StingRay 5 LH MN VSB : Real Stingray sound for an amazingly low price

I play in an alternative metal band, and I tend to mix slapping with fingerstyle. This is the main reason I chose this bass - it can do both.

This bass sound amazing. It can reproduce the signature Stingray growl which cuts through the mix and at the same time doesn't collide with the other instruments. I really love that the bass has only one pickup, since even when I'm playing a J-style bass, I always use both pickups. I just don't like going through different pickup combinations. The 2-band EQ seems to work fine. However, it would have been much better if the bass came with a 3-band. In certain situations, the extra control over the middle frequencies can be a lifesaver.

About the build quality and the hardware... I'm not particularly picky when it comes to this, but the fretwork isn't the best. However, this shouldn't surprise you. Considering the price, it's more than good enough. The hardware may feel cheap to some buyers, but it does the job well. The strings stay in tune, the bridge seems solid. What more do you need?

Overall, the bass is absolutely worth every cent. It sound and plays great. I would recommend it to the working musician. It's a useful tool to have in your pocket.