What's the sound of a Musicman?

[MikeBass]

Just re-entered the Stingray world - having had a new one in 1996/97 and, apart from the obvious great design and light weight, hated the sound.
it was just too clean and clinical - esp next to my Thumb - so, it didnt last long but, I just got an 3 band EQ 1989 Ray and it's awesome in every way. So powerful and it feels heavier, weight-wise, than the '97 model. I guess certain era Rays will give the player the sound they are looking for - I have definitely found mine. Need a 5 string from the same time now!!!

[drTStingray]

[quote name='classrock' timestamp='1345317818' post='1776296']
All I can say is that nothing on this planet sounds like one of these.
I am no historian but I know Leo Fender 'over-egged' the top end of the Stingray because of his hearing.
Something changed when EB took over, they just mellowed the sound.
[/quote]

According to Musicman.org (independent and extensive website run by Gav (Rod Trussbroken - also a moderator on the Musicman forum) an MM enthusiast, the 2 band EQ has been the same since 1979. There were five or six different versions prior to that.

However, other changes (6 bolt neck fixing), wood types, lacquer/no lacquer on neck, fretboard material and weight all seem to contribute to the sound. I find little fundamental difference between my old pre EB Ray and my Classic Ray (2010 model) - other than the better fit and finish of the new one (as you would expect with 35 years advance in manufacturing techniques).

I too would like to hear/see more about this 76 Ray - I only played a 76 once before - seemed more mellow sounding than any other Ray that I've played.

[4 Strings]

[quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1345339133' post='1776496']
I too would like to hear/see more about this 76 Ray - I only played a 76 once before - seemed more mellow sounding than any other Ray that I've played.
[/quote]

Original strings?

(I'd love a go myself!)

[paulmcnamara]

For the classic SR5 sound try listening to a couple of tracks I played on with a previous band: Learn Again and Long Haul. They can be found on the link.

http://www.sanctuaryrig.co.uk/discography/khnosti.aspx

Good wishes, Paul.

[Dingus]

[quote name='paulmcnamara' timestamp='1345501825' post='1778367']
For the classic SR5 sound try listening to a couple of tracks I played on with a previous band: Learn Again and Long Haul. They can be found on the link.

[url="http://www.sanctuaryrig.co.uk/discography/khnosti.aspx"]http://www.sanctuary...hy/khnosti.aspx[/url]

Good wishes, Paul.
[/quote]

Thanks for putting these tracks up Paul. I have just been listening to them and am really impressed not just with the bass sound but with the music overall. It sounds to me as if youir band has got a very strong 70s classic rock vibe ( no bad thing in my book, I hasten to add!). That first track Justify really reminds me of Whos Next- era Who, Some other tracks put me in mind of Argent, some other bits have a touch of Mott The Hoople. All right up my street, and a really refreshing range of influences for a band in the current musical climate. I would be very interested to know what kind of ages you and the other guys in the band are .

[Castagné]

I guess, no I'm sure you can hear the "original" pre EB Stingray bass sound here ( in L JOHNSON's hands ) :

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_KHpDWXV1A[/media]

and here the pre EB Sabre's sound ( at 9:26 and on...)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJqzRXVOLs0[/media]

Edited August 21, 2012 by Castagné

[4 Strings]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1345562138' post='1778879']
Thanks for putting these tracks up Paul. I have just been listening to them and am really impressed not just with the bass sound but with the music overall. It sounds to me as if youir band has got a very strong 70s classic rock vibe ( no bad thing in my book, I hasten to add!). That first track Justify really reminds me of Whos Next- era Who, Some other tracks put me in mind of Argent, some other bits have a touch of Mott The Hoople. All right up my street, and a really refreshing range of influences for a band in the current musical climate. I would be very interested to know what kind of ages you and the other guys in the band are .
[/quote]

I'd go along with these comments.

Have a look at the photos for ages

[4 Strings]

[quote name='Castagné' timestamp='1345579163' post='1779138']
I guess, no I'm sure you can hear the "original" pre EB Stingray bass sound here ( in L JOHNSON's hands ) :

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_KHpDWXV1A[/media]

and here the pre EB Sabre's sound ( at 9:26 and on...)

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJqzRXVOLs0[/media]
[/quote]

Thanks for these, I can hear the 'Ray in the first clip, the Sabre sounds a bit too clanky to be 'typical' to me. Good playing though.

[Conan]

In a similar style to the Ayers piece.... I always thought this was played on a 'Ray:

[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILjWG2KNIhE"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILjWG2KNIhE[/url]

[fumps]

I have just been reading through this thread (After forgetting that I had made a comment earlier) and I have to say the way people explain the sound of a bass it does make me smile.
The love of an instrument is such a personal thing it's like explaining a colour, if you love a certain colour you will give a more glowing enthusiastic explanation than a colour your not so keen on (I know I'm severely colour blind so I have experienced this lots in my life).

The passion & love for a bass just sits right with the beholder.

I personally love the Stingray (although I'm not a scratch plate fan) because there is something about the look, feel, sound, build quality.....it just is what it is & that's what I love about the Ray.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1343148606' post='1746141']
Ever in York? You're welcome to pop round and try. I've got two 4-string 3EQs and a 5-string 3EQ - all different years, so you get a good feel
[/quote]
Mate I'll nip round one day even if just to say "hi". thank you very much for the invite (I will behave I promise ), in regards to playing your Ray's, you do realise you would have to tranquillize me & throw me out lol.
When in shop I never pick up a Ray......simply because I will be next thinking about how I can afford one & then I start to consider selling certain body parts to do so lol

But the reason I have never bought one is simply because they have always been out of my budget I'm sorry to say lol (Hence the comment about not being a serious enough player to make the investment)

[stingrayPete1977]

Im not sure about that first clip you know? I can hear Louis J more than anything else. It would not surprise me if that was a Jazz bass you know although it probably is a Ray, Its almost as if his style is so familar with a Ray that your brain converts it to a Ray sound anyway. It could be the way its been altered in the mix but the lows are not low enough and the highs are not biting enough for me as a typical Ray sound

Edited August 22, 2012 by stingrayPete1977

[stingrayPete1977]

This is a great example of how fat and juicy a pre EB is yet still retaining the cutting highs, I have never heard an EBMM version get this smooth on the lows, its the best example of what people go on about IMO.
[url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agVo-xW0MtY&feature=fvwrel"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agVo-xW0MtY&feature=fvwrel[/url]

[stingrayPete1977]

And this shits on any Jazz bass! wait until it kicks in properly....
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snezG_RA7GI&feature=relmfu[/media]

Such a great player too, and if anyone can find the bit where the single pickup Ray becomes a one trick pony I'd like to see it!

Edited August 22, 2012 by stingrayPete1977

[Dingus]

Love these clips of Marlowe and his 79 Ray, Pete, but it won't do the same job as a good Jazz Bass. They are opposites, in a way- the Stingray has a scooped midrange with extended highs and lows whereas the Jazz is all about complex mids that scoop out a bit with both pickups on full. Both great basses though . Horses for courses ,and all that.

Edited August 22, 2012 by Dingus

[Dingus]

I remember seeing this on The Tube back in the '80's by being knocked out by her sheer raw talent both as a player and singer. Her subsequent career has shown she's up there with the very best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fsply_AyrU

And from her exellent solo album from the late '80's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zS-cOOMNtgg

[stingrayPete1977]

[quote name='Dingus' timestamp='1345654368' post='1780117']
Love these clips of Marlowe and his 79 Ray, Pete, but it won't do the same job as a good Jazz Bass. They are opposites, in a way- the Stingray has a scooped midrange with extended highs and lows whereas the Jazz is all about complex mids that scoop out a bit with both pickups on full. Both great basses though . Horses for courses ,and all that.
[/quote] For sure I own both The rays are better though

[Musicman20]

Just remembered this band. Earlr grunge.

Total classic Stingray tone. This 'tone' was in my head before I even knew what a Stingray was:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RiJMZQXa2o

[gafbass02]

This is gonna sound weird.
But to me stingrays sound: 'eggy'

I cannot explain any further than that!
Love the sound gutted not to have one anymore.

But they sound 'eggy' to me !!!?

[cloudburst]

Do you mean edgy - as in with a bit of an edge?
Or eggy - in which case it probably depends on who's albumen you're listening to. :-)

CB

[gafbass02]

Eggy. I actually really do mean eggy lol