The Music Man StingRay: A Short History
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- Опубликовано: 17 мар 2022
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Special thanks to Andertons for the StingRay demo clips:
www.andertons.co.uk/
Special thanks to Jessie from Ish Guitars for the loan of his original 1977 StingRay. A Final Cut Crash robbed me of the time to squeeze it in here but I love working with the guys from Ish and I'll be you would too:
ish.guitars/
As a life long fan of Tony Levin's playing it was only a matter of time before I made the Short History of the Music Man StingRay. I distinctly remember hearing his playing on the Gabriel records and thinking "WHAT is that bass sound!?!"
This one took longer because it was more of a ground up research project but I hope I hit the highlights. If I missed anything big, I hope you can fill me in.
I hope you like it. All the best,
Keith
A very special "thank you" to my "super friend" level patrons on Patreon:
Perry M.
Bill S.
Piush D.
Rick B. 
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Fascinating as usual Hypes! I always learn something about the instruments I own when I watch your videos. Btw, I love my 5 String Stingray. I need to play it more.
If anyone in the world needs to hear "More music; less gear", it's you, Rick!
love ya Beato!
@@dougrobinson8602 - you know that's just a green screen, right?
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
(Joking! Totally joking!!)
Yeah you should! When you hit a few notes on one of those, it makes you want to funk out and walk a groove for a mile or two! (
I see absolutely no good application or need for a 5-string bass. I'm not being a curmudgeon, I genuinely can't think of a single use for any bass with more than 4 strings.
Nice job. I remember when Flea got his first Sting Ray. I said at the time this was the best sounding electric bass I had ever heard. Recently picked up an inexpensive 4 string Sterling Sting Ray. Took it to a gig to show the bass player who plays a beautiful ‘65 Precision. He tried it on the 2nd song of the night. Went back to his bass. In the middle of the 4th song I heard a major improvement in the bass sound. I looked at the sound man who pointed at the bass player- he had switched back to the Sting Ray mid-song and played it the rest of the night. Offered me twice what I paid for it at the end of the night. These Sterlings are an incredible value.
The Sterling version of the Music Man Petruccis are frigging fantastic. So underrated. Quality, tone, etc. Music Man makes uniformly perfect instruments and have SO many features.
Can you specify what model of Sterling are we talking about here, sir? haha Would love to buy one of these!
Two years ago, shortly before the pandemic began, I purchased a Sterling by MusicMan Sub Series Stingray 4. I needed an inexpensive bass that plays and sounds great for gigs at places where I don’t want to risk the unthinkable happening to my much pricier main instrument during a break or loading. I found the stock pickup to be too overwound and woolly, so I spent an additional $100 for a Seymour Duncan 70’s Alnico MM pickup. It now sounds exactly like a late 70’s Stingray! The frets are smooth and level, and the action is great. I played it for two years then decided that I never want to sell it. I spent just a little bit more ( about $80usd) to upgrade the tuners to Schallers. It now stays in tune as well as any of my much more pricey basses. Love it.
@@_baalshamin The Sterling Ray34 and Ray35's can be had for between $750-$1000 brand new (depending on options) and are absolutely fantastic instruments. You basically get an EBMM for half the price. ALNICO pickups, a great 9v 3-band EQ, etc. I have a Ray35 and to my ear it sounds better than my Spector Euro4LX and Dingwall Combustion.
I think the Wal he used on a few recording also sounded very good.
My favorite Sting Ray story is when I picked up a new one at a local GC in the late 90's. They ordered a batch of odd colored orange-ish 5 strings and no one wanted them. I asked the salesman what kind of deal they could make and he came back with 50% off retail. Over 20 years later and it's still my main bass.
The stingray really opened my eyes as a bass player. Learning the instrument, I was always frustrated with the dull and flat tones that were held up as the golden standard by other players. Then one random session I was handed a stingray with fresh roundwounds and I knew that was my sound right there.
Steven Severin of Siouxsie and The Banshees mainly used a black stingray through the late 70's and mid 80's. The bass has a very characteristic sound, added to the effects he used, created a very unique sound for The Banshees. He even appears playing the stingray in the ''Israel'' and ''Happy House'' videos.
I love all your Short Histories, but this one was super interesting.
When I get another bass, I'll seriously consider a Stingray. They're pretty iconic.
You won't regret it....unless you buy an overpriced classic just for the look and credentials....get a Sterling for sure. I've owned 13 basses and my 400$ mint green 34" is the best sounding, best playing bass I've ever had. Even better than my mahogany Ibanez SR 500 with twin Bartolinis, and that's really saying something....
The ultimate Stingray man is Bernard Edwards. He may well be the pinnacle of all electric bass playing.
I believe Joe Dart does Bernard better than Bernard, and hes a stingray fella as well.
@@kimmorgan379 preach brother
@@luryas626 no, Bernard had way better tunes
The stingray was developed for the slapmaster Louis johnson of the brothers johnson.💥
@@luryas626 Joe Dart has nowhere near the hands of Bernard Edwards, nor the style. Not to mention Bernard actually played on songs rather than hipster meme music.
Bernard Edwards 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿
One of my favorite Electric Bass Players.
Greetings from Uganda 🇺🇬👊🏿🖤
Joe Darts first signature model is actually a Sterling body shape, but the Joe Dart Jr is based on a Shortscale Stingray.
You keep showing us that Parker Fly! I’m beginning to think we need a short history!
Ken Parker is featured in a video with his prototype. I think it’s even cooler.
i started on my stingray, spent 10 years working with her, went astray, and i’ve been back for three years. absolutely my favorite bass
You should've highlighted Louis Johnson more. He made the Stingray bass popular. He is also who it was developed for. R.I.P to him also a true bass legend.
I have yet to see Sterling Ball make a stingray with Louis Johnson’s name on it, to tribute the style of Louis Johnson slap style.
Of course they won't do that because he's Black
@@shawnlewis220 It's because he's Black. Welcome to America
@@stevejames5357 Sterling Ball isn't black😅
Another gem, Keith. I was elated to see that you had just finished the short history of the Sting Ray bass. I bought one in 2000 that is translucent orange with a matching headstock. At that time, every bass had a beautiful bird's-eye neck with no upcharge. But I also remember when gasoline was 25 cents a gal.
I had no idea how many musicians used Sting Rays until I watched your video, and I certainly wasn't aware of all of the changes that have been made to it over the years, plus I finally found out what "OLP" means! As always, I enjoy how informative your videos are.
Also interesting to see you playing a Parker at the beginning of the video.
Hey I got the same bass in translucent orange which I bought in 2003!!!
@@fleamail4 Hey fleamail4, It's too bad that you can't get most of the colors that were available back then; seems like there were at least 20
Great presentation. I purchased my first Sting Ray new in 1977. It came with flat wound strings. Bought a Sting Ray Special in 2018 and a Sting Ray short scale in 2020. Still have the original (weighs a ton). They all play great and each has their own personality. Now at age 65 I really appreciate the lightness of the short scale.
As a new bass player, this was a very informative video. So much intertwined history between these companies. Thanks for sharing.
I cant think of anyone more Stingray than Paul Denman of Sade fame. THAT to me is the prime example how Stingray sounds, and how incredibly it can drive it all... yeah, you need to listen to the bass - anyone remembers James Jamerson ? 😍 we all should
Great video! Thank you for making it. One minor point - you included many well know (and a few not as well known) players who play Music Mans. I would have included at least one more - Joe Lally of Fugazi. He doesn't have a signature model. Fugazi was never on MTV and never played Lollapalooza or anything like that. But Fugazi is a legend in the punk/hardcore and independent music scenes. And Joe Lally is a fantastic bass player to boot.
Been waiting for this, thank you. Such a significant instrument in music.
My favorite part of the story is me finally getting a StingRay Special last year. Roasted maple neck, 18v preamp, beautiful finish.....Awesome!
thank you for the great infomation and you for taking the time
Fascinating !!! Beyond what i expected. Well played !
GREAT job on this history! I like how you thank everyone, too. Thank YOU!
Ok, so basically every bass from the 50's through till the 2000's was made by the same guys. Got it.
Great video Keith, with all manner of intriguing facts. Good one! Well done!
Thank you so much! Nice to see you finally making this vid! Stingrays have always been my favourite bass to use for their banging sound!
Thank you for a great video! Glad you throw in occasional episodes featuring a bass. Keep up the good work!
It’s been a long time, I’ve been waiting for this to be uploaded. Finally!
Fantastic video, both in production and sheer volume of information. Great job!
Finally, I waited so long for this one :)
Totally worth the wait.
Great job as always, Keith. Your smooth voice matched the story of the StingRay perfectly. Keep up the great work!
Really amazing history. Watching this having just got my first bass, a 2022 Stingray Special. I am by no means a bassist, calling myself a guitarist would be a stretch, but the Stingray is the quality of instrument that makes you want to dig in and be better.
HELL YEAH DUDE!!! I VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS VIDEO FOR A WHILE!
BIG LUV
Great story. Especially the Tony Levin clips. It’s interesting how the first generation of musical instrument innovators were so closely associated. Thank you for bringing it to us!
That was so good. Thank you. Been wanting a Stingray for quite awhile.
Months ago I was really busy and missed a lot of your videos and now binging on them. My friend is a semi famous bassist and plays Music Man exclusively and its cool you have this video.I sent it to him and again nice you have a video no one else would do.
Great job! I hadn’t payed attention to Music Man. It was great to learn more. Fender roots are everywhere!
I dont even play bass but as usual I am drawn in by the great production value and well researched information in your videos. Thank you for everything you do Keith!
I have also been focusing on the bass when listening to some of my old favorites and it definitely changes the way you hear the music.
Great job again, Keith! Always danced around having a stingray. Now I feel like I need one!
Excellent!! Ive been waiting for this!!
Been a while Keith, glad you are still making high quality informative vids. I have played with the same bass player and drummer for many years now and while it has been said a band is "only as good as its drummer" when I am improvising I am always riding on that magic carpet that is the bassline.
This story is amongst the greatest of all time and I thank you sincerely for the forthright clarification, historical truths and novel research and development inlightenment.
Hi Keith. Another brilliant video, thanks very much for sharing. I made a Stingray copy for my daughter’s 21st birthday this year. It’s been great to hear the full story of these basses, such a cool and influential guitar. Great job as always.
Thanks for this terrific video - informative and inspiring!
I got my first Stingray in the 90s and, this week, my first Stingray USA short-scale will arrive. I can't wait for it - these superb basses are such a thrill to play and hear.
I managed to make mine sound gnarly as hell with a fuzz pedal and a fender rumble amp, but I can’t deny how clean these basses sound. I love it.
I’m looking for a new bass amp, which Rumble are you using? How many watts a which cabinet are you using also what’s your favorite fuzz pedal?
The first Stingray bass I'd ever noticed was the one the guy in the British band 'Racey' had played (Biggest hit 'Some Girls') in the late 70's, when I was 8 or 9; It had a natural finish and no pickguard. The bassist of The Teens (then being promoted as "Europe's youngest Rock band") also had one, also natural but with a black pickguard. I'm 52 now and just realised I've never ever tried one so far! 😆 Thank you for the video, Keith! And greetings from NZ! 👋 😀
Back in the early 2000s, my great grandmother, who had been a lifelong guitar enthusiast, made a heartwarming promise to buy me a bass guitar. Her intention was to provide me with an instrument that would stay with me throughout my life. At that point, I already had about six years of experience playing the bass, and I had a clear vision of the sound I was after.
I vividly recall the day when my mom and I visited the local guitar center, with the expectation that I would walk out with a Warwick bass. I sat down and played the Warwick, which provided me with a fantastic musical experience. However, it was during that same visit that I laid my hands on a Stingray 4.
What struck me about the Stingray 4 was the incredible versatility it offered, thanks to its preamp. It felt like I had complete control over every aspect of the sound, allowing me to shape it to perfection. I made the decision to place an order for a black cherry burst Stingray 4, and since then, I haven't felt the need to own any other bass.
Thanks for the history lesson! Very informative. I have a Sterling MM 34CA. Enjoyed seeing.
My intro to the MM Stingray - Louis J, Pino P and Bernard E. Still my favourite bass. Our guitarist had one of the MM amps from the 70's - talk about vertical hair factor, it was that loud. Thanks Keith, I always come to your corner when the world starts getting a bit much.
Hi Keith I'm not sure how I missed this yesterday.. catching up this morning.. great way to start my straturday..ty man
Educational, entertaining and inspiring video. Thanks, Keith!
Great video. I learned a lot. Thanks!
Always sharing quality content
Great video Keith nice work
I bought a Stingray 5 special in 2018. I’ve played over 300 gigs with it. It is a joy to play every time I pick it up. I emailed them to tell them how much I loved it and Scot Ball wrote me back. Great company!
Another excellent video, Keith. The StingRay's punch and clarity really brought the bass into the spotlight, to my ears. I always felt that it was a step up from the P bass and J bass sounds. Imagine how different Peter Cetera's bass lines in those old Chicago hits would sound.
I look forward to watching the Fender Rhodes history video. 😺
Thank you love the channel
What a great vid! When I'm typing this I was thinking about a good book about Music Man - it doesn't excist - and there you say it! You know I'm editor of a bass magazine and this video is just perfect! Thanks!
Another great video Keith.
One thing worth noting.
Tony Levin played a Precision on the first two Peter Gabriel albums (listen to Exposure on PG2 for his classic P-bass tone).
John Giblin played all of the bass guitar on PG3 - Tony only contributed to one tune, but on stick, not bass.
PG4/Security was the first PG album with Tony playing his Music Man.
I was not looking for a new bass when I walked into the music store in 1986. The guys were raving about a used Stingray they just got in. Translucent Teal. It looked like a green toilet seat. But took it down to try anyway to see what all the hype was about. An hour later my wife said....."we bought that didn't we".....yep! My main bass at the time was an Alembic Destroyer. The Sting Ray quickly became my number one. The only bass I have today. My favorite out all guitars, basses, pianos etc that I have ever owned.
I disagree that the sound is in the electronics. Mine has the depth and growl unplugged. It literally shakes my ribs.
Got my first Stingray 5 a few weeks ago and I’m absolutely in love. It might usurp my Precision as my #1. Omg the tones on this thing are a monster.
Great job Keith. I love all the Music Man’s I’ve owned over the years but my favorite, currently own now, is my 2018 Stingray Special. Black with a roasted maple neck, single pickup 4 string featherlight bass.
Well done.
Very insightful history of an amazing bass
Always wanted one of these. They just sound so GOOOOOOD!
Great stuff Keith. Thanks. It was very interesting to hear the “who’s who” of Fender, Music Man and G&L. I learned from the recent Martin Kelly Rickenbacker book that Forest White worked there after leaving Fender but before joining Music Man. The guitar world in California was a small place in the early ‘70s!
18:06 it's that same Stingray bass that was used to record the memorable bassline on her other band The Breeders' 1993 hit Cannonball and that features throughout the bulk of their second album. Played by the very talented Josephine Wiggs
@@kimmorgan379 Go Kim playing a Kim bass just like Kim's! 💪
Great video as always. I saw the Security tour in Rochester, NY and the So tour in Buffalo, NY. Gabriel and band were amazing! Tony Levin is one of my all time fave bass players - just a killer, killer player.
Thanks for a great & informative video - yes indeed a great bass !
A great expose of an iconic bass that shook the music world!!!! The monstrous, growly, and punchy tone is a fit for multiple genres and never gets lost in the mix!!! I love my Sterling by Music Man Ray 35!!!
Another excellent video
Over the years I have worked on so many StingRays I got to know them backwards along with the detailed history. Your overview of the company is very good and true. There are a few additions though; the original StingRay bass design was actually a pre-amped P-Bass split coil not a humbucker, there were 4 preamp designs before the final chosen design, The radio knob '76s are the most coveted with the longer pole pieces and the originals are called brownbursts. The reason for the fall out with CLF was twofold, poor paint jobs and the truss rods were installed flat so would provide no relief - Japanese dealers in fact returned them. The original StingRay NAMM100 anniversary model is actually the Flea bass that never went into production.
Thanks for the knowledge. Respect 👊
Did you work for Musicman?
@@IRevealTheMagic No, but I specialise in repair and rebuilds of pre EB StingRays so know many of the employees etc.
@@slapitman Thats awesome
outstanding content
I have been playing bass since 1969, always played Fenders and an Ovation Magnum but when I heard Paul Denman play, I took notice and went and checked out a Sting Ray. The pickup is a bit too close to the bridge for my style of playing, but man was it a sweet playing bass. Thanks Keith.
Very excited about this one!
Fantastic video
Great video for friday night! I love your job guys!
I’ve owned a lot of basses and still have a handful but after getting my ebmm stingray classic I pretty much only play that now. It’s a fantastic instrument and it’s the sturdiest bass I’ve ever played. Everything on it feels substantial and I love the feel. The sound speaks for itself. The neck is my favorite part. It’s birdseye maple with a super thick rosewood fretboard.
Great stuff once again Keith. Steve, who played in several bands with me in my hometown back in the '80s, had a beautiful Stingray which he loved and which sounded just great through practically any rig. We were in a Who tribute band for a time and it had the power for the job alright! We played a gig on the South coast (UK) which was in a really hot and sweaty club. Steve was a finger player apart from the solo to My Generation for which he used a pick - which he used to wedge in the top of the Stingray's scratch plate ready to grab when the time came. This particular night both he and the guitar were covered in sweat and he couldn't get a grip to pull the thing out. He tried frantically and repeatedly as the rest of us gave him the break. To the casual observer it must have looked like he was trying to play Entwistle's solo by missing the strings entirely time and time again. As a band we should have shown solidarity I know, but I'm afraid we were too busy rolling about laughing...
Great video!
Awesome history of these bass guitars... Thank you :)
Thanks for this video, Keith! I have a 1977 Stingray as well as a MusicMan Albert Lee. Great instruments!
Thanks Keith. Sipping coffee and enjoying this. I didn't even know Leo was involved with Music Man. A friend has a Luke guitar and it's very nice.
I had no idea the new headstock shape was to help remove dead spots. I always just assumed it was to reduce the neck dive compared to a fender. Stingrays always felt more balanced in my hands. The bass community thanks you, Keith.
To my mind, the two most beautiful bass designs are the StingRay and the Rickenbacker 4001/4003. Happy to see you've done videos on both now. I have a Ray34, and even though it's not the American model it sounds and feels amazing. I love the punchiness of the pickup. Just like the Rick, it's a tone you can't get anywhere else.
Great documentary
I can't thank you enough for this excellent history of Music Man. I was fascinated with the Stingray as a teenager in the 70's but couldn't afford one. I watched the company as they evolved, but the history of Fender, Ernie Ball, Sterling always was a mystery to me. Now I know the story. As an adult, my dream came true when I purchased the "Classic" Stingray in sunburst , with the single pickup and birdseye neck. Now I even know the cool story about the external truss rod adjustment nut! No more mysteries, thanks to you.
Great video! :) Thx!
This was fantastic! So much I didn't know was covered here and really well presented timelines... awesome work as always! My introduction to electric tone was actually the Rick bass... Had played acoustic guitar a little and took guitar in 8th grade..out of all the students in 3 classes my band teacher chose me to play bass if I wanted...so I jumped on it...heaviest guitar ever..lol.. anyway being more into sports and work I didn't go far w playing until later in life..only 13 months ago I dive back into electric guitar playing after 13 years away from acoustic dabbling here and there...now I kill it every day( do my best anyway) lol...thanks again bro
Love your videos - very informative. This one actually inspired me to dig my Sting Ray 5 out of the closet. It's dark blue with the grey all-in-one pick guard, single H and a maple finger board. Weighs a ton but sounds great. 😊
Great stuff as usual
on the question of truefire, i started out with fenderplay when i bought my "i need something to get my mind off of covid" affinity, the sticker on it told me to. before i was even vaguely an advanced beginner, i felt i ran out of steam at fenderplay. not knowing what to do next, i took your advice and went to truefire. wow! there is no running out of steam at truefire! i bought a bunch of deeply discounted courses and now have enough material to carry me well into 2023 and maybe even 2024. i am thrilled!
YES IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS
Before I bought my first bass last year, it was 25 years prior when I played an OLP Stingray and I'll be damned if it wasn't a deadringer! I played a few iconic bass lines that amazed me so much while playing em. When I went to Guitar Center to buy some flat-wound Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys for my bass, I saw that exact OLP (sunburst w/rosewood fingerboard) I played 25 years ago with instant thoughts to that moment... great video!
Never new the history of music Man... Thanks mate now I do... very interesting especially as I'm a fender fan.
Great video Keith.
Bernard Edwards made me fall in love with the Music Man Stingray ❤
Thanks so much for these history lessons.
I am a big fan of the G&L line of basses and would love to see you cover those.😉👍
That was a cool episode, lots of new stuff in that one for me. I remember Benjamin Orr and his very cool silver Stingray, which made me get my own silverburst Stingray when i needed a bass for the shop.
This just melted my brain. Music Man wasn't big around here and I had never seen or even heard of them until about 2016, so I guess I just assumed they were a newer company. I also had no idea Leo Fender had ANYTHING to do with it. I love these videos so much
Another great short history Kieth
Apparently Sterling Ball grew up in Newport Beach. One of his female friends was a shy redheaded girl named Susan Thomas who played flute in the HS orchestra. While visiting the Ball household, cluttered with instruments all through the living room, Sue gets this epiphany to pick up the bass guitar.
She later joins two other girls, Joan Larkin and Sandy West under a sleazebag named Kim Fowley who form The (first) Runaways, Susan changing her name to Micki Steele, and Larkin to Joan Jett.
Steele gets fired some months later, drifts around LA as a bar band bassists, and in '83 joins The Bangles as Michael Steele.
Steele also played a Sabre briefly in The Bangles.