill it out makes me think of it as the update of a p bass [/quote] Now's the best time to buy if you have a bit of spare, s/h prices are rock bottom

[quote name='cloudburst' timestamp='1342960835' post='1743142'] Here's what I think the OP is after: Precision = Boom-Thud Jazz = Boom-Zing Rick = Clunk-Clank StingRay = Boomerang-Boing CB [/quote] That's the sort of thing, or; Precision = Strong builders tea Jazz = Latte Rick = Herbal tea Stingray = Sweet Turkish coffee, but in a mug

Thanks, all. Back at work and working my way through the recommendations, working backwards starting with At the Drive-In. This seems more about the guitar sound, but this is also an example of how the MM sound is a good and satisfying sound but quite generic. Got Napoleon Solo on, bass bit in the middle could be a Precision. (Also can hear the pick scratching on the round windings!) Edit> 198d - this has got it!

Didn't see many very aggressive artists at the T in the Park

[quote name='molan' timestamp='1342961016' post='1743146'] That's the one - knew he was someone's (a drummer) son, lol. [/quote] Zac is a fabulous drummer and absolutely suited. One of Keith Moon's best features was his ability to listen to Townshend and play accordingly, Zac does just this too, guitar riffs in the solos etc met by the drums. Top stuff. He's probably been with The Who longer than Keith Moon now.

Next time you're in the Essex Arms (know it well) see how you get on with just the Midget, I think you'll be surprised. Having an almost identical set up (mines a 900) I now regard a Compact AND Midget to be overkill for anything less than Glastonbury. Open air gig today (Olympic Torch celebration) with vocal pa, Compact set to work, didn't even get to a jog. I have to say the Streamliner master vol was at 12, as was all the other controls. Only had the vol on the bass full up right at the end.

Yes, definitely a cheat for when I'm on Desert Island Discs, I love Quadrophenia, didn't know the doc was on. I suppose its too late for i-player now. Shame, would have loved to have seen that.

900 here, bought without testing, satisfied, but should be for the price. It seems to be really well made and has done everything I've needed. Use it with a BF Midget T and/or a Compact. Loads of Jamerson in it with the compact for my Motown band by boosting the 200Hz a tad. Have to use plenty of volume with the Midget alone, but on the odd occasion I use both cabs it can go beyond silly loud. Usually end up with all controls at 12 O' Clock. The two pre 'volumes' seem ok here, go much further with Vol 1 and overdrive starts, go beyond 3 O'Clock with Vol 2 and a sort of strange, clicky clipping occurs. Yes, just being able to cut/boost one mid range band is a shortcoming, but that's the compromise for few knobs. The bands are well selected, 200Hz my fave. I would describe the sound as 'warmish', not bloated in any way, and can be as defined as you like, which is what I need. Not been brave enough to use the overdriven aspects (apart from a little play when I first had it, it goes nuts!). Recommended.

Comparison with your Matamp will be interesting

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1342876889' post='1742231'] +1 to that. [/quote] Yes, me too, this is what I was trying to achieve on the Jazz but never quite made it. Plug in the Stingray and bingo. But examples which typify the sound...?

Thanks all, keep it coming, the RATM is helpful, shows the power of the sound but with that sweetness at the top which I'm beginning to think is the defining element. Here's 'Nard at work, as an example; http://youtu.be/2KiJYgU5uVY (Makes it look so easy doesn't he?) Not sure the Nate Watts sound is the one, however much I love his playing. As you say, bit fretty, dirty, not, to me, the typical Stingray sound More examples, please. Listening to Enter Shikari at the mo. I want to recognise a Stingray after all this!

Yep, agree. MM No1 - the Pre-EB sounds right on the money, eq is fab, No2 slightly less so but is also right there (just has more options). But what is the sound?

Agree with most of this, I want examples. Here's the You tube type thing which shows the differences: http://youtu.be/IsV2KWwtO50 http://youtu.be/yG-xma83D9k How about actual tracks? I suppose my thought is that, with so many boutique and other basses using MM and other pups the sound of a MM is like so many modern basses but not unique. I'd like to have thought it was.

Big Stingray fan here, have two, No1, a pre-EB, rarely used as I'm scared of dings etc and No2, a superb, bog standard 3eq from 2001 which is used all the time and not sacred so not so scared of dings etc. I have recently struggled through two Jazzes. Both instruments have been fine, but just haven't got on with them. Seemed like I had to fiddle and tweak all the time to get a sound with definition that would cut through the mix (very noisy keyboard player), sound like a Jazz and be satisfying. Never really made it. Could get the Jaco sort of sound, ie back playing on and through the back pup but this never seemed to be strong enough in a normal band setting where some low end is required to complete the sound. Going back to the Ray No1 was sublime, the sound was straight away there, lots of comments from others and it made me decide to trade in the Jazz for a Ray I could use everyday. Long story, but this is what happened, enter Ray No2. Straight away, great sound, just plug and play. Very powerful, definition all there, whack up the treble is needed, whack it back when not. Whereas a Jazz can sound like a Jazz, unmistakable in the right hands, we can all give examples of Precisions (whether low thump from Dunn and Jamerson or clank from Entwhistle and Burnell) and we can recognise a Rick. Can anyone recognise a MM? No question they sound great, for me its been the major attraction. But while I can think of examples of superb sound from a MM ('Nard Edwards, Tony Levin etc) I can't say I'd recognise a 'classic Stingray sound', I just happen to know a Stingray was being used. Anyone?

if someone takes the 'p' they're normally hoping to enjoy an equal or better expression of wit in response, not some holiday snaps.

[quote name='Eljay' timestamp='1342803469' post='1741320'] You do realize that that kind of BS makes you appear a fool & a coward, don't you?? Not clever, but like being an ass. You don't?? You should. Really. [/quote] Didn't mean to get you fired up, maybe we should just simmer down, and stop oven fun. This is a serious game after all.

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1342783132' post='1740833'] Why? A Rickenbacker bass is far more complex in construction than a Fender. Fenders have always been designed to be built at a price point below their perceived competition (originally Gibson and Rickenbacker). I would imagine that the lower cost helped to cement their initial poularity. After that it's all about economies of scale. [/quote] Absolutely, bolt on necks, flat machine heads, electrics mounted on plastic plates, frets set into the neck; part of the art of Fenders is their design for non-skilled factory massed production.

Tighten Up - Archie Bell and the Drells Rescue Me - Fontana Bass

Looks lovely, hope it plays ok

Macca used/uses Roto Trubass string, the tape wounds, and gets a wonderful, glowing sort of tone. You can sometimes hear a similarities in Chris Squire's, presumably when on the front pup. However, the difference between the typical Macca and typical Squire is huge, bit only as huge as Entwhistle on Live and Leeds and Jamerson. Round wounds with the tone control open vs flats and the tone rolled off. I think they have a wonderful sound. Unfortunately most of my playing is covers at the moment and so I need a more generic sound so not for me. Love to hear it though. Never had a go of a Rick, ought to before its too late!

Are we abroad? Perhaps Rayburns and Parkrays don't get to the outer reaches of the Empire either. I'm sure its a lovely bass, their 'Dolphin' looks particularly interesting but I'm not surprised someone who specialises in Danelectro copies has struggled. Rarely see a real one and, unfortunately, not on my list but always a pleasure to see someone using something other than the generic.

2 Rays with EQ is better still