Why I Think The Music Man Stingray Is The Best All-Around Bass

I actually like the Stingray sound better than the P-bass. It's just so punchy but low. You are right, it has a VERY distinctive tone. Just like the old Ricks or Wal basses. You can always pick out a Music Man in the mix.

This video helped me decide to pull the trigger on an ultralight Stingray Special as a workhorse to protect my injured shoulder and neck.

Completely agree. Done around 1300 gigs with my 97 Stingray. An increadible tool. Here's the thing about Ernie Ball that a load of bass players don't understand, pre Ernie Ball is not the same as pre CBS Fender. Ernie Ball MM just got better & better unlike the shafting of Fender by CBS. Yeah sure, you may prefer the voicing of the old pre EB preamps, but the basses got better & more versatile. I've owned a bunch, including a pre EB 79, loved it too but my 97 was the keeper. Nice one PRJ 👍

I'm a guitar-player who bought a Sterling Stingray short-scale Bass and I absolutely love it. It's fun to play r&b, funk, motown, reggae and classic rock on bass. This Bass has exceeded my expectations. (also) played by Bernard Edwards /Chic and Paul Denman / Sade. oNe LovE from NYC

A fellow wielder of the BFR fretless. One of my favorites!

I have a 2004 SUB, for $800. Bought it, in 2005. It's a complete funk machine! To buy any MusicMan under a G, at that time, American-made, was unheard of! After I bought it, Ernie Ball discontinued those American-made SUB's. I'm glad I got one! It's that good. Still have it. I have a '62 P Bass Reissue, as well as a '62 Jazz Reissue. Love them all!

Agree!!! I have my #1 Bass and it's a Musicman Stingray. I have used this bass for the past 14 years on everything. I believe it's versatile and have a solid tone for days. Most of my videos on my channel feature this bass. I love it! Excellent content! I hope to see more videos. Have a Bless on my friend.

Got my Stingray new in '93 (same one you are playing in your '96 clip) and it'll stay with me for ever Build quality is insanely high, straight off the shelf. Even though it looks like a "simple" Fender-esque construction, it's perfectly excecuted up 'till the last detail I've had other basses since, because sometime you wanna try something new, but they never last. I always go back to the MM Even more important... the sound. It'll always cut through the mix, specially live, which is tough for most basses

Thank you so much for the time and effort creating this breakdown, it was very, verry helpful!

Absolutely love my EBMM BFR '22 short scale Stingray. It's beautiful, feels great playing it and I love its' tone.

When I bought my first bass I didn’t know what I wanted, or anything about basses or tone for that matter, so my friend came with, blindfolded me and handed me basses off the wall one after another. I ended up going with the pbass, (I knew it was the one after hearing the open e for the first time) but the only other bass I woulda bought that day was the stingray, but I couldn’t afford it at the time. 10 years later I’m touring the country with a stingray 5 HH special. You really can’t do much better before you start looking at having things custom made.

Dude. Props for your screen saver. Epic albums popping up. The bass is strong with this one.

I agree!!!! I have a Sterling by Music Man Ray 35 and didn't see the need to spend the extra money on USA StingRay-UNTIL I BOUGHT ONE!!!! My 2022 StingRay 5 HH Special is a PHENOMENAL BASS AND THE VERSATILITY IS OFF THE CHARTS!!!! It's the best multi-genre bass you can buy!!!

ooooo that fretless sub is a nice one for sure! i was not aware they made a fretless, very nice! After getting a fretless jazz i am tempted to defret a sterling sub bass if i can find one cheap enough. I love all of the musicman family and owning a bunch ,i never had a bad one that didn't set up well.

I’m whole heartedly agreeing with you here. I love the Fender precision and some of the other variants but to me the Stingray is far more versatile and just feels better in my hands not to mention the tone is far more to my liking. That being said, I’m surprised you don’t have a WARWICK in your collection because even though they’re expensive, they are very very good! Would love to know your thoughts on them. Great video!

Great video. I just got a gently used Peavey t-40 (black on black with maple neck). I saw your video on one and decided to get it.

I have 3 of them. Bought my first one new in 77 and I still have it. Natural finish, black pick guard, white pup. Came with flats, changed them out for round wounds, now back to flats. In 2018 bought a MM Special in charcoal grey sparkle. In 2020 bought a sunburst short scale. That's my go to now. Nice and light and fun to play.

I love these basses as well. The low end ones are set up nice and I love how you get super lows and the beautiful highs. A perfect blend of sound and most on a cheap price.

I just got a cheapo sterling Sub Ray 4. All I had to do with file and polish the sharp frets, give it a good setup, install strap locks, and…it’s a great bass! Fabulous value for the money.

Yes I do agree, I purchased my 5 String Sterling Bass and it truly has a Unique sound. One of the options that I like on this base is the five position toggle switch that you can perfect. The Bass is very versatile. I enjoyed playing it, especially at my Gospel venues it does the job perfectly.