I have tried out several basses, even boutique ones, and always dreamed of Stingray. However, I felt it to be too expensive. In my search for the perfect bass guitar, I eventually took the step and won't look back since.
The instrument looks fabulous and plays perfectly. At the beginning I was a bit worried when it didn't sound like I wanted, and I tried to tweak my amps eq and settings on my pedals. After two weeks I tried out the 3-band eq of the Stingray itself and voila! With it's own eq, you can adjust it to different musical styles and fine-adjust the rest with amp eq/pedals if you need. So never underestimate the Stingray onboard eq!
It's basically one trick pony, but it does the trick so well that I don't feel like I'm lacking anything. This is a keeper and I will never let it go. Worth every euro I paid for it.
My only two issues were the following (with which I can live with):
1. There was a slight resonance from open A string when plucked heavily. Surfing through forums I noticed that other had similar issues especially with Fenders. The most likely cause for it in this case was either a) the factory installed string was either cut too short or the tension was too low (the resonance disappeared when I slightly pressed below the nut) and the tension on the string seemed a bit low (the string was more "loose" than the others) and/or b) the nut slot for the A string was just slightly too large, so that the string resonated to the nut slot walls.
Easy fix was to install a 1-2mmx1-2mm piece of paper stripped from common A4 to the nut slot under the string, after which all problems ceased instantly. The gauge on the factory installed A string is 80 if I'm correct, so heavier gauge string (85) will most likely have the same effect, as this tiny piece of paper. I guess I will have to test it out.
2. I really disliked the right hand playing position/thumb position in the beginning, as the MM pickup is near the bridge and it has screw holes protruding from it, thus the surface for the thumb is not even.
I may install a thumb rest just in front of the pickup, as I tried similar setup with another brand and it was perfect for playing. However, it seems that I've become more accustomed to the pickup position/shape, so let's see.
Edit. Nope, stronger gauge didn’t fix the issue with open A resonance. Still had to use a paper strip under the string in nut slot for it to complitely go away.