EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Killens84]

Which strings do you guys have on your special? I have still the stock super Slinkys on mine, which aren’t bad.

I tried several different strings when I first got my SR Special. GHS Nickel Balanced were the clear winner for me. They help tame and smooth out the frequencies at which a Stingray can be a bit aggressive. They’re a perfect match for a Stingray, if you don’t want the bass to be as aggressive and snarly as it can be.

 

[Wolfhound32]

I’ve used DR Pure Blues, which were nice— but I liked the Slinky set better on the Special. Going to try a set of DR Sunbeams on my Classic, which should be a good match

 

[wattsman]

Did you get the H model or the HH?

I think position 4 on the HH has a Precision-ish vibe to it.

I goth the H version, that’s why i’m so surprised!

 

[Treeman]

I goth the H version, that’s why i’m so surprised!

Likewise - I've got a 4H and it is truly amazing how with minimal EQ tweaking and right-hand placement you can get into P territory even with only the single bridge pickup. I put flats on when I need to go even more vintage and it's just pure sorcery.

 

[Ryno1330]

@atauntaun

What really intrigues me about some of those vault basses is the 1.5 inch nut width which I prefer. Same as a jazz bass. Congrats. The new specials are amazing.

So they are making some specials with the smaller nut? What are these "vault" basses?

 

[Burwabit]

Re: Strings

Cobalts.

Same. I like flats on this bass with no tone control.

 

[Cracker7]

Strings- D’Addario NYXLs, just perfect.

 

[Stevorebob]

Just bought a special and it's great!! Is it just me or the new eq/pickup can get really close to a precision sound?
I had an earlier version and sold it because I could never get a warm sound and I need that for some of my songs. My new one is very versatile, and I can get very close to a P sound if needed.

Yep. That single pickup in the MM sweet spot with the new pre is amazingly versatile.

The HH in the 4 position offers up a beefier P tone, but the single H has more focus/clarity. My experience; YMMV.

 

[Stevorebob]

Strings: Regular Slinky, Cobalt Rounds, Low Rider Nickel .125 (all 5-string). Really like the clarity of the .125 B on the Low Riders.

 

[Iofflight]

Which strings do you guys have on your special? I have still the stock super Slinkys on mine, which aren’t bad.

I left the stock on for about a year and they were pretty good, far better on the special than on the short scale. I just put some TI power rounds on it. (.047-.107) I really these on this bass. I initially had these strings on my p bass but I think it works better on this bass because it’s brighter and has the EQ and these strings seem a bit darker than the lighter gauge TI rounds.

 

[J2Kbass]

@Ryno1330

go to the music man website. Click on their shop link. Then click on Vault. They have limited edition Basses. Like ball family reserve. But instead of 100, they release 5...

 

[J2Kbass]

Does anyone else wonder why the bridges in music man instruments don't have slots to keep the saddles in place???? That seems like a potential design flaw.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my stingray but I have read here about people having certain issues with the bridge. Are these unrelated?

 

[Stevorebob]

Does anyone else wonder why the bridges in music man instruments don't have slots to keep the saddles in place???? That seems like a potential design flaw.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my stingray but I have read here about people having certain issues with the bridge. Are these unrelated?

The old bridges had guides on each side of the saddles. The new ones don’t, but they seem unnecessary — my two Specials’ saddles have not moved a bit.

 

[Cyborg]

Does anyone else wonder why the bridges in music man instruments don't have slots to keep the saddles in place???? That seems like a potential design flaw.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my stingray but I have read here about people having certain issues with the bridge. Are these unrelated?

I don't think it's necessarily a design flaw but seems similar to a Fender bass bridge where the saddles could "shift" some. I haven't had an issue with Fender or the EBMM Special bridge saddles shifting. Personally, I would've placed grooves/slots in the metal bridge plate.

The issue people are referring to is the saddle is lowering on the set screws. It doesn't seem widespread but a few have reported it here.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Has anybody compared an older StingRay 4HH with a Special 4HH? Can you hear differences? How would you compare their sound?

 

[KingstonWannabe]

Yep. I am and EBMM should fix it!
I am not a fan of the new bridge.

I happen to agree, and while it’s no where near a deal breaker, it’s more than a little frustrating.
However, I really am in love with the bass and the way it plays and sounds, so.. I guess everything comes with a price

 

[Wolfhound32]

Been downsizing my bass collection, and had recently sold my last bass in that effort-- leaving me with three core basses: SR Special, Old Smoothie SR, G&L L2K. With those three, I can happily cover all bases, while enjoying some serious garage appeal in the process.

With the little bit of money from selling the old P-bass, I was looking to replace an older, heavy combo amp with something lighter such as the Fender Rumble 200, but just couldn't bring myself to pay that much for an overseas made amp. That left me searching though all the used gear online...

HOWEVER, while on Guitar Center's page I stumbled across a used Stingray Special 4HH, priced so low I simply couldn't pass it up. Honestly, at that price I expected something to be broken, or a serious crack somewhere. It arrived today, and after cleaning off the grime, and removing the ratty adhesive plastic left on the pickguard the bass looks factory fresh! The action is a little high, but I'll be dropping it off at my tech's tomorrow for him to give it an inspection, and a setup if all is well.

Who needs a new, lightweight amp anyway?!

View attachment 3679588

*Update*
If it's too good to be true... It probably is, and in the case of this copper beauty, it was.

When it arrived the action was sky high-- not a surprise with an instrument at Guitar Center. After an hour or so of trying to give it a proper setup, the strings just rattled like crazy. Next I had my favorite tech take a stab at setting it up; if anyone can, it's this guy. The lowest he could get the action was 8/64" which was an improvement from GC, but still too high for my liking. We talked about shimming the neck, but I decided to return it instead.

Such a thing happens with all manufactures at one time or another, so I'm not dinging MM, just confirming what others have said (several pages back). It may be helpful to note that the bass was an early example (April 18). Also to note, that many people may find that action height to be quite comfortable...

Then, while returning to my search for a lightweight combo amp, I stumbled across a Classic SR4 in Retro Burst with a rosewood neck-- something quite difficult to find(!)

So again, who needs a lightweight combo amp anyway?

 

[bumble yeti]

I happen to agree, and while it’s no where near a deal breaker, it’s more than a little frustrating.
However, I really am in love with the bass and the way it plays and sounds, so.. I guess everything comes with a price

My friend, we paid the price when we bought the bass.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Received this baby today. Got it used for a nice price from GC. Built 9/19, so only a few months old, still had the case candy.

 

[Cyborg]

Received this baby today. Got it used for a nice price from GC. Built 9/19, so only a few months old, still had the case candy.

View attachment 3695484
View attachment 3695485

Looks like my current #1, I wholeheartedly approve!!!