Music Man Stingray differences

[Bihari Botond]

Hi.
First of all, I own two of the 3 band EQ Music Man Stingray both with maple fretboard, one is from 1995 and the other one is from 2002 ( matching headstock)
The one is from 1995 is very close to me, the sound exactly how I think the stingray should sound, but the 2002 version is a bit harsh, and the strings are a bit dull even if they are new, don't have that nice shiny bright sounds, especially the open E string slap Sound annoying me. The setup is pretty much the same on the two basses, and also tried 3 set of new string (nickel plated and stainless steel) in the past month just to compare them, and find out if I had simply bad strings on it. The nut is correct, frets are in very good shape, pickup height is correct ( tried lower and higher) , no loose screws or hardwares, battery changed. The difference is there even when I play unplugged and also the neck doesn't feel that good like on my 95 one. Is there any suggestion from you or maybe I just skipped something important or this is a real difference between two bass which are the same one but not the same year. I would really appreciate any comment or help. Thanks
I also attache a photo from each bass just in case

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

What exactly is your question ?

 

[ModuMan]

Sell the 2002, problem solved.

As for tangible differences, the 90's necks are arguably nicer. They sure look nicer, anyway. Might be the answer, might not. Not sure where the demarcation is with alnico/ceramic magnets with these. But if you have one that is doing it for you and one, otherwise identical, bass that isn't, why keep both?

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Functionally almost the same exact bass, same exact preamp, same exact pickups, fret wire same size, and neck the same scale and number of bolts.

only difference is the 2002 is probably a true wax neck finish and the 95 is a glossy neck finish, the bridges are different but only cause the mutes.

my guess is pretty good I think it’s cause 90s stingray bodies had more options iirc. I think in the 2000s it’s exclusively ash bodies, where as in the 90s they would have done all their solid finishes on an alder body.


I would love to have the mutes on my 3eq stingray! Mines a 2005, so no mutes. I feel like my 2005 is pretty mellow though, but I have the pickup very close to the strings.

 

[Wood and Wire]

On paper, they should be identical.

Were they both bought new, or second hand (always the possibility that a previous owner did something under the hood).

Presumably you've made these comparisons with both instruments pre-amps set in the centre detents?

In practice, it's wood, so it's somewhat inconsistent.

Many will tell you that the characteristic tone of an individual instrument resides in the neck (The body not really contributing much).

The 90's bass has a highly figured maple neck. The 00's bass does not (figured wood is supposedly less stable, but does that really affect the tone...?).

I can imagine that the 90's neck having a high gloss finish, could make it have a marginally brighter acoustic tone, reflected off the fingerboard - but that would not translate into the electrical signal, and seems to be the opposite of what you're experiencing.

 

[drTSTingray]

I would try some roundwound Elixir strings - maybe raise the action slightly on the 2002 to give the strings more room to ‘breathe’ - a tweak of the truss Rod should do it.

Conversely put some EB Cobalt flats on the 2002 and turn it into a thumpy funk machine (but still good for slapping).

You may also think about the EQ setting on the amp when using the 2002.

Your trans red bass likely has an alder body and your honeyburst an ash body - people argue relentlessly on here that body wood makes no difference - it definitely does on a Stingray - the alder will be slightly warmer sounding - that is probably the difference you’re hearing.

 

[Bihari Botond]

Thanks for your time and answers. I will try different type of strings. I think the wood makes the difference.

 

[Mrtoodamnsabre]

Thanks for your time and answers. I will try different type of strings. I think the wood makes the difference.

yeah I got an alder body Sabre with a super glossy neck and it’s the warmest sounding bass I have. You play it acoustically and you can’t hear most notes, it’s kinda crazy. I think the glossy necks are actually less bright too

I’d also headphone both of them, as sometimes people can start to hone into frequencies they don’t like and start hearing things, especially with stuff with a lot of volume

 

[Wood and Wire]

I can imagine that the 90's neck having a high gloss finish, could make it have a marginally brighter acoustic tone, reflected off the fingerboard - but that would not translate into the electrical signal, and seems to be the opposite of what you're experiencing.

Actually, thinking about it, I think they stopped doing gloss necks in 1993, so your '95 ought to have the same oil & wax finish as your '02.

 

[Cambo351]

I didn't think my questions deserved a new thread...

Years ago I bought an '88 fretless StingRay, 3-band EQ, and it just sounded amazing, the tone was HUGE and fat and just punched through everything, it was really amazing. The problem was I couldn't play a fretless in tune & sing at the same time, so it had to go...

I traded it for a '95 fretted StingRay in sunburst, 2-band EQ, and it while it was an awesome playing bass, it never sounded as good as the fretless '88, I tried lots of things, eventually putting in a Seymour Duncan (at the time Basslines) pickup and 3-band EQ, the one with the stacked bass/treble + mid, and it was still lacking. Just didn't seem to have the same balls, was a bit clangy, just not as wow as the '88

Then I got a '01 fretted StingRay5, and the tone was pretty close to that '88 fretless, if you played with the EQ and switch position. Aside from the fretted/fretless difference, overall it was quite similar, lots of balls, big huge sound, and punchy. I was happy with the tone, so I sold the '95... kept the StingRay5.

Years later I regretted selling the '95... then a '93 popped up, in the exact same vintage sunburst, rosewood board, black pickguard & even the mismatched hipshot extender like my old '95. But this one an original 3-band. Anyway I had to have it!

And as you can probably guess, it doesn't have the same oomph as the StingRay5, and therefore the old '88 fretless... so I'm bummed out here.

Additionally the pickup seems way more microphonic than the 5, and there seems to be some grounding problem, I get a hum/buzz when I'm not touching the strings/knobs/etc. It was even worse at first with a loud buzz if touching one of the poles on the pickup. I opened it all up, no shielding in it at all, so I added some shielding under the pickup, under the controls, ran a wire from the pickup cavity to the control cavity, grounding the plate to the shielding to the pickup via the springs. It got rid of the buzz when touching the pole piece but there is still a buzz when you aren't touching anything metal on the instrument.

So yeah I'm just wondering...

What was so special about that '88?

What is wrong with this '93 i've got now?

 

[Bihari Botond]

I didn't think my questions deserved a new thread...

Years ago I bought an '88 fretless StingRay, 3-band EQ, and it just sounded amazing, the tone was HUGE and fat and just punched through everything, it was really amazing. The problem was I couldn't play a fretless in tune & sing at the same time, so it had to go...

I traded it for a '95 fretted StingRay in sunburst, 2-band EQ, and it while it was an awesome playing bass, it never sounded as good as the fretless '88, I tried lots of things, eventually putting in a Seymour Duncan (at the time Basslines) pickup and 3-band EQ, the one with the stacked bass/treble + mid, and it was still lacking. Just didn't seem to have the same balls, was a bit clangy, just not as wow as the '88

Then I got a '01 fretted StingRay5, and the tone was pretty close to that '88 fretless, if you played with the EQ and switch position. Aside from the fretted/fretless difference, overall it was quite similar, lots of balls, big huge sound, and punchy. I was happy with the tone, so I sold the '95... kept the StingRay5.

Years later I regretted selling the '95... then a '93 popped up, in the exact same vintage sunburst, rosewood board, black pickguard & even the mismatched hipshot extender like my old '95. But this one an original 3-band. Anyway I had to have it!

And as you can probably guess, it doesn't have the same oomph as the StingRay5, and therefore the old '88 fretless... so I'm bummed out here.

Additionally the pickup seems way more microphonic than the 5, and there seems to be some grounding problem, I get a hum/buzz when I'm not touching the strings/knobs/etc. It was even worse at first with a loud buzz if touching one of the poles on the pickup. I opened it all up, no shielding in it at all, so I added some shielding under the pickup, under the controls, ran a wire from the pickup cavity to the control cavity, grounding the plate to the shielding to the pickup via the springs. It got rid of the buzz when touching the pole piece but there is still a buzz when you aren't touching anything metal on the instrument.

So yeah I'm just wondering...

What was so special about that '88?

What is wrong with this '93 i've got now?

Hi. I had the same problem with a 95 Stingray. There is a ground wire under the bridge which didn't touch the bridge.

 

[mikeswals]

My 93 SR5 has an oil/wax neck, and its not figured either, just a plain jane.

In 2001 MM announced every standard model going forward would be ash only. Before that it was either ash, alder or poplar.
My 93 SR5 is hands-down the best sounding SR5 I've played, its warm and full on the bottom end. As a plain jane black & maple I can pretty much guarantee its a poplar body.

 

[amper]

At one point, I owned a 1995, a 2000, and a 2002. There were virtually identical in feel and sound. I kept the 2000, sold the others. The 1995 had the transitional bridge (big bridge, no mutes), the 2000 had the smaller bridge with piezo, the 2002 had the smaller bridge with no piezo.

 

[amper]

people argue relentlessly on here that body wood makes no difference - it definitely does on a Stingray

People can argue all they want, but the fact is there is a difference. I’d be happy to play either alder or ash, but I prefer ash. The tone is more pleasing to me, and the appearance of the grain is, too, which makes a huge difference on transparent finishes. The difference between alder and ash is minor, but it’s distinct.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Thanks for your time and answers. I will try different type of strings. I think the wood makes the difference.

I would try some roundwound Elixir strings - maybe raise the action slightly on the 2002 to give the strings more room to ‘breathe’ - a tweak of the truss Rod should do it.

Conversely put some EB Cobalt flats on the 2002 and turn it into a thumpy funk machine (but still good for slapping).

You may also think about the EQ setting on the amp when using the 2002.

Your trans red bass likely has an alder body and your honeyburst an ash body - people argue relentlessly on here that body wood makes no difference - it definitely does on a Stingray - the alder will be slightly warmer sounding - that is probably the difference you’re hearing.

People can argue all they want, but the fact is there is a difference. I’d be happy to play either alder or ash, but I prefer ash. The tone is more pleasing to me, and the appearance of the grain is, too, which makes a huge difference on transparent finishes. The difference between alder and ash is minor, but it’s distinct.

Now I have a better understanding of what the OP was asking.

Im in agreement with the body woods being the difference. Those with a discerning ear will also recognize the difference between fingerboard woods as well.

3 of my StingRay Specials have ash bodies . I notice the biggest difference in the lows and low mids. Ash has a tighter bass response . But it also makes the trebles sing and pop out in a way that is more subdued on my other Special. This 4th StingRay Special is only listed as select hardwood. From my years of experience, I can tell it’s not ash or poplar. I’d be willing to bet it’s alder. If I’m wrong , then I’d say Okume or Basswood. His bass is light and resonant but it has deep rich lows and low mids . Less punch . More warmth.

I owned an ash/ ebony that was very even across all registers with good clarity and note separation. But it lacked warmth and the notes had that piano like bloom and sustain. I play with a lot of palm muting so I passed this one on.
The more I talk this combo, the more I’m considering revisiting it. I bet and ebony Fretless would be a remarkable instrument .

 

[Wood and Wire]

I didn't think my questions deserved a new thread...

Years ago I bought an '88 fretless StingRay, 3-band EQ, and it just sounded amazing, the tone was HUGE and fat and just punched through everything, it was really amazing. The problem was I couldn't play a fretless in tune & sing at the same time, so it had to go...

I traded it for a '95 fretted StingRay in sunburst, 2-band EQ, and it while it was an awesome playing bass, it never sounded as good as the fretless '88, I tried lots of things, eventually putting in a Seymour Duncan (at the time Basslines) pickup and 3-band EQ, the one with the stacked bass/treble + mid, and it was still lacking. Just didn't seem to have the same balls, was a bit clangy, just not as wow as the '88

Then I got a '01 fretted StingRay5, and the tone was pretty close to that '88 fretless, if you played with the EQ and switch position. Aside from the fretted/fretless difference, overall it was quite similar, lots of balls, big huge sound, and punchy. I was happy with the tone, so I sold the '95... kept the StingRay5.

Years later I regretted selling the '95... then a '93 popped up, in the exact same vintage sunburst, rosewood board, black pickguard & even the mismatched hipshot extender like my old '95. But this one an original 3-band. Anyway I had to have it!

And as you can probably guess, it doesn't have the same oomph as the StingRay5, and therefore the old '88 fretless... so I'm bummed out here.

Additionally the pickup seems way more microphonic than the 5, and there seems to be some grounding problem, I get a hum/buzz when I'm not touching the strings/knobs/etc. It was even worse at first with a loud buzz if touching one of the poles on the pickup. I opened it all up, no shielding in it at all, so I added some shielding under the pickup, under the controls, ran a wire from the pickup cavity to the control cavity, grounding the plate to the shielding to the pickup via the springs. It got rid of the buzz when touching the pole piece but there is still a buzz when you aren't touching anything metal on the instrument.

So yeah I'm just wondering...

What was so special about that '88?

What is wrong with this '93 i've got now?

Well, I was going to say that it seems like you're more of a fan of the inherent tone of the 3 band EQ, rather than the 2 band. But it seems from your description that the source of the difference was elsewhere.

Do you know what the finger board was on the fretless?

I don't really think the finger board wood makes a consistently identifiable characteristic difference to the electrical signal, with regards to fretted instruments.

But the very fact that you're referencing a fretless (and from memory), and comparing it to a fretted example, is going to have a pronounced difference, and the finger board on a fretless has a greater influence.


Anyway, none of that is why I responded...


I was recently going through some old drawers, round at my parents house, and found hundreds of crayon, and felt tip pen drawings I'd done from about age 4, to around 6 years old.

Apparently I had quite the fixation with...

...shall we say, cats (and it seems noughts & crosses).


Just wanted to say I appreciate your avatar.

 

[Les Fret]

Thanks for your time and answers. I will try different type of strings. I think the wood makes the difference.

And did it work out after a year? And Did you keep both Stingrays?

 

[Bihari Botond]

And did it work out after a year? And Did you keep both Stingrays?

I sold both of them. One day i will buy one again