The Ultimate Music Man USA StingRay Shootout

All information about the video follows below ↓ ↓ ↓


I’ve felt for a while that I owe both you—and myself—this video. After previously recording an in-depth comparison of P and Jazz basses, this follow-up has been lingering in my mind. I kept postponing it because bringing together six StingRay basses that truly deserve to be compared seemed nearly impossible.
But now feels like the perfect moment. I’ve finally managed to organize a lineup of exceptional instruments, each with its own unique character.They represent the different eras of Music Man’s evolution, showcasing the changes made to the StingRay over time.
My only regret is not being able to include a Pre-Ernie Ball model. Still, the Classic from 2010 captures much of that vintage tone, so I believe it fills the gap quite well.

These are the 6 participants:

1989 2EQ......................4.0kg / 8.8lbs
2EQ Preamap & Alnico pickup, Contoured body, Large mute bridge, Rosewood fingerboard, 21 frets, Bullet truss rod, 4 bolt neck plate.

1989 3EQ.......................4.0kg / 8.8lbs
Born as a fretless for 1989 NAMM, 3EQ Preamap & Alnico pickup, Contoured body, Large mute bridge, Pao Fero fingerboard, 21 frets, Bullet truss rod, 4 bolt neck plate.

1992 3EQ.......................4.5kg / 9.9lbs
3EQ Preamap & Alnico pickup, Contoured body, Large mute bridge, Maple fingerboard, 21 frets, Wheel truss rod, 6 bolt neck plate.

2005 3EQ.......................4.2kg / 9.2lbs
3EQ Preamap & Alnico pickup, Contoured body, Down-Sized no mute bridge, Rosewood fingerboard, Compensated nut, 21 frets, Wheel truss rod, 6 bolt neck plate.

2010 Classic...................4.8kg / 10.6lbs
2EQ Preamap & Alnico pickup, Slab body, Large mute bridge & strings through body, Birds eye maple neck & fingerboard, 21 frets, Based on Pre-EB, like new Retro'70s, except 6 bolt neck plate & wheel truss rod

2018 Special.....................4.0kg / 8.8lbs
18 Volt-3EQ Preamap & Neodymium pickup, New reshaped contoured body, Lightweight tuners & hardware, Down-Sized bridge with no side bolts, Roasted maple neck & Ebony fingerboard, Compensated nut, 22 frets, Wheel truss rod, 5 bolt neck plate with sculpted neck joint.

Recording chain: Music Man StingRay bass - Peterson StroboStomp tuner - Origin Effects Cali76 Bass Compressor - Radial JDI D.I. box - Focusrite Scarlet 2i2 audio interface - D.A.W.
For Compressor setup, see the video at 19:30.
SAME STRINGS on all bass guitars - Elixir Nickel Plated Steel Nanoweb Coated 45-100

00:00 Introduction
01:11 Fingerstyle with backing track
03:04 Fingerstyle NO backing track
10:08 Slap with backing track
12:00 Slap NO backing track
13:44 Pick with backing track
15:26 Pick No backing track
17:00 Fingerstyle different EQ
19:30 Signal Chain

Many thanks to my friends for their help:
Vlada   / gobliniofficial  
Nesha   / nenad.vojnovic  
Filip   / grubadur_  

What should I say at the end as a conclusion?

The StingRay has been close to my heart ever since I first laid eyes on one as a kid. I love them all, but each one has its own characteristics. The model has evolved—sometimes in ways that felt right, sometimes less so, depending on your taste and priorities. As for me, I think that the evolution in the "good direction" lasted until around 1995 when all the specifications were at their peak, and You could choose between 2 or 3 EQ preamp. Of course, the weight always depends on the piece, as does the sound in relation to the specific piece of wood. When they first reduced the bridge and removed the mutes in 1995, as far as I'm concerned, the development went in the wrong direction.
Today's standard model - Special is the pinnacle of evolution, with many modern solutions and materials. When it first appeared in 2018, all the shortcomings of its predecessor were removed, like unstable neck, too much weight, weak G strings, string mismatch and pickup pole pieces etc. New preamp was introduced with a different technology and a different pickup material - neodymium.
If I could build my dream StingRay, it would blend the best of both eras: the ergonomic body and roasted neck of the Special, paired with a classic Alnico pickup, 2-band EQ, and the old-school bridge with mutes. Until then, my favorite remains the one from the 1991-1995, because in that period You could buy the same one as my 1989 but with Wheel truss rod, and still have the large big old mute bridge and 2 band EQ.

Which StingRay from this test spoke to you the most? What’s your idea of the “Perfect Ray”? Let me know in the comments below—I’m excited to hear your thoughts.

This video is NOT sponsored by any of the brands mentioned!
Virtual Tips to keep this channel going: https://paypal.me/ObradLacarac
If You liked this video, Share, Like and Subscribe to my YouTube Channel !
  / ___obra___