EBMM Question

[Bass1447]

Considering a MM. Don't know a lot about them. Could use suggestions and an education.

Only real qualification I have to have is it must be a 5 string. And of course, a color I can get on with.

So which one should I look at. So far, I'm thinking Darkray. The new ones look sweet. BFR is also a consideration. If they're that much better. H or HH.

Help a bass dude out.

 

[Giffro]

Try asking for advice in the EB Stingray club...link provided.

EB STINGRAY CLUB

 

[tb-player]

Listen to some YouTube videos. There is a distinct difference between maple, rosewood and ebony necks.

EBMM Stingray 5 is one of the nicest and most well-made production basses available. You can't go wrong with a Stingray. Just make sure it's the one you want.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I bought a Darkray I. five string BFR bass from a TB member as an experiment. I half expected that I might have to let it go.

It has become a beloved possession. I play it every day.

Ergonomics, construction and looks are all top notch. I don't even play metal.

It is a professional level bass. If you can spare the money, it's worth a try.

 

[DrBnz]

5 String EBMM special has an excellent sounding B string. BUT mine used to annoy me that the G string is so close to the edge and I'd slip off from time to time. It did have a lot a tone variety though

 

[Kubicki Fan]

5 String EBMM special has an excellent sounding B string. BUT mine used to annoy me that the G string is so close to the edge and I'd slip off from time to time. It did have a lot a tone variety though

My experience regarding the G string is similar. I heard that critiquet often, too.

It forced me to work on techniqe: fretting hand position and fretting pressure (relaxed playing). I feel I've solved it and the improvements are transferrable to other basses.

 

[Geri O]

I own the Stingray Special 5H you see on the left. It's my #1 player.

You'll hear things about the G string being too close to the edge of the fretboard. I agree, it's close, but not too close.

It's like this....If you like and/or love the Stingray tone, you'll pretty easily adapt and get used to the G string's proximity to the edge of the fretboard. It's not brain surgery. It can be done.

I have no need for the Darkray model of the Stingray. Can't comment on it.

I bought both of my Stingray Specials new. Because I could. But there' a world of used Stingrays out there if one wishes to save a few bucks. And if you decide that Stingrays, for whatever reason, aren't your thing after all, they are fairly easy to sell in the usual places.

 

[MIJ Fender Guy]

A regular Stingray Special does the trick. You don't need a Darkray or BFR. I don't play 5ers, but if I did, I would get a Stingray Classic 5.

This one here is gorgeous: Ernie Ball Music Man Classic StingRay 5 with Rosewood Fretboard 2010 - 2020 - Mint Green | Reverb

 

[SLO Surfer]

If you’re looking at BFR models, consider their custom design experience.

 

[Craig Fones]

I bought a Darkray I. five string BFR bass from a TB member as an experiment. I half expected that I might have to let it go.

It has become a beloved possession. I play it every day.

Ergonomics, construction and looks are all top notch. I don't even play metal.

It is a professional level bass. If you can spare the money, it's worth a try.

I had the same experience.

5 String EBMM special has an excellent sounding B string. BUT mine used to annoy me that the G string is so close to the edge and I'd slip off from time to time. It did have a lot a tone variety though

I had the same experience.

My experience regarding the G string is similar. I heard that critiquet often, too.

It forced me to work on techniqe: fretting hand position and fretting pressure (relaxed playing). I feel I've solved it and the improvements are transferrable to other basses.

Same experience regarding the G string.
I returned my first Stingray Special H 5 BFR because I didn't like how close the G was to the edge. I thought it was a defect. I later bought another one just like it and learned to play it that way. Now, I don't even think about it and it soon became a non-issue. The build quality is top-notch and while they are not cheap they are a worth the price it in my opinion. This particular bass is a keeper.

 

[Plinkerton]

I’m waiting on a Special 5 HH that is coming on Monday. Found a mint used one for a good price and I’m stoked.

I have a Sterling Ray 34, and recently played a few EBMM Stingray Special 5 HH’s at guitar center and they’re awesome. Definitely more versatile in tone than the single H.

The Darkray looks cool, but I don’t see the point at all. I don’t need or want onboard distortion/fuzz or whatever.

I would get a Special, not a Classic. And try to find a light weight one.

H vs HH is kind of up to you.

H sounds like a Ray. HH gives some options, but I’ve heard for slap the neck pickup can be annoying.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

If you want to have the ability to do a Jazz bass tone, HH, also the inner coil position is my favorite pickup setting. If you plan on doing any slapping the neck pickup can get in the way and I would argue a single H is more versatile for the Ray sound since it gives you parallel/single/series. Personally I’ve went down the rabbit hole with MMs and settled on a Sterling H. I personally don’t play 5s too much but I’ve run the gamut with them and got an Ibanez ATK815 Premium for a 5’er
But I’ve got plenty of experience with pretty much any MM 5’er. I like the Sterling body shape and neck the best, Bongo 5HH is comfy and gives you the 18v 4 band preamp. The necks all have narrow string spacing as 5s, they feel really good but in my experience at least the fancier the neck figuring is, the more finicky they are. My Sterling is a plain Jane maple neck and has been rock solid. I had a Big Al and one of the fancy Bongos that had necks made out of spaghetti.
Haven’t played a DarkRay but had a ATK with a DG Tone capsule in it and it was a really excellent sounding bass, doesn’t have the zingy high end of a Ray but it gives you a lot more options for sculpting the midrange and still gives you a healthy amount of treble content.

 

[makanudo]

5 String EBMM special has an excellent sounding B string. BUT mine used to annoy me that the G string is so close to the edge and I'd slip off from time to time. It did have a lot a tone variety though

I will add my +1 to this.

I've been learning a song that has a legato pulloff run down from the G string 12th fret on my Spector and I got it down pretty much clean. Then I picked up my Special 5H and I cannot do it anymore because the string just falls off the cliff. I have to ve VERY concious of minimizing the pull.

Earlier today I was noodling around doing some slappy fun time with double stops and hammer on/pullof acrobatics on the D/G strings and I had to pay special atention to the G.

Other than that. Yes. Excellent B string, build, sound and smell (that roasted neck ooomph). Suicidal G string is real though.

 

[makanudo]

A regular Stingray Special does the trick. You don't need a Darkray or BFR. I don't play 5ers, but if I did, I would get a Stingray Classic 5.

This one here is gorgeous: Ernie Ball Music Man Classic StingRay 5 with Rosewood Fretboard 2010 - 2020 - Mint Green | Reverb

Haven't donde the math but an Alpha Omicron pedal should be cheaper than the markup of the Darkray over a regular special, no?


But if you like/preffer the novelty of having two on board distortion circuits then by all means.

 

[Dasgre0g]

The build quality and sound quality of most stingray 5ers is top notch. You really can't go wrong UNLESS the sound itself is not your thing. The only real adjustment most people actually have is moving their right hand position if they've become accustomed to other basses (like a percussion) previously. That just takes some practice though. As for the g string which has somehow dominated this topic, my first 5 was a stingray and I never had an issue. I still haven't after many stingray 5s. You probably won't either (or you'll adjust just you would with any bass).

 

[Tj smith]

Ebmm basses are great. I have had 8-9 over the years. The build quilt is great and they sound and play amazingly. The dark ray is cool but honestly I think it’s a gimmick unless u play metal bass and need distortion.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

If you like the StingRay sound, you should enjoy owning one. The biggest thing is if they feel good in your hand. If you have large hands, like to slap , I wowould say be prepared to adjust your playing technique . They dont play like a PBass or Jazz bass. You will also have to adjust to the G string position. EBMM dont set up extremely low. It can get low, but not laying on the fingerboard low. Those pickups are so strong, you wouldn't want that anyway.

The 5HH will give you more sounds , including the classic StingRay sound. But with the 5H you get both series and parallel options and with adjusting for hand placement, you can have variety as well. If you need distortion and can use the DarkRay offerings, get one. It's based upon your need. Build quality will be top notch. So will customer service. If you desire that classic bright StingRay sound,.... go with maple. If you want that classic old school Bernard Edwards sound, you might like rosewood paired with flats. If you like something in between both of these, ebony will be a nice option. The ebony sounds best with rounds to my ears. The ebony will also have more sustain . The rosewood notes take time to bloom. The maple is immediate and snappy. The ebony will sustain longer.

Ive owned all 3 . I didn't really get along too well with ebony. But thats just me. The trebles dont really give me that classic Stingray bounce to the notes that I want to hear. I do a lot of muting . Ebony really wants to do its grand piano thing. On my rosewood , I like a well broken in bright flat. EBMM super slinky cobalts are perfect. On my maple, I like EBMM Super Slinky Rounds. I also have a BFR fretless 5H with a coated flamed maple fingerboard that loves TI Flats Pick a finish you like, and enjoy.

Read all about them here. EBMM StingRay Special Club

 

[lomo]

As far as the G string complaints above are concerned........think outside the box.......and consider tuning a 4 string BEAD.....that's my tonal and ergonomic happy place. I have 2 'ray 4Hs. 1 is a 3 band active BFR special from 2025 in paua blue and the other a natural/ okume BFR passive (vol/tone/coil tap) one from a 2019 run. Both are exceptionally well built. My other basses are G & L 2K and Klos Apollo X 2. The 'rays are generally preferred at the moment. Over the years I have come to MUCH prefer a bass (like a 'ray 4H) that is very mid forward, because I find it far easier to add bass/ tame mids with eq than to try and goose mids and articulation on a bass that's inherently scooped or "softer" sounding. FYI my passive BFR sounds exactly like my Special with its eq set flat (same pickup). I don't subscribe to the theory that the magic of a 'ray is in the preamp. IMO it's all about the pickup wiring and placement.....which provide best in class articulation and punch.....just add a little low freq rump 'n' thump

 

[Tj smith]

I started with rays and moved on to Sterlings and bongos. All 3 are awesome options

 

[Marc valero]

I have older SR5 (1990) and the only time I had an issue with G string slipping off is when I put really light gauge strings on it, lightest Rotosound Swing Bass. I put them on my Ray5 HH and don't have a problem with that bass.