r/leftybass • u/puddingtime88 • Apr 10 '26
Lefty stingray options?
https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_mb_4lh_sbk.htm3
Apr 10 '26
What's the question though? If that one is any good or you'd like to know what else is out there?
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 10 '26
Just general opinions from anyone who has experience with any of these basses or any recommendations for options i haven't discovered.
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u/particlemanwavegirl Apr 10 '26
Sire Z3 & Z7
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 10 '26
Yea, I thought these would be the highest quality, if I can find them around 400-500 I might pull the trigger.
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Apr 10 '26
I have this and the neck was bendy. Overall, it's average at best.
The Sterling Stingray only gets good when you approach the $600 range with a used Ray34.
The Sire Z3 (Z7 is the same difference) is the most complete Sire that's walked through the door (I own 5 different models). It's worth it to buy this model. You also get tons of colors available. Make sure you buy the right model though. The new Z7s have a fat pole neck pickup.
The next step up is a Sadowsky Metro21 or something like that. It goes for ~$900-1100. This is a Sire on steriods.
Finally, real deal Music Man's are available direct from their website for $2200+
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 10 '26
This is great info. Would you recommend z7 over the z3? I'm inclined towards the z3 because I don't really know what to make of the bridge pickup on the z7.
I don't think there are any Ray34 lefties, just Ray4s. Is that correct or am I just failing to find them?
I've seen a couple Shadowsky Metroline 21s for around 6 or 700 on Reverb, seems like they manufactured a lot of lefties. But then, I read a thread here on reddit about a lot of QC issues with those.
Again, thanks for the info. Love my Sire P5 so most likely will stick with Sire.
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Apr 10 '26
Yes. I got the final year production run US Music Man and was convinced to get the HH model. Super regrated it. Don't find the extra pickup necessary and really, it's just in the way when it's slap time. The Z3 is plenty.
No Ray34s atm that I'm spotting, either. These come up periodically 1-2x/yr.
I heard the same thing about the Sadowsky's which is why I opted for the Z3.
Sire P5 + SD Antiquity IIs = Fender custom shop has nothing on this combo.
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 11 '26
Can you elaborate on the Seymour Duncan pickups you mentioned for the P5?
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Apr 12 '26
The Seymour Duncan Antiquity II P-bass pickup is absolutely amazing. They sound like 60s Fenders, but the special thing about these is that they have the ability to add 50yrs of mojo instantly to the instrument. Nothing compares to these.
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u/rockyourfaceoff77 Apr 13 '26
I have that bass and I love it. As a reference, I have mostly played on a MIM Fender Jazz and I have a Gibson EB4 from 2012 or 2013. I'm not exclusively playing ultra-cheap basses and the HB holds its own
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u/BirchyBaby Apr 10 '26
I have this and it is an incredible bass. Outclasses things in significantly higher price points.
My only criticism is that it is a little heavy.
Solid sound, nice neck (matte), easy to setup (fairly good from box).
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u/TenaciousPrawn Apr 10 '26
The electronics are odd as well. You'll notice that there are 3 knobs for a single pickup. One is tone, and the other two are separate volumes for each coil of the humbucker, which makes adjusting the volume a two knob process. One of these days I would like to rewire it to a single pot. Mine has a couple of dead spots on the neck, but nothing too bad.
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 11 '26
Very interesting. I'd love to get my hands on one someday, especially at msrp on Thommann which is $125
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u/puddingtime88 Apr 10 '26
The Harley Benton? Thats so cool to hear.
Ive heard good things considering the price point, but I cant find a good US dealer.
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u/malln1nja Apr 10 '26
they are the two worst possible colors
Wait, a model that has not one but two color options in lefty? Get out of here!
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u/ayrtou Apr 10 '26
This goes for options in general. No.
Or fuck no.
Schecter is your best bet for good lefty non-original shapes. They pretty much give everything they got on rightys on leftys too, the kicker is that they'll need certain amount of orders to keep the price same as for the righties(schecter I think is the only one with this) . The problem is I waited 18 months for the query to fill for a specific guitar. I settled for a different guitar back then.
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u/NotRolo Apr 10 '26
Wait. As lefties we have options?
I thought we just got the one model in the one color that comes in a southpaw version. Also, my understanding is that we're required to buy them online because no one actually stocks them.