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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#3,782
KaseOfBass said:
Really like the cruz teal with the black pickguard...looks sharp!
Click to expand...

Thanks - I have Lowdownthump to thank for that!! When the Stingray Specials were first announced they showed a picture of a Cruz Teal SR5HH with a black pg, which was the reason I ordered one.

image.jpeg


The production version has a white pg - which is also v nice but as you say the black is a great contrast - I love it. This is with the white just after it was unpacked in the shop.

image.jpeg
 
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#3,783
I have to say once again how versatile this instrument is. I have the 4HH and I typically play round wounds with my fingers primarily using the bridge pickup. So I got a call last week to audition for a Phish tribute band. Now, Mike Gordon's tone is about as far away from my usual as I could imagine. I went out and got some LaBella LT Flex Flats and rummaged through my tin until I found the right pick. Then I moved around the selector until I found the middle (all on position) with the bass boosted slightly to be perfect. Now I know it isn't a 5 string Modulus Quantum TBX with Ken Smith Slick Rounds and a graphite pick like Mike Gordon, but it's damned close. Really passable tone. Boingy, rubbery, chewing gum sound. I love this bass. It can do everything. Thanks EBMM!
 
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#3,784
drTSTingray said:
Thanks - I have Lowdownthump to thank for that!! When the Stingray Specials were first announced they showed a picture of a Cruz Teal SR5HH with a black pg, which was the reason I ordered one.

View attachment 3433142

The production version has a white pg - which is also v nice but as you say the black is a great contrast - I love it. This is with the white just after it was unpacked in the shop.

View attachment 3433141
Click to expand...

Good info, didn’t realize the black pickguard was the first idea EBMM had with that one. They should’ve stuck with it IMO, but it’s easy enough to slap whatever you want on one.
 
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#3,785
EED07531-A1DB-4A3F-BA59-5A7E89461323.jpeg
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Did the teal Stingray Special ever come with chrome hardware instead of black? I found a used Stingray that was listed as a “Stingray Special”. I loved it and put it on layaway, but just want to make sure I know what I’m getting. I’m oblivious to all things EBMM, so thanks in advance!
 
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#3,786
Texican said:
View attachment 3433424 View attachment 3433425 View attachment 3433426 View attachment 3433427 Did the teal Stingray Special ever come with chrome hardware instead of black? I found a used Stingray that was listed as a “Stingray Special”. I loved it and put it on layaway, but just want to make sure I know what I’m getting. I’m oblivious to all things EBMM, so thanks in advance!
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Hard to tell from the pics. No it has black hardware and ebony fingerboard. Also check the back to see if it has 2 battery compartment .
Should be the 18v preamp .
 
#3,787
Texican said:
View attachment 3433424 View attachment 3433425 View attachment 3433426 View attachment 3433427 Did the teal Stingray Special ever come with chrome hardware instead of black? I found a used Stingray that was listed as a “Stingray Special”. I loved it and put it on layaway, but just want to make sure I know what I’m getting. I’m oblivious to all things EBMM, so thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

It's a SR Special. I'd bet someone had two and decided to swap hardware out.
 
#3,791
bumble yeti said:
Best approach, my friend. Tell Billy we all say, "Hi." :)
And, if you think about it, ask him about that D on the G string. :D
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Billy is who I've talked to on the only two occasions I've called EBMM and he was always fantastic to work with. He was very quick to help me get my 30th SR5 fixed when the original pickup and battery box had a problem. Even though I wasn't happy about the dead spot on my 5H Special, he was still nice to talk with about it.
 
#3,796
Texican said:
View attachment 3433424 View attachment 3433425 View attachment 3433426 View attachment 3433427 Did the teal Stingray Special ever come with chrome hardware instead of black? I found a used Stingray that was listed as a “Stingray Special”. I loved it and put it on layaway, but just want to make sure I know what I’m getting. I’m oblivious to all things EBMM, so thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
The EBMM serial number database lists the hardware it left the factory with.
Serial Number Database | Ernie Ball Music Man

I think yours looks amazing like that :)
 
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#3,797
Texican said:
Thanks! For what it’s worth, these Stingray Specials have absolutely ruined me. Ive always been happy with what $500 and a good setup could get you in a bass. I’m not looking forward to GASing over $2k basses :bawl:
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They have ruined many of us!

The Specials were introduced in 2018. There are some videos on EBMM site that go through how they updated an iconic model.

Did you bring the Cruz Teal home? It’s beautiful — I have one. The ebony fretboard is a dream.

Edit: And PS — Sweetwater currently has evil zero percent financing over 4 years. A GAS enabler for sure.
 
#3,798
HD007 said:
They have ruined many of us!

The Specials were introduced in 2018. There are some videos on EBMM site that go through how they updated an iconic model.

Did you bring the Cruz Teal home? It’s beautiful — I have one. The ebony fretboard is a dream.

Edit: And PS — Sweetwater currently has evil zero percent financing over 4 years. A GAS enabler for sure.
Click to expand...
No I put it on Layaway at Guitar Center. I just bonded with it to the point that I didn’t want to lose it. The wait will be excruciating!
 
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#3,800
keto said:
Dropped mine off at the dealer/tech one last time. All they keep giving me is, “Yeah, but can u hear it thru your amp?”, which is fair but the fret noise is ridiculous. I made noises about wanting warranty, we’ll see. My brother, who is a 32 year pro bass player and tb member, messed with the setup briefly, and he’s fussy, his parting comment was ‘something ain’t right’.
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How is the setup? Try playing it unplugged while wearing ear plugs or ear muffs so you can't hear anything. Now, how does it feel to play?

If it feels fine, then another thing to consider is fret material and profile. I suspect a few people are better able to hear the acoustic/unplugged difference between the wide stainless steel frets on Specials and narrower nickel frets on other Stingrays and think there is something wrong.

If it helps at all, the clackiness of my SRS5 has certainly subsided after 9 months of very frequent use (with stainless flatwounds).
 
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