EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Stevorebob]

I liked the cobalt flats I tried a lot, but they would be too dull for a Stingray I think. How do the cobalt roundwounds compare? Is the tension the same? I like DR Sunbeam and Hi Beam tension which is lighter

EB Cobalt Rounds have extended highs and lows, providing a bit of a mid scoop, as compared to nickel rounds. The highs are too brittle on my Bongo, but nice on my pre-Special and Special StingRays. What I like most is the timbre, there’s an organic purr in the low mids — like a vocal hum — that I find particularly attractive. It’s quite human like, similar to the low end of a baritone sax. They are nothing like the Cobalt Flats, which thump like flats but have extended highs that bring more clarity. (I’m not a flats guy. And many love Colbalt Flats.)

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Definitely brighter than the flats. I like them on the SR, really brings out the bite.

EB Cobalt Rounds have extended highs and lows, providing a bit of a mid scoop, as compared to nickel rounds. The highs are too brittle on my Bongo, but nice on my pre-Special and Special StingRays. What I like most is the timbre, there’s an organic purr in the low mids — like a vocal hum — that I find particularly attractive. It’s quite human like, similar to the low end of a baritone sax. They are nothing like the Cobalt Flats, which thump like flats but have extended highs that bring more clarity. (I’m not a flats guy. And many love Colbalt Flats.)

Thanks for more details. How is the tension?

 

[Pet Sounds]

I liked the cobalt flats I tried a lot, but they would be too dull for a Stingray I think. How do the cobalt roundwounds compare? Is the tension the same? I like DR Sunbeam and Hi Beam tension which is lighter

You do you, but I really like Cobalt flats on my Burnt Apple/maple Special 4H. I guess it depends on what sound you're going for.

 

[Stevorebob]

Thanks for more details. How is the tension?

Tension is similar to Slinkys.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Love Cobalt Flats on my StingRay5 Special. I’m going to try Cobalt Rounds on my Sandberg Ida 5.

 

[Nekomata]

GHS Pressurewound (Medium) for me.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Thanks for all the responses. I think I'll try the cobalt rounds, I'm very curious about them. I'm not opposed to try the cobalt flats on the Ray too. I have them on my Ibanez SR755 where I only use the P pickup. They sound and feel awesome, just worried they won't have enough bite for a Ray. But they are still really bright for a flatwound.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

-Does anyone know if the glue that holds the pickup in the pickup cover is just hot melt glue? (I saw a video in which someone removed hot melt glue very easily from a Stingray pickup *clone* with a heat gun.)

-Does anyone know if, once the glue is released, the guts of the pickup can be rotated (so that the front row of polepieces moves to be the back row) and the pickup can then be 100% cleanly reassembled like that?

 

[metron]

-Does anyone know if the glue that holds the pickup in the pickup cover is just hot melt glue? (I saw a video in which someone removed hot melt glue very easily from a Stingray pickup *clone* with a heat gun.)

-Does anyone know if, once the glue is released, the guts of the pickup can be rotated (so that the front row of polepieces moves to be the back row) and the pickup can then be 100% cleanly reassembled like that?

Don’t know for sure but with a heat gun I would be concerned about melting the potting. Assuming they do that. Could potentially create a microphonic pickup.

 

[metron]

Black maple SR5 HH is in, thanks to @monkeyfinger! It’s just awesome. Ill get some pics later on after work.

Where do you folks get new caps for the SR5 blade switch? I need a few black ones and Im not seeing them on the EB store site.

Also, what pickup-string distance measurements are you using? My H came from the factory with 8/32” bass and 6/32” treble so I was going to start there. More curious about the neck pickup. I’ve already found that it’s pretty easy to get them too close and affect notes in the upper register with magnetic pull.

 

[Jim C]

Cobalt Rounds - Are these strings harder and therefore more aggressive for wear on conventional frets?
Seems like I've read opinions both ways.

 

[Paradilum]

Also, what pickup-string distance measurements are you using? My H came from the factory with 8/32” bass and 6/32” treble so I was going to start there. More curious about the neck pickup. I’ve already found that it’s pretty easy to get them too close and affect notes in the upper register with magnetic pull.

Congrats on that awesome bass! I love the classic black and maple - I considered getting it as it would've gone well with my B/M MIJ Precision, but came across another deal that I couldn't pass up on a charcoal sparkle.

Here are the official recommendations for MM pickups, found here under 'how do i set up my musicman bass'. They recommend that the pickup is level and not closer to bass or treble side.
FAQ | Ernie Ball Music Man

If you have a single pickup bass set the pickup height to 6/32" from the plastic pickup cover to the bottom of the G string. Adjust the bass side of the pickup to be parallel with the pickguard.

If you have a dual pickup bass set the bridge pickup to the specs above. Follow the same procedure for the neck pickup except set that to 8/32".

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Heads up!! There is a used Amethyst Sparkle Special H listed on GC USED for about $500- $600 off new prices, just under 2k. says excellent condition. GO GET IT. I would be all over it if I didn't already have mine.

 

[thumbslapper]

Question for all y'all Stingray folks:

I'm looking for a dedicated slap bass (4 string, super light strings, low action) and my first choice - a Status headless - are too rare or too expensive right now, so i'm looking to use a Status MM graphite bass neck and marry it to a MM single pickup... I have 2 choices:
- buy a 90's era MM where the frets are worn down so hopefully a little cheaper. Just swap the neck, keep pickups and preamp stock.
- buy a cheaper Sterling MM bass, and swap out the pickups for say Nordstrand with a preamp (Nordstrand as well?)

any recommendations? Is the construction of the body on the inexpensive Sterling line the same as a US Stingray, or is buying a US bass worth it? Nordstrand electronics vs stock?

thx all!

 

[Stevorebob]

Cobalt Rounds - Are these strings harder and therefore more aggressive for wear on conventional frets?
Seems like I've read opinions both ways.

I don’t know about the cobalt alloy hardness vs. nickel-plated or stainless steel strings, but I have not noticed any unusual fret wear on my EB Cobalt Round-equipped basses.

 

[FirewalZ]

Question for all y'all Stingray folks:

I'm looking for a dedicated slap bass (4 string, super light strings, low action) and my first choice - a Status headless - are too rare or too expensive right now, so i'm looking to use a Status MM graphite bass neck and marry it to a MM single pickup... I have 2 choices:
- buy a 90's era MM where the frets are worn down so hopefully a little cheaper. Just swap the neck, keep pickups and preamp stock.
- buy a cheaper Sterling MM bass, and swap out the pickups for say Nordstrand with a preamp (Nordstrand as well?)

any recommendations? Is the construction of the body on the inexpensive Sterling line the same as a US Stingray, or is buying a US bass worth it? Nordstrand electronics vs stock?

thx all!

Between the two, id go for the 90's era, keep the neck and get the frets crowned or replaced. The Stingrays from the 90's seem to be preferred and sought after, many like mine, have great birdseye maple neck wood.

 

[Benko]

Heads up!! There is a used Amethyst Sparkle Special H listed on GC USED for about $500- $600 off new prices, just under 2k. says excellent condition. GO GET IT. I would be all over it if I didn't already have mine.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Great deal indeed, it still has the stickers in the back so B-stock or Return maybe?

 

[Nobis17]

One word: Bergantino.

If you can’t find your sound with a Bergantino rig, it’s you…

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Great deal indeed, it still has the stickers in the back so B-stock or Return maybe?

I'm impressed that there is more than one picture for a used item at GC. It's a nice looking bass, someone should snatch that one up!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I'm impressed that there is more than one picture for a used item at GC. It's a nice looking bass, someone should snatch that one up!

I’m so tempted to snag it for myself just to have one as a backup. But I must use wisdom and resist.
Everything is sky high right now. That bass cost what 5 trips the the grocery store would cost me right now.
Good thing insanely right after I returned from grocery shopping yesterday . Otherwise I would immediately hit the buy button.
Instead I just passed on the info here.

 

[Iofflight]

I'm normally not an Ernie Ball Slinkys guy, but on a Stingray Special HH they sound awesome.

I fully agree. I've tried some other strings that I like a lot more typically (TI rounds, Curt Mangan) and even tried the cobalt round and ended up going back to the stock super slinkys.