EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Killens84]

The original Stingrays (and the Stingray Classics) had mutes on the bridge.

In the late 90's the mutes were removed (for potential injury liability reasons), but the bridge remained the same, so it was possible to buy the mutes separately, and fit them yourself.

Eventually the bridge was redesigned, and it was no longer possible to fit the original mutes.

3rd parties sell generic mute kits, that can be added to most basses - they're perfectly functional, but aren't part of the original instrument ; they're an optional modification / addition (like a drop tuner).

Rickenbacker 4001 / 4003 have mutes built in to the bridge (like the Stingray, and Sabre, they are applied to the underside of the string, at a pressure adjusted by grub screw).

Fenders originally came with a removable bridge cover, that housed a felt mute pad, muting the topside of the strings (they usually got removed, and lost). The Mustang originally had mutes, closer in design to the Stingray / Sabre.

Thank you! Very cool

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

View attachment 3331107

Mutes for each string - can be wound on or off as desired.

I really wish something like that could be done to the Specials. I resorted to making this out of a Magic Eraser.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Just shove a sponge under the strings? Not pretty, but effective.

 

[Chiliwailer]

I just bought a Fump for my Special. I was using some random foam but it looks so bad that the bass just looked sad

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

Just shove a sponge under the strings? Not pretty, but effective.

Yep. That’s what a Magic Eraser is. You could make several hundred for what a NordyMute cost.

 

[Stranger Danger]

View attachment 3331184
Yep. That’s what a Magic Eraser is. You could make several hundred for what a NordyMute cost.

Not the same but nice try.

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

Yeah, I had to experiment with different materials to be the correct tension. The Magic Eraser is a very soft foam. The sponge I used on the Fenders was too stiff. Got the idea from Carol Kaye years ago. She taped hers on top of the strings though.

 

[HD007]

View attachment 3331184
Yep. That’s what a Magic Eraser is. You could make several hundred for what a NordyMute cost.

I like this approach. For me the Nordy mute was not usable. I have taped felt on top a la Carol Kaye but like the idea of something easy to put on or take off.

 

[Kevin Wolfe]

I like this approach. For me the Nordy mute was not usable. I have taped felt on top a la Carol Kaye but like the idea of something easy to put on or take off.

I agree. The individualy adjustable mutes like on the Ric or the older StingRays would be the cats a$$.

 

[mojomike001]

New baby has arrived and I'm already falling in love! This is a recycled unit from a fine fellow TB'er and it is in pristine condition. I'm happy to say that the weight is a very reasonable 8lbs 11oz and it balances perfectly. Looks like a keeper to me. Came with with a white and a black pickguard. What do you think? I'm leaning toward black, although I might buy an antique pearl one.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

New baby has arrived and I'm already falling in love! This is a recycled unit from a fine fellow TB'er and it is in pristine condition. I'm happy to say that the weight is a very reasonable 8lbs 11oz and it balances perfectly. Looks like a keeper to me. Came with with a white and a black pickguard. What do you think? I'm leaning toward black, although I might buy an antique pearl one.

View attachment 3331332 View attachment 3331333 View attachment 3331334

I would go with black from those 2 choices. But aged pearl or tort would look even better .
Are those TI Flats ?

 

[JaseOfBase]

I started muting strings by using an extra FretWrap that I had laying around. I shove under the strings near the bridge...it works really well and can be removed/put back in place in seconds =)

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I’ve mastered the palm mute. It works for my style of playing .

 

[mojomike001]

I would go with black from those 2 choices. But aged pearl or tort would look even better .
Are those TI Flats ?

No, they're some sort of rounds. Sounds great as is, but I'm a flats guy and I have new set of Cobalt's that I'm planning on putting on it. I won't have too much tweaking time tonight because I have to leave soon for a gig.

 

[JaseOfBase]

I’ve mastered the palm mute. It works for my style of playing .

Nice! I have a super hard time palm muting while playing with my fingers but with a pick --- it's on!

I never would even worry about it playing out and about in a live setting...mostly just for recording purposes to control unwanted tones from open strings ringing out from time to time if I'm skipping around from string to string.

 

[drTSTingray]

View attachment 3331168
I really wish something like that could be done to the Specials. I resorted to making this out of a Magic Eraser.

I've done that in the past with a Stingray, actually using one of those sponge kitchen cleaning items (I read an interview with George Porter Jr, who said he does this on his old Precision). Quite an effective and cheap way of doing it. However the built in mutes give the ability to increase or lower the pressure or completely retract them - also different levels of muting on each string. I found muting the E and A on a Fretless to be quite effective.

I'm a Pino fan so the Stingray Fretless is great fun ( and for two or three years was my main gigging bass - a 93 so complete with mutes.

Now for those unaware (some of the recent posts suggest this) - the currently available Stingray Classic and Old Smoothie (and earlier but discontinued Sterling and Sabre Classics) have the longer bridge with the mute kit.

 

[drTSTingray]

To get back to Stingray Specials 'third gear', here are a couple of videos - the first is a 2007 4HH - video taken by guest percussion player's wife - hence camera angle.

The second is my 4HHS in third gear - it's the first time I played a gig with it - first song in the set so the sound guys were sorting things out from the previous band!!

 

[Stranger Danger]

New baby has arrived and I'm already falling in love! This is a recycled unit from a fine fellow TB'er and it is in pristine condition. I'm happy to say that the weight is a very reasonable 8lbs 11oz and it balances perfectly. Looks like a keeper to me. Came with with a white and a black pickguard. What do you think? I'm leaning toward black, although I might buy an antique pearl one.

View attachment 3331332 View attachment 3331333 View attachment 3331334

That black guard is very interesting. I have never seen a bevel on the inside of the neck pocket like that. I kind of dig it!

 

[drTSTingray]

New baby has arrived and I'm already falling in love! This is a recycled unit from a fine fellow TB'er and it is in pristine condition. I'm happy to say that the weight is a very reasonable 8lbs 11oz and it balances perfectly. Looks like a keeper to me. Came with with a white and a black pickguard. What do you think? I'm leaning toward black, although I might buy an antique pearl one.

View attachment 3331332 View attachment 3331333 View attachment 3331334

Fabulous - enjoy! The black guard is different from the one on my Aqua sparkle - the white bevel edge around the neck joint is interesting.

 

[mojomike001]

I guess that black guard was custom made.