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EBMM Bass consistency

#2
Just one thing to make you aware of if you didn't already know. The 2000 model of stingray 5 has the more aggressive sounding ceramic pickups that you find in the sterling models. Your current stingray will have the alnico pickups.
 
#4
Wow, more aggressive than my already very aggressive bass? What a coincidence, exactly the 2000 model... Good to know, thanks for posting! His bass has the 3-way position switch as well while mine doesn't, that's another difference I could see.

I often play pumping 8th-note root basslines and to tell the truth they don't sound as good on my Stingray as they do on my Precisions. It probably has a lot to do with my picking above the pickup, so the position on the Stingray is closer to the bridge and isn't as bassy.
 
#5
I personally think EBMM's have got better as their technology has progressed.

You can't go wrong with a brand new build.

One thing you used to get was a little figuring on the neck. That type of wood isn't as common now so you have to either get lucky (as I did with a Ray H...a little flame and birdseye present) or opt for a Classic Ray/Sterling/Sabre ;)
 
#6
inate_hex said:
Just one thing to make you aware of if you didn't already know. The 2000 model of stingray 5 has the more aggressive sounding ceramic pickups that you find in the sterling models. Your current stingray will have the alnico pickups.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

steveinohio said:
Buy it. Love it. Be done with it.
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Also, the SR5 3-way switch will give you the same Parallel coil mode as your current SR, and then it will add Single Coil (bridge side) mode, and Series mode.

Series mode REALLY brings out the beast in that bass!
 
#8
bassgod0dmw said:
It's not only the 2000 model. I always forget the starting year, but IIRC it's the 93'-08' basses with the ceramic pickup.
Click to expand...

I always forget the start year, too. But, the last year of ceramics in the SR5 was 2007. The Sterling 5 came out in 2008 (with ceramics) and the SR5 went back to alnico at the same time.
 
#10
I got the S/N, E14008

According to EB customer support:
"Stingray 5 H Trans Teal May 3rd, 2000, maple neck, ceramic pickup sold to Matt Umanov Guitars in NY."

In the photos it was natural color! It is probably safe to assume that he sanded the finish off until he reached the wood, right?
He's bringing the bass in a few minutes... I'm not sure how it affects the value of the bass.

-EDIT: Trade complete. The guy claimed he has no idea about the body color difference.

I love the way it feels and weighs (4.5kg or 9.9lbs) for a 5-string. I'll have to play it more to know if I love the sound but so far, I like it more than my 'Ray. And hopefully, I end up loving it long enough to not worry about re-selling it with a 3rd-party body.

-EDIT2: Obligatory picture, my old 4 and my new 5:

IMG_20140407_200333.jpg


-EDIT3: A quick Google search showed that this is how the Stingray5 body and horns are supposed to be shaped/cut. Maybe the EBMM support made a mistake?..
 
#11
BullHorn said:
-EDIT3: A quick Google search showed that this is how the Stingray5 body and horns are supposed to be shaped/cut. Maybe the EBMM support made a mistake?..
Click to expand...

Looks to me like it was simply refinished in "natural". I.e. it's the original body with the original paint stripped/sanded off. Then possibly clear coated.
 
#12
I've had a few EBMMs, and while I will say that their build quality is consistently superior to Fender, they are still a mass-produced instrument, so if you have five hanging on a wall, you'll notice differences. I would never buy one new without playing it first (Used, sure - I can always resell it - but new? Nah).
 
#13
IMG_20140407_225623.jpg

IMG_20140407_225502.jpg

IMG_20140407_225519.jpg


Looks like there's traces of Teal in the neck pocket... So you guys are right, I think it was sanded down and then clear coated.

It has a strange issue where notes sound louder about half a second after I pluck and I hope it is because the strings are old.

That's how it looks when I record it in Audacity:
zIZmx6d.png
 
#19
StuartV, the outputs are clean. I will keep praying it is an issue with the strings...

Once the strings arrive I'll take the opportunity to open the pickguard up and spray the pots and 3-way switch some some Kontakt 60 but if there's still strange blooming/phasing after that... I'll have to take it to a professional...

It doesn't sound much like a Stingray at all. I can't hear much of the Stingray-signature-tone coming out of it, even when I boost the highs to full. Going to blame the strings here as well.. I'll upload a recording in a few minutes for you guys to hear.
 

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