EBMM Question

[Wood and Wire]

a $3000 bass should be perfect for the user.

Which user?

Are you saying that your personal tastes / needs are representative of the entire global bass playing community?

I shouldn't have to adapt to anything.

Just going from a 1.75" Precision, to a 1.5" Jazz requires the player to adapt.

Swap to a Mustang: adapt.

Switch to a 5 string: adapt.

Play an upright: adapt (and it'll cost 10 times the paltry $3000 StingRay 5 costs).

 

[_Obra_]

If I am to buy a 5 string MM today, my choice would be down to these three:
- Sterling 5HS USA
- Bongo 5H
- Stingray 5H 87-91

 

[cararickbass]

Which user?

Are you saying that your personal tastes / needs are representative of the entire global bass playing community?





Just going from a 1.75" Precision, to a 1.5" Jazz requires the player to adapt.

Swap to a Mustang: adapt.

Switch to a 5 string: adapt.

Play an upright: adapt (and it'll cost 10 times the paltry $3000 StingRay 5 costs).

After learning on a shortscale (Mitchell) I had zero problems adapting to my Rickenbacker, which I got after playing for 18 months, in fact I dumped a couple bad habits (playing my right hand almost all the way up above the body, picking on the neck). I sometimes play my Dad's '81 BCRICH Mockingbird which has a very long scale and is balanced much differently and the neck and scale placement is different, still no problem.

However, I picked up a Fender and found it very awkward and hard to play and I really hated the natural sound of the bass.

 

[Muttleybass]

Which user?

Are you saying that your personal tastes / needs are representative of the entire global bass playing community?

Not at all. In this case the user would be me. It's my opinion only. Apologies if I didn't "IMO" in front of that. It was implied.

With regards to adapting to a Dingwall or an upright, a fretless, or a Chapman Stick, Ukulele or Cigar Box, those are different beasts altogether. I'm comparing to any other "standard configuration 5 string bass" that I have tried that cost a lot less than $4175 CDN (Holy $#@&!!) I Love the sound of a Dingwall, but I struggled adapting to the fanned frets. THAT is what it is, and they're only $3295 CDN. FWIW, the G doesn't slip off.

You do you. I didn't mean to insult your bass... an opinion was asked for and I gave mine. If you or anyone else want to adapt to what I see is an issue by all means do so. You don't need my permission. And YES, I do think MM should fix it. I'd be first in line.

 

[Geri O]

If you or anyone else want to adapt to what I see is an issue by all means do so. You don't need my permission. And YES, I do think MM should fix it. I'd be first in line.

Thank you.

But….but…if they fixed it, I’d have to adapt all over again…..

 

[cararickbass]

Not at all. In this case the user would be me. It's my opinion only. Apologies if I didn't "IMO" in front of that. It was implied.

With regards to adapting to a Dingwall or an upright, a fretless, or a Chapman Stick, Ukulele or Cigar Box, those are different beasts altogether. I'm comparing to any other "standard configuration 5 string bass" that I have tried that cost a lot less than $4175 CDN (Holy $#@&!!) I Love the sound of a Dingwall, but I struggled adapting to the fanned frets. THAT is what it is, and they're only $3295 CDN. FWIW, the G doesn't slip off.

You do you. I didn't mean to insult your bass... an opinion was asked for and I gave mine. If you or anyone else want to adapt to what I see is an issue by all means do so. You don't need my permission. And YES, I do think MM should fix it. I'd be first in line.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Play what you like and like what you play.

Basses are not one size fits all.

It is what it is.

Accept it or reject it.

Take it or leave it.

 

[Panych]

I had a 2007 Stingray V. It is a gorgeous bass. The only complains were a heavy weight (11lb) and a narrow string spacing.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Exactly. As fine of a bass as it is, I decided to leave it. IMO, and I stand by it, a $3000 bass should be perfect for the user. I shouldn't have to adapt to anything. My Sandberg has MM style pick ups, a Dark Glass pre-amp, plays like a dream, sounds incredible and was $800 less. It works a lot better for me.

That said, if I found a Stingray5 that I didn't have to "adapt" to, I'd probably buy it.

Well, far be it from me to try to talk you into getting a bass that doesn't work for you. But StingRay 5s work for lot of people just fine. Clearly a lot of players either don't have to adapt to them or don't have a problem with adapting to them.
Personally, I'm strictly a four-string guy, and have numerous StingRays that I really like. When I've tried out a StingRay fiver, I find the string spacing too close. But that's just me.
Quite a lot of players have "adaptability" concerns about Rickenbackers, too. Others love their Ricks. Everyone has to find the instruments that work for him or her.

 

[Plinkerton]

This showed up yesterday and I’ve played it for about 5 hours now. It’s my first 5 string in about 20 years and it’s incredible.

Fit and finish are perfect, and after I changed the strings (Labella IMA Super Polished) and set it up, it plays amazingly well. Truss rod was a breeze, and the tuners are super light and so smooth.

The variety of sounds is quite versatile. From a fat warm tone, to a zingy sizzle, and everything in between.

It weighs 9lbs 7oz, and sits perfectly.

I like P basses, and have a vintage Ibanez Blazer wearing ooolllllddddd XL Chromes, and also a USA G&L LB-100 wearing pressurewounds. I also have a Sterling Ray34. Compared to the Ray34, this thing feels so much different. Oozes quality for sure.

It’s a great bass. I found it nearly new, and mint condition for $1900, and am totally happy with it.

I was a tad hesitant to get a Stingray for my only 5 string, but I’m very happy I did. The string spacing is great, as is the playability. No issues with the G string personally.

And yeah, two 9 volt batteries. It’s not a flaw, it’s a feature, 18 volts of awesome!

 

[Barticus]

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

Not the same, at all.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Not the same, at all.

I never said they were.

 

[CaptainRuss]

. I also have a Sterling Ray34. Compared to the Ray34, this thing feels so much different. Oozes quality for sure.

That’s the thing, if you never touched a EBMM you’d be perfectly happy with the Ray34 and sing its praises, (of which there are many). Then you play the EB version and you cannot believe the difference. So many refinements.

 

[Plinkerton]

That’s the thing, if you never touched a EBMM you’d be perfectly happy with the Ray34 and sing its praises, (of which there are many). Then you play the EB version and you cannot believe the difference. So many refinements.

Yeah it’s exactly that. I like the Ray34. I did have to shim the neck and file the nut, but it sounds great, plays great, and I have zero complaints.

Compared to my USA G&L LB-100, which is also perfect, the Ray34 did take some work to get there, but it’s a solid bass, and I’m not really a snob about imports.

But the EBMM is perfect. Impressively perfect. I should get to play it at band practice tonight for the first time!

 

[IronLung1986]

It’s no different than people buying $3K + Chinese Dingwalls and having to adjust to fan frets and or extended scale / multi scale. If you want what that bass offers, you adjust. Every bass that isn’t the same exact specs takes adjusting. Whether or not you want to or can adjust is an individual situation.

Exactly !! If it’s not a weak G it’s the G is too close.

I had an EBMM bass with the slipping off G string and I feel it is different from adapting to fanned frets. That comparison treats a potential design defect as if it were just a player adaptation issue. Fanned frets only require adjustment because they're a completely different fret system. The buyer is well aware of the need to adjust before purchasing. In the case of the slipping G string, some units are worse than others because the tolerances of the spec are simply too fine. Some units scrape by and aren't that bad, while others are really infuriating because the string is just a hair closer. This is not something that the buyer can reasonably verify before buying unless it's in-person. And if it is in-person, no one who is knowledgeable about this issue would buy a bass whose G string is a little too close to the edge. That bass will sit around and be bought by some unsuspecting person who will be scratching their head and gaslighting themselves into thinking their technique must be bad as they flub notes on the G string like never before. Point being, this trait is typically unknowable and objectively undesirable, whereas fanned frets are neither.

I don't think we should dismiss complaints about this issue as if it doesn't exist, or act like people are just unwilling to adapt.

 

[Barticus]

Hmm… I gotta say, I’ve been gigging my Special 5H for about a year and haven’t had this issue. Same for my BFR 5HH, neither have been an issue for me. Now I had a Status Streamline 5 where the G was much closer to the edge and that occasionally got me.

 

[Dasgre0g]

I had an EBMM bass with the slipping off G string and I feel it is different from adapting to fanned frets. That comparison treats a potential design defect as if it were just a player adaptation issue. Fanned frets only require adjustment because they're a completely different fret system. The buyer is well aware of the need to adjust before purchasing. In the case of the slipping G string, some units are worse than others because the tolerances of the spec are simply too fine. Some units scrape by and aren't that bad, while others are really infuriating because the string is just a hair closer. This is not something that the buyer can reasonably verify before buying unless it's in-person. And if it is in-person, no one who is knowledgeable about this issue would buy a bass whose G string is a little too close to the edge. That bass will sit around and be bought by some unsuspecting person who will be scratching their head and gaslighting themselves into thinking their technique must be bad as they flub notes on the G string like never before. Point being, this trait is typically unknowable and objectively undesirable, whereas fanned frets are neither.

I don't think we should dismiss complaints about this issue as if it doesn't exist, or act like people are just unwilling to adapt.

 

[Dasgre0g]

Hmm… I gotta say, I’ve been gigging my Special 5H for about a year and haven’t had this issue. Same for my BFR 5HH, neither have been an issue for me. Now I had a Status Streamline 5 where the G was much closer to the edge and that occasionally got me.

I have seen Gail Dorsey and Tony Levin play Stingray 5s for hours at a time without slipping g-strings.
I guess just a few of us are capable of playing them and everyone else is just "gaslit" into believing they can do it too.

 

[Barticus]

I have seen Gail Dorsey and Tony Levin play Stingray 5s for hours at a time without slipping g-strings.
I guess just a few of us are capable of playing them and everyone else is just "gaslit" into believing they can do it too.

I guess it comes down to technique, of course, and I’m not saying it’s not a problem for others, but the Stingray G just doesn’t bother me with my playing style.

I gig quite a bit and play the crap out of both of mine and have not experienced it with this bass. If I need vibrato or a bend, I typically bend up or I slide inline with the string when needed.

 

[mikeswals]

Ive had Many SR5's over the decades and currently have two, never had a G technique issue.