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19mm EBMM 5 string: fact / fiction?
- Thread starter dickfitts
- Start date
I think I am ready to just ignore EBMM and look for other companies to build a Stingray style basses with wide spacing. Probably the best option to build an affordable bass would be Ibanez. There may have already been a wider spaced ATK, but I am not sure. I do know that Ibanez brings back the ATK periodically, and if Ibanez got a lot of requests for a wider spaced ATK, I bet they would do it. Another option available now is the Carvin Amos Williams TesseracT bass. It is marketed as a Metal bass, but it certainly has a Stingray sound, and could work in Non-Metal context.
Finally, another option is the a three pickup Dingwall. I have heard videos where in one setting, they get the Stingray tone. They have 18mm spacing like Lulls. When I have more time, I will find a video that shows that sound.
Finally, another option is the a three pickup Dingwall. I have heard videos where in one setting, they get the Stingray tone. They have 18mm spacing like Lulls. When I have more time, I will find a video that shows that sound.
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Indeed! Hmm...
...Still getting more and more obsessed with this, from a few pages back in this thread. They're claiming 18mm to 19.5mm adjustable bridge. I'm INSANELY curious how close to the edge of the fretboard 19mm gets you. Might anybody possibly have experience with this particular axe?--->
Oops, wifi stoppage....
"Interested, but not surprised, to see that I'm not the only one who won't touch anything with the Ball name on it anymore after seeing Sterling's conduct both on here and (especially) on the EB forum. If I can vote with my feet to avoid doing business with someone who I know bullies people from a position of power, then I will."
An opposing thought, but as much as Sterling may be a jerk (and I don't support him), I can fully support the great employees that work at Music Man and make these wonderful basses and guitars. You don't have to like them. You can look elsewhere for something that suits you better. You can petition for them to make a special version of what you want and you can be disappointed and even angered by Sterling's response. I would be, but I don't have a dog in this hunt. The standard stock SR5 works just fine for me, my stubby fat fingers and all (wasn't there a thread about adjusting to different basses, but I digress). I'm not going to throw a company full of great employees under the bus because the boss is a jerk (and it's been said that Sterling treats the employees like royalty, but I have no proof of that).
To each our own....
Not that model, but I have a California 5 which has the same neck specifications and bridge. You can see the adjustable bridge spacing and the end of the neck here.
Taking the spacing out wider will put the string fairly close to the edge of the neck.
Gotcha, much appreciated (and, GORGEOUS bass btw). What spacing do you have it set at in this pic?
I've never measured it, that's how it came from the factory and I've been happy with it like that. But looking at the bridge it's toward the lower end of their range, about 18.5mm probably. I might be able to get a ruler on it later on.
Edit: it's 18mm, except the D is slightly closer to the A than the G. Time for a slight adjustment.
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I agree with much of what you say. I want Ernie Ball to stay successful and keep jobs in America. Personally, I have no problem playing SR5’s and would have no problem buying another. As I just said in another post, there are lots of other companies that can provide Stingray style tone in bass with wide spacing and folks need to give them their money.
I like how Ernie Ball has played around with some quirky designs over the recent years. It's fun to see the Big Al & Reflex hit the scene - even when it's something that probably won't make it into my arsenal.
The thing is, other companies can explore, too - in ways that appeal more directly to me. Gibson of all makers issued this mutation a few years back. The odd look keeps growing on me (way more than the SR5 ever will), as does the broken-in-feeling satin nitro finish and - lo and behold - it's 19mm!
I tried it last night with the bridge pickup (both coils) and a Sadowsky pedal for active bass & treble boost for an attempt at a "Music Man" sound. I don't have a ton of experience with said sound, but I had fun exploring this configuration! (Might even work its way on to a gig, whenever those come back...)
So Mr Ball is happy with his business model, thousands of players are happy with their SR5s, Gibson is still in business after this attempt and I'm enjoying playing it. So everybody's happy.
The thing is, other companies can explore, too - in ways that appeal more directly to me. Gibson of all makers issued this mutation a few years back. The odd look keeps growing on me (way more than the SR5 ever will), as does the broken-in-feeling satin nitro finish and - lo and behold - it's 19mm!
I tried it last night with the bridge pickup (both coils) and a Sadowsky pedal for active bass & treble boost for an attempt at a "Music Man" sound. I don't have a ton of experience with said sound, but I had fun exploring this configuration! (Might even work its way on to a gig, whenever those come back...)
So Mr Ball is happy with his business model, thousands of players are happy with their SR5s, Gibson is still in business after this attempt and I'm enjoying playing it. So everybody's happy.
Only the 55-76, and there aren't many around.
I am fairly certain that their guitar lines sell circles around the bass line. From what I have heard the standard Stingray is the only model that sells large numbers. The Petrucci guitar was, for many years, the best selling signature guitar from any and all instrument companies. They are really big in the prog and metal scenes. Plus it's important to remember that TB is a very small percentage of the bass playing world but we often treat it like we speak for the all buyers. Just because 30 people on an internet forum are begging for a certain model doesn't mean it will convert to sales in the real world where most people don't care or spend any time thinking about these things.
Ok! Much appreciated, thank you.
The more I marinate on it, the more I think Sandberg might owe you a referral bonus...
The JP series is pretty nice. Despite my opinions about Mr. Ball, I was about to put some serious coin down on a limited JP16 before it sold out in approx one week.
Still, EBMM have released basses in recent years that involved totally new pickups, so adjusting the spacing can't be impossible. They offered a short scale, which involved new neck specs. Outside of their core models like the MM bass, Axis, JP, and Bongo, a lot of these guitars seem to have a fairly short lifespan.
I'm hardly a marketing guru. Perhaps they could sell more basses with the tried and true "new and improved" method. Lots of companies do that. Basses are durable goods that can potentially last several lifetimes if cared for. Without making cool tweaks to their product line, why buy a new ___________?
One can argue that the Stingray Special was a huge upgrade and improvement. EBMM significantly modified the sonic character of the bass to make it more Fenderlike when the the player wants that sound. Most importantly, EBMM took complaints about excess weight to heart. Now, a 8.5-9.5lb Stingray is not a unicorn. Those were huge changes that were greatly appreciated by Stingray fans.
Of course, wider string spacing does not seem likely for all of the reasons we have already discussed.
As in: approach Ernie Ball about building me a one-off bass, when the last time they went down this road they refused because it was less than 125 units?
I mean, don't get me wrong: would be fantastic if it worked. Not sure I'll hedge any bets however: option 2 is go with another builder and so I shall. Bummer, insofar as I like the brand and the mojo they and their build quality carry, but nothing insurmountable. So it goes...
Best to also include that 2 week deadline.
