All user reviews for the Music Man StingRay 4

I played for 5 years on a Fender Jazz bass japan base. I wanted an instrument more upscale with better wood. My assessment of the Stingray will be essentially from the JB. I had gone to buy a big American Deluxe JB and then an opportunity came to me, I thought why not change it.

No need to revisit the technical characteristics of the GM, everyone knows. That fighter who refuses to be in control like that. The sound is quite heavy and has a dominant in the lower midrange quite pronounced. It's an immediately recognizable. Basseu when played on a MM on a recording or on stage, you can hear it now! This instrument is unique in their way in any mix or balance, even loaded ... like "push you I'm coming!". In other words, it does not in the discretion and I think this bass is rather reserved for sending music styles. Personally, I use it in a disco, funk in which the bass is very present here and slap hard. But beware, the égalo 3-band does not do everything and here is not so versatile that wants to suggest. To play the Chic (Bernard Edwards was one) is obviously great, but to quote the old James Brown of the 60s, even the soul, the MM sends too much, this is too. It supports a tad and presto, you find yourself down the volume. So, we forget to play on either junk (which date back to when the MM did not exist) or the risk of soft blues eat everyone.

In addition, the highs are quite delicate to deal with and it has very quick to be aggressive. A bit like the active EMG pickups that equipped a lot of guitars in the '80s, a sound of fret buttons is highlighted by the electronics of a diabolical precision. As such, I recommend this bass for beginners or intermediate levels. As it moves on this bass, I had 15 years of practice of the four strings in the fingers and I was already far from being armed. But where the JB tolerate inaccuracies, not only allows the MM and I had to learn to play precise if it's disgusting! To be clear, the MM is a tool reserved for bass players who can play!

Moreover, we note a compression of the natural sound that gives the impression of having a built-in compressor on bass. This can become annoying when you want to lower the dynamic attacking game under the right hand. The JB, I attacked less well and the bass followed linearly. On the MM, I attack a little less and continues to spit, you really control his game and calm down if you want to keep the subtlety in the dynamics.

The counterpart here is the sustain, which is also one of the big strengths of this bass. The bridge is more than a Fender balèze and has 2 large steel screws on both bridges and other things that keep them against each other. We obtain thus a higher resonant mass. We note a plaque, we let it ring, we'll smoke a cigarette, you come back, it sounds again. Something crazy!

Sometimes I tell myself that I would like to find the versatility and subtlety of the JB but I admit that it's very hard to do without the sound of the MM, this growl so special, that presence is phenomenal out on stage. An interesting alternative would be a JB with a microphone and an easel MM. Sandberg is here, and it seems that's fine. But here is a Sandberg and not a Fender or Music Man. And resale, no one will want one of Sandberg as Fender and Music Man, here is the values ​​of investment safe!

Regarding the price, we find at 2000 euros in France, it is too expensive even if the quality is there. It is an instrument to purchase and the market does not lack.

In summary, a great bass sound exclusive, but a very strong temper control you need to know ... maybe it's why we see them as the second hand market.

UTILIZATION

See above

SOUNDS

See above

OVERALL OPINION

See above

- Factory San Luis Obispo, California, USA.

- 21 frets, Saddle handle, rosewood fingerboard and Rabl.

- A micro pav Musicman classic style with two big blocks by rope.

- Bridge Musicman: large easel with bridges and gigantic Systm PREVENTING dplacements latraux nuisance of bridges: the solid, what ...

- Rglages: one volume, plus a legalization two bands (bass and agus) or three bands (low, medium and agus). The potentiomtres are notched in the middle of their race, which allows him to identify the rglages: before the notch is the band for enlve on the screen, it is neutral, and after s the catch, is added. Trs simple and effective.

I put 9 / 10 because, although the violin is irrprochable of quality, it is not worth the instrument maker that we can sometimes find in prices equivalent.

UTILIZATION

- The handle is trs enjoyable to play, although wider than the sleeves Fender for example, but you get used to rev quickly.

- The Access in agus is good, although it dpende lot of the position in which you play (if you wear your bass strap trs bottom, the ACCS is to agus more difficult than if you wear it above ...)

- The interface is excellent, the weight is correct, body shape, classic, enjoyable and the thumb is naturally found its place on the cot of microphones, two screws ...

- The rglages simple as we get the right sound easy, which is modified at will a small tower potentiomtre ...

SOUNDS

- Sounds a little PRSA suit all styles of music, dea versatility of the instrument. For the matre word of this bass is versatile ...

- I use an Ampeg BA-115 amplifier and a SansAmp Bass Driver DI Tech 21 home.

- We just really get all kinds of his imagination with al 'legalization three bands, from the crystalline to fatter with every possible ... INTERMEDIATE

- The sound, however, remain Musicman type, with a beep CHARACTERISTICS generating a strong signature sound. If you your a fan of Red Hot Blood Sugar Sex Magik period, you will love ... Listen to the bass lines of Flea on this album is the sound Musicman ...

9 / 10 because the sound is exceptional but the signature sound too Submitted ... However, when you love ...

OVERALL OPINION

- Try one you'll make your own opinion, his Musicman as essentially a matter of got ...

- I had tried several other basses before this one and it is true that such an instrument change your approach to the game ..

- The report Qualitprix is ​​good, although the price is trs lev (2000 average, without any options ...). Still, for the price, the quality is to go ... (heureusement. ..) is the price of the legend of the bass ... the instrument that every bass player should be to try, and if a big budjet following the adoption.

U.S. manufacturing. Ben CHARACTERISTICS SR4 What a classic.
A humbucker.
Volume, Treble, Mid, Bass
Maple neck, maple fingerboard.

UTILIZATION

Channel SR4 classic.
Access to acute ais.
It is lgre.
Panel and the sound is off trs. It remains the big sound.

SOUNDS

It's what MM is not for playing jazz. But when we look good we can do the same when in jazz.
Played on a Bassman (Fender) was a big sound. It snaps a lot and it's like agrssif what. But when you attnue treble (remove the "enhancer") we can still have a fairly even round.
I play with medium frequency 13h between 12h and 13h, 13h and 14h between bass and treble between 14h and 15h.

OVERALL OPINION

I for a week. I have my exchange against Sterling and the Sterling is still even more "polivalente". I like the handle 3 and EQ. Trs beautiful color and finish as well. I tried a SR 4 dj 2EQ prfre and I have more possibilities in sound so I prfre the l!
Quality price ratio ... What is a MM. The quality is there and the price is the price MM.
Well, it is personal

Musicman Stingray U.S. natural wood
21 frets, 1 Humbucking micro Musicman
Musicman bridge, Schaller mechanical
3 eq + volume, active
Channel mapple
http://www.musicman.fr/page/fiche_produit.php?id_prod=135

UTILIZATION

The handle is a highway, and the strings are widely spaced. Personally not a fan of Ernie Ball, I rise in Elixir, and! his monstrous!
It's not easy to end up with 21 frets when have always been 24, the characteristic of the Stingray is not playing in the treble, but "relatively" accessible.
The ergonomics and balance are perfect, the mechanical and the bridge robust (after expansion of the strings, I was given once in two weeks), and eq 3 is a powerful precision.
Small observation: I think she has been on a diet, because the ones I tried (models 20-25 years ago) were much heavier, however, the sound has not changed.
Digression: Aside from my taste for "wood color", a friend told me that the luthier Musicman natural finish came from a better than painted wood (to be confirmed!?)

SOUNDS

To slap (I bought it mainly for that), from the chatter, and typed on the thumb and bounces automatically replace the wood is so dense and tight. The lower midrange are quite pronounced.
Push the bass and midrange, lower the treble, you end up with a big fat well ... but always with "the grain Stingray" (not looking for a bass sound!).
I plugged into an amp Warwick Sweet 15 via a compressor Multicomp EBS.
Do not look for the sound of Jaco or Mark King, you will not find it, and with only one microphone, so there is no balance.
I also tried with rosewood handle, but the sound was softer and less suited me.
http://fr.youtube.com/watch?v=k6sX8ilmVmA

OVERALL OPINION

After playing on a Yamaha, Ibanez, then, for almost 15 years on a Warwick Fortress 1 (I love), one of my clients semi-professional bass player (I am a trader), offered to lend me his Stingray that it no longer used because they are too heavy for long rehearsals (he did not want me to sell so far). At first, I was hesitant. Indeed, when buying my first bass 22 years ago, a bass player was in the store to try on a Stingray. At the time, I had never said that I would not buy such an ugly and low because its rotten!
3 months ago, I put on my first Musicman ... Love at first sight!
It is true that 20 years, my musical tastes have evolved (Jazz-Funk 70's). You connect, you are Aaron Mills, Flea, or ... Larry Graham ...(!?)
Bought € 1800 (I had a choice at that price but a legend at a price), I do not change it ...
Sometimes, when a beautiful blonde smiles at you, (even if it only has 4 hair!) For Life ...

The Ernie Ball Music Man Stringray bass guitar was made in the USA. It has 22 frets and a single humbucker pick up. It has tone and volume controls to control each part of the pick up. I'm not sure what the neck is made out of, but it has a great feel to it.

UTILIZATION

The Stringray is easy to play as the neck has a great feel to it. The shape is cool looking and while it is somewhat heavy, not too much more heavy than any bass out there. The inherent sound is unique and is easy to get a nice sound out of it.

SOUNDS

The Ernie Ball MusicMan Stringray is great for all types of music, but works best in rock and punk, in my opinion. It has a twangy sound to it that makes for a unique blend. It has a few tone control knobs so you can dial in your own tone, which definitely comes in handy. I have used overdrive with this bass and have found that you can get some really cool and interesting sounds with the inherent sound of this and a bit of drive. Overall, the Stringray has a great sound that is unique and interesting.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using the Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray bass for about two years and I have found it to be unique in both tone and look, making for a great bass guitar. The price is reasonable as it is a high end bass. I can't say this is better than a Fender bass, but would encourage those interested in a top end bass guitar to try this as well as some of the other basses on the market, as it is all about personal preference. For the price, this is a great bass guitar with its own style.

(Originally written by chevaliernoir/translated from Audiofanzine FR)


Maple neck, rosewood or maple fingerboard.

I don't know how it influences the sound but maple fingerboards get dirty very fast.

Standard machine heads (not sealed lubricated).

It has a 3-band EQ (on the more recent versions). The battery access is great because you don't need any tools.

No balance control since the instrument has a single pickup. The pickup is very close to the bridge so you have a lot of space for your right hand.

I give it an average mark because of the single pickup and the old-school machine heads, but the instrument is very sturdy. It's also very heavy. The manufacturing quality is very good and it will certainly last a long time.

UTILIZATION

Very pleasant neck.

I'm used to playing with my thumb resting on the pickup edge. But since the pickup is very close to the bridge, I have to rest my thumb on the lowest-sounding string. It's not much of a problem if you 're already used to playing like this. I found it annoying and couldn't get used to it.

The instrument is very heavy... like its sound.

SOUNDS

It's certainly its weakest point.

Perhaps you'll love it. The sound is very special and it reminds me of a Musicman. It's perfect for a rock band. The bass sound is very present but it doesn't overshadow other instruments. The attack is very good and the powerful low-mids are perfect.

The problem is that the bass can only produce this kind of sound. It's not versatile at all. Even with the EQ you cannot really alter the sound much.

OVERALL OPINION

As an object I give it a 10.

The neck feels great (although the maple fingerboard gets dirty quickly).

The instrument is too heavy for my taste and doesn't have a thumb rest.

It's not versatile at all.

As a summary, I can understand that some musicians consider it the perfect bass but it's not for me (I will keep my 5-string Warwick and I will sell the Musicman).