You are correct . All Specials have neodymium pickups.So I’m confused: I thought the Special had neodymium pickups, not ceramic. Are there Specials that have ceramic pickups, or is that just a feature from pre-Special StingRays?
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You are correct . All Specials have neodymium pickups.So I’m confused: I thought the Special had neodymium pickups, not ceramic. Are there Specials that have ceramic pickups, or is that just a feature from pre-Special StingRays?
You are correct . All Specials have neodymium pickups.
Yes. But I’m not sure of the years. Only with the 3band StingRays and on Sterling. Pre Ernie Ball, and early Ernie Ball StingRay 2bands , Old Smoothie, and Classics and well as US SUB are all alnico.Gotcha. So were ceramic pickups only available in certain StingRays, pre-Special?
I have this issue sometimes with the G, it being reverse wrapped from the others always seems to throw me offThanks. I think it’s string slip. I’m going to try another string. 3 wraps.
Specials have neodymium pickups. (That’s what I said there.) Pre-Specials we’re mostly Alnico, but some years they were ceramic.So I’m confused: I thought the Special had neodymium pickups, not ceramic. Are there Specials that have ceramic pickups, or is that just a feature from pre-Special StingRays?
Specials have neodymium pickups. (That’s what I said there.) Pre-Specials we’re mostly Alnico, but some years they were ceramic.
Yes. But I’m not sure of the years. Only with the 3band StingRays and on Sterling. Pre Ernie Ball, and early Ernie Ball StingRay 2bands , Old Smoothie, and Classics and well as US SUB are all alnico.
Not all 3bands are ceramic.

Beautiful!So I was going to do a NBD post, but I’ll keep it to the Faithfull. Just got this from AMS and was hoping to get a light one. Well holly molly I scored, on a postal scale she weighs 7 lbs 12 oz. it weighs just a hair LESS than my BFR fretless. I could NOT be happier. KUDOS to EBMM for producing the best instruments available today!View attachment 4476724View attachment 4476725
Gotcha. So were ceramic pickups only available in certain StingRays, pre-Special?
Yes. But I’m not sure of the years. Only with the 3band StingRays and on Sterling. Pre Ernie Ball, and early Ernie Ball StingRay 2bands , Old Smoothie, and Classics and well as US SUB are all alnico.
Not all 3bands are ceramic.
Thanks Phin. It’s called Speed Blue. As far as weight I need all a the help I can get. Not only is my age high, but so is my mileage. I couldn’t believe what I saw when I weighed it.And of course it sounds huge. Can’t wait for band night on Saturday!Beautiful!
I'm so envious of the weight. My Blue Sparkle weighs in at 9.6lbs on the bathroom scale. It balances really well on the strap and seems much lighter. That's my mantra, "It balances well and it feels lighter", LOL!
Congrats! What's that color called?
As far as I'm aware, the only StingRay that ever had a ceramic pickup, was the StingRay 5 (which originally had an Alnico pickup, and went back to having Alnico pickups, after maybe as much as a decade??? of having a ceramic pickup).
There was also a StingRay that featured an additional Piezo pickup in the bridge. That model maybe had a ceramic pickup, but I'm not sure (I seem to remember @amper has one, so maybe she can clear that up).
The EBMM Sterling Bass also has a ceramic pickup.
I think those were the only ones.
So I was going to do a NBD post, but I’ll keep it to the Faithfull. Just got this from AMS and was hoping to get a light one. Well holly molly I scored, on a postal scale she weighs 7 lbs 12 oz. it weighs just a hair LESS than my BFR fretless. I could NOT be happier. KUDOS to EBMM for producing the best instruments available today!View attachment 4476724View attachment 4476725
Gotcha. So were ceramic pickups only available in certain StingRays, pre-Special?
So I was going to do a NBD post, but I’ll keep it to the Faithfull. Just got this from AMS and was hoping to get a light one. Well holly molly I scored, on a postal scale she weighs 7 lbs 12 oz. it weighs just a hair LESS than my BFR fretless. I could NOT be happier. KUDOS to EBMM for producing the best instruments available today!View attachment 4476724View attachment 4476725
Ceramic pick ups were in MM Stingray 5s from circa 1992-2008. Alnico at other times up to 2018 when the Stingray Specials started (neodymium pick ups). The US Sterlings have always had ceramic pick ups (NB the US Sterling Sub had pick up in parallel with alnico pole pieces - 3 band SR5 EQ, no 3 way switch; and US Sterling Classic Collection basses were 2 band; pick up in series and ceramic - no three way switch).
There have been various SBMM basses with ceramic pick ups (usually the sub version I think).
I have never felt weird, it’s the others that thought I was weird, and that never bothered me at all.Beautiful! Congrats!
Side note: I do hope that I didn't discourage others from making an NBD post when I made my previous Amethyst Sparkle post and mentioned that I didn't make a corresponding NBD post. I just felt weird about it, but I don't want others to feel weird.![]()
I did the exact same thing when I got my Amethyst: I posted it here only. I enjoy NBD posts by others, but I'd feel funny doing them myself.Beautiful! Congrats!
Side note: I do hope that I didn't discourage others from making an NBD post when I made my previous Amethyst Sparkle post and mentioned that I didn't make a corresponding NBD post. I just felt weird about it, but I don't want others to feel weird.![]()