EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Moonskunk]

Over the last 2 years I've spent a fortune experimentIng with different strings (all round wound) for my 4H and 4HH Specials. I concluded that the stock Slinkys were the best choice for this bass and were the only ones that really projected that Stingray vibe. That was until just recently when for the heck of it I tried a set of Rotosound nickel on steel roundwounds 45-105. I now have them on both my Specials and love them. They have for at least now replaced the Slinkys. Oddly enough I had previously tried the Roto 66 Swing steel rounds which I love on some of my others basses but didn't care for them so much on the Stingray so gave up on Rotos as a better option until I happened to try these. Cheaper than Slinkys too, an added bonus. Now that I recommended them to this group watch the price rocket up to accommodate all the new orders . I was also thinking of putting a set of flats on one of my Specials but notice the prices are generally much more than rounds. I wonder why that is, you'd think it would be the other way around? For those of you that have spent a fortune on trying different flats, what have you decided are the best choices for the Special in case I decide to go that route for a little more flexibility ?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Over the last 2 years I've spent a fortune experimentIng with different strings (all round wound) for my 4H and 4HH Specials. I concluded that the stock Slinkys were the best choice for this bass and were the only ones that really projected that Stingray vibe. That was until just recently when for the heck of it I tried a set of Rotosound nickel on steel roundwounds 45-105. I now have them on both my Specials and love them. They have for at least now replaced the Slinkys. Oddly enough I had previously tried the Roto 66 Swing steel rounds which I love on some of my others basses but didn't care for them so much on the Stingray so gave up on Rotos as a better option until I happened to try these. Cheaper than Slinkys too, an added bonus. Now that I recommended them to this group watch the price rocket up to accommodate all the new orders . I was also thinking of putting a set of flats on one of my Specials but notice the prices are generally much more than rounds. I wonder why that is, you'd think it would be the other way around? For those of you that have spent a fortune on trying different flats, what have you decided are the best choices for the Special in case I decide to go that route for a little more flexibility ?

I haven’t necessarily spent a fortune but I like Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats on my Special5. If I decide to get another Special5 for rounds, I will keep stock Slinkys.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Over the last 2 years I've spent a fortune experimentIng with different strings (all round wound) for my 4H and 4HH Specials. I concluded that the stock Slinkys were the best choice for this bass and were the only ones that really projected that Stingray vibe. That was until just recently when for the heck of it I tried a set of Rotosound nickel on steel roundwounds 45-105. I now have them on both my Specials and love them. They have for at least now replaced the Slinkys. Oddly enough I had previously tried the Roto 66 Swing steel rounds which I love on some of my others basses but didn't care for them so much on the Stingray so gave up on Rotos as a better option until I happened to try these. Cheaper than Slinkys too, an added bonus. Now that I recommended them to this group watch the price rocket up to accommodate all the new orders . I was also thinking of putting a set of flats on one of my Specials but notice the prices are generally much more than rounds. I wonder why that is, you'd think it would be the other way around? For those of you that have spent a fortune on trying different flats, what have you decided are the best choices for the Special in case I decide to go that route for a little more flexibility ?

String experimentation definitely can get pricey!

Right now I ordered a set of cobalt rounds and DR Sunbeams and will start there.

I do like the sound of EB regular slinky strings, and the special I demoed in the store had the stock strings and sounded amazing. But they don't last very long ime.

I'll update. Bass is set to arrive Wednesday.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

String experimentation definitely can get pricey!

Right now I ordered a set of cobalt rounds and DR Sunbeams and will start there.

I do like the sound of EB regular slinky strings, and the special I demoed in the store had the stock strings and sounded amazing. But they don't last very long ime.

I'll update. Bass is set to arrive Wednesday.

Yep. That’s my only complaint with Slinkys. They do die off quickly .

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Yep. That’s my only complaint with Slinkys. They do die off quickly .

Agreed. I’ve had good luck with D’Addario nickels and DR Pure Blues. Slightly different and warmer tones, but they last much longer. For me, it’s a fair and preferred trade off.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Over the last 2 years I've spent a fortune experimentIng with different strings (all round wound) for my 4H and 4HH Specials. I concluded that the stock Slinkys were the best choice for this bass and were the only ones that really projected that Stingray vibe. That was until just recently when for the heck of it I tried a set of Rotosound nickel on steel roundwounds 45-105. I now have them on both my Specials and love them. They have for at least now replaced the Slinkys. Oddly enough I had previously tried the Roto 66 Swing steel rounds which I love on some of my others basses but didn't care for them so much on the Stingray so gave up on Rotos as a better option until I happened to try these. Cheaper than Slinkys too, an added bonus. Now that I recommended them to this group watch the price rocket up to accommodate all the new orders . I was also thinking of putting a set of flats on one of my Specials but notice the prices are generally much more than rounds. I wonder why that is, you'd think it would be the other way around? For those of you that have spent a fortune on trying different flats, what have you decided are the best choices for the Special in case I decide to go that route for a little more flexibility ?

Not sure why flats are more expensive, but I leave flats on for years and years, so my philosophy is you only have to buy them once or maybe twice! I have Cobalt flats on my StingRay Special 4H/Burnt Apple, and I like them very much. And as an added bonus, the bass came with them.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Not sure why flats are more expensive, but I leave flats on for years and years, so my philosophy is you only have to buy them once or maybe twice! I have Cobalt flats on my StingRay Special 4H/Burnt Apple, and I like them very much. And as an added bonus, the bass came with them.

I think flats cost more as the they have the extra step of being polished smooth. I could be wrong

 

[Jim C]

It could also be limited demand that keeps the cost higher than a more highly produced round wound string.

 

[FirewalZ]

Over the last 2 years I've spent a fortune experimentIng with different strings (all round wound) for my 4H and 4HH Specials. I concluded that the stock Slinkys were the best choice for this bass and were the only ones that really projected that Stingray vibe. That was until just recently when for the heck of it I tried a set of Rotosound nickel on steel roundwounds 45-105. I now have them on both my Specials and love them. They have for at least now replaced the Slinkys. Oddly enough I had previously tried the Roto 66 Swing steel rounds which I love on some of my others basses but didn't care for them so much on the Stingray so gave up on Rotos as a better option until I happened to try these. Cheaper than Slinkys too, an added bonus. Now that I recommended them to this group watch the price rocket up to accommodate all the new orders . I was also thinking of putting a set of flats on one of my Specials but notice the prices are generally much more than rounds. I wonder why that is, you'd think it would be the other way around? For those of you that have spent a fortune on trying different flats, what have you decided are the best choices for the Special in case I decide to go that route for a little more flexibility ?

I bought my Special used and it had different strings on it....I still have yet to try EB Slinkys Sunbeams are my goto strings and they sound really good, but I'm really curious about Slinkys.

 

[Vanheusen77]

I use hybrid slinkys, they are good “middle of the road strings”. Mostly I like how they feel.

 

[FirewalZ]

I use hybrid slinkys, they are good “middle of the road strings”. Mostly I like how they feel.

For anyone who has compared, how do Slinkys compare with Sunbeams? I know SB's are roundcore, so likely more flexible, also tend to be warmer and less highs than other rounds.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

It's here!

I bought from Guitar Emporium of Louisville on Reverb. Turns out this was a display model sold used, and everything is totally mint, plastic still on guard as you can see.

Only weird thing that freaked me out a little is that the serial number is not showing up in the EBMM database. But because Guitar Emporium of Louisville is a dealer and received the bass directly from EBMM, EBMM think they figure out the history. Great customer service from both parties so far.

The strings were pretty dead sounding when I got it so switched them out right away to the Cobalt rounds. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I think the tension is a little too high for me but going to give it go for a bit. The sound is very good though.

Playing round core DR strings kind of ruined me to other strings... I'm just used to lower tension.

Still getting the setup dialed in, I only received it yesterday. Tweaked the truss a bit and will do more today. The saddles need to be lowered slightly too.

Very happy with the sound and feel overall. Weight is great and it balances perfectly!

 

[FirewalZ]

It's here!

View attachment 4549197

I bought from Guitar Emporium of Louisville on Reverb. Turns out this was a display model sold used, and everything is totally mint, plastic still on guard as you can see.

Only weird thing that freaked me out a little is that the serial number is not showing up in the EBMM database. But because Guitar Emporium of Louisville is a dealer and received the bass directly from EBMM, EBMM think they figure out the history. Great customer service from both parties so far.

The strings were pretty dead sounding when I got it so switched them out right away to the Cobalt rounds. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I think the tension is a little too high for me but going to give it go for a bit. The sound is very good though.

Playing round core DR strings kind of ruined me to other strings... I'm just used to lower tension.

Still getting the setup dialed in, I only received it yesterday. Tweaked the truss a bit and will do more today. The saddles need to be lowered slightly too.

Very happy with the sound and feel overall. Weight is great and it balances perfectly!

Congrats, great looking bass. I agree about DR round core, i just love the feel of Sunbeams...however I'm really wanting to try Slinky's as well.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

It's here!

View attachment 4549197

I bought from Guitar Emporium of Louisville on Reverb. Turns out this was a display model sold used, and everything is totally mint, plastic still on guard as you can see.

Only weird thing that freaked me out a little is that the serial number is not showing up in the EBMM database. But because Guitar Emporium of Louisville is a dealer and received the bass directly from EBMM, EBMM think they figure out the history. Great customer service from both parties so far.

The strings were pretty dead sounding when I got it so switched them out right away to the Cobalt rounds. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I think the tension is a little too high for me but going to give it go for a bit. The sound is very good though.

Playing round core DR strings kind of ruined me to other strings... I'm just used to lower tension.

Still getting the setup dialed in, I only received it yesterday. Tweaked the truss a bit and will do more today. The saddles need to be lowered slightly too.

Very happy with the sound and feel overall. Weight is great and it balances perfectly!

SPARKLE!!
And it’s bluetiful too!!

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Congrats, great looking bass. I agree about DR round core, i just love the feel of Sunbeams...however I'm really wanting to try Slinky's as well.

I think the cobalt rounds are just a tad lighter tension than the slinkies that were on there. Both are pretty medium tension.

 

[dave64o]

That's a nice looking bass!

 

[Taustin Powers]

Anyone here played the BFR Kingpin? I am kind of wary of finished necks, so I am wondering how that one feels. I am used to natural satin finish wood necks.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Anyone here played the BFR Kingpin? I am kind of wary of finished necks, so I am wondering how that one feels. I am used to natural satin finish wood necks.

Haven't played that model but looks similar to the painted neck on the Bongo. Bongo (and painted necks in general) feel the same as a gloss finished neck to me. Not sure if you have played one like that before.

Never bothered me but I know it is a personal preference.

 

[PhinDog]

It's here!

View attachment 4549197

I bought from Guitar Emporium of Louisville on Reverb. Turns out this was a display model sold used, and everything is totally mint, plastic still on guard as you can see.

Only weird thing that freaked me out a little is that the serial number is not showing up in the EBMM database. But because Guitar Emporium of Louisville is a dealer and received the bass directly from EBMM, EBMM think they figure out the history. Great customer service from both parties so far.

The strings were pretty dead sounding when I got it so switched them out right away to the Cobalt rounds. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I think the tension is a little too high for me but going to give it go for a bit. The sound is very good though.

Playing round core DR strings kind of ruined me to other strings... I'm just used to lower tension.

Still getting the setup dialed in, I only received it yesterday. Tweaked the truss a bit and will do more today. The saddles need to be lowered slightly too.

Very happy with the sound and feel overall. Weight is great and it balances perfectly!

Deeeaaaummm! Sexxy bass! Congrats!

 

[Benko]

It's here!

View attachment 4549197

I bought from Guitar Emporium of Louisville on Reverb. Turns out this was a display model sold used, and everything is totally mint, plastic still on guard as you can see.

Only weird thing that freaked me out a little is that the serial number is not showing up in the EBMM database. But because Guitar Emporium of Louisville is a dealer and received the bass directly from EBMM, EBMM think they figure out the history. Great customer service from both parties so far.

The strings were pretty dead sounding when I got it so switched them out right away to the Cobalt rounds. Not sure how I feel about them yet. I think the tension is a little too high for me but going to give it go for a bit. The sound is very good though.

Playing round core DR strings kind of ruined me to other strings... I'm just used to lower tension.

Still getting the setup dialed in, I only received it yesterday. Tweaked the truss a bit and will do more today. The saddles need to be lowered slightly too.

Very happy with the sound and feel overall. Weight is great and it balances perfectly!

So nice, there is something with the combo sparkle + black hardware + ebony! Enjoy it's a keeper!