The Stingray Story - How & Why Music Man Updated Their Classic Bass

Greetings and thank you for watching this video. Below are some links to products that I use:
Thomann
My guitar ►► redir.love/61EwP3na
My amp ►► redir.love/Am2rUYK6
My practice amp ►► redir.love/hGiV1UpQ
Strings I use ►► redir.love/vFGoL1Ym
My favourite Reverb/Delay Pedal ►► redir.love/6IwjXx4G
Amazon US
Favourite interface - amzn.to/3zD1feO
Favourite strings - amzn.to/3HN1Hdk
Favourite tuner - amzn.to/3qSzuuM
Favourite overdrive - amzn.to/3F1P8cB
Favourite pickups - amzn.to/31DnpRP
Favourite Pedalboard - amzn.to/33bsqRV

Above are affiliate links for the parts used in this video, meaning, at no cost to you, I will earn commission if you click through and make a purchase.

➤ Great Videos:
Reunited with Andertons - kzbin.info/www/bejne/onPcnqKbfql9eac
What did I get from 15 years on KZbin - kzbin.info/www/bejne/najFlISde6hlbtU
The best pedal in 15 years of demos - kzbin.info/www/bejne/qnPMaKavrK6Aeac
Clockwork Wolf & Co :
Clockwork Wolf - Live Your Fate - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWmyiKmIoNSNj9k
Clockwork Wolf - One Thing I Feared - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJywhammedGdaKc
Clockwork Wolf - Idle Hands - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJuyamBmnN6Mg5Y
➤ Disclaimers
No comments on these posts have or will be deleted. KZbin will automatically hide comments that they think are spam for review and then my team need to manually approve these. Please bear with us if your comment is not immediately visible.
I own/or am endorsed/sponsored or have done paid for advertising by the following brands:
►► Snake oil fine instruments, Chapman Guitars, Andertons, Thomann, Ernie Ball, Gravity, Victory, BadCat, Boss/Roland, Orange, Universal Audio ,Vans, Faith, Barefaced Audio, Mooer, Olimpus Music
➤ Links to me
KZbin ►► kzbin.info
INSTAGRAM ►► @Rob_Chappers
FACEBOOK ►► officialrobchapman
➤ Tags
#RobChapman #Chappers #RobChappers

[@RobChappers]

Hi guys, please don’t forget that most mobile phones don’t have speakers that emit low frequencies, so you won’t be hearing a lot of the bass guitar tones unless you wear headphones :-)

[@terrytickler]

Rob Chapman sounds all good :-)

[@jordandillow5208]

I'm here early so uh love the recent videos man

[@antony6661]

Rob Chapman you have 666k subs

[@tatesmith3518]

yea man keep up the recent vids im loving them

[@the-creech4790]

I'm a proud owner of a Stingray HH, It's the best bass i've ever played! Thanks for this wonderful video!

[@bassimprovjams3772]

Yes my.mam!! I have 3 and a 2020 jet black 5H on layaway!! And I have a sterling sub with EMG pickup and EMG preamp ceramic magnet it is an absolute bad ass!!!

[@snakeplissken44]

11:32 one of the best transitions in all human history!!

[@zr2700]

Editors deserve a massive raise for that

[@k_aos3224]

OMG ... the TONE of that "#1" really demonstrates what the Stingray is all about!!! Thanx for the insights!

[@RC32Smiths01]

That solo intro is legendary! Awesome to see the bass making its prominent rounds on this channel! I've been seeing they Stringray bass around YT recently, and they look and sound amazing!

[@KeithCopeland778]

A very cool video!!!! I'm looking forward to getting my first USA StingRay 5 Special HH!!!

[@pillepalle3614]

Number 1 sounded incredible

[@justinkillings5689]

I’ve owned 3 Stingray’s over the years and it looks like it’s time for # 4!!

[@kongandbasses8732]

I have four of them right now. 2 SR 5, a 1995 in natural finish with rosewood fingerboard and a 1999 in transparent orange with all maple neck, a 1999 SR 4 in honeyburst with amn and a SR 5 Classic in tobaccoburst with amn. I checked out two Bongo 5, but I could not become friends with them.

[@jonathanlim6454]

Great editing rob, i thoroughly enjoyed the video. Must have been an amazing feeling being in that vault.

[@florenttenryu5011]

Very nice to see the people behind this beautiful instrument. Thank you !

[@williamsmothers8830]

Great content - thanks so much for allowing me to tag along.

[@TacticalHyena]

that sparkly 4 string with twin pickups is one of, if not the, nicest looking basses ive seen

[@theoryofmine7473]

Cracking wee video. Really interesting. Thanks for putting it together.

[@tmsglobal5848]

Very insightful on the StingRay and the team working on them

[@Adamnme01]

the sparkle black st vincent guitar in the background is gorgeous

[@HazardSports]

Most excellent video Rob! And thanks for creating it! I dont know how I missed this gem but I found it because I am probably buying my first stingray this week! Neck-thru HH. Cant wait!

[@TheEldorado1991]

Hey there, I actually had no idea they make these basses with neck-thru design! would you mind telling more about the particular EB Stingray model specifically that does that feature? :-)

[@dtyndall11]

Awesome video! Love my Starry Night and Old Smoothie Stingrays

[@tonymickens8803]

Thank You Louis Johnson, if it Weren't for You, Leo Never would have made the Music Man RIP Louis Johnson. @Rob Chapman

[@richmerrill3940]

#1 sounds amazing.

[@reisselpud]

Thank you Rob !

[@keathdavid]

That edit at 11:33

[@jerryramosbass7913]

Awesome!!!! 👌 Some more bass episodes please...🙏 maybe the Ampeg AEB-1? Thanks and love your channel.🎼🎵🤟✌️💪

[@shuruff904]

MCA from Beastie Boys had one....def a nice boom stick...I want one identical to his green metallic one one day. For now, I love my mint green Stingray

[@byjuu246]

They need to recreate #1!!!!!!!!

[@malcelinho]

Dave never fails to give me an earboner with his bass tone and playing

[@Meypelnek]

Thanks so much for this!

[@lockedowng]

These new ones make me want to trade in my older stingray for it. Gotta wait on that Joe Dart signature though!

[@JayTheLane]

Digging the beardless Chappers. What a young looking handsome beast 🤣

[@byjuu246]

Stingray #1 sounded the BEST of all the stingray types!!!!!

[@Libanass]

It sounded a bit like a Pre-Ernie Ball.. but it is not, it's not even number 1, it should be an 1984 Stingray

[@robertpurdy4452]

OMG! I want that '85 lefty StingRay!

[@vincenzollamas]

SOME tonal sacrifice, but hardly any. every other improvement is wonderful, and makes it the best playing bass i've ever played.

[@martinheath5947]

Handy tip for Stingray players who have an old school bridge with string mutes: Cut a thin strip from an eraser rubber (strip needs to be about 6.5cm long and 4mm wide) and place it under the strings between mute pads and strings close to the saddles. Twist each individual mute knob until the desired amount of pressure is applied to each string for a nice evenly muted tone. Done. Now you can whip a small piece of rubber in and out between songs to change sound quickly without a lot of fiddling about. Rubber strip is small enough to be stored in the space under the strings behind the bridge saddles when not in use. Sounds really good and thuddier than the original foam pads ;)

[@VideoPrens]

Thanks man

[@marcusstirling1385]

Hi Rob. Have you thought about putting the top and finish from Dave's Sig basses on a 6 or 7 string as it is a stunning finish

[@ChipsA17]

I can't afford one so i bought a sterling music man stingray ray34 ash black and its so amazing.

[@RandyWillcox]

I love this company.

[@moratts182]

have you noticed that every new model they moved the pickup from (almost) 2cm from the bridge(the sound i love) to almost middle position?

[@MrWilson-WithaPbass]

My gosh ! so good ! best bass tone ever . "DAVE" !

[@trev3050]

17:42 he smacks the headstock off the light lol new Ernie ball stingray (slight relic)

[@tbdmn83]

"Road worn" model.

[@paulsummerside]

I miss my stingray bass :( regret having to sell it.

[@KRayxKodessA]

Any video with Dave jamming, a a video I'll watch!

[@hansensor]

Rob-What is up with the custom Music Man guitars? Just curious, I'm sure we will see them when possible.

[@martinoshinsky5713]

Back in 1992 I played a Stingray for the first time, it was better than sex, also lasting more then 3 minutes. I was able to secure financing and took the bass home the next day. I believe the price around that time was $1,200. Last week I encountered a handful of new Stingray Specials at my local music store. Again, after picking up one of the basses, not even plugging it in, I had that same feeling that I was holding greatness in my hands. And of course, plugging it in just confirmed my suspicions. It took 32 years, but I finally purchased my second Stingray.

[@bredeker]

Dave is a legend.

[@acidbass]

I'm hugely surprised that a company like EB who hire many full time engineering 'specialists' took so long to correct the string/pole piece alignment on the G string, which has caused tonal balance issues with Rays since the beginning of time. The new modern Stingrays FINALLY address this issue after nearly 30 years.

[@ileutur6863]

It was never that big of an issue in the first place

[@pretendtobenormal8064]

@@ileutur6863 Unless you bend string or apply vibrato.

[@ShadamAran]

I’m obsessed with those roasted maple necks. So much better than the classic yellowed wood look lol

[@FlamesAt1000ft]

Musicman are my Heroes!...they really put the progress of Bass playing , Composing & Recording for Bassists on the map! (..as some MM owners can attest,..you got the gig because owned one and could work the sh#$%t out of it!..) All one has to do is just go back in time to ANY Era and listen to the significant Hits from Artists & Bands to feel Nostalgia then know that tone of the Stingray Bass!!..MADE the tunes come to life! Such as: “Sweetest Taboo” -Sade,...”Promises,Promises”-Naked Eyes,.. ”Stomp!”-The Brothers Johnson,..”Kajagoo goo” & “Hang on now”-Kajagoo goo ...Red Hot Chilly Peppers,..Michael Jackson hits plus many more!! I own a Musicman Bongo Bass and it IS Killer as well! b(‘_ < )

[@alanscharrer5255]

I would like to know given the electronics, how is this different from the Bongo?

[@Bigscott4130]

Thanks for the low end love. And is this the first vid that Dave wasnt shown to "Dave" the world?

[@CharlesRobitaille514]

Bring back the old bridge!!!!!! Only that!!! The weight won't change that much if you bring it back. It's part of what made Stingrays.....Stingrays!!!!

[@joesified]

Seems like the dude interviewing gave more info than the actual EB employees 😂

[@ericblasse6335]

Rob u have 666k subscribers, that is so metal

[@FateBringsMe2U]

Eric Blasse brutal

[@EverendeverGroup]

Worst thing about Ernie era Stingrays is the elimination of the string-thru-body design .

[@dartin9145]

Rob can you do a vidoe about how you started playing the electric guitar and who inspired you in your journey.

[@Kingsnax12]

Dartin 914 this video exists

[@Kingsnax12]

Find it

[@Kingsnax12]

*Litost* man that’s too bad

[@tonyaguilar2401]

Please do a lesson video on catalyst I want to know how to play it

[@theamateurfurry4735]

I want that Axe bass. I bet it feels weird to play but sounds good!

[@shuruff904]

I bet Gene Simmons would love it......even though he sucks on bass lol...

[@tonymickens8803]

Thank You Louis Johnson, if it Weren't for You, Leo Never would have made the Music Man RIP Louis Johnson.

[@juggy666]

Some of the demos are too fast for my Iking and it can be hard to hear the Bass tone for the 'demo' noise.

[@drezy5337]

Ok, I'm just gonna say it. Is it just me or does that red Stingray from the 80s sound awesome? I've always thought those late 80s Stingrays were the bomb! It's like having a pre Ernie Ball with some EB improvements.

[@farrh6867]

I have one and anyone that plays it, loves it. I bought it all beat up in the early 90's and it has been my main bass since. Also, Skip Goez rewound the pickup for me and it kills even harder.

[@malcolmmacdonald4745]

A question I would ask is, "How does EB MM maintain the high quality of craftsmanship and finished product, right down to perfect setup of every instrument that leaves their factory. I don't think any other company can compete with EB MM at that level. ... And personally, they Stingray Specials are the highest example of that quality craftsmanship. ... I can achieve that with my personal basses but these guys do it with every bass. ... But, personally, every bass pretty well sounds the same slapped.

[@Queen4Life483]

Tour Dave.

[@KaijuAlert]

Interesting to see they didn't mention a fix for the famous Stingray deadspots.

[@billyscranner6813]

Dave.

[@robustduck]

Sell me that lefty Stingray from 1985! Yes please!

[@garyheighway7635]

Love it with 2 pickups

[@joegordon7196]

The bass he said was #1 had 3 band eq.I didn’t think that came along till much later 🤔

[@ChrisArmstrong1310]

Dave has some stonking chops. Why don’t we see more of Dave on KZbin?

[@babayaga1767]

the difference between MM and other "active" basses is that the pickup is not active on a MM, it just has a preamp in front.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

My parents gave me a Sting Ray for my 18th birthday. It served me well for 10 years, until one particular bandmate's particularly rumbly vehicle vibrated the guitar to the point of breaking all the solder connections. At the time, I didn't know anyone who did soldering, so I was forced to retire it. The 10 years I spent with that Sting Ray are what made me so picky about the neck MUST be satin, and why I only ever use bridge pickups.

[@mouthmw]

I bet it was an easy fix though, and most likely, it was just the battery box connection.

[@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy]

I should ask. That said, when I did finally find a guy who does soldering for a living, I had him completely re-solder the electronics.

[@VmShpman82]

Good to see they have pride in making a great product & not just another crappy muddy sounding bass.. Electronics means alot to them .

[@rodrigofernandez5825]

"Yep" -Dave.

[@nickbrown322]

13:16 if you know you know ;)

[@whamni]

I have a 79' from new and in its lifetime it has had three necks, first two had truss rod problems and the last and present neck developed sideways twist, so it hangs on the wall now, not because I don't like it, but simply MM stopped doing spares for their early instruments, bad PR work don't you think? PS If you have a spare neck in that store to fit my 79' Stingray I'll take it thankyou.

[@ileutur6863]

You do realize a luthier could repair those issues?

[@wolfnik7410]

Would you sell pickups.?

[@whamni]

@@wolfnik7410 lol you obviously know the best parts lol . If I was selling, it would be the complete bass at the going rate.

[@richardkelley8415]

Ernie ball music man stingray basses rule.

[@babayaga1767]

i have pre ernie ball's and ernie balls, the pre, like the no. 1, sound more like an in your face P bass. the ernie ball is more well, ernie ball sounding. not a bad thing just different from the leo fender design. i love them both

[@VmShpman82]

The axe one looks like a Gene Simons bass. ( Kiss)

[@lieut89]

In for 500!

[@tippydripbumskeetr1745]

not an ernie ball fan - sorry but out of my price range..... but they have excelled at making bass a huge product - so mad props peoples, the look and sound great !!!! even if affordable im a single man band - to spend that money, it would be not in the budget.... besides , i happened to have found 2 somewhat vintage bass's that just happened to have great necks and handle flat wound strings well . but 1 up for ball bass's !!!!!!!

[@blur1355]

but, does it djent?

[@raaftar_godoz9802]

Please suggest music man bass within 500-600 dollar? Stingray model

[@PasqualinoFondanzio]

Sub

[@yungkreb8309]

Bass

[@FloBass]

Who in their right mind drops a thumbs down on this video? Banger video, Chappers!

[@pCeLobster]

5:19 what a meme.

[@crankjazz]

Is it possible to play a Stingray without slapping it? ;-)

[@raaftar_godoz9802]

Cost of this guitar?

[@justinjohnson8816]

2000, +

[@OthiOthi]

666k subs. Oh.

[@OthiOthi]

Wang.

[@triconte4418]

Bajazo

[@alanscharrer5255]

Hollingsworth=Bass GOD

[@andwelovearpsychopat7820]

So that were Gary glitter is now days hahaha

[@isaacayala7577]

Who knew Conan was good at bass

[@blkjakk]

And supposedly the new Stringray is built entirely by computers.

[@darkySp]

Man, this neck is thicc

[@lovecchio420]

Dave's not here man.

[@VenzGF]

DAVE.

[@josephalvaro5244]

#1 with 4 knobs,a 4 bolt neck and not a string through body? Obviously not a '76 B00 bass.#1 Ernie Ball MM 3 band Stingray I guess.

[@zazz63]

but after all this people still pay way more dollar for pre eb stingrays...its like saying eb screwed up the magic.

[@ryanspencerlauderdale687]

It’s so funky and it’s low volume. Come on.

[@FernandoRivera-dm7hh]

666k subs o_O

[@evanwilliamsguitar]

Third

[@_Only_Zuul]

i think there are better basses for the price of a top MM stingray

[@terrytickler]

Early

[@paolozak3014]

"improving" Leo Fender's design ?? ...well, that's questionable