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EBMM StingRay Special Club

Whoa. I’ve just read all 107 pages of this thread, and I’m lusting so hard... A few questions:
  • There aren’t any stores local to me that have a Special. But I went to Rainbow Guitars the other day and was able to try an EBMM neck-through 4 string. Anyone have experience with that bass? Does the Special play similarly to the neck-through? Most of the specs are similar or the same. That neck was comfortable, can I expect a similar feel from a Special?
  • The extra $100 for a 4HH over a 4H seems like a no-brainer. Any particular reasons to consider the 4H instead?
  • How the heck do you choose between these amazing colors? Charging green? Dropped copper? Chopper blue? Jet black? One of the sparkle finishes? Ugh, I may need to buy 6 of these...
 
Whoa. I’ve just read all 107 pages of this thread, and I’m lusting so hard... A few questions:
  • There aren’t any stores local to me that have a Special. But I went to Rainbow Guitars the other day and was able to try an EBMM neck-through 4 string. Anyone have experience with that bass? Does the Special play similarly to the neck-through? Most of the specs are similar or the same. That neck was comfortable, can I expect a similar feel from a Special?
  • The extra $100 for a 4HH over a 4H seems like a no-brainer. Any particular reasons to consider the 4H instead?
  • How the heck do you choose between these amazing colors? Charging green? Dropped copper? Chopper blue? Jet black? One of the sparkle finishes? Ugh, I may need to buy 6 of these...
You can expect a similar feel and playability to the neck-through with the Special. However, the Special will be considerably lighter, so it will feel more nimble overall. But neck-wise, they are similar excepting the heal area of course.

I went with the H (5H actually) because I played my other StingRays in bridge-pickup mode almost exclusively. I like the signature “StingRay” tone. Some also like the space for ease of slapping.

On the colors, mileage varies. You’re on your own here. Some have bemoaned the lack of colors; others like you, are pleased with the wide offering. Me, I like about half the colors and don’t care for the rest, really.
 
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You can expect a similar feel and playability to the neck-through with the Special. However, the Special will be considerably lighter, so it will feel more nimble overall. But neck-wise, they are similar excepting the heal area of course.

I went with the H (5H actually) because I played my other StingRays in bridge-pickup mode almost exclusively. I like the signature “StingRay” tone. Some also like the space for ease of slapping.

On the colors, mileage varies. You’re on your own here. Some have bemoaned the lack of colors; others like you, are pleased with the wide offering. Me, I like about half the colors and don’t care for the rest, really.
Right on, thanks for the helpful post. I assumed that the heel would be different, but that works for me. And the pickup thing makes sense, but presumably the 4HH can still get the classic Stingray tone, plus others?

You were completely unhelpful with the color quandary. :D
 
Right on, thanks for the helpful post. I assumed that the heel would be different, but that works for me. And the pickup thing makes sense, but presumably the 4HH can still get the classic Stingray tone, plus others?

You were completely unhelpful with the color quandary. :D
Yes you can get the same tone as the single H with the Hh. The only issue is if you’re a heavy slapper. If you slap a lot, depending on your technique, the neck pickup might get in your way. Otherwise go with the HH. I got the Dropped Copper because it was the only HH available at the time and I knew I couldn’t leave without it.
 
Whoa. I’ve just read all 107 pages of this thread, and I’m lusting so hard... A few questions:
  • There aren’t any stores local to me that have a Special. But I went to Rainbow Guitars the other day and was able to try an EBMM neck-through 4 string. Anyone have experience with that bass? Does the Special play similarly to the neck-through? Most of the specs are similar or the same. That neck was comfortable, can I expect a similar feel from a Special?
  • The extra $100 for a 4HH over a 4H seems like a no-brainer. Any particular reasons to consider the 4H instead?
  • How the heck do you choose between these amazing colors? Charging green? Dropped copper? Chopper blue? Jet black? One of the sparkle finishes? Ugh, I may need to buy 6 of these...

Is the neck on the neck-through finished like the body?

At any rate, the roasted maple necks on the Specials feel FABULOUS. They’re finished in the gunstock oil thing EBMM does so well. Good enough to eat.

The single H models have series or parallel option in the pickup control. The HH models don’t have that for bridge pickup. But, the range of tones on Special HH models is so wide you probably wouldn’t miss that. Or if you do, you can always buy 2...or 6.

Edit: room for slapping seems one of the main reasons people choose the H, other than they’ve always had one-pickup Rays and like that look and sound. Some have adjusted their technique a little, if needed, for HH slapping.
 
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Yeah, me personally I would rather have a lighter weight bass in some other color. That's a personal decision you will have to make. I would take any of the colors they make these in other than yellow if I could get a pound lighter.
Just a followup on the charcoal sparkle that disillusioned me with its not so light weight that marketing had me believe. I couldn't return it so I traded it for something else entirely so I am out of the club. Sorry, but I sincerely wish you all the best with your instruments. Thanks for the advice earlier!
 
Whoa. I’ve just read all 107 pages of this thread, and I’m lusting so hard... A few questions:
  • There aren’t any stores local to me that have a Special. But I went to Rainbow Guitars the other day and was able to try an EBMM neck-through 4 string. Anyone have experience with that bass? Does the Special play similarly to the neck-through? Most of the specs are similar or the same. That neck was comfortable, can I expect a similar feel from a Special?
  • The extra $100 for a 4HH over a 4H seems like a no-brainer. Any particular reasons to consider the 4H instead?
  • How the heck do you choose between these amazing colors? Charging green? Dropped copper? Chopper blue? Jet black? One of the sparkle finishes? Ugh, I may need to buy 6 of these...

The New Specials IMHO have a different feel because of the body contours and lighter weight. The roasted necks and the way they are finished account for a different feel as well.

You’ll get more headroom from the 18volt preamp and those neo pickups have their own smoother less harsh thing going on.

With color, it’s really about what you prefer and sometimes if you are patient enough to wait for the combo of color, neck, and weight limit of you so desire.
I’ve had black, white, fiesta red, champagne gold , burst, wine red, purple , and different blues. I’ve always wanted a sparkle bass and a Stingray5. So I was willing to wait and get my first choice because let’s face it, these basses are not cheap . But you get what you pay for and they are worth every cent .

I don’t feel I’m missing out on any Stingray tones by going with the HH. I see it as I have that and a lot of extra useable tones that I do use quite frequently .
 
I just pulled the trigger on a Stingay Special 4HH.
Dropped copper.
It was returned by original owner to the store after a month and
I got a great price...saved a few hundred dollars...
It will be in my possession within a week to ten days..So excited..will send pics.
Glen
Great news and great job!
 
For such a great bass I'm having trouble understanding why I'm seeing so many in the classifieds.
Sampling. Some peeps buy to try, and flip if they don’t bond with the instrument. That’s all. It happens with all new music gear, because it’s too difficult to check out instruments, amps and effects in stores these days, and easy to resell at a slight loss, which becomes a “rental fee.”
 
I’m in a similar boat and can’t make up my mind between a more flexible Special and a classic-voiced... um... Classic. If I’m after the vintage sound, should I just go for a Classic?
If the classic StingRay tone is what you want, that’s what you should get. But if you’re looking for something more versatile, something capable of being less “StingRay” because the classic StingRay tone is just too much, then the Special is right for you. The new Specials get into the classic territory, but they are far more versatile. They are the StingRay for those who have always disliked the StingRay tone.
 
I’m in a similar boat and can’t make up my mind between a more flexible Special and a classic-voiced... um... Classic. If I’m after the vintage sound, should I just go for a Classic?

The old adage that youre just gonna have to try them out yourself definitely applies, but...... Ive had a ton of Stingrays, and a handful of Classics. Ive heard the whole argument of 2band vs. 3band many times and honestly the difference is slight compared to the difference between other basses. They all sound "like a Stingray". If Stingrays were coffee one has a dash more sweetener and one has a dash more cream but you would enjoy both. The Special can do every tone I love from either and its just slightly more pleasing. Its brewed from a better bean. It still sounds "like a Stingray" though. Its just that maybe that sweetener is real cane sugar instead of splenda and they used real cream instead of 2%. Ive got the HH and Im impressed with its versatility and I only moderately adjust my onboard EQ. With greater adjustments it still sounds "right". I think it can be used for pretty much everything out there. It does a great "vintage" tone if you ask me, but I guess that truly depends on what your idea of "vintage" is.