What I Love and Hate About This Bass - Musicman Stingray 5 Bass Full Review
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Here is a full review of my Musicman Stingray 5 bass, including everything I love and hate about this bass.
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What do you think of this bass and what would like to see me review next? Leave a comment and let me know!
@johnpauljones6229
6 жыл бұрын
The Bass Wizard I love that color & headstock. My stingray 5 is basic black w/ maple neck & fingerboard. My favorite basses ever.
@kubilay1839
6 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video. It's great as always. My question is what do you think about marcus miller sire basses?
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
I've never tried one... but I have the Fender Marcus Miller bass and love it!
@KunkyFong
6 жыл бұрын
The Bass Wizard It's worth trying a wider strap, it'll spread the pressure from the weight of the bass and make your shoulder ache less.
@j-bird6563
6 жыл бұрын
I notice when talking about pulloffs you compared a 5 string musicman to a 4 string fender bass. Would that make any difference being one has a extra string? Never owned either of the two bass ,but play Ibanez 4 & 5 string. Just curious
I'm a drummer and i just love the stingray's sound, i think is the best of all.
@xavierarmendariz7155
3 жыл бұрын
Hearing a Stingray bass locking in with the drums is one of my favorite things on earth, hands down.
@ChipsA17
3 жыл бұрын
Same here.
@ChipsA17
3 жыл бұрын
@@xavierarmendariz7155 absolutely. Specially in person when you cab feel it in your body. So good.
I play a Stingray5 for many years now. Simply love it! Had the same thing with the G string coming off the fretboard. To solve this issue, I asked a luthier to replace the original plastic topnut with for a bone one with a slight adjustment of the spacing on the G string. Using a .45/135 gauge stringset the issue was resolved! Also the bone nut does increase tone quality and sustain compared to the plastic standard nut.
I had this bass in my hands today, I can't get it out of my head im in love
Thanks Marc for the review. Great video, great advice about to practice and keep it on, you are great... thumbs up.
Great video. Lots of good info not only on the bass, but at the 5 minute mark when you spoke on articulation, feel, and groove. Very cool. Thanks.
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you! I always try to make the reviews educational :)
First time I'm seeing any of your videos.. Very informative and very true what you mentioned about the 5 string stingray. I like the lick you did with the finger tapping chords and harmonics. Thanks for the video!
Hello Mark - Thank you for a very informative lecture on the Stringray5. You’ve answered a lot of questions for me! One question remains (for me). Does your bass have an ebony finger board, or is that just the lighting in this video? I LOVE ebony under my fingers, but I’m not that fond of rosewood. I have this same bass with a maple fingerboard. For me, that’s better than rosewood but still not as good as ebony. Cheers.
Hi Marc. The fretboard thing sl;iding off on the g string is something I can absolutely acknowledge. I just thought it was an adjustment thing on my particular instrument. Good to know it's not. But about the weight..I played a Fender Jazz from '74 for years wich was really heavy, but didn't know any better, it was my first serious bass. I could play that thing for hours without problems, though I kinda knew it was heavy. So when I finally got my MM5 it was quite light for me. Goes to show it's also a matter of perspective. Anyway, love this bass too for the same reasons you pointed out. Thanks!!
@db3546
4 жыл бұрын
My sentiments exactly..
I just tried this very bass out today and LOVED it! I have a G&L L2000 and am looking for something different to complement that. I was leaning toward a j-bass, but this one just has an awesome sound and feel. Are there any other basses that you would suggest I look at that might be comparable before I make my decision?
Amazing review man! Love it. I have a Sterling S.U.B Ray 4 and I’m in love with it forever. I just love the way that this instrument sound and how powerful is it, and in Live in the mix is always in front, I totally agree with You ❤️.
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you Nicolás!
Great review!
Thx for the great review
Great review and I would love to have that bass despite its downsides. On the G String coming off the fret board. Is it because it’s a 5 string? Of course, 5 strings take up more space on a fret board vs your Fender 4 string. Are there any other 5 string basses you may have or tested that doesn’t have the same prob?
Great Bass indeed! I have used mine since 1999 and it has held up in all weather at Disney and beyond. It can do all styles and cuts through...it has an exciting sound. I have two four strings, and three five strings...one of which is a Fretless 5. My fave is the Orange five string, with the earlier pickup magnet and electronics. My spare is newer and has a different magnet type. Rock on.
Amazing review.... Thanks.
Cool review, man, I have a StingRay 4 and it's one of my favourite basses so it was cool to learn the little tidbit about how the pickup was wired. Your 5-string looks really nice as well, a friend of mine has a 5-string as well and he's said the same thing about the weight
Hi. Great videos! Question to you. How you usually set treble for music man bass? Is it lot or not? What about treble for your amps? I'm stil looking good setup and sound for my bass... King regards
Hey, Marc - any ideas which bass may be alternative to heavy Stingray 5? Really love the sound - but I can't play basses heavier than 4 kg...
Hi Marc! Just curious what kind of pedals do you use if any?... could be a video idea.
What's the best string for stingray 5? Or what is your favorite kind of string? Flatwound, roundwound?
Great Video. Thanks to share with us your opinion about this bass! Please, do it more times.
good review, and sounding bass!!!
Nice review, thanks, who strings are you using?
sounds great man! any thoughts on the sterling sub 5 model of this?
Love how you showed off all the different sounds in a very musical way. Did you see the much lighter Stingray "special" EBMM just came out with? New pickups and EQ which apparently have all the old sounds plus more. Would love to hear your take on them.
I would just like to say you are the ONLY person I've ever seen that has enough attention to detail to notice the G string being too close to the edge of the fretboard. My Spector has the exact same issue and everyone I've ever mentioned it to has looked at me like I am too nitpicky. Just subscribed. I like your content.
Hello what is the color finish of your music man bass? Thanks.
Are you going to upgrade to the 2018 model since is is lighter?
Is it possible to tune it to EADGB instead of BEADG? The high b is more beneficial for me as I like to play high.
Hi, greart sound and skills, have you ever try the stingray5 from Sterling? have any comments, I have one and I love it. Whats your position about the "cheap" instruments.
Sir, you inspired me! You are the first bass player I haver ever looked up to! I want to be like you!
What do you usually have the three way switch set to?
Awesome Bass! I have the Special 5HH and love it. Will be getting a single H version soon!
thank you! great vid.
I’d like to see you review the Stingray 5HH! Thanks great review.
Great review, gave me lots to think about before buying a bass. 👍
Awesome gear review and explaining things. Are you using regular round wound strings? I use the heave EB Slinkys and enjoyed them. Would you use a lighter or tape wounds?
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
I am using stainless steel roundwounds, which are bright sounding. For the stingray tone and the type of playing I do, they are my favorite type of strings. I haven't tried tapewounds on it... they might be too warm and mellow sounding for my taste
Hey Marc - your review of this bass is spot on! I have a similar model but with a dual and single coil pickup combination; the tone just cuts right through. You're 100% correct to call out the weight of this beast. Right about at the 1 hour mark the shoulder pain is unbearable, even with a WIDE strap! Wondering if you can review some of the semi hollow body basses.
I have a similar model and immediately noticed the issue with the G-string sliding off the fretboard. To solve the issue, I had my nut replaced with a custom one and now the G-string is a bit more centered, just enough to have it not slide accidentely off the board while playing.
I play also a Stingray 5 string . To me the sound of a Stingray is very unique and special. Sometimes maybe too special. For just "Bass" I prefer Jazz Basses. But I love to hear the Sound of the Stingray! My favorite "Stingray- Player" is Tony Levin. My recommendation: Peter Gabriel "So" on Vinyl of course ;-) And of course Pino Palladino on Stingray Fretless.
Awesome bass, the thing with the g string being close to the end of the frets, its something you can definitely get used to, i had a schecter stiletto 5 with the exact problem, but you do adapt to it
Hope for a review of the Fender Ultra Jazz Bass 5 String..It would be nice to know your opinion between both the Fender Ultra Jazz Bass 5 String & Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 5 Bass in comparison..Thank You @BassWizard
Nice Sound and clean technique for 5 strings. What sort of strings do you use?
Nice Stingray I love that color, I have a 4 string HH Stingray, does the Single H sound better than the HH in the 5 string? I’m really considering getting a 5 string Stingray but not sure to go HH or single H..
Excellent review. I've used a mm sr 5 for about 14yrs now mainly and can attest to the weight. To me though i find it a plus as that means to me that the wood is substantial and the beast feels like a force to be reckoned with. Which it is. It may kill my back but I like that. The G sting falling off the fret board took some getting used to and I agree.not the best attribute of this bass. Not just on pull offs but playing in general. Thanks for explaining the pickup switch. I've always used the back setting and found it articulate when playing hard rock/metal so left it there. May be experimenting with the front setting again/more as youve subjectively showed the differences. Thank you for that.
Wich one do you like the best, this stingray or the shecter that you have?
Great review. Have you checked out the lighter Stingray Specials?
I think it's a great looking bass mark I hope to learn how to play a bass some day keep the great work dude 😊
I have tried this bass several times, but it seems not to do for me. Maybe it is because I am used to such very dynamic passive basses as the Jazz Bass and the Rickenbacker, but I just will not find the Music Man dynamic enough, because its pick-up just want to keep on pushing out it all, all the time. It must be because it is an active hum bucker. However, it must work perfectly when playing Heavy Metal or Rock-Funk (which I do too, but with the Precision and Jazz bass)
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
Its definitely a very unique sound that you'll either love or hate. And while I do love it, I agree that its not suited for everything.
Nice modern tone. When bass is priced $800 and above, you know what to expect. I remember thinking for so long in the music store many years ago between this bass (Ray /Asia version) vs. Fender Jazz bass . I purchased the J bass in the end but It was a real tough fight. Maybe my next bass would be this.
Great video, thanks. I pull the G off the side of my Jazz bass all the time!
What si song played in chord section
Hi Marc, I've got one of these which was made in 2000 and with you 100% on your views on this bass, killer low B, great action and never gets lost in the mix. Getting a 3 inch wide strap really helps with the weight issue. I recently got my hands on a Sadowsky Metro RV5 bass and IMHO it does what the Stingray 5 can do and more, the playability and the Sadowsky pickups & preamp are top shelf, and you won't have the issue on the G string. I'd love to hear your opinion of the Sadowsky bass, I don't think you would find any negatives. cheers, Mik
Beautiful review 👌🏿 Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
Well, it may sound great, but what kind of amp do you use? any pedals thru it too?
You probably hear this a lot, but have you tried playing with a wider strap? It went a long way when I switched to the wider dimarzio cliplock strap.
I agree w/you. I have a Stingray 4-string, a Slo-Special, and it's very heavy. I love the tone and power of the active setup, but not the weight.
Yes..... Love hearing 'If you wan't me to stay'.
i love the stingray 5 alnico the most, great bass! If you want to make this bass lighter, swap the tuners for ultra light hipshot ones. The different in weight at the end of the headstock makes a UGE difference hanging around your neck. And after that, if you are not satisfied yet, you can replace the tonecontrols for plastic fender-ish ones. Makes a big different again. I understand your weightissue, it can ruin the party after a few ours playing. Keep up the groove!
Love my Stingray 5!! Great review; subscribed. I can even get a tone like a Ric by putting pickup in series mode and using a pick by the end of the neck. Never noticed the G string fretting out because I do not typically use that technique but that is a legit complaint. Mine is average weight; I was doing 3 and 4 set gigs and the weight did not bother me too much.
Having had the opportunity to tour or perform the globe, studio work at Paisley Park studios, to global tours with various artists I can honestly say I don't think I've seen a better review or style, what a pleasure to enjoy your work, clear, precise and too the point, thank you I really enjoyed it..Doosie Ward
I'm the original owner of my 2001 EB Musicman Piezo V. I do own others but they each have Own Voice"/ identify. I've had some folks say they didn't like them but, I bought this for it's voicing for ME, Not Them. The Piezo when adjusted nicely adds more character. I've had other SRV's but have kept this the longest. I'm still trying to learn why the other sounded different and if I can dial in the previous sounds. Your technique is Very Nice. Thanks for producing your video. I had just last week put it in Letgo for sale after tweaking the "BassMods" Maurice Fitzgerald 5 with Aguilar electronics and I guess original dual coil per string pickups. Both basses are heavy but vibrate Good. Hmm👼🤔 Thanks, Be Blessed!👍🙏🎻🔊💒
You should try a Erin Ball Music Man sterling bass it's a smaller body. I have two and they are awesome especially during long gigs.
The neck is top heavey twist neck up or shim it?
Thanks for the vid bro! Awesome review of the stingray. I agree so much about the weight and the G string pulloff issue. Hopefully Ernie Ball views this vid for beta on improvement!
Great review! G string problem is one of the reason why I sold my MM 5 many years ago, when I started digging seriously with slap technique in my routine studying. I heard about other bass players complaining about this, and I'd like Music Man resolve this issue, which is quite annoying. Otherwise, it is a great bass in my opinion.
I've always been a 4 string guy, looking at 5 strings now. All of the MM Stingrays I've played had a P bass neck width and feel (roughly). Does your 5 string MM feel similar in neck width to a 5 string Jazz bass, or more of a P bass sting spacing? Buying a 5 string for my wife, and we're both 4 string jazz bass fans, so looking for something with a realativly 5 string jazz bass like nut width, but want to venture out of the jazz bass tone a bit. Really love that stingray tone.
@BlackNo2
5 жыл бұрын
String spacing in this bass and mm 5 string basses in general is very comfy. At the nut the spacing is very similar to a standard fender p 4 string or a fender j 5 string. At the bridge, the spacing is narrower than a 5 string fender, but slightly wider than an Ibanez Soundgear 5 string. As a 5 string bass, MM make some of the best tensioned 5ers, no slop if you have to tremolo pick the B, making this thing very versatile as opposed to fender's 5th strings' tension, those are a bit softer and harder to get punchy sounds from a B or drop A. It's also a great substitute for the jazz bass and has a quicker action. In my opinion it's like a refined fender bass that filled the void that the p and j basses couldn't. I play p and j basses simply out of nostalgia, but the Ray is always my go to bass, even when I try to convince myself that p bass is the most appropriate bass, I wind up grabbing the Ray 5. The 4 string Ray, by the way, is a bit more aggressive than the Ray 5, but that's what makes the Ray 5 a great versatile bass, it's a bit jazzier sounding while retaining that aggressive stingray punch. I think you'd love this instrument if you're into j basses
Do more reviews, that was awesome!!
On that bass is the pickup alnico or ceramic?
I always thoght that the classic wiring of the MM Pickup was always PARALLEL...
oh snap and your tapping is sweet!
So...whats it usually like under the pickguard? Is there usually a cavity around the pickup? Thinking about getting a Sterling version of the 5 string.
@dannellim11
5 жыл бұрын
There's no cavity under the pickguard, just enough space for the pickup to rest in and stay in position.
@davidhollowelljr949
5 жыл бұрын
@@dannellim11 dope. Bless you.
Nice playing. I did not hear a bad sound out of it. My StingRay 5 HH weighs 10 1/2 lbs. With the G string being close to edge a bit unfair to compare a 5 string to 4 string but the G is close to the edge. The StingRays 5's now being built in 2018 weigh about 9 1/2 lbs according to EB
Great video thanks. I encountered the same issue with the G string. I think Stingrays are of legendary sound and quality but it's really just a one trick pony soundwise. I got fed up after all these years and looked for similar sounding basses, although not as harsh and clanky. But you are totally right, the sound is in your hands principally. You can play jazz etc. with a Stingray too etc. of course.
great review again. I own a 2000 SR5 H, black / maple, ceramic PUs. Killer tone and utterly versatile. heavy though, ( as is my 2007 SR 4H ...looking to upgrade to a SR 5H Special Black soon as they're lighter and I hear just good things about the new 18v pre amp and PUs . What year is your SR5 here ???
Dang! I've been playing my Stingray 5 since the mid 90's. I always thought it weird that the G would slip of the fingerboard. I thought it was just mine.... As far a weight goes, I switched to a nice wide soft leather strap, and that helped a lot. Nice video!
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
At first I thought it was just mine too, it seems like an odd issue to have been done purposefully across the board!
Hi Marc, great review and playing! I'm curious - what does this bass actually weigh? I know everyone has their own tolerances when it comes to weight but it would be interesting to know! Thanks.
nice, what mic are you using?
Couldn't agree more with you, with regard the pulling off to the open G String! Been playing my 5 string stingray for 3.5 years now and that is the only thing I would change!!
Do you have a review on the schecter
As always, I play guitar but I found this very informative. I finally understand what people mean when they say it's all in the hands!
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
Thank you!
Have you looked into the Gruv Gear's duo Strap? Really Helps out with the weight issue. before: 40 min. Afterwards: 3 hours + and never get tired. Drummer quit before I did.
My 'ray 4 and 5 are my main live basses. I've had more than a couple of sound guys say something like " oh a Stingray...I know what to do with that".
Have you considered a dual strap such as GruvGear's DuoStrap? I have read that it can help a lot with heavy basses!
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
I'm not familiar with it... I'll check it out! Thank you!
I was wondering if the G string problem (11:43) is a specific problem on 5 string Stingray basses. Maybe somebody with a 4 string Stingray can compare.
Stingray sounds amazing and powerful ! In next review i want to see your schecter hellraiser.
I have the same bass.... I love it for the great and unique sound.... low B for me is the best 5th string on an industrial instrument that costs around 2000€ powerful but really balanced with the others.... same problem with the G string, also the B string is very close to the border of the neck, furthermore string spacing is 16.5mm and I needed some adjustment to get used to, especially in the slap technique coming from a jazz bass 4 strings (string spacing 19mm) one last thing the volume knob position in my opinion is not very confortable when I use double thumbing because my hand collides with it... anyhow if you love this sound, you'll find it only in a "ray" bass...
Hi Marcelo,,,would love you to do a review on SHCECTER STUDIO 4 HONEY SATIN ACTIVE,as always great vidS,thank you.
The round Musicman stock bass bridges are shit....are there any direct replacement upgrades that are direct bolt on? Kluson, Leo Quan maybe or others? I own a MM 5 string. Love your insight.
I have the OLP 5 string version of this bass. For the money, I love it.
I'm noticing your low setup on both basses, especially the Marcus 4 string. I would love to see what your thoughts and methods for bass setups and playing styles. I always struggle with setting up my bass for slap and fingerstyle and trying to find that medium. Thanks!
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
Great suggestion! The action on this one actually isn't that low, you'd be surprised. It's definitely not as low as the Marcus 4 string. That one is super low because I mostly use it for slap.
Nice! I've spoken to a couple of bassist in my local area who sold theirs, because they thought it was 'too much'. I.e. too forceful in the mix. Has anyone else made that observation? Cutting through the mix is the whole idea w. Stingrays after all, so it seems like a paradoxical point.
@bernardjharmsen304
4 жыл бұрын
Cutting through vs 'sitting' in the mix. Eg, Flea vs Tony Levin, both Stingray players. Stingrays are not really a 'blending' instrument like P bass with a bass tone that comfortably occupies the lower frequencies and marries well with the kick drum in a mix
What are you playing at 9:54? Could you tab that out?
Hey Marc, do you have a finicky neck on your bass? What I mean is this: My Sting Ray, depending on the weather will go in and out of tune until the weather is right, or it adjusts itself. (kinda wierd isn't it)? Each time I'm about to play it, I would have to let it settle in the room for a while before playing.
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
I haven't had that issue... seems odd. If I go through extreme weather changes (especially from humid to dry climates) then it does affect the action, but that will happen with any bass. The tuning on it has been rock solid though!
@fabiodandrea4951
6 жыл бұрын
It happens to me, a lot, and it's very annoying. It forces me to continuosly adjust the neck tension via the trussrod. May I ask if yours has a rosewood or a maple fretboard? I think that could be it. I have friends who own a similar bass but with rosewood fretboard and they describe it as the most stable bass ever.
That's very good review! You have the experience to tell what's good and what's not. And it's true that there isn't perfect instrument. But that Musicman sound.. those discoriffs.. I just love it. Also single coil with slap bass sound good. I have been thinking also 5 string fender jazzbass with active/passive pickups. But I'm not sure. With this thing you can also get close (enough?) to that classic bridgepickup sound. But yes.. jazz bass has it's thing. Doesn't get through the mix that easily. Do people play jazz with Musicman? Maybe the reason for that is, that it lacks intonation a little bit too much for jazz. I hate the fact that you just need both. 😅
Great vid Marc! But as far as this bass being heavy goes, I've got a suggestion for you! Have you ever tried one of those comfort straps with the built in foam cushioning? They really do make a difference! My MM is heavy too and I used to play 3 hour sets while wearing one with no fatigue problems whatsoever (and I had a shoulder surgery some years ago). But I actually like heavy basses. It kind of makes me think that it's of better quality and that it's made out of fine wood. Now, I know that these days there are awesome instruments made out of graphite or lighter quality woods, but since I've been playing for so long, it's kind of ingrained in my head that heavier means better (which was definitely true in the old days). Plus, since I play both bass and guitar, the heaviness of a bass kind of tells my body & brain to get into bass mode, especially when I quickly change from one instrument to the other. lol
They just came out with the new version! Over a pound lighter weight. Nice review.
Marc what’s your thoughts on Ibanez basses.. maybe a review is in order:) I love the tone of Bartolini pickups and the necks on their basses are fast and easy to play!
@TheBassWizard
6 жыл бұрын
I haven't played one in years, but I'll see if I can get one for a review! Thanks for the suggestion!
@alonana2008
6 жыл бұрын
Hi Marc try to do a review about the ibanez sr5000
@tony89merc
6 жыл бұрын
You wanna play a Heavy Bass???? Pick up a Pevey T-40 .... I have two...
@Kraz3e987
6 жыл бұрын
tony89merc I had a t40 really liked the sound it was the closest I could get to a Ricky. I eventyally sold it because the pickups clipped alot and it was too damn heavy!! My shoulders were done after playing it at church. And lugging it around was no fun either. It was a real beaut too, black finish with mirror pick guard.
@johnnybgood9095
5 жыл бұрын
One sure thing about Ibanez basses is that you will not hate them for their weight
I like your technique especially the left hand muting.