35th Anniversary Stingray 5. Wow!

[Smooth_bass88]

way way way too expensive. I once bought a StingRay5 from basscentral.com for like under $1100 new. But I agree that's a sweet looking 35th Anniversary

 

[J Wilson]

EBMM has made Continuous Improvement a given, and their quality among the large numbers manufacturers is second to none. This has led to pricing that is really taking them out of a working musician's price range, which was not the case for many years. No doubt that is an exceptional Stingray Five, but as others have noted, for $4G's, you have a lot of choices.

 

[selowitch]

Very nice but too expensive for me.

 

[N4860]

I don’t understand the part about spalted maple top AND a thin maple veneer… why put veneer over a figured top? Maybe I’m misunderstanding what is going on… or the veneer is hippie sandwiched between the body and top?
I would definitely rock this bass but prefer the look of the 20th anniversary Ray with flame maple top (no veneer) and adhesive pickguard (removable). Not a huge fan of the spalted look, and I’ve become accustomed to the oval guard on Rays. Obviously YMMV

The maple veneer is in the middle of the body. You can see it here in this photo which gives it kind of binding type of look.

 

[Honkey tonk]

Gorgeous!

 

[Wood and Wire]

Looks like the top of body where right arm crosses over has NO chamfering at all - IME this is a problem ergonomically, and would be uncomfortable to play for longer periods.

Looks great though.

When the StingRay was redesigned in 2018, and rebranded as the StingRay Special, the traditional arm ramp was replaced with a nice smooth contour, that meant no matter whether you wore the instrument low, or high, played seated, or standing, your arm get the benefit of the contouring.

There were several subtle changes to the shape of the body, to make it more ergonomic, including the contoured neck heel, and the deeper lower cutaway, to ease access to the higher notes, and the addition of a 22nd fret.

 

[Knavery]

Might as well pay for a custom jobby.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Eh, another example of EBMM leaving the everyday man behind. It’s a shame.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Although the Stingray 5 neck is not my favorite, I think one can still argue that the SR5 is one of the best mass produced five strings available. I think Music Man is shooting itself in the foot by not making wider neck profiles available. At the prices EBMM is charging, they are no longer really making basses for the masses. That job has fallen to SBMM. It makes sense to offer wider string spacing on basses that are now directly competing with basses like Warwick/Sadowsky Metroline, USA Lakland, Japanese made Ibanezes, Euro Spectors, and other pricey factory basses.

 

[Mastermold]

Although the Stingray 5 neck is not my favorite, I think one can still argue that the SR5 is one of the best mass produced five strings available. I think Music Man is shooting itself in the foot by not making wider neck profiles available. At the prices EBMM is charging, they are no longer really making basses for the masses. That job has fallen to SBMM. It makes sense to offer wider string spacing on basses that are now directly competing with basses like Warwick/Sadowsky Metroline, USA Lakland, Japanese made Ibanezes, Euro Spectors, and other pricey factory basses.

I suppose more options are a good idea but the neck they have now is one of the reasons why my EBMM SR5 is now my only 5-string and why I sold the others.

 

[Mastermold]

Eh, another example of EBMM leaving the everyday man behind. It’s a shame.

They have gotten pricey in a hurry it seems, though this is an anniversary model they are pretty pricey for the standard models too. Maybe a little more so than G&L and Fender.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I suppose more options are a good idea but the neck they have now is one of the reasons why my EBMM SR5 is now my only 5-string and why I sold the others.

Cool! I simply think that since Music Man has at least lower end boutique pricing, they should offer some typical boutique options too.

 

[swink]

Cool! I simply think that since Music Man has at least lower end boutique pricing, they should offer some typical boutique options too.

I've always loved their "this is what we make, this is what you get policy." No nonsense. Everyone is equal, as a pleb you get the same products as the gods. If you want something different, there are plenty of other factories where you will find your liking.
This policy is changing in recent years with their signature versions and BFR, but it still remains WYSIWYG.

 

[Snert]

I've always loved their "this is what we make, this is what you get policy."

You mean like pretty much every other major manufacturer?

 

[swink]

You mean like pretty much every other major manufacturer?

But then without a custom shop...

 

[BassComa]

Could not resist and ordered one... It will be a nice addition to my StingRay 5 from 1998.

It was four instruments left when i ordered yesterday and only one left now. This model, iow HH, is limited to only 25 instruments made. At last one can order from The Vault and have it shipped internationally. Huge thumbs up for that.

 

[tb-player]

Could not resist and ordered one... It will be a nice addition to my StingRay 5 from 1998.

It was four instruments left when i ordered yesterday and only one left now. This model, iow HH, is limited to only 25 instruments made. At last one can order from The Vault and have it shipped internationally. Huge thumbs up for that.
View attachment 4878917

I hope you get a good one! Congrats!

 

[BassComa]

I hope you get a good one! Congrats!

Thank you!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Could not resist and ordered one... It will be a nice addition to my StingRay 5 from 1998.

It was four instruments left when i ordered yesterday and only one left now. This model, iow HH, is limited to only 25 instruments made. At last one can order from The Vault and have it shipped internationally. Huge thumbs up for that.
View attachment 4878917

I have a feeling that you will love it and find it worth every penny spent.
Congrats!! Please post pics once received and give us a full review.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Cool! I simply think that since Music Man has at least lower end boutique pricing, they should offer some typical boutique options too.

Blocks, binding, figured tops , unique finishes, light weight bodies ,highly figured woods, premium light weight wood bodies…… I think they consider these to be boutique features .