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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#4,722
Nobis17 said:
So I'm thinking about this pick guard:

Music Man StingRay Special 4 HH Pickguard Black Copper Sparkle

What do you guys think? My bass is dropped copper.
Click to expand...
I put this on my Dropped Copper SR5 I say Go 4 it... never liked white PG's myself
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#4,723
@craig0316 yeah, I love that map PG you have. my only concern with the one that I picked out, is it might be too much sparkle on top of the red, and not be a good contrast. - I definitely wan't something dark for sure. I just am a little hesitant to drop $70 for something that I won't like :P.
 
#4,724
Nobis17 said:
@craig0316 yeah, I love that map PG you have. my only concern with the one that I picked out, is it might be too much sparkle on top of the red, and not be a good contrast. - I definitely wan't something dark for sure. I just am a little hesitant to drop $70 for something that I won't like :p.
Click to expand...

I’d go with black, then parchment or a nice vintage mint green.
pearloid white or clear could look cool too. It’s a tough call!
 
#4,734
I bought and sold the older version of the StingRay many times. I could never get along with the tone. There was always a mid aggressiveness that I found hard to tame when I wanted. I think the Special is a huge improvement in tone. It is not as naturally aggressive sounding. However, with the right EQ I think you can dial some of that back in if you like. Overall, the feel and playability are greatly improved. So, in short, less baked in tone, better neck, hardware, balance, weight, etc.
 
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#4,735
highway said:
Anyone upgrade from an older stingray to the special? I haven't had the chance to play one yet due to corona, but am wondering what made you switch? Was it the weight or the sound or everything?
Click to expand...
I have older StingRays and new StingRay Specials. So I didn’t switch, just added something else to my tool kit. They are pretty much identical playing-wise. But it’s the tone that sets them apart. Older StingRays are more aggressive, less refined, and the new Specials are less in-your-face, more polite. The lighter weight of the Specials is nice for long gigs, but I don’t mind a robust bass — never been one to specifically seek out lightweight instruments. I love them both. They are different tools for different needs.
 
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#4,736
monkeyfinger said:
I bought and sold the older version of the StingRay many times. I could never get along with the tone. There was always a mid aggressiveness that I found hard to tame when I wanted. I think the Special is a huge improvement in tone. It is not as naturally aggressive sounding. However, with the right EQ I think you can dial some of that back in if you like. Overall, the feel and playability are greatly improved. So, in short, less baked in tone, better neck, hardware, balance, weight, etc.
Click to expand...
Totally agree. I never cared for all the "zing" in the older Rays. I wanted to like them, but couldn't. The Special cured the problems I perceived with the StingRay, including tone and weight. And all the EBMM quality is still there. Great basses.
 
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#4,739
highway said:
Anyone upgrade from an older stingray to the special? I haven't had the chance to play one yet due to corona, but am wondering what made you switch? Was it the weight or the sound or everything?
Click to expand...
Yeah, I switched. I had an outstanding 3 band Ray and a very nice Old Smoothie - both are now sold.
It was the weight, ergonomics and flexibility of the new pre amp that made me keep the Special when I had to sell off some basses. Hard to say if it’s an upgrade as the old Rays are still cool for ‘that’ tone.
My old 3 band was a naturally more resonant bass (weight, wood, who knows?) but I kept the Special because it’s lighter (I have nerve damage) and could do so much more.
Ideally, I would have kept the 3 band and the Smoothie as they did their own thing very well, but I’m happy with the Special.
 
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#4,740
Stevorebob said:
I have older StingRays and new StingRay Specials. So I didn’t switch, just added something else to my tool kit. They are pretty much identical playing-wise. But it’s the tone that sets them apart. Older StingRays are more aggressive, less refined, and the new Specials are less in-your-face, more polite. The lighter weight of the Specials is nice for long gigs, but I don’t mind a robust bass — never been one to specifically seek out lightweight instruments. I love them both. They are different tools for different needs.
Click to expand...
Same here
 

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