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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#281
Wolfhound32 said:
The eagle has landed-- Again!

The first Stingray Special that I ordered a few weeks ago was returned as the bass just felt a a bit too flashy overall, and my new one arrived a few days ago; think of it as the first being Ginger, and this one, Marry Ann ;)

Had some setup issues that were resolved via our local tech (I truly hate buying basses sight unseen over the net...), and now it plays like a dream!

Also of note, this bass has one of the finest rosewood boards I've seen in a long, L O N G time :D

View attachment 3143215 View attachment 3143216 View attachment 3143217
View attachment 3143230
The combination of the lightweight, stainless steel frets and new pre-amp make this my new #1, and worth every penny of the new price tag-- even before the Labor Day sale discount ;)

Until this bass, I've not been a fan of pre-amps; this new 18V version is a very welcome change to that of the previous model.

Happy Day, Happy Day! :hyper:
Click to expand...

Very pretty- and nice strap!
 
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#282
So question for you guys that have one and had the standard stingray as well...
I've heard the demos but in person and in the mix how would you describe the difference in tone?


"Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more__________ and not as much________. I prefer it because it sounds much more __________ when used live."
 
#283
**Subjective input. YMMV**
I owned a standard SR for the previous 5-years. While it was a nice bass, mine was a bit of a lemon in that it had a neck that just wouldn't stay put for very long. Aside from that it's treble was pretty harsh and difficult to tame, so my P-bass got 99% of the playing time. To your specific questions:

"Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more flexibly in the pre-amp and not as much difficulty taming the treble harshness.

I prefer it because it sounds much more musical when used live."

The main "sound" difference between the old & new for me, is the ease to which the tone can be modified with the new pre-amp. Before, when trying to tame the harshness I would boost the bottom, cut the highs and a minor tweak to the mids, but it always sounded flat & harsh to me, and not very pleasant compared to my other basses. This one only needs the treble rolled off a bit --The context being the old compared to new; the old was a nice instrument on its own--

Saying the new one sounds more musical to my ears, has to do with the quality of the notes-- notes played on the new SR have more bloom and warmth to them compared to my old one. Again, totally subjective-- These are the reasons I rarely played my old SR, and expect this new one to be my #1 go-to. Also keep in mind that I'm not looking for a "P" or "J" sound-- rather I'm listening for tones that I like and think will work well with our band.

Hope this helps!
 
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#284
Wolfhound32 said:
**Subjective input. YMMV**
I owned a standard SR for the previous 5-years. While it was a nice bass, mine was a bit of a lemon in that it had a neck that just wouldn't stay put for very long. Aside from that it's treble was pretty harsh and difficult to tame, so my P-bass got 99% of the playing time. To your specific questions:

"Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more flexibly in the pre-amp and not as much difficulty taming the treble harshness.

I prefer it because it sounds much more musical when used live."

The main "sound" difference between the old & new for me, is the ease to which the tone can be modified with the new pre-amp. Before, when trying to tame the harshness I would boost the bottom, cut the highs and a minor tweak to the mids, but it always sounded flat & harsh to me, and not very pleasant compared to my other basses. This one only needs the treble rolled off a bit --The context being the old compared to new; the old was a nice instrument on its own--

Saying the new one sounds more musical to my ears, has to do with the quality of the notes-- notes played on the new SR have more bloom and warmth to them compared to my old one. Again, totally subjective-- These are the reasons I rarely played my old SR, and expect this new one to be my #1 go-to. Also keep in mind that I'm not looking for a "P" or "J" sound-- rather I'm listening for tones that I like and think will work well with our band.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...


Beautifully said, and congrats on the new natural :bassist:
 
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#285
eyeballkid said:
So question for you guys that have one and had the standard stingray as well...
I've heard the demos but in person and in the mix how would you describe the difference in tone?


"Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more__________ and not as much________. I prefer it because it sounds much more __________ when used live."
Click to expand...
Okay, here you go:

Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more organic tone and warmth, and not as much out-front harshness and bite. I prefer it because it sounds much more integrated in the mix when used live.​
 
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#287
I sent the burnt apple 5HH back. It was too heavy @ nearly 10lbs. It had the same great sound that I remember from playing one at a GC in Boston. I've decided to stick with my original plan and wait for a 5HH in cruz teal to show up. No one has them in stock. I assume EB has not done a run of them yet. I am hoping to find one of those under 8.5 lbs. That would be awesome.
 
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#288
eyeballkid said:
So question for you guys that have one and had the standard stingray as well...
I've heard the demos but in person and in the mix how would you describe the difference in tone?


"Compared to the regular Ray I think it has more__________ and not as much________. I prefer it because it sounds much more __________ when used live."
Click to expand...

I look it it this way - you sound great on a regular Ray and I sound horrible. I sounded great on one of these, so you should sound spectacular!
 
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#289
Wolfhound32 said:
The eagle has landed-- Again!

The first Stingray Special that I ordered a few weeks ago was returned as the bass just felt a a bit too flashy overall, and my new one arrived a few days ago; think of it as the first being Ginger, and this one, Marry Ann ;)

Had some setup issues that were resolved via our local tech (I truly hate buying basses sight unseen over the net...), and now it plays like a dream!

Also of note, this bass has one of the finest rosewood boards I've seen in a long, L O N G time :D

View attachment 3143215 View attachment 3143216 View attachment 3143217
View attachment 3143230
The combination of the lightweight, stainless steel frets and new pre-amp make this my new #1, and worth every penny of the new price tag-- even before the Labor Day sale discount ;)

Until this bass, I've not been a fan of pre-amps; this new 18V version is a very welcome change to that of the previous model.

Happy Day, Happy Day! :hyper:
Click to expand...

You rock!! I usually dislike that style of strap, but it's awesome with that bass.
 
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#290
Went to Laurel, MD Guitar Center to check out their copper 4HH Special. It's super light and I played it early on - but.... Somebody dropped it. A big drop. Two of the control knobs were jacked up and 3-4 big dings on the edge of the body. Ugh!!! How could someone do that to a Special!!!
 
#292
MultiScaleMale said:
Went to Laurel, MD Guitar Center to check out their copper 4HH Special. It's super light and I played it early on - but.... Somebody dropped it. A big drop. Two of the control knobs were jacked up and 3-4 big dings on the edge of the body. Ugh!!! How could someone do that to a Special!!!
Click to expand...


“Dropped” copper indeed :roflmao:. Dang that’s a shame. There is one in Rockville that is in good condition...rightfully on a locked hang stand too
 
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#293
MultiScaleMale said:
Went to Laurel, MD Guitar Center to check out their copper 4HH Special. It's super light and I played it early on - but.... Somebody dropped it. A big drop. Two of the control knobs were jacked up and 3-4 big dings on the edge of the body. Ugh!!! How could someone do that to a Special!!!
Click to expand...
Idiots. That’s why they should hang them high
 
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#294
Wolfhound32 said:
The eagle has landed-- Again!

The first Stingray Special that I ordered a few weeks ago was returned as the bass just felt a a bit too flashy overall, and my new one arrived a few days ago; think of it as the first being Ginger, and this one, Marry Ann ;)

Had some setup issues that were resolved via our local tech (I truly hate buying basses sight unseen over the net...), and now it plays like a dream!

Also of note, this bass has one of the finest rosewood boards I've seen in a long, L O N G time :D

View attachment 3143215 View attachment 3143216 View attachment 3143217
View attachment 3143230
The combination of the lightweight, stainless steel frets and new pre-amp make this my new #1, and worth every penny of the new price tag-- even before the Labor Day sale discount ;)

Until this bass, I've not been a fan of pre-amps; this new 18V version is a very welcome change to that of the previous model.

Happy Day, Happy Day! :hyper:
Click to expand...
Absolutely stunning - congratulations - is it my imagination or are the natural bodies more stunningly figured on the specials - the one I saw at Andertons is also like this - also the roasted maple necks look especially good in combination with natural (and the other colours).

EBMM instruments have always been class but these really are fine instruments - to look at, to play (the neck feel is incredible), build quality, materials and the sounds available really make them a notch up - whilst still retaining that Stingray DNA.
 
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#295
monkeyfinger said:
I sent the burnt apple 5HH back. It was too heavy @ nearly 10lbs. It had the same great sound that I remember from playing one at a GC in Boston. I've decided to stick with my original plan and wait for a 5HH in cruz teal to show up. No one has them in stock. I assume EB has not done a run of them yet. I am hoping to find one of those under 8.5 lbs. That would be awesome.
Click to expand...
I have one of these on order - has been for a while - I think you're right that they were later on the manufacturing schedule - most of the Stingray Specials around seem to be 4s. I've seen a 4 in Cruz teal and am anticipating the 5 version will be a stunner!!
 
#298
drTSTingray said:
I have one of these on order - has been for a while - I think you're right that they were later on the manufacturing schedule - most of the Stingray Specials around seem to be 4s. I've seen a 4 in Cruz teal and am anticipating the 5 version will be a stunner!!
Click to expand...

I may change the pickguard for a black one. I think the larger pickguard on the 5 would look better in black. There are images from an early brochure on the interwebz showing a cruz teal 5 with a a black pickguard. It looks great.
 
#300
monkeyfinger said:
I sent the burnt apple 5HH back. It was too heavy @ nearly 10lbs. It had the same great sound that I remember from playing one at a GC in Boston. I've decided to stick with my original plan and wait for a 5HH in cruz teal to show up. No one has them in stock. I assume EB has not done a run of them yet. I am hoping to find one of those under 8.5 lbs. That would be awesome.
Click to expand...

I am surprised to hear this as the official specs say 9 lbs and a bit.
 

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