Looking for basses in the vein of Music Man

[deadline]

Hi!

The market is overflooded with Fender J or P clones, remixes, better versions and so on. So I wonder if there are any Music Man StingRay inspired basses out there? The Chowny Davie504 springs to mind, but I can't seem to find so moany else. Thinking body design and ofc the large humbucker. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[rasher80]

Vintage do one

[fretmeister]

Sandberg Basic?

[CPCustomdubwise]

Ibanez ATK springs to mind; lots of people like those.

And the G&L L-1500 is held in high regard too.

 

[Cuzzie]

G&L L1500 or Kiloton

New Sandberg classic Booster - not strictly a single humbucker, but close.

[LeftyJ]

1 hour ago, CPCustomdubwise said:

Ibanez ATK springs to mind; lots of people like those.

Came here to post this. They're great! They're everything the typical Ibanez bass is not: big, wide-bodied, and fat-necked. And they sound and play great! I've owned two 1990s MIJ ATK300's and still own 1998 MIJ ATK305 and I love it. I have owned a Stingray 5 too, and the neck profile is remarkably similar - but lacquered instead of waxed.

1 hour ago, Cuzzie said:

G&L L1500 or Kiloton

Those are great too! The Kiloton is fully passive, but otherwise very similar to the L1500.

[stewblack]

Don't know what your budget is, but if you aren't one of those who lights their cigars with £50 notes I can recommend OLP or the Harley Benton. 

I'd keep the Harley over most other basses I own. 

[Cuzzie]

52 minutes ago, LeftyJ said:

 

Those are great too! The Kiloton is fully passive, but otherwise very similar to the L1500.

Not too far off - kiloton has the pick up more in the sweet spot As opposed to the Ray spot and yes it’s passive

Status Shark bass?

[Shaggy]

Best 'Ray alternative I've tried is the Warwick FNA (Corvette body shape but same essential layout), not least as it has the very decent Seymour Duncan MM pickup and circuit as standard, which were intended as upgrades for the 'Ray.   Liked mine so much I bought an LX Streamer Jazzman (and replaced the MEC pickups with Nordstrand / Bart).

Used to have an OLP "Tony Levin" and was very underwhelmed by it.

[40hz]

Another vote for the Kiloton. I think it's the only Stingray inspired bass that actually sounds like a Stingray (to my ears anyway)

Edited June 4, 2020 by 40hz

[dannybuoy]

The Sandberg Basic sounds a lot like a Ray, the pickup is a tiny bit further towards the neck but not by much. There was one for sale on here recently that might still be around, they pop up on eBay from time to time and can usually be snapped up for a bargain.

[40hz]

47 minutes ago, dannybuoy said:

The Sandberg Basic sounds a lot like a Ray, the pickup is a tiny bit further towards the neck but not by much. There was one for sale on here recently that might still be around, they pop up on eBay from time to time and can usually be snapped up for a bargain.

Funnily enough I had a Sandberg Basic. Personally, I wouldn't say it sounded much like a Ray. Far too clean, clinical and polite, but a cracking bass all the same.

[Lfalex v1.1]

Also from Warwick; 

Streamer Pro M, Fortress Masterman. Doublebuck qualifies, too if HH is your thing.

And if HH is your thing, G&L ASAT.

Ibanez ATK if someone hasn't mentioned it already.

[LukeFRC]

5 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

Not too far off - kiloton has the pick up more in the sweet spot As opposed to the Ray spot and yes it’s passive

Status Shark bass?

Status Groove was their "stingray" a like. 

The @lowregisterhead is selling a Lakland stingray-a-like. 

 

[Cuzzie]

30 minutes ago, LukeFRC said:

Status Groove was their "stingray" a like. 

The @lowregisterhead is selling a Lakland stingray-a-like. 

 

Aye - that one too

[deadline]

Thanks a lot for replies, certainly learned something new here. I am looking for a bass in the vein of Music Man but with a Jazz Bass-esque neck, and can spend up to 1500.- Euro. Maybe my best bet is to look for a used Sterling?

[LeftyJ]

Yes! I read Jazz neck and the Sterling was my first thought.

There's also a Jazz neck option on the Stingray, called the SLO Special. Doesn't pop up often, but worth looking out for.

[Paul S]

I once had a Sterling By Music Man SB14.  Lighter, smaller body than a Ray, slimmer neck at the nut although still fairly deep back to front.  It was a Good Bass.