MattM

The SUBs are fantastic bang for the buck, I used to have a red one (sold to a Mr Jones of this parish) and managed to upgrade to an awesome late 80s 2EQ 'Ray. The SUB is definitely voiced a wee bit differently, probably down to the series wiring, but has got bags of cojones, and the 2EQ is as you know and love it. Great back up, or lower price alternative to a 2EQ 'Ray. If I was needing a fretted spare for gigging, a SUB is where I'd be looking.

Us Scots do do a good line in melancholia [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ3uIBCUqks[/media] [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mUmdR69nbM"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mUmdR69nbM[/url]

'Good Times' always works with non-bassheads "Where's that one from, sounds familar?" Like Brown-Eyed Girl, The Chain or a simple 12 bar walk in F.

+1, the Stingray appreciation society gains another member. Gorgeous looker in red with rosewood as well, the combo works big time. Clarky - if you're looking for a double bass sound mate, you NEED to try a 2EQ 'Ray, bass full on, treble off, play just at bottom of neck. Nails it like no other, and I've had P's in my time. Oh, and the neck spacings P like as well. You know you want to....

Can't make up my mind if this is a bitsa, or a major league transitional - query on listing already: [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260846114201&category=4713&_trksid=p5197.c0.m619"]2EQ ash Ray[/url] Mute bridge, metal battery cover, 6 bolter, no string-through and wheel-of-fortune truss. Nice all the same though, great price. I've come to the conclusion that anything other than a pre EB's gonna be a step down from my '88, however if anyone else wants the 2EQ 'Ray thing with a natural ash finish a la 'Nard, then this looks like a good place to start.

I've had rosewood (old SUB), maple (current 'Ray) and my fretless is Pau Ferro. The comment about softer feel is spot on, rosewood has definitely got a slightly grainier, warmer feel to it that glossy maple. The difference in sound I'd wager would be very, very slight only. I do feel that the glossy maple is slicker, and definitely aids playing quicker, but that's probably psychology on my part. The Pau Ferro is between the two, darker colour, harder but much lower level of lacquer, and is spot on for fretless work. I'd agree that a natural, maple is a great combo, invoking the spirit of 'Nard, but my black/maple is growing on me. Something like honeyburst, with a white plate and rosewood is very, very nice IMHO. Oh and black/rosewood, none more rock....

SUB 5, great 2EQ bang for the buck, trad 'Ray plate, oh and one for trade/PX : [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=94985&hl=musicman"]SUB 5[/url]

I would concur, kinda odd since I learnt on a Westone 25 years ago which was a P pickup, and have had a P Bass in my time, but the position of the pickup and the sound on a 'Ray just kinda works, particularly for fingerstyle. If you played in the same hand position on a P say, (ignoring the fact there's nowhere to rest your thumb) the sound wouldnt be half as good. I also find that the 'Ray (as others have said) is probably the most versatile bass in terms of sound/hand position if required. I can easily get a double bass kinda thing happening playing at the end of the neck, its also awesome for slapping, not that I am a slapper in any sense of the word... Y'know we should really formalise the Stingray Talliban thing, me, McNach and Gareth can do the Central Scotland branch for starters...

My best mate at schools brother was a bass player, now quite a famous UK bass builder, had a go on his old Westone Thunder One and was hooked. Splashed out on my own shortly afterwards at 15, learned guitar as well about a year later. Have gigged and recorded on both, but bass was my first love, still is. Have now found my way back to my grail bass, the 'Ray, after graduating through Westone, MIM P Bass, Steiny XL2 etc etc.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' post='1306043' date='Jul 16 2011, 05:52 PM']Lets hear the clips in your proposed thread mcnach it could be interesting. One thing the pre EB has over the others for me is that this Stingray tone we talk about is its natural tone compared to my others. Bass on full then adjust the treble like a P bass tone pot to suit your RH technique and its there instantly everytime. The SR4 3EQ can get close but its fiddly to nail it all the time so I just enjoy it as a different sound, Yet on the SR5 its good as it compliments the bass well IMO[/quote] This. I would say that I'd like to try a pre-EB and compare it with my '88, as having had the '88 a coupla months now, its just absolutely awesome. 2EQ, bass up full and adjust treble to taste (I prefer it about a nadge up from fully off), and you get instant full, natural 'Ray goodness. I can pretty much nail the John Deacon or 'Nard tone through my wee Roland Cube, if not the playing chops obviously. I also find the 3EQ works better with the fretless as being able to tweak the mid complements the fretless tone. Oh, and talking of the latter, if you want natural 2EQ goodness, I'll see you the Deacon and Pino YouTube clips and raise you this - tip 3.12 onwards for XXX 'Ray action

Look mom, no bass.... And with bass, possible the most...ahem...interestingly dressed YouTube bass player ever posted on here. Fur Dixon, I salute you...

If you want monster sustain, try an original Steinberger L2/XL2. My XL2 (sound much missed, if not the neck/ergonomics) was an absolute monster, could hold a note or harmonic 25 sec+. I used to wow guitarists, by doing a Nigel Tufnell-stylee "listen to the sustain on that" riff.....

Glad to hear you like it mate . There is definitely something uniquely brilliant about the 2EQ 'Ray sound, and the SUB is a brilliant bang-for-the-buck way of getting it. Enjoy....

Gareth's a top bloke, picked up and paid for bass spot on. I get the feeling this may not be his last 'Ray however......