kevham Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 I have some serious GAS for a Stingray. Always wanted one. Don't know why other than some of my favourite bassists used them and I love the look. My local guitar guitar has my dream stingray in stock just now (a rare thing being a lefty) - black with a rosewood board. However, a friend of mine showed my his Sandberg a few weeks ago and it looked and felt really nice (albeit a righty). Thomann have a lovely cream coloured Sandberg TM4 with rosewood board and it's a good £300 cheaper than the advertised price of the Stingray. I can't try it out though. What should I do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannybuoy Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 Bear in mind a TM4 doesn't sound much like a Stingray due to the MM pickup being quite a bit close to the bridge. But the answer should be play both and get the one that sounds and feels best! You can play the 'Ray in store, was your friend's Sandberg a TM4 so you can compare? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted August 18, 2017 Author Share Posted August 18, 2017 This might sound strange but I'm not so fussed about the tone. More about how they feel to me. Quality, feel, playability, reliability is what I'm interested in. I should have remembered about Thomann's return policy - I sent back a Tech 21 amp recently! Hmmmm..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 (edited) [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1503093496' post='3355741'] but the differences are marginal at best [/quote] Really?! They're both excellent and much loved, I agree. But they are certainly not clones of each other and definitely have their own personality and tone. I've loved my TM4 and it's a keeper. It has a really good tonal variation from it's PUPs (Delano's in my version), a good EQ and the ability to play equally well as a passive or active bass. It's very comfortable to play both in terms of balance and action - as you said about your mates' Sandberg: "it looked and felt really nice". There's been a recent thread on Sandbergs on the forum and a lot of love from BCers for these basses: [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/306575-talk-me-out-of-a-sandberg-please/page__st__60__p__3320350__hl__sandberg__fromsearch__1#entry3320350"]http://basschat.co.u..._1#entry3320350[/url] If there is a "criticism" of a Sandberg TM4 it is that it is a very "sensible" high quality bass and does what it does well, and for 90% of playing in a band it will be just the ticket. But it lacks the growl of a bass e.g with Nordstrand or Warwick MEC pups and I'm really glad I've got these as well to pick up when I want something more meaty. The alternative is to get some decent pedals to give you your tonal variety.** A Stingray has a quite different "sound" and one that you will either love or you won't (it falls into that same marmite category as Warwicks IMHO)**. Spend as much time as you can down at your local store having a play through transparent amps (e.g. a Markbass) so that you can get a feel for the tone and playability, it may, as you say be your dream bass, in which case go for it! **However if, as I've just seen, you're not worried about tone and are only focusing on play-ability, then I'd say they are both excellent basses. In which case I'd also recommend checking out Ibanez too - they have the most playable neck of the three. Edited August 18, 2017 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted August 18, 2017 Share Posted August 18, 2017 [quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1503094327' post='3355747'] Bear in mind a TM4 doesn't sound much like a Stingray due to the MM pickup being quite a bit close to the bridge. But the answer should be play both and get the one that sounds and feels best! You can play the 'Ray in store, was your friend's Sandberg a TM4 so you can compare? [/quote] Spot on, I tried to get on with a TM4 twice in the past and failed. I loved the tone when I tried them and when practicing at home but I was happy with in my band and ended playing a Stingray. I don't think I'm that picky as I now play either a SR5, Ibanez ATK or BTB or my old Bass Collection but not a TM4. Like someone else said TM4's were lovely but always to polite for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Thankfully there aren't many awful basses out there these days, even as a Stingray guy I could happily use a sandberg for the rest of my days, or a yammy, ibanez or Squier etc. Anything other than a Ricky really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Surprised no one said it yet but...... Just get both! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Cuzzie' timestamp='1503141442' post='3355987'] Just get both! [/quote] Let 'em eat cake brigade. It's your lot that causes revolutions Edited August 19, 2017 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1503144746' post='3356018'] In the words of Vic Reeves, 'You let it lie, would you'. 😀 [/quote] You lying get..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 (edited) [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1503149481' post='3356068'] Apologies, that should be "You wouldn't let it lie, would you?" [/quote] H you're having to issue far too many apologies on this thread (no need to apologise) Edited August 19, 2017 by Al Krow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Stingray all the way. That tone is the best bass tone I've personally heard. But, I'm biased. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 [quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1503149481' post='3356068'] Apologies, that should be "You wouldn't let it lie, would you?" [/quote] Think we need to get Judge Pickles and Lister in right now to sort this........ Spin, spin, spin the wheel of justice....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thodrik Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 Tough choice. I nearly bought a Sandberg JM4 (pre name change to TM4 and change of the body shapes to be less 'Fendery') in 2009, but ended up going for a Sadowsky Metro. The Stingray is an utterly iconic bass though. In terms of build quality of both I think you would actually be okay to buy them without having played one if have made your mind up on what you are wanting. My view is that if you have been wanting a Stingray for years then you should buy a Stingray. The Sandberg will be a great bass but my guess is that no matter how good the instrument is, your brain will still be sending you 'I want a Stingray' message for months and years to come. Try the bass that is in Guitar Guitar and if you like it, buy it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Krow Posted August 19, 2017 Share Posted August 19, 2017 [quote name='thodrik' timestamp='1503151369' post='3356085'] Tough choice. I nearly bought a Sandberg JM4 (pre name change to TM4 and change of the body shapes to be less 'Fendery') in 2009, but ended up going for a Sadowsky Metro. The Stingray is an utterly iconic bass though. In terms of build quality of both I think you would actually be okay to buy them without having played one if have made your mind up on what you are wanting. My view is that if you have been wanting a Stingray for years then you should buy a Stingray. The Sandberg will be a great bass but my guess is that no matter how good the instrument is, your brain will still be sending you 'I want a Stingray' message for months and years to come. Try the bass that is in Guitar Guitar and if you like it, buy it. [/quote] +1! Not sure any of us are going to give you better advice than that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 All good advice guys. I like the suggestion to buy both! Can't afford to do that but I could buy a Sterling Sub4 and the Sandberg for the same money as the Stingray....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 (edited) If you want a Stingray for a classic sound especially Bernard Edwards get a Sub, but makes sure it's a USA one and drop a Nordstrand Vintage MM pick up in it. And then get the Sandy Job done! I think I saw a good Ray on a Facebook selling group for about £400 which seemed good value Edited August 20, 2017 by Cuzzie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted August 20, 2017 Author Share Posted August 20, 2017 It's not quite that simple - I'm left handed so finding a USA Sub is nigh on impossible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treb Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 (edited) Stingray itch is best remedied by applying a healthy dose of Stingray. Been there, done not quite that... Wanted a Stingray for 25+ years, I blame Gary Grainger for that. Go and listen to Blue Matter, Loud Jazz and Pick Hits Live by John Scofield. Stingray heaven and great musicianship! Finally had the cash to buy one but bought a Sterling 4H instead. I prefer the smaller body and slimmer neck. Soundwise they're both chips off the same block. It's everything I hoped for, sound and playability are both great. Edited August 20, 2017 by Treb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted August 20, 2017 Share Posted August 20, 2017 A new Sandberg will lose a massive chunk of it's value right away, a used Ray in lefty format bought wisely should be as safe as keeping the cash under your matress Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted August 21, 2017 Share Posted August 21, 2017 I've had both. Loved them both. Berg was a bit heavy. Kept the Ray. Ripped the pickups out and stuck in EMGs. Turned it into a great bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevham Posted December 23, 2017 Author Share Posted December 23, 2017 Thread resurrection. I finally took the plunge and bought the Stingray last week. Loving it so far. :-) 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treb Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 You know the drill, no pics no bass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 1 hour ago, kevham said: Thread resurrection. I finally took the plunge and bought the Stingray last week. Loving it so far. :-) Nicely! The only solution. I’ve never liked Sandbergs, none I’ve played have ever given me the right vibe, I think they’re sterile. Similar to Clover, another bass in the same camp. Any Stingray I’ve played has bags of character and cuts through a mix well. It’s also iconic and looks the business. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted December 23, 2017 Share Posted December 23, 2017 1 hour ago, kevham said: Thread resurrection. I finally took the plunge and bought the Stingray last week. Loving it so far. :-) Good choice - i have a Stingray and a Sandberg PM4 (so not quite the same but...) and i love them both. But whenever i gig with any of my other basses for a change i always miss playing the Ray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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