FuNkShUi Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I have a few basses that i've built up over the years. Im down to 3 now. But realistically I only ever play/gig one. A Stingray. So the other two will be sold. I will have around a £2k budget, and would like to know what Stingrays you might be looking at if you had similar options. The Stingray I have is a '87. It is the best bass ive had for sitting in the mix with the right amount of clarity AND thickness. It just suits me. So please, im only interested in Stingrays despite there being other options ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 (edited) I would go for a Stingray classic with a maple board (as long as it's not a heavy one). Just a dream live and they sound incredible in the studio with old round wounds. Just the right amount of edge and endless thump. They tend to go for between 1 and 1.3K so you'll have change. I honestly don't think I would spend any more for a different model even if I could. I've used standard US Stingrays in the past and not got on with them. The three band version was always a struggle against 'clickiness'. 2 band preamps are my preferred option but I just find the necks feel uncomfortable. The classic neck (with the 7.25 inch radius) sits in the hand beautifully. Edited April 15, 2020 by Cairobill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 New stingray Special in whatever finish you want, so that’s 2018 onwards. Roasted Maple, even better neck now, 18v and neodymium magnet pick ups, however many band EQ’s, H set up only. Its the absolute nuts - there will be some second hand stuff under your budget so the rest can be sent on pork scratchings and sweets. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ikay Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Your '87 sounds great, why do you need another one?! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazhowe Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I’ve had a couple of 3 band Ray’s, plus a Classic and a Special. All are good but (IMO) the Classic and Special are both a step above the standard 3 band Ray in terms of tone (which I found too raspy on the 3 band). I prefer the Special over the Classic due to the 18v tone circuit, neck profile, body shape and weight. The Classic is a great bass but if I was looking to buy another Ray to go with my Special it would be another Special. YMMV of course. 😎 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I had a Classic briefly and didn’t rate it at all. Plus it weighed a ton. For me, it was the worst of the Rays I’ve used, and that includes both 2 and 3 band. I’d go for a Special. Or 2 x Sterling Ray 4 PBs. Just because, well, 2 basses. 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I’ve never had one but I’m thinking of getting a stingray, so I’ll be following this with interest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 The other option for my money would be one with a SLO neck - dreamy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 This is more than decent https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233555292036 This is very nice https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184213713839 This too These are where I would put my money 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salotti Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 1 minute ago, Cuzzie said: This is more than decent https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233555292036 This is very nice https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184213713839 This too These are where I would put my money The last one is top notch 😂 price a little negotiable anyway 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattM Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I’m a Stingray guy. For years, my ‘88 maple 2EQ was definitely the best I’d played and that included post-2000 2EQ and 3EQs. 88 had a great neck, loads of mojo and a brilliant sound. Had to sell for financial reasons. My current Classic betters even the 88. Neck as playable but looks amazing with Birdseye, sound is incredible - as good as 88 but with more sustain owing to through stringing, mutes needed to damp it down. Only other options would be an HH (don’t like the 3EQ though - albeit it does decent P and J tones) or maybe a Sabre Classic (2EQ but with two pickups and as rare as rocking horse droppings) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebass456 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I bought a 3 band Stingray off e-bay a few years ago - paid about £800 for it including original case. The only downside to it was it was a sort of sparkly red/black burst - candy apple I think it was referred to..... Anyway, I took it across to Jon Shuker in Derbyshire not long afterwards to have it resprayed gloss black, and it just looks the business now! Its got a matt black scratchplate (with white side laminate), rosewood fingerboard and chrome hardware and is so smooth and fast to play. It doesn't come out to play as often as I would like (especially at the moment), but has got the full stingray range of sounds and tones! My dream bass would be a natural body/maple fingerboard classic 5 string stingray, but they seem to be so far and few around............. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebass456 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 I sometimes open the case just to have a quick sniff - theres something about the smell of US basses......it was the same with the G&L USA 5 string blueburst I used to have as well😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Find another late 80's StingRay. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 With a £2k budget the first thing I'd do would be to check out the current Stingray Special. If that doesn't work for you, then look at Classics or used options, but everything I've read and seen about the Specials has been positive. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Old smoothie for me. I think PMT have a relatively cheap one for sale. Will try to find it. Dunno about second hand. Never played one but love the idea of the more mellow pickup. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Cuzzie said: This is more than decent https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/233555292036 Argh! What did you have to post that for! Get thee behind me GAS! (thankfully it’s not charcoal or aqua sparkle or I’d probably have bought it). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Search PMT mint green old smoothie £1800 so not that cheap. Very nice though 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ead Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 (edited) 36 minutes ago, P-Belly Evans said: Search PMT mint green old smoothie £1800 so not that cheap. Very nice though I'm sure there's one on here for less than that. Update - looks like it's been traded now. Edited April 15, 2020 by ead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P-Belly Evans Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 Bound to be. Thought it was cheaper to be fair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 8 hours ago, ikay said: Your '87 sounds great, why do you need another one?! As someone who has a lot of basses, it pains me to agree with this. If you already gave a great Stingray, play the bejesus out of it and enjoy it. I never understand having multiples of the same bass. You’ll always have one which, in your mind, is inferior to the other. Get a great one, be happy, success! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share Posted April 15, 2020 8 hours ago, ikay said: Your '87 sounds great, why do you need another one?! I need two basses as I gig so much, if one goes wrong, I need a spare. Do I need a spare like this? Maybe not. But I'd like to have two nice basses, either of which I would be happy to gig 😊 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share Posted April 15, 2020 5 hours ago, Reggaebass said: I’ve never had one but I’m thinking of getting a stingray, so I’ll be following this with interest After getting my '87 stingray three years ago, I've only gigged that bass. You should try one. My preference is the 2 band Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted April 15, 2020 Share Posted April 15, 2020 (edited) I’ve previously had 80’s - modern Rays, 2 band and 3 band. For my taste, I’d recommend buying one like the HH Special I own now. The others are still great, I just feel this suits what I like better in a bass (ergonomics, awesome EQ and versatility). Edited April 15, 2020 by Chiliwailer 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FuNkShUi Posted April 15, 2020 Author Share Posted April 15, 2020 3 hours ago, Skybone said: Find another late 80's StingRay. I have been looking. Have two basses to sell first Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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