19mm EBMM 5 string: fact / fiction?

[eastcoasteddie]

I plan on building a Warmoth 5 inspired by the Stingray. It would have a 1-7/8” nut and Fender 5-string 18mm (18.4 actually). It would look sort of like this:

(manipulated Maruszczyk Configurator - mix between Elwood C and Elwood L). It could also be looked upon like a Flea Active Jazz V.

 

[joeyl]

Funny enough that's almost exactly where I'm thinking myself: Alan Cringean just re-released the John East EQ 01 preamp, I snagged two of them. I might follow your path on this, in my quest to assemble a Frankenstein-esque "Ernie Wal". I think I may start searching for a clone body / neck! Good thinking...

I had one of the ACG preamp, I regret selling it!

 

[Chad Michael]

for the sake of my big dumb fingers...

You are not alone, your fingers are not dumb, they just like real estate.... and the Stingray sound. I hear you.... EBMM can go on with their legacy, but we know, and they know, what we want. That is why we buy substitutes until they do it or not. Anthony (Doc Cheese) thanks for chiming in, you have played plenty of basses and you get it.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

View attachment 4068899

These incredibly rare, but both American and import TCB made some nice Stingray 5 alternatives.

Warwick FNA also.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Warwick FNA also.

That one slips my mind for some reason.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

 

[Dr. Cheese]

View attachment 4068950

I would love one of those!

 

[N4860]

Firstly, I am somewhat biased as I am a big fan of EBMM basses and have a few of them in my collection. Just to get that out there.

I know some people were angry about how Sterling addressed the issue in the previous thread, but from a business perspective, his points are very valid. I manage a business and there are particular SKU's that are considerably underperforming and cost the company to produce. Mr. Ball knew that the request for this particular instrument would result in lost money for the company and chose not to pursue it. Sure, he might not be the best people person, but at least he cares and personally communicates with people. For a company as successful as EBMM, that should at least be commended. It's not like anyone from Fender or G&L is coming on talkbass to chat with people.

 

[spade2you]

I lost a lot of respect with how the whole 19mm 5 string was handled. They HAVE builders who can do custom stuff. There are all sorts of BFR and limited edition builds. How dare you ask for something custom!

 

[N4860]

I lost a lot of respect with how the whole 19mm 5 string was handled. They HAVE builders who can do custom stuff. There are all sorts of BFR and limited edition builds. How dare you ask for something custom!

The BFR's are mostly just special wood and finishes. Not a completely different model. The charge a few hundred extra for a special limited finish. Do you know what it would cost for them to do a limited run of a model that would require a complete reconfiguration of their manufacturing process? They're in a lose-lose situation; they either produce the instrument at a similar price as their main line (at a loss due to the R&D and manufacturing investments) for a small handful of people, produce the instrument at the appropriate price to justify their cost which will piss people off because it will be too high, or just not produce the instrument.

 

[spade2you]

The BFR's are mostly just special wood and finishes. Not a completely different model. The charge a few hundred extra for a special limited finish. Do you know what it would cost for them to do a limited run of a model that would require a complete reconfiguration of their manufacturing process? They're in a lose-lose situation; they either produce the instrument at a similar price as their main line (at a loss due to the R&D and manufacturing investments) for a small handful of people, produce the instrument at the appropriate price to justify their cost which will piss people off because it will be too high, or just not produce the instrument.

So, adding a 6 string bass and a 7 string guitar are no big deal, but a 19mm 5 string is?

 

[Lesfunk]

The fact that we are on an Internet forum, with a belly full of turkey, complaining about music man not making a stingray5 in a different string spacing.... gave me a chuckle.
It’s such a first world problem.
There are so many companies and options available to us it’s ridiculous. You can get a wide spaced five string with a Humbucker if you want one .

why aren’t we crapping on Lakland for not making a 34” 17mm? Or Sadowsky? Or anyone else who doesn’t offer everything and anything we want...

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I would love one of those!

I sold mine (looked as pictured) the thing is that they are *edit- corrected my memory failed * 16.5 - 17mm spacing - not a suitable surrogate for a 19mm stingray.
they offer a 20mm wideneck option for some models.


@Dr. Cheese they are found about for $900 .... 1998 was the last year for the all wenge neck on those models.
Ash body, ebony middle lam, flame maple cap. MEC humbucker 3 band Seymour Duncan Pre (with internally adjustable gain)

 

[N4860]

So, adding a 6 string bass and a 7 string guitar are no big deal, but a 19mm 5 string is?

Yes because they sell a lot of those.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

View attachment 4068950

16.5mm spacing...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Firstly, I am somewhat biased as I am a big fan of EBMM basses and have a few of them in my collection. Just to get that out there.

I know some people were angry about how Sterling addressed the issue in the previous thread, but from a business perspective, his points are very valid. I manage a business and there are particular SKU's that are considerably underperforming and cost the company to produce. Mr. Ball knew that the request for this particular instrument would result in lost money for the company and chose not to pursue it. Sure, he might not be the best people person, but at least he cares and personally communicates with people. For a company as successful as EBMM, that should at least be commended. It's not like anyone from Fender or G&L is coming on talkbass to chat with people.

If he was going to talk to us, he could talk to us like people who actually give him money from time to time, not chumps. I have read where more than a few makers have posted here: Sheldon Dingwall; Roger Sadowsky; Pete Skjold; Ken Smith; as well as Sterling Ball. Only Ken Smith was worse than Sterling Ball when it came to communicating. It is really no big deal when a maker says he is not going to do something that one of us suggests. All Mr. Ball had to say is that he is not planning on a wide spaced Stingray and leave it at that.

As for a wide spaced Stingray losing money, we don’t know because it has never happened. As I mentioned earlier, he could try it out with his import line at a very low price. If he shipped 500 or 600 wide spaced Sterling Classic fives for $550-$650, there is absolutely no reason why he could not sell them.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I am noting that there are seemingly many people wanting an SR5 with 19mm spacing.
It can be done by any competent builder.
Even a direct knockoff since there are many parts available aftermarket.
clones of the 2 band pre-amp.

Maybe the remake can address the weak G-------------------------

*hiding*

 

[spade2you]

Yes because they sell a lot of those.

Because they're offered. You can't definitely say that it won't sell when he'll NEVER offer it.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Because they're offered. You can't definitely say that it won't sell when he'll NEVER offer it.

Thread! I still say try it with the import line. Those factories in Indonesia could crank some out pretty quickly.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Thread! I still say try it with the import line. Those factories in Indonesia could crank some out pretty quickly.

Since string spacing is measured in metric

Maybe Sterling could go all American and offer the string spacing as 0.748031" ?