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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#2,161
As if by magic......

image.jpeg


and both together....

image.jpeg
 
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#2,163
HD007 said:
Wow, love that combo.
Click to expand...

Thanks - pg is courtesy of Lowdownthump (thank you). I'm not sure which I prefer but they both look pretty good. To be honest I placed the order for the 5HH based on seeing an early EBMM picture of a Cruz teal with a black pg when the Specials were first announced - they changed them to white for the production. It's staying with black for a while anyway!!

The ebony fretboards look a lot darker in the flesh, and the Cruz teal has more of a pale green tinge (slightly less blue) than in photographs - and the aqua is more sparkly also!!
 
Last edited:
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#2,167
PeterH said:
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?
Click to expand...

The advice above is great - try 'em both if you can. However, because the Internet is boring without random opinions:

I have owned the following Stingrays:
  • 1979 RootBeer MusicMan Stingray
  • 1998 Pearl Blue Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray 5
  • 2005 Buttercream/Rosewood Stingray 5 HH
  • 2015 Tobacco burst Stingray 5 HS
  • 2014 Mint Green Sterling Sub Ray4
  • 2019 Dropped Copper Stingray Special 4HH
They all sound the same. ;)

Actually, @eyeballkid is totally right - they all sound like Stingrays. That said, I liked the 79 sound best. (Except mine had a really low output on the G string, sadly.) It seemed like it had a lot more low mids, and the high end was boosted at what seems like a higher frequency, which to me adds more "shimmer" and less "clank."
  • I couldn't ever get the 98 to sound just like the 79. (too much clank, too many high mids when boosted)
  • The 2005 was also not quite there. (less clank, but same deal with the mids)
  • The 2015 sounded close in just the H position.
  • The 2014 Sub Ray4 was actually not far off - really!
However, this new Special, to my ears, gets VERY VERY CLOSE if I boost the highs all the way, and bump up the low end just a bit. Very low clank, and the low mids, even flat, seem like there is more going on. Boosting the lows feels like maybe it happens at a higher frequency (maybe 100-150Hz, vs 80 or 60) with a wide enough Q to boost some musical frequencies, and not just "thump" and finger noise...
 
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#2,169
sundaybender said:
The advice above is great - try 'em both if you can. However, because the Internet is boring without random opinions:

I have owned the following Stingrays:
  • 1979 RootBeer MusicMan Stingray
  • 1998 Pearl Blue Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray 5
  • 2005 Buttercream/Rosewood Stingray 5 HH
  • 2015 Tobacco burst Stingray 5 HS
  • 2014 Mint Green Sterling Sub Ray4
  • 2019 Dropped Copper Stingray Special 4HH
They all sound the same. ;)

Actually, @eyeballkid is totally right - they all sound like Stingrays. That said, I liked the 79 sound best. (Except mine had a really low output on the G string, sadly.) It seemed like it had a lot more low mids, and the high end was boosted at what seems like a higher frequency, which to me adds more "shimmer" and less "clank."
  • I couldn't ever get the 98 to sound just like the 79. (too much clank, too many high mids when boosted)
  • The 2005 was also not quite there. (less clank, but same deal with the mids)
  • The 2015 sounded close in just the H position.
  • The 2014 Sub Ray4 was actually not far off - really!
However, this new Special, to my ears, gets VERY VERY CLOSE if I boost the highs all the way, and bump up the low end just a bit. Very low clank, and the low mids, even flat, seem like there is more going on. Boosting the lows feels like maybe it happens at a higher frequency (maybe 100-150Hz, vs 80 or 60) with a wide enough Q to boost some musical frequencies, and not just "thump" and finger noise...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the great advice! I’ve tried em out but it was a couple months ago and I agree with what you say. I loved the tone of the new stuff but it’s a hair off of the sizzle of the 2-band. Guess my OCD and tone chasing has come to a conclusion ;)
 
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#2,172
She's a but
megaboogie said:
So my 5HH has arrived!
I am not a good weight guesser but it doesnt feel heavy to me at all.
The setup was excellent with very low action, no fret buzzes, no dead spots, no fret sprouts.
Cant wait to take her home and plug her in!:bassist:

Here are 2 quickies I took.drool


View attachment 3322529

View attachment 3322530
Click to expand...
She's beautiful! I have a 5H in dropped copper on order and it should be here tomorrow.:hyper:
 
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#2,175
I've spent some time with my 5HH last night.
I am glad to report the bass was perfect out of the box and the weight is actually bit lighter than my 4H at 8.8 lbs.
Very happy with the bass, it was just what I wanted! a 4HH dropped copper with an extra string.:)
The bass plays stupid easy and I am enjoying the versatility of the added neck pickup.
If I had to nitpick its not as comfortable for slapping as on my 4H, but I think I am already getting used to it.
Love how the color changes depending on the light. Seeing it indoor with less light it turns into burgundy red. Hard to capture the true color in photos.

20190214_220524.jpg
 
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#2,176
megaboogie said:
I've spent some time with my 5HH last night.
I am glad to report the bass was perfect out of the box and the weight is actually bit lighter than my 4H at 8.8 lbs.
Very happy with the bass, it was just what I wanted! a 4HH dropped copper with an extra string.:)
The bass plays stupid easy and I am enjoying the versatility of the added neck pickup.
If I had to nitpick its not as comfortable for slapping as on my 4H, but I think I am already getting used to it.
Love how the color changes depending on the light. Seeing it indoor with less light it turns into burgundy red. Hard to capture the true color in photos.

View attachment 3323423
Click to expand...

I think some people expect these to be like the prior 5HH models. They are not . Although they look similar , they sound different, feel different , and play differently . Vast improvements IMHO.
 
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