EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Stevorebob]

I see a lot of the special club members here like the cobalt flats. Ever try the Cobalt rounds? I may just get the regular slinky just to try to get it back to factory and start from there.

I like Colbalt rounds on StingRays, Specals and otherwise. They have a nice resonant low-mid growl with extended highs and lows. I also like Slinkys and DR Lo Rider Nickles.

 

[PhinDog]

I like Colbalt rounds on StungRays, Specals and otherwise. They have a nice resonant low-mid growl with extended highs and lows. I also like Slinkys and DR Lo Rider Nickles.

Sweet thanks! I'll add them to the list.

 

[Richard I]

Here's the thing, the sound is terrible. It may be the strings which I'll change tonight or tomorrow. There was rubbing compound caked in the nut and on the body, so the strings maybe coated with them as well. Even acoustically it sounds bad. I have just started a set up last night with a slight truss rod adjustment. The last owner set a decent back bow in the neck and also adjusted the pickups with the bass side lower than the treb side, which is pretty frustrating in the sound department. I loved the even sounding tones on the ones I test drove. A lot might be the strings, they sound pretty solid/dead, like a solid thud and the darkest tone I have ever heard through my amp. I play a Mesa d800+ with a Mesa sub 15 and 12 stack. Last night set all flat (usually a brighter neutral sound) sounded dark dark dark, except for the G string that rang out in a harsh way. Could some gunked up strings cause the dead sound whether acoustic or amplified?

I have my SR5SPecial since august, and only now I'm starting to dig the thing. I had to get a little familiar not only with the 5 strings, but also with the different EQ and overall tonality/playability (I come from a Classic SR4, and P basses). My SR5S has dead straight neck, that means that I have the minimum relief at the 12th with the neck all the way loose. But it's fine, it's perfect and it doesn't give me any issue. I can adjust my action as I prefer.

First, I got rid of the slinkys. They were awful under the fingers, and they weren't balanced in tone/volume, too. I put on Nickel Lo Riders, which I like on my SR4, and they got me in the right playground: more balanced in tension, more mids in tone (regular slinkys sounded a bit scooped to me ears).

Then, I raised a bit the action - I don't like ultra low action.

Lastly, today, I put a little shim in the neck pocket. That's routine for me, I shimmed every bass' pocket even if it wasn't necessary, because it allows me to raise the saddles while keeping my favourite action.
Higher saddles improve tension and harmonics, to my ears, while NOT influencing the tone in a bad way (without reducing sustain, for example).

Great advice. The only rays i've played were in the shop with reg slinky strings from the factory. I'll start there. On my jazz basses I've always used D'Addario strings, but on the shop rays i've played, Slinky strings felt pretty nice. Not sure why I never tried them, always thought the packaging made them looked cheap. To judgy I am.

As I said, I use nickel lo riders on my Rays. But I also like nickel rotosound, standard Hi-Beams and Fat Beams and even nickel Fender. I mostly play nickel strings.
As far as flat strings, they're particular and in solo (in your home) they may sound dull and awful. You gotta try them in band mix. Thomastik flats for me.

 

[PhinDog]

I have my SR5SPecial since august, and only now I'm starting to dig the thing. I had to get a little familiar not only with the 5 strings, but also with the different EQ and overall tonality/playability (I come from a Classic SR4, and P basses). My SR5S has dead straight neck, that means that I have the minimum relief at the 12th with the neck all the way loose. But it's fine, it's perfect and it doesn't give me any issue. I can adjust my action as I prefer.

First, I got rid of the slinkys. They were awful under the fingers, and they weren't balanced in tone/volume, too. I put on Nickel Lo Riders, which I like on my SR4, and they got me in the right playground: more balanced in tension, more mids in tone (regular slinkys sounded a bit scooped to me ears).

Then, I raised a bit the action - I don't like ultra low action.

Lastly, today, I put a little shim in the neck pocket. That's routine for me, I shimmed every bass' pocket even if it wasn't necessary, because it allows me to raise the saddles while keeping my favourite action.
Higher saddles improve tension and harmonics, to my ears, while NOT influencing the tone in a bad way (without reducing sustain, for example).



As I said, I use nickel lo riders on my Rays. But I also like nickel rotosound, standard Hi-Beams and Fat Beams and even nickel Fender. I mostly play nickel strings.
As far as flat strings, they're particular and in solo (in your home) they may sound dull and awful. You gotta try them in band mix. Thomastik flats for me.

Thanks! I'll give her some time to come around. I'll get her set up and report back.
Do the lo-riders have more or higher tension? I really like easy fretting feel these basses have. Would the lo-riders change that?

 

[LetItGrowTone]

...I put a little shim in the neck pocket.

Was the neck pocket bare wood inside?

 

[Richard I]

Thanks! I'll give her some time to come around. I'll get her set up and report back.
Do the lo-riders have more or higher tension? I really like easy fretting feel these basses have. Would the lo-riders change that?

Well, the Lo-Rider are a different gauge compared to the slinkys (that's why I changed at first, can't stand .80 and .100 strings). To me, they feel a bit more rough, too - which is a plus, for me.

More mids, rougher and more balanced than Regular Slinky.

Was the neck pocket bare wood inside?

Yes, with a little scraping on the wood (TR wheel side), some prints (name of the operator and date of manifacturing, I suppose) and a number engraved in the center of the pocket.

 

[Rlbragg15]

Thanks Pet Sounds,
I really just needed to vent. LOL Do you have any favorite set up measurements? I know its individual and all but a good starting point might help! OR favorite strings on the ray special? I know again individual tastes. Much appreciated.
I'm sure that some new strings and a set up will help it out. Hopefully after that my next post will be whoa how sweet. I just hope that's the case. "It's gonna be ok" is my mantra.

Looks like you've gotten some pretty good advice so far, but I figured I'd chime in. I've had a StingRay Special 4H since 2019 - it was bought new and from the first run I believe. In the past, I have used EB Hybrid Slinkys as my round wound string for my basses, but the stock EB Super Slinkys really suit the Special in my opinion. I have used them ever since the stock strings were replaced.

My special was setup by my trusted luthier to the specs I am comfortable with and that I use on all my other basses. I'll list the details below, but obviously these are specs I like and may not be suitable for others. I like to play with low-medium action where I can pop the strings when playing aggressive, but play with no/minimal fret buzz with a lighter touch. I play finger-style 80% of the time.

• Neck: I set my necks to between 0.008-in and 0.010-in as measured by a feeler gauge at the 7th or 8th fret on the E string while the first fret is depressed via capo and the fret right at the body is depressed. In the case of the Special, I depress the 17th fret.
  
• Bridge: My saddles follow the typical alignment where the E saddle is farthest back and the G saddle is closer to the neck; the A and D saddles are roughly staggered in this alignment or are near equal as intonation requires.
• Action: I measure action from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the open string - no strings are depressed. I typically aim for 6/64-in at the E, 5.5/64-in at the A, 5/64-in at the D, and 4/64-in at the G (i.e. 3/32-in to 2/32-in). Minor adjustments are then made for each particular bass.
• Shim: Using the measurements above, my particular Special did not require a shim (or the factory shim was sufficient, I have not inspected). Saddles had plenty of room to move without bottoming out. That being said, if you are close to bottoming out, I have found that the saddles screws can be loose and subject to movement, therefore a shim is needed to add additional tension.
• Pickup: I use factory recommended guides for pickup height after the above adjustments are made. My special did not need additional adjustment for an even sound. I understand the Special pickups are particularly strong and can benefit from some distance from the strings.
  
• Strings: I discussed my string preference previously, but I take care to make sure that I have at least two windings on the string post and that the strings have a pronounced downward angle behind the nut.
• Misc: After each adjustment (neck, saddle distance, saddle height, etc in that order) I make sure to tune to pitch and examine intonation. Each guitar will require instrument-specific adjustments.

Assuming there are no significant issues with the neck or frets, the above should provide you with a decent baseline for setup. Again, these are specific to me. I am sure there are others who do things differently or who would disagree with some of my statements - that's perfectly fine.

Most folks probably set their basses up until they feel right and could care less about the measurements. I'm an engineer with OCD, so measurements it is. As I tell myself, if it feels good, play the dang thing or else you're wasting your time.

 

[PhinDog]

Looks like you've gotten some pretty good advice so far, but I figured I'd chime in. I've had a StingRay Special 4H since 2019 - it was bought new and from the first run I believe. In the past, I have used EB Hybrid Slinkys as my round wound string for my basses, but the stock EB Super Slinkys really suit the Special in my opinion. I have used them ever since the stock strings were replaced.

My special was setup by my trusted luthier to the specs I am comfortable with and that I use on all my other basses. I'll list the details below, but obviously these are specs I like and may not be suitable for others. I like to play with low-medium action where I can pop the strings when playing aggressive, but play with no/minimal fret buzz with a lighter touch. I play finger-style 80% of the time.

• Neck: I set my necks to between 0.008-in and 0.010-in as measured by a feeler gauge at the 7th or 8th fret on the E string while the first fret is depressed via capo and the fret right at the body is depressed. In the case of the Special, I depress the 17th fret.
  
• Bridge: My saddles follow the typical alignment where the E saddle is farthest back and the G saddle is closer to the neck; the A and D saddles are roughly staggered in this alignment or are near equal as intonation requires.
• Action: I measure action from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the open string - no strings are depressed. I typically aim for 6/64-in at the E, 5.5/64-in at the A, 5/64-in at the D, and 4/64-in at the G (i.e. 3/32-in to 2/32-in). Minor adjustments are then made for each particular bass.
• Shim: Using the measurements above, my particular Special did not require a shim (or the factory shim was sufficient, I have not inspected). Saddles had plenty of room to move without bottoming out. That being said, if you are close to bottoming out, I have found that the saddles screws can be loose and subject to movement, therefore a shim is needed to add additional tension.
• Pickup: I use factory recommended guides for pickup height after the above adjustments are made. My special did not need additional adjustment for an even sound. I understand the Special pickups are particularly strong and can benefit from some distance from the strings.
  
• Strings: I discussed my string preference previously, but I take care to make sure that I have at least two windings on the string post and that the strings have a pronounced downward angle behind the nut.
• Misc: After each adjustment (neck, saddle distance, saddle height, etc in that order) I make sure to tune to pitch and examine intonation. Each guitar will require instrument-specific adjustments.

Assuming there are no significant issues with the neck or frets, the above should provide you with a decent baseline for setup. Again, these are specific to me. I am sure there are others who do things differently or who would disagree with some of my statements - that's perfectly fine.

Most folks probably set their basses up until they feel right and could care less about the measurements. I'm an engineer with OCD, so measurements it is. As I tell myself, if it feels good, play the dang thing or else you're wasting your time.

Thank you!
Your measurements are very helpful and very similar to mine. I’ve just never played a ray before and everyone talks about proper set up to get that ray tone.
I am very much like you and continue to tweak, measure, tune etc!

Quick update: New strings to night, raised the saddles, adjusted the truss rod and now I’ll let her rest until tomorrow and I’ll finish the set up. It’s already better! Those strings were brown and dead.

 

[PhinDog]

Hey guys,
I just jumped in on a beautiful, Tectonic Blue Stingray Special 5. I will upload a pic after work tonight. I haven't yet because of my unimpressed initial impressions.

I bought this online with out playing it. I know, I know! I did buy it form GC so I have 45 days to figure it out. I had played a few in the store but went for the better used deal online. The ones I had demo'd were so sweet. Even tone and the ability to shape the tone from dark and smooth to aggressive and bright. I usually play 4s but the 5s were so nice sounding that I went for the extended range. But so far that's not what I received.

Here's the thing, the sound is terrible. It may be the strings which I'll change tonight or tomorrow. There was rubbing compound caked in the nut and on the body, so the strings maybe coated with them as well. Even acoustically it sounds bad. I have just started a set up last night with a slight truss rod adjustment. The last owner set a decent back bow in the neck and also adjusted the pickups with the bass side lower than the treb side, which is pretty frustrating in the sound department. I loved the even sounding tones on the ones I test drove. A lot might be the strings, they sound pretty solid/dead, like a solid thud and the darkest tone I have ever heard through my amp. I play a Mesa d800+ with a Mesa sub 15 and 12 stack. Last night set all flat (usually a brighter neutral sound) sounded dark dark dark, except for the G string that rang out in a harsh way. Could some gunked up strings cause the dead sound whether acoustic or amplified?

My luthier of choice is about 4 weeks out for a set up. So I'll try some new strings and my own set up, but thought I'd ask if anyone had a similar experience. I found some factory specs on the EBMM website but they are a little vague, with respect to neck relief. Anyone have a favorite relief measurement, done with feeler gauges? I'd like a starting point that I kind of like to have a measurement that works that I can go back to if the neck moves. I'm hoping this works cuz I'd hate to return this beauty!

Thanks!

Sorry for the long post, thanks in advance with any advice.

Update: new strings are a big change for the better. Went Slinky reg. Much better. Adjusted the truss rod and now she settles in for the night. I’ll finish the set up after the neck settles tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help and advice today!

Here she is! Hard to get the sparkle to come through. And they uploaded twice. Oops.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746 View attachment 4468754 View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746

Update: new strings are a big change for the better. Went Slinky reg. Much better. Adjusted the truss rod and now she settles in for the night. I’ll finish the set up after the neck settles tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help and advice today!

Here she is! Hard to get the sparkle to come through. And they uploaded twice. Oops.

Sparkle!!!
Bluetiful !!!

 

[dave64o]

Wow, that finish is fantastic!

 

[Paradilum]

View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746 View attachment 4468754 View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746

Update: new strings are a big change for the better. Went Slinky reg. Much better. Adjusted the truss rod and now she settles in for the night. I’ll finish the set up after the neck settles tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help and advice today!

Here she is! Hard to get the sparkle to come through. And they uploaded twice. Oops.

I hope you end up loving it. I haven't picked up any of my other basses since getting my SR5.

 

[Pet Sounds]

View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746 View attachment 4468754 View attachment 4468745 View attachment 4468746

Update: new strings are a big change for the better. Went Slinky reg. Much better. Adjusted the truss rod and now she settles in for the night. I’ll finish the set up after the neck settles tomorrow.
Thanks for all the help and advice today!

Here she is! Hard to get the sparkle to come through. And they uploaded twice. Oops.

Wow! Stunning looks!

 

[Surely_Bassy]

What’s up, my StingRay Special brothers and sisters??

I felt a bit awkward about doing an NBD post, because I bought a Ghostwood Special a few weeks ago that I immediately sold to procure funds—also sold my Telecaster, it’s bass only now!—for this Amethyst Sparkle beauty. But I wanted to show it to you all—I’m in love with it!

I especially dig the swirls and dark brown marks on the neck. If it’s possible, this neck feels better than the Ghostwood one. I know for a fact it’s lighter: 7 lb. 14.5 oz. I weighed it three times because I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I present my new bass, Eel (also pictured with Homer, the Irish Goldendoodle).

Also just want to shout out The Sound Parcel in Easton, PA. They gave me a killer deal and were super-easy to deal with.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

What’s up, my StingRay Special brothers and sisters??

I felt a bit awkward about doing an NBD post, because I bought a Ghostwood Special a few weeks ago that I immediately sold to procure funds—also sold my Telecaster, it’s bass only now!—for this Amethyst Sparkle beauty. But I wanted to show it to you all—I’m in love with it!

I especially dig the swirls and dark brown marks on the neck. If it’s possible, this neck feels better than the Ghostwood one. I know for a fact it’s lighter: 7 lb. 14.5 oz. I weighed it three times because I couldn’t believe my eyes.

I present my new bass, Eel (also pictured with Homer, the Irish Goldendoodle).
View attachment 4469376 View attachment 4469377 View attachment 4469378 View attachment 4469382 View attachment 4469408
Also just want to shout out The Sound Parcel in Easton, PA. They gave me a killer deal and were super-easy to deal with.

Love the bass & the dog!!

 

[Surely_Bassy]

Love the bass & the dog!!

Thank you! He's a funky boy, for sure.
And now we're Amethyst Sparkle buds!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Our dogs are cousins !!

 

[Surely_Bassy]

View attachment 4469553
Our dogs are cousins !!

Ahhh, what a beauty! And methinks that dog knows it's a beauty.

Do you know who our other Amethyst Sparkle bud is in this thread? I can't find the post...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Ahhh, what a beauty! And methinks that dog knows it's a beauty.

Do you know who our other Amethyst Sparkle bud is in this thread? I can't find the post...

Yes he does know it.His name is Judah .

@Pet Sounds , @Todd Hamby , @Lukasonbass

 

[Benko]

and me! but in the process of selling it to get a lighter single H

Yes he does know it.His name is Judah .

@Pet Sounds , @Todd Hamby , @Lukasonbass