Disappointed with SBMM Short-Scale StingRay

[Schpeaker]

I tried out a SBMM short-scale StingRay for the first time at a GC. I own 3 different full-scale StingRays so I have a good baseline to compare against. Still, to ensure a fair impression at the GC, I made sure to play the short-scale back-to-back vs. 3 reference points -- a Ray34, an EBMM StingRay Special as well as a P-bass. This was through a Rumble 40. Once I dialed in the amp, all 3 references sounded exactly how I expect (but they played horribly of course because GC simply doesn't set up their instruments).

Onto the short-scale -- for starters the workmanship was a little shoddy. The middle pickup-selector knob was wobbly and overall the guitar didn't feel as well put-together as a Ray34. I mean yeah it's $600, but still. Not a deal-breaker but just left a sour first impression.

But the big thing was the sound - the short-scale sounded "boxy". It wasn't about the lack of higher-order harmonics -- I am perfectly okay with a fundamental-heavy tone. But it just had this fake, boxy, and very compressed tone that reminded me of playing a bass or guitar through a small practice amp.

Is it just a pickup thing or is that fundamental to a short-scale? I'm asking because I was considering ordering an EBMM short-scale which obviously will have better workmanship and better electronics. But if the tone is going to be similar to this then I don't want to waste $2500.

 

[bassdude51]

Strings?

(IMHO, the combination of Stingray + short scale............ahhhh, I don't know?)

Perhaps try a different short scale bass. Different pickup or pickups.

IMHO, I consider short scale basses for playing frets #8 to open string.

Good luck.

Congrats owning 3 full scale 'Rays! Lucky!

 

[eddybuzzard]

I tried out a SBMM short-scale StingRay for the first time at a GC. I own 3 different full-scale StingRays so I have a good baseline to compare against. Still, to ensure a fair impression at the GC, I made sure to play the short-scale back-to-back vs. 3 reference points -- a Ray34, an EBMM StingRay Special as well as a P-bass. This was through a Rumble 40. Once I dialed in the amp, all 3 references sounded exactly how I expect (but they played horribly of course because GC simply doesn't set up their instruments).

Onto the short-scale -- for starters the workmanship was a little shoddy. The middle pickup-selector knob was wobbly and overall the guitar didn't feel as well put-together as a Ray34. I mean yeah it's $600, but still. Not a deal-breaker but just left a sour first impression.

But the big thing was the sound - the short-scale sounded "boxy". It wasn't about the lack of higher-order harmonics -- I am perfectly okay with a fundamental-heavy tone. But it just had this fake, boxy, and very compressed tone that reminded me of playing a bass or guitar through a small practice amp.

Is it just a pickup thing or is that fundamental to a short-scale? I'm asking because I was considering ordering an EBMM short-scale which obviously will have better workmanship and better electronics. But if the tone is going to be similar to this then I don't want to waste $2500.

Well, TB says everyone should have a SS in their array, however....maybe, just maybe, you're not ready for a shorty

 

[ajkula66]

Is it just a pickup thing or is that fundamental to a short-scale?

It's definitely NOT fundamental to short-scale basses. Having sampled a bass just like one that left you disappointed, I'd venture a guess that you've come across a less-than-stellar example. Don't get me wrong, I didn't go "wow" when I tried the SBMM shorty, but found it to be serviceable at least.

Having said that, you may want to try a couple of different SS basses - various Mustangs get a lot of love around here - and decide whether you enjoy the short-scale experience at all.

As for the $2.5K "real deal" Ernie Ball...I would need to try one before spending that amount of money not because I doubt that it's a fine instrument but to make sure it would suit my needs.

My $0.02 only...

Happy hunting.

 

[aprod]

Its physics. Short scales sound muddy.

 

[labeledbass]

I can't attest with the SBMM SS, but I will say, if you've held a EBMM stingray Special, the craftsmanship aligns with the short scale EBMM as well. I found myself gravitating to higher guage/tension strings, but I tend to so that with flappy shorter scale basses

 

[doran.dragic]

I own a 30" short scale and also 2 32" basses and while I find them all serviceable and use them most for most of my gigs due to my health problems and convenience, they don't have the "headroom" that my 34" scale basses have. Also, a while ago user Rickplaysbass posted a thread with recordings of his different basses. I was able to tell which one of them was short scale without knowing that there's a short scale among recorded instruments so they do sound different and it's noticeable.

I think however that there's musical context in which they thrive. I use my Supro Huntington II for some of my old school jazz and salsa gigs and I like how it sounds in this context.

I was interested in the SBMM Short-Scale StingRay but I haven't found a single YouTube video that I liked. There's a video where SBMM and EBMM SS are compared:

 

[T McClure]

I briefly owned a SBMM short scale stingray. I ended up returning it. There were some workmanship issues that surprised me given the price. The pickup was also the noisiest I’ve ever played. It obviously wasn’t shielded at all, and this thing was like an EMF megaphone.

I own several short scales and this one was the worst of any I’ve tried. Maybe I got a lemon, but it was very disappointing.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

They have to be cherry picked . The hardware is the weak point. These issues are not there on the EBMM version .

Imho, the Fender Rumble won’t be the best amp to pair with it. They tend to be boxy to my ears. A more modern voiced amp is a better choice . Dead strings will only add to this .

 

[tb-player]

I believe it's fundamental to the short-scale. I just returned what should have been an epic bass, because it was 30" scale. It was thuddy and didn't ring out like a 35". Better luck next time.

 

[HelpImaRock]

an EMF megaphone.

Unbelievable.

 

[BGroovy]

short scales overall typically sound “thumpier” and yes a little muddy compared to their longer scale counterparts. Sometimes that’s desirable and sometimes you need to spend a bit more time EQing them. The lo mids aren’t as defined IMO.

I have owned many basses of varying scale lengths less than 34 and my current gigging bass is a 32”.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

This was through a Rumble 40.

...reminded me of playing a bass or guitar through a small practice amp.

Just something I noticed that may have been a factor

 

[pb9717]

Tried both the Sire and the Sterling shorties. Not a fit for me. First off, I use Elixirs exclusively. They last forever and are the tone I prefer. They don’t make short scale strings. The only short strings I could locate was Ernie Ball slinky’s. Just did not dig em. The sound, of the shorty to me, is inferior vs a full scale bass. And the other odd thing, and again, this is just me, but….they feel like. ….toys. I know. It’s a strong opinion, but…I could not gel with it. How many pro’s do you see using one? I’m sure they have their benefits, just not a fit for yours truly.

 

[Sharko]

I tried out a SBMM short-scale StingRay

through a Rumble 40.

reminded me of playing a bass or guitar through a small practice amp.

You played a bass through a small practice amp and it reminded you of playing a bass through a small practice amp? That’s crazy man, I can’t explain it.

 

[fretno]

I love the sound of these, but that is very much a personal preference. You get series/ parallel or a true split single coil from the middle rotary switch. Plus a push/push passive boost on V control and a master tone. The neo pickup is so hot it allows for this boost. Honestly its pretty awesome. Nothing shotty on these things in fact they rival high end production but at a fraction of the cost. The necks are fantastic. Maybe the tuners and control plate are thinner and generic I don’t see any issues with them. Only thing I changed are the strings. Both have precision flats and the pickguards look great in black which Sterling sells direct. I’ve owned several rays and sterlings , no these don’t get the extreme bright crispy sound possible on those but they still sound good to me. Just different.

 

[grrg63]

You played a bass through a small practice amp and it reminded you of playing a bass through a small practice amp? That’s crazy man, I can’t explain it.

Idk, I recently played my Mustang through a newer Rumble 40 and I thought it sounded pretty damn good. Light years ahead of any small practice amp I ever used before.
I strongly disagree that short scales sound "muddy" in general. I have 3 now as my main players, and have owned several others over the years. I use them for jazz, r&b, rock, etc. and dont think they sound muddy at all. To me its a matter of finding the right strings and eq for each bass.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Idk, I recently played my Mustang through a newer Rumble 40 and I thought it sounded pretty damn good. Light years ahead of any small practice amp I ever used before.
I strongly disagree that short scales sound "muddy" in general. I have 3 now as my main players, and have owned several others over the years. I use them for jazz, r&b, rock, etc. and dont think they sound muddy at all. To me its a matter of finding the right strings and eq for each bass.

Fenders sound great through Fender amps.
Perfect match .

 

[Sharko]

Idk, I recently played my Mustang through a newer Rumble 40 and I thought it sounded pretty damn good. Light years ahead of any small practice amp I ever used before.
I strongly disagree that short scales sound "muddy" in general. I have 3 now as my main players, and have owned several others over the years. I use them for jazz, r&b, rock, etc. and dont think they sound muddy at all. To me its a matter of finding the right strings and eq for each bass.

I agree with everything here.
I had a Rumble 40, it was a great practice amp and if I needed a bedroom amp it would be my go to.
Also have had muddy long scales and clear short scales and everything in between. Currently have 2 mustangs and 2 jaguars, all are clear and sound great except the mustang with the humbucker which sounds like a muddy mess.

 

[Swerve]

I know what you mean OP. I love the look of these 30" Rays but every time I pick one up to play I feel meh. The bigger brother they're modeled after has such a distinct and iconic tone that I think its hard for us to accept the difference in sound. Maybe if we accepted them for what they are we would be less disappointed? I also have mostly given up on short scales. I've yet to find one I truly liked.