Lefty used Stingray

[velalv]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Music-Man-Sting ... 2a190d710e

I know Stingrays can be found lefty because Musicman is a lefty friendly company, but isn't this kind of priced on the high side for a used stingray. Love the color and pickguard combo, and maple board. Maybe this was Frenchy's bass? Anyhow, I think it is a great looking bass.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

At first I thought it was my old bass (which had previously been owned by Andrew and bbl) but this one does not have the matching headstock.
The concept of selling a used bass for pretty much the price of a new one is a little odd in my opinion. For reference, I sold mine on this forum for $900. I really loved the look of this bass and it sounded great too but it did not fit in any of the music I play.
My only grievance with Stingrays is the infamous low G issue. It is only an issue with Ernie Ball MM and especially with the 3 band preamp, not with the pre-EB Stingrays. It can be mitigated by not scooping the mids too much.
If they were making the MM Classic in lefty, I would certainly buy one. Regardless, Ernie Ball is much more lefty friendly than Fender and give them credit for that.

[velalv]

I heard about the weak G string issue. At one point I had thought about getting the Sterling by Music Man or a cheapie Jazz and keeping it tuned BEAD. Would the string sound weak just because it's the last string, or would the alternative tuning render the weak last string a moot issue?

[Matt R.]

I don't know about the alternate tuning, but the weak G is absolutely a real issue. Every single SR4 I have owned had it. It's enraging.

[Retag]

The concept of selling a used bass for pretty much the price of a new one is a little odd in my opinion.

I guess you haven't looked at the market for left-handed Rickenbackers.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Yes but there are no more "new Rics" being produced, hence the speculation.

[glefty5]

Please explain more about this weak G problem. I haven't played my Sterling in 5 years & can't remember if it had any probs.

[Matt R.]

It's simply a drastic volume drop on the G string. I've experienced it on every SR4 I have played, and heard it live when others have played them.

People always say it's about EQ and string gauge, but I personally have had minimal success with those tweaks. I know how to EQ my gear, and it shouldn't be a pain in the ass to get even volume across all the strings.

Any good set of strings should be even. I use the same strings on my Fenders that I have used on SR4s. No problems with the Fender (or other basses for that matter).

I can get a Stingray EQ'd to where I love the tone, but I can't hear the G string worth a shit in a mix. It's a shame because I love those basses. They play, look and sound (75% anyway) amazing.

[glefty5]

Ok, thnx Matt, now I think I recall the same thing on the sterling & was told that it was due to the pole pieces in the pup being at different heights to simulate the fingerboard curvuture. I wonder if a pup change would cure it? Anyway, don't wanna hijack this thread! My bad n thnx.

[Matt R.]

I would imagine a change of electronics would cure it, but I've never tried. Still, SR4s are the best 3 string basses you can buy.

[pjmuck]

The weak G string is evident on EB Stingrays, but it was never a volume issue for me. My '97 'Ray It simply had this thin, anemic tonal voicing to it that did not seem to blend well with the other 3 strings, though truthfully it was most evident when slapping. Switching to a heavier gauge string did help somewhat, but not completely, and true, EQ didn't make a difference. Played finger style, it worked well enough. I think the Warwick Thumb exhibits the same problem, IMO. Weak, wimpy slap tone on the G string but acceptable when played finger style.

None of EB/Musicman's other basses I've played exhibit this problem (Bongo, Sterling).

[Matt R.]

Yeah, you actually described the problem exactly. I wish they would fix it. I'd really like another one someday.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Matt, I've never owned a SR5, was it also an issue with it?

[Matt R.]

No, the SR5 sounded great to me.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

Assuming they both have the same preamp it would come from the pickup then since the SR4 and SR5 have a different pickup