Ernie Ball Music Man: Stingray Special Bass - Tony Levin Demo & Discussion

[@TheEowli]

he is the one artist that really deserves a signature stingray,

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

200iQ EOWLI Agreed. Or maybe Pino.

[@gabealexander9800]

The sinner Jim Whitney agree! But what about Louis Johnson?! Leo Fender made him promote the products when he made Music Man. Everyone tends to overlook him sadly

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

Gabe Alexander Oh, I've NEVER overlooked ol' ThunderThumbs, haha! It's just that he played a pre-Ernie Ball Stingray, and I doubt they'd want to change the tooling/programming in the factory to make what is, by all accounts (including my personal experience) an inferior instrument. I know Pino's were, too, but an unlined fretless new model could probably be arrived at for a signature since he's still alive.

[@IAmInfinitus208]

The closest we've had was the Sledge bass, both Stingray and Sabre basses. Other than that yes he deserves it! Everytime I hear a Stingray I think of him or John Deacon in the mid days of Queen!

[@ropermcalister8095]

He definitely deserves a signature model. Preferably of his orange 5 string. But! Instead of Tony we got a $7,000 Cliff Williams relic🙄

[@diafenix]

StingRay Special Bass: *Tony Levin has all the things that I need from bass player and it just keeps improving throughout the years*

[@GoodSneakers]

The quality of Tony’s playing through the years….he deserves all the praise!

[@stevedixon8567]

if it’s good enough for Tony Levin, it’s good enough for anyone

[@ultramet]

Playing bass for 40 years...I have never owned a 5 string bass...that is until now. Tony is a legend and really demonstrated how versatile this 5 string bass is.

[@charleswidmore5458]

Mr Levin is a really cool guy. Met him on a bicycle after a Peter Gabriel Concert in Philly once. I was too awestruck to make a good impression but I caught his vibes like a solar collector sitting on the Sun. Recently decided to learn to play bass and was unsure what to get, till now. Thanks for all of the great music Tony! YOU ROCK!!!

[@ianmackenzie686]

The older I get, the more appealing lightness is in a bass guitar.

[@ianmackenzie686]

JohnVoland. Yeah, I actually started as a guitar player when a teenager. Acoustics and the hollow bodied es-335 and 175 electrics. Fast forward 30 years, my kids are all musical so I took up the bass to play along with them. Toughest part to adjust to was the weight and balance of the instrument. I know, too much info but I'm home chilling and got on a roll.

[@ianmackenzie686]

Got squire by fender student p bass and I've got to say for a so- called student quality instrument it's fantastic! The sound and action for the money can't be beat. When I "upgrade" I'm still going to hang on to this one for practice and pass on to kids. Just briefly going back to guitars, those es ones I mentioned before were from 70-80's, American made and were beautiful instruments.

[@tednugentlives]

JohnVoland My E7 squier Bullet bass is a gem. Sounds nothing like the newer garbage ones.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

I used to have the Stingray 5. Awesome bass, but heavy. And mine had been set up for a rock star and played incredibly well. Then I got an Ibanez Sound Gear 5 string. The range of that lineup is incredible. But I happened to find one I really liked for less than $400 new. I’ll never go back. Those guys can blow $3500 all they want.

[@Boris_Chang]

I hear that! After two back surgeries I am going to sell my Ibanez six-string in favor of a Sterling short-scale. Though I loved playing it, it is a heavy beast. I will keep my Steinberger Synapse V though.

[@SteveWeltman]

Tony Levin is such a unique player. His style is so fluid and flowing. On a fantastic bass? Magical! Thank you for posting.

[@JohnSmithiuyytw]

Legendary bass, legendary player.

[@TheSonsofHorusx]

tony levin on drums, tony levin on bass

[@derekdauchan2741]

Man I love this thing !!! Clear, clean tone that works in a lot of different situations. Neck feels right. Plenty of low end and more than enough highs. Sound engineers love the noiseless electronics. Thick sounds that can fill an auditorium. Still looks good after all these years. Great longtime workhorse and friend . Saving up to add the new one.

[@haneyhanes]

What’s great about him in regards to gear, especially the stingray is, he doesn’t need a signature. He trusts that all of them are outstanding pieces of art/gear! It really speaks to Ernie Ball Music Man’s quality. In my experience they’ve always been the most consistent with sound and quality.

[@Oleksii.Melnykov-ua]

This is exactly the bass I always wanted from Music Man: gloss finish, ebony fingerboard, 18V preamp... Can't wait to get my hands on one of these.

[@pokejoao]

Holy fuck man, the tone he getss from this bass, eargasm isnt even the word

[@sakehump7536]

I played the classic stingray 5 for decades. It eventually became to heavy for me, It made me very sad when I had to find a alternative. I’m pleased to hear the stingray has modified the weight, and kept the sound. Excited to get my hands on a new stingray 5

[@RossCampoli]

Wow, gorgeous bass. I’ve always been a Fender faithful (I own one P and one J) and hearing tony speak about Music Man just makes it sound super appealing

[@levisalvini4110]

Hands down, one the greatest bass player in history... He has a divine touch, and he is so versatile that scares me. In my humble opinion Tony Levine is in the Heaven of players, at John Patitucci level... With "liquid tension experiment" was out of this world... Thank you for your touch Tony!!!

[@mrwinged9833]

HAHUFSAHGADSGASGFASJHO he es so fuking bad playing and being a musician, his solo albums ar so fking shitty

[@MawcDrums]

Damn, that bass drum is making love to my subwoofer right now.

[@The_sinner_Jim_Whitney]

I REALLY hope the US Sterling gets the 'Special' treatment one day. The Sterling, to me, is just the finest electric bass ever built, and I LOVE my Sterlings. I'd really like to have one with the 18V pre and neodymium pickup, though. Sterlings are already pretty light, so I wouldn't care whether they got lighter like the Stingray Specials. Just the electronics (of course retaining the awesome series/silent single/parallel switching).

[@samlelowitch]

I really want one of these despite the fact (or perhaps because of the fact) that I bought a 2001 ten-and-a-half-pound ash-bodied Stingray 5H recently.

[@SonicXRage]

Yep, that's gear. There's always something you wish you had.

[@paulgorrell7361]

I like when Tony attaches to sticks to his first two fingers and plays the Music Man with that. Sounds neat.

[@hetschhog]

There's nothing like a Stingray 5. Either with Alnico, Ceramic or Neodymium magnets ... Just the greatest bass I can think of (next to a decent Xotic Jazz Bass ...)

[@NuclearErrorBG]

Didnt let him use the sticks! They are scared :D

[@markhomiak6966]

This guy is an absolute MONSTER, as is this bass.

[@robertbox7666]

I like the J Jamerson index finger plucking the best.

[@Cohiba100]

Don't give up may well have one of the most beautiful basslines ever.

[@peterjhamm]

As cool as this bass is, Tony could play a broken bass made in the far east and sound great. He is that amazing. But yeah, wow, cool stuff!

[@japas]

When I grow up I want a mousthache like mr. Levins'

[@kida4313]

Give this man his signature bass

[@live4christ297]

What a gorgeous bass!

[@maurolopesmarziano]

tony fantastic ! out of this world !

[@RichBriere]

I recently walked into my local MusicMan Dealer ( #downtownsounds ) and for the Very First time said...."I'll take that one!!" before even playing it! 😳 It was an Amethyst Sparkle Stingray 5 and I find it to be absolutely Bassilicious. Although I still find the Bongo to be my Favorite Music Man body design this Stingray runs a VERY close second. Absolutely Perfect in every way. Always a pleasure getting your thoughts on Life and Gear. Be well. ☮

[@BARTFUNKBASS]

Does G string still slide off in the new models?

[@levisj125]

Yes, I’m afraid so! (For me, at least.)

[@EphICanIMite]

This is so good, I watched it twice. I'ma hafta get on the waiting list for one of those Natural finish, Rosewood Fingerboard 5HH wonderful machines.

[@McDoinky]

lol saw Don't Give Up coming from a mile away

[@greggblankenshipp8202]

I really like that bass,i played a 4 string Stingray for 25 yrs every day,wore it out,couldn't get no replacement parts,couldn't swing the new prices...Wish i could.........

[@BenCDaugherty]

Tony played Sledgehammer on a Cutlass ii Fretless longstory short. BUT in one interview he claimed it was a sabre (wood neck) and he replaced the neck with a graphite cutlass one. Other than that he said he played a cutlass. What is the actual bass? Maybe someone can help me out

[@miguellogistics984]

Anything Tony is breathtaking. Like him, I started on the DBV, which is why he probably has no issues of the Sting Ray neck dimensions. But like the Warwicks, Steinberger, the more traditional DBV inspired necks, including the Jazz, I am not loving them, and that includes the MM Ray. I can barely stand a Precision as well. The one thing that Leo Fender got correct on his design, and probably by accident, coming from his time at Rickenbacker, was Bolt On Necks. As Adam Nitti explained to me, Bolt Ons are punchier. I had to play an $1800 Ken Smith v. a $3500 Smith one day 11 years ago to be certain. Glad I did after some 24 years of wanting to get my hands on one (no I did not buy either, and am not Gassing for one either, all respect and appreciation for his work). The lower cost Bolt on was that feel and response that I really found inspiring. I believe it is a foundation to the envelope of Tony's Bass Guitar work. While I understand the evolution of the offset G headstock, I have not looked into what cure Leo found for the 4th fret harmonic issue of the In-Line 4 to return to it for the G&L Designs. Learning about the purposes of the 35" scale basses I now play, stabilizing the LowB String, and seeing the Fanned Fret designs. I wonder why others have not been making inverted In-Line Headstock Basses. Bolt On Necks and a 9v Preamp. Leo made the platform that made slap stay.

[@alikemalsahin6128]

VERDİĞİN BİLGİLER İÇİN TEŞEKÜR EDERİM

[@shauntoleary]

What pedals is he using to get that doubled sound during the Sledgehammer bassline? 0:46

[@levisj125]

Boss OC-2 was used on the original, but the new OC-5 sounds almost identical in "Vintage" mode.

[@DieselTrucker2018]

What about the USA Sterling? Was that made to weigh in less, as well?

[@johndoe1765]

THIS IS A GREAT SOUNDING BASS ,AND I LOVE TONY LEVIN PLAYING AND THROUGH THIS BASS HE IS ALWAYS HIMSELF ,NOT OVER PLAYING CHASING JACO PASTORIUS.

[@eightfifty2309]

Walter White and Mike jammin out is too awesome. Seriously though Tony definitely put the 5string Stingray on the map!

[@DrRussPhd]

Levin could play a toothbrush and make it sound awesome.

[@austinfrise6966]

What is the song being played at 3:37?

[@raffaelecrupi9347]

wonderfull sound !!!

[@btn006]

Where can I find this bass?

[@redherring87]

ARE the songs that he is playing in this video solo projects? Especially the second song at 0:47 with the octave effect and the 3rd song at 1:51

[@thiagodeandradeneves4585]

0:47 is Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel 1:51 is Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel

[@redherring87]

@@thiagodeandradeneves4585 THANK YOU!!!!

[@Moss-qe9uf]

Never saw him chuck before Noice

[@3three3three3three]

his technique is so odd and so perfect

[@Barcarus]

whats the second tune he plays?

[@samuelxander]

0:54 what's that song?

[@sacarewa2255]

Samuel.ne Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel

[@jasoncorganbrown]

If Tony Levin says this is a good bass, it’s a good bass!

[@zabelzardok]

Is he playing with a pick too?

[@dragostego]

No hes just digging in hard

[@tuftynuts]

Yes

[@David-cr3pt]

I want one!!!!

[@elmanitasdeplomo]

Question to you people at EB: Why doesn’t the 4 string have those cool contoured edges like the 5 string does? It looks so much better that way. Without those edges it just looks like an uglier version of a P bass imho.

[@christopherhaynie6628]

I own a stingray special 4h in charcoal sparkle as you see in my pic and it's got a few contours

[@richardnolet250]

Where that riff leading up to the 3 minute mark from?

[@TonalWorks]

"Don't give up" - Peter Gabriel

[@merqury5]

LTE3 now please :)

[@mirkecWii]

Your wish is coming trough

[@jeffwolinski2659]

Is he just the coolest frigging guy on the planet or what?!?

[@catboyzee]

Tony's tryna convince me this is a 6 million dollar Musicman: Better, stronger, faster. But all I see and hear is the typical Stingray sounds. Reckon the only way you can really appreciate the new perks this reboot offers is by actually strapping one on and playing it.

[@bassistdc]

For me a 5 string bass must have a 1.75 nut width. These have 1.688.

[@JD-ym7iw]

Tony would know. That’s that.

[@JoelEscobarBegazo]

In the back is a sterling ernieball USA.

[@CarlosGonzalez-qd6rr]

Beast!

[@michaelmaier7262]

Who was on drums?

[@EphICanIMite]

Not sure, but it almost looks like a guy named Russ Kunkel. Long time session guy and hired gun.

[@kidnel96]

Jeff "Siege" Siegel

[@romeou4965]

What strings are used?

[@spencernation7847]

They're most likely your standard Ernie Ball Slinky's (.45 - .130) that come on all of the Stingrays.

[@josephwalton487]

I would give my left foot for a Stingray lol. All white, ebony fretboard with black hardware....😍😍

[@RicardoMartinez-or1wu]

If Tony Levin uses an stringray and said it's a great bass...you must know it's true!!

[@davidpeters44]

C'mon EBMM, put out a Levin signature SR Special 5 in coral finish, natural headstock. And no, don't mark it up to 7K. Be reasonable.

[@Rain_power]

Pink Floyd, John Lennon, Peter Gabriel, King Crimson like it’s no big deal 😮

[@traceelliot1360]

Stainless Steel Frets add a clack that I dont like.

[@nicolas.grisanti]

Sledgehammer!

[@1okanaganguy]

I brought one home the other day. I was ready to get sucked in. It's everything good the ray was but in focus plus lighter. Even though it's probably the Perfect 5 string bass, my feeling was: all pickup and no guitar. No soul, no Leo. 1 trick pony. I took it right back.

[@marcel-jt3dy]

It sounded pretty shity to me then I realised I am listening to this on a tablet.

[@claudi0barragan]

35" long and wider string spacing.but no, let's add another battery

[@tylermills4254]

Personally I'm so happy they kept the scale length 34" and the tighter string spacing, having a Bongo I dig the 18V preamp too.

[@chris_bern]

a 35" scale and wider string spacing would have made it harder to play for some people

[@bassistdc]

I don't like playing 5 string basses with narrow string spacing but I'm ok with the 34 inch scale length.

[@JeffBrumleyMusic]

You want 35" and wider, get a Lakland! I had a 55-94 for 15 years until my hands couldn't do that size anymore. I'm using a Stingray 5 right now as a backup to a Jazz 5 - I love it but man I'd take a few pounds off any day.

[@claudi0barragan]

Jeff Brumley sure. I used to own also a 55-94 . Great bass, but is not the same. Only a music man pickup sounds that robust And powerful. Barts are the hi-fi/ detailed/ not that thick/ type.

[@gorryman]

I’m surprised how shit the tone is on all these Tony Stingray adverts

[@whichoneisbetter8902]

Haha , imitation of Fender Elite!!!.... really Ernie Ball?

[@kennethsmith2738]

whichoneisbetter I don't see how this is an imitation?

[@dtales77]

Come on really ? I bought jazz elite to change it for the 2018 stingray best thing i did , they preamp is by far the best and very simple as the elite is everwhere , i dont diss fender as i am gonna buy american original 60s ho and those basses was design by the same guy

[@CNick75]

It's not like the Fender at all. Fender did copy the truss wheel from EBMM though.

[@mrwinged9833]

lol he plays so bad

[@pCeLobster]

His hands are a bit rickety these days but that's just old age. Nobody escapes that. Nothing can change what he's done in his lifetime and the parts he's played that have inspired so many of us.

[@zacharymorin5696]

Have you actually listened to any of the stuff he’s played on?

[@davidleamy7564]

What song is that around 2:40?

[@sacarewa2255]

David Leamy Don't Give Up by Peter Gabriel

[@yellofury]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jJuoomCoZ8aap8U

[@petro549]

3:27 what's the song?

[@zacharymorin5696]

Woo Young Cho The song at 3:27 is not “Don’t Give Up”