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"Best armchair bass ever! Good bang for..."
Best armchair bass ever! Good bang for the buck.
Reviewed Nov 04, 2021
3 reasons why people want to buy it
Actual feedback of people who want to buy Höfner Shorty Bass BK
- "I love it"A 18-24 y.o. male fan of Coldplay from Georgia
- "I like everything , because i dont have nothing "A 18-24 y.o. male fan of Alice In Chains from Serbia
- "Beautiful"A 17 y.o. or younger male fan of Guns N' Roses from Hungary
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"A classic StingRay voice with American build quality - chunky, punchy, and unapologetically heavy."
Review of Music Man Stingray 4 Classic MN NT
I picked up the Music Man Stingray 4 Classic MN NT to see whether the reissue of the 70s-era StingRay magic still holds up in a modern player’s world. I came from a mix of P- and J-style basses, so I spent my time evaluating how the Classic’s ash body and maple neck translate into feel, tone, and stage practicality for day-to-day playing.
First Impressions
Out of the case the first things that hit me were the finish and the neck - the Natural finish showcases the ash grain and the figured maple neck looks and feels premium, and the hardware is solid and nicely plated. The bass is noticeably heavier than modern lightweight designs, which gives it a planted feel when standing but makes it a shoulder workout during long rehearsals; my immediate expectation was that this would reward me with sustain and presence at the amp. The neck radius feels vintage-friendly, and the single Music Man humbucking pickup with the two-band active preamp promised a very StingRay-forward voice right away.
Design & Features
The Classic is faithful to the original StingRay concept - ash body, maple bolt-on neck, maple fingerboard in the MN spec, 34" scale, 21 frets and a 7.5" radius that leans toward the vintage side of playability. The bridge is the 'Classic' design with stainless saddles and adjustable mute pads - a small but practical touch for taming sustain and getting that old-school thud when you want it. Electronics are straightforward - one volume and a 2-band active preamp (treble and bass) which keeps the control layout simple and immediate. Fit and finish felt factory-clean on my sample; the neck has a glossy finish that looks great but can feel a touch tacky until broken in.
Playability & Usability
Playing the Stingray Classic MN NT felt like stepping into a different ergonomic world compared to slimmer modern necks - the nut width and profile are substantial, and I found my hand had to open up more to access the lower frets. That chunk helps with tone, though - my fretting hand felt locked in and confident when digging into grooves. The gloss neck finish initially slowed fast position shifts for me, but after a few hours it smoothed out and felt predictable. Onstage I appreciated how little I needed from the amp - the pickup and preamp deliver a focused low end and a punchy, mid-forward attack that cuts through a mix without much EQ fiddling.
Real-World Experience
I took the Stingray through rehearsals and a short club gig, and it behaved like a workhorse - tuning was stable, the two-band EQ let me quickly dial presence or warmth, and the bridge mutes helped tighten up sustain for faster songs. I swapped between roundwounds and flats during one rehearsal to test character: with flats the low end became thick and vintage-sounding; with rounds the attack and slap response were immediate and aggressive. The weight showed up during a two-hour rehearsal set, and I reached for a wide strap - after that the balance was fine but the shoulder fatigue was real if I tried long standing runs without a break.
The Trade-Offs
The trade-offs are straightforward - you get authentic StingRay tone and top-tier build at the cost of weight and a minimal control set. If you want modern tone-sculpting tools you may miss a 3-band EQ or active pickup blend, and the glossy neck finish will be a matter of taste for fast players. For me the tonal payoff was worth the compromises, but I recognize not everyone will accept the heft or the more vintage neck profile.
Final Verdict
The Stingray 4 Classic MN NT is a taste-specific instrument - it nails classic StingRay punch, sustain, and construction quality, and it will be a keeper if you want a bold, single-pickup voice with minimal fuss. I recommend it to players who prioritize tone and build over featherlight ergonomics - session players, touring rockers, and anyone who wants that classic, cutting StingRay presence will find a lot to love here. If you need ultra-lightweight comfort or extensive onboard tonal shaping, look elsewhere or be ready to customize.
by Musicngear Verified Community ReviewsHelpful Tips & Answers
- Is the Stingray Classic MN NT heavy to play for long gigs?
- Yes - in my experience it is noticeably heavier than many modern basses, and I used a wide strap to avoid shoulder fatigue during long standing sets.
- Can this bass be a good slap and funk instrument?
- Absolutely - the humbucker and two-band preamp deliver enough attack and definition for slap work, and the tone cuts nicely in a dense mix.
- How does it respond to flatwound strings?
- I tried flats and the low end became very warm and vintage, which I loved for laid-back and retro styles - you lose some attack but gain a pleasing thump.
- Is the gloss neck finish slippery or sticky?
- Out of the case it felt a little tacky to me, but after a few hours of playing it smoothed out and became comfortable for fast runs.
- Do the mute pads on the bridge actually help?
- Yes - the adjustable mute pads are a practical feature for tightening sustain and dialing a more vintage, muted slap without swapping strings or tools.
- Would I recommend this as a first high-end bass?
- I would recommend it only if the buyer specifically wants that classic StingRay voice and is comfortable with the weight and simpler control layout.
- Is the onboard 2-band EQ limiting?
- The 2-band EQ is musical and quick to use, but if you need surgical tone-shaping you may prefer a 3-band preamp or external EQ in the rig.
"A high-end, ergonomically focused headless bass with serious build pedigree and a focused, punchy voice."
Review of Claas Guitars Leviathan Bass 4 HDL SGS
I came to the Leviathan Bass 4 looking for a modern, playable headless instrument that still felt substantial - and that is exactly the vibe it delivers. I play in a handful of heavy and progressive projects where clarity, low-end authority, and fast neck access matter, and this bass fit straight into that role without fuss.
First Impressions
Right out of the case the Leviathan makes an impression - the swamp green satin finish is restrained but distinctive, and the headless layout gives the whole instrument a compact, balanced feel. The first thing I noticed was the neck work - a five-piece maple/ebony laminate with a coated ebony fingerboard that felt stiff, stable, and very fast under my thumb.
Build Quality & Design
Construction on this Claas Leviathan is clearly boutique-grade - an ash body married to a 5-piece maple/ebony neck with a Claas 10-point neck attachment that sits far into the body for rigidity. The ebony board with 24 stainless-steel frets and the compound-radius profile move from a rounded feel near the nut to flatter up the neck - it’s a very modern setup for both fingerstyle and pick players. Hardware is black and understated, and the individual custom-shop headless bridges feel precise and solid under string tension.
Playability & Comfort
The Leviathan is one of those rare designs that actually rewards long sessions - the balance is excellent whether sitting or standing, and the absence of a headstock shifts mass lower so the body sits comfortably against my torso. The 38 mm nut width and long 864 mm scale (34") give string spacing and tension that suit both fingerstyle and heavier attack, and the neck profile plus compound radius made stretches and fast runs feel effortless.
Electronics & Tone
Claas spec’d the Leviathan with two Lace Aluma-J pickups in a simple passive Volume and Blend layout, and that restraint is part of the instrument’s charm - you get clear, focused tone without an overcomplicated control stack. Plugged in, the mids and top end are articulate and the low end remains tight even when pushed into a band mix - it responds well to both roundwound strings and the slightly smoother Nanoweb set it shipped with.
Real-World Experience
I ran the Leviathan through rehearsals, a couple of low-volume gigs, and a short tracking session - it held tune, sat well in the mix, and cut through without being shouty. The clarity of the Lace Aluma-Js meant I could dial in both modern growl and cleaner pulsing tones by ear rather than relying on EQ rescue, and the neck stability - even under alternate tunings - gave me confidence to push it hard live.
The Trade-Offs
This is a premium niche instrument, and that comes with compromises - the passive, minimalist electronics are great for purity but lack onboard tonal shaping some players expect. The headless format, while brilliant for balance and compactness, isn’t for collectors who want a classic aesthetic; and at its price point you should expect near-perfect setup out of the box, which I did have to tweak slightly to suit my action preferences.
Final Verdict
The Leviathan Bass 4 HDL SGS is an excellent choice if you want a modern, boutique-built headless bass that prioritizes playability, stability, and a focused tonal character. It’s not a do-it-all active workhorse, but for players who value neck performance, build quality, and a no-nonsense voice it’s a well-executed instrument I’d happily take into a studio or a tight live mix.
by Musicngear Verified Community ReviewsHelpful Tips & Answers
- Is the Leviathan comfortable for long gigs?
- Yes - the headless balance and body contours made it comfortable for multi-hour rehearsals and a couple of low-volume gigs I played.
- What scale and nut width does it have?
- It has a long 864 mm (34") scale with a 38 mm (1.5") nut width, which gives a familiar longscale tension and comfortable spacing for my playing style.
- Are the pickups active or passive?
- The bass uses passive Lace Aluma-J pickups with a simple Volume and Blend control - great for pure, immediate tone but no onboard EQ.
- How heavy is the instrument?
- It’s fairly light for its size - around the mid 3-kilogram range when I weighed it, which translates to fatigue-free playing over a long set.
- Does the headless bridge feel reliable?
- Yes - the custom headless saddles felt rock-solid and stable for tuning and intonation during my use.
- What strings does it come fitted with?
- The example I played came with Elixir Nanoweb light gauges and they paired nicely with the passive electronics and bridge setup.
- Who is this bass best suited for?
- Players who want a modern, ergonomic headless bass for studio and gigging use - especially those who prize neck speed and tonal clarity over onboard electronics.