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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#4,941
I usually like the standard pink package slinky's on my Stingrays. I did just pick up some of the pink cobalt rounds for one of my rays which is what I use on my SR5 and those a great strings as well. One of my rays has D'addario black tapewounds which sound great with an HH Stingray. I also just put some of the power slinky's on an HH Stingray and have it tuned DGCF and it works very well.
 
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#4,943
Strings you ask?

I play 5-string basses and prefer either EB Regular Slinky 45-130 (the green package) or DR Lo-Rider Nickel 45-125 on my StingRays — Specials and otherwise. I’m leaning toward the DRs these days; the 125 B rings clear.

D’Addario XLs or NYXLs just never did it for me, but Pro Steels are great on some of my other basses. Haven’t found reason to try many more.

YMMV. Of course it does.
 
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#4,946
Shindig73 said:
Quick questions for y'all:

Can you retrofit the lighter aluminum Special hardware (bridge and tuners) to a 2017 Stingray?

If so, where's a good place to buy?

If not, what are some good alternatives?

Apologies in advance if these questions have been asked.
Click to expand...
Probably not. MusicMan is tight with the parts, generally providing replacements only with the exchange of the original through an authorized dealer. But hey, I’m just some guy on the internet; what doI know? Best to contact MusicMan, since that’s where you’ll have to the the bridge. They may tell you it’s $2,200 and you get a free bass.

Now, will they fit? If you can get the bridge, you’ll have to remove the side bolts and maybe the anchors, since the Special does not have these, and the Special bridge will not cover the remaining holes. But it looks like the three screws at her back line up the same on both. The tuners will require mounting holes, and you’ll be left then the previous holes.

If you just have to do this, let me suggest you look at Hipshot. No direct replacements, however, that I know of.
 
#4,947
Stevorebob said:
Probably not. MusicMan is tight with the parts, generally providing replacements only with the exchange of the original through an authorized dealer. But hey, I’m just some guy on the internet; what doI know? Best to contact MusicMan, since that’s where you’ll have to the the bridge. They may tell you it’s $2,200 and you get a free bass.

Now, will they fit? If you can get the bridge, you’ll have to remove the side bolts and maybe the anchors, since the Special does not have these, and the Special bridge will not cover the remaining holes. But it looks like the three screws at her back line up the same on both. The tuners will require mounting holes, and you’ll be left then the previous holes.

If you just have to do this, let me suggest you look at Hipshot. No direct replacements, however, that I know of.
Click to expand...
I have wondered how a stock Stingray bridge would sound in place of the SS version, better sustain maybe, especially in the B strings upper registers .
 
#4,948
Groovegestapo said:
I have wondered how a stock Stingray bridge would sound in place of the SS version, better sustain maybe, especially in the B strings upper registers .
Click to expand...
It’s hard to tell. The electronics are significantly different, which gets in the way of a direct comparison between the Special and non-Special bridges. I notice nothing that I would attribute to the bridges.

The pick guard colors may have more of an effect. ;)
 
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#4,950
Thanks, all, for the guidance!

Here's what Music Man came back with:

Thanks for playing Music Man.
Unfortunately, the tuners are a different size and will not work on the older StingRay models.
Best Regards,
Music Man Customer Service Team
 
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#4,951
Shindig73 said:
Quick questions for y'all:

Can you retrofit the lighter aluminum Special hardware (bridge and tuners) to a 2017 Stingray?

If so, where's a good place to buy?

If not, what are some good alternatives?

Apologies in advance if these questions have been asked.
Click to expand...

Shindig73 said:
Thanks, all, for the guidance!

Here's what Music Man came back with:

Thanks for playing Music Man.
Unfortunately, the tuners are a different size and will not work on the older StingRay models.
Best Regards,
Music Man Customer Service Team
Click to expand...
If the holes for the standard tuners are too small you could ask a luthier to enlarge them to fit the lightweight tuners?

If it's viable, the tuners are available on the Music Man web site.
Lightweight Clover Bass Tuning Key for B, E, A or D Strings
Lightweight Clover Bass Tuning Key for G String
 
#4,952
Stranger Danger said:
Back in Black
Click to expand...

Thanks SD..... just what I was looking for. I just picked up this beauty and was also toying between black or tort. Your pics made up my mind. This is my second special, first one is gone because the charcoal sparkle just wasn't me. Love this dropped copper.
special1.jpg
 
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#4,958
2milehighspike said:
It’s funny how stock photos hide the depth of certain finishes, when I first saw this one I was rather meh, but holyshamoley that is COOL! MM is killin the finishes lately!
Click to expand...

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's not the first time though that I've seen some pics of products on their site and not been super impressed until I saw photos from other people when they get the instrument. For example, the aqua sparkle is an amazing looking finish, but some of the photos of it on their website just don't do it justice.
 
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#4,959
N4860 said:
Yeah, I know what you mean. It's not the first time though that I've seen some pics of products on their site and not been super impressed until I saw photos from other people when they get the instrument. For example, the aqua sparkle is an amazing looking finish, but some of the photos of it on their website just don't do it justice.
Click to expand...
. Same with the Ghost Pepper and Tectonic Blue. On sites like Sweetwater and such they don’t look special, but do a search for other photos and they just pop.
 
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