EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Rlbragg15]

To preface my maybe controversial statement, I currently own a first run 4H stingray special and previously owned a pre-special 4H stingray. I'm also not a 5-string player.

That being said, while the 5-string stingray is, to my knowledge, inspired by the silhouette guitar - why does it continue to need to be? I always thought the Classic series stingray 5's looked great and didn't require a large pickguard to cover up over half the bass body. The BFR stingray 5's without the pickguard look great and I'd assume a 5-string in the 4-string special body design would look and feel good as well.

Anybody else have similar thoughts or am I way out in left field?

 

[PrimitiveMan]

To preface my maybe controversial statement, I currently own a first run 4H stingray special and previously owned a pre-special 4H stingray. I'm also not a 5-string player.

That being said, while the 5-string stingray is, to my knowledge, inspired by the silhouette guitar - why does it continue to need to be? I always thought the Classic series stingray 5's looked great and didn't require a large pickguard to cover up over half the bass body. The BFR stingray 5's without the pickguard look great and I'd assume a 5-string in the 4-string special body design would look and feel good as well.

Anybody else have similar thoughts or am I way out in left field?

Strong disagree personally. The 5 string pickguard looks better than the 4 by a longshot for me. I think it's a better design compositionally.

Just my opinion of course

 

[Rlbragg15]

Strong disagree personally. The 5 string pickguard looks better than the 4 by a longshot for me. I think it's a better design compositionally.

Just my opinion of course

I felt like my opinion/question was like throwing a grenade and running away, so thanks for the kind response! EBMM sure sells a lot of them, so I'm sure my opinion is in the minority.

 

[DrGroovenstein]

I agree, I do prefer the classic 5 look over the massive SR5 pickguard. I get over it pretty quick though after playing them LOL.

 

[Taustin Powers]

Strong disagree personally. The 5 string pickguard looks better than the 4 by a longshot for me. I think it's a better design compositionally.

Just my opinion of course

Completely agree! Always thought the Stingray5 looked way cooler than the 4.

 

[FirewalZ]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

. That same old song has been sung ever since the 5 string was introduced. That complaint hasn’t been limited to the Specials. It’s no different than the complaint about the narrow string spacing or weak G string response . Some are just more comfortable on 19mm . I’m not suggesting that all basse are one size fits all. If you have really large hands and big fingers , you might be more comfortable on something else. You have to try it for yourself and see if it works for you .

Can the G sting be bent to slip off the fretboard ? Yes. Can your technique be adjusted so that doesn’t happen again? Yes.

I don’t think people would be shelling out the money for these basses if that was the case. These Specials are a big improvement over the past designs imho. Otherwise I would still be playing Jazz basses and wishing StingRays played , weighed , and felt better.

 

[Stevorebob]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

… Can the G sting be bent to slip off the fretboard ? Yes. Can your technique be adjusted so that doesn’t happen again? Yes. …

This. Some will, no doubt, have difficulty adjusting their technique. And some styles of playing just might not ever be compatible with a StingRay 5. Me, I don’t have any issue keeping the G-string in the fretboard of a StingRay 5, and I wouldn’t say that my technique is especially clean.

 

[MMiller28]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

I had a 2016 SR5 and I found the G string to be annoyingly close to the edge. You should try one before you buy.

 

[2milehighspike]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

How many of those FB complainer’s actually own one. Or are they just looking at pictures and making a big deal out of nothing.

This. Some will, no doubt, have difficulty adjusting their technique. And some styles of playing just might not ever be compatible with a StingRay 5. Me, I don’t have any issue keeping the G-string in the fretboard of a StingRay 5, and I wouldn’t say that my technique is especially clean.

+1 I don’t have any issues with the G being close to the edge. I find my fingers naturally push up a little towards the center of the neck. Will some have issues, maybe, but I found it was easy to adapt my technique. There has to be compromises when making a 5 string neck that is still rather narrow.

 

[cbdriver]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

Absolutely no issues w/ the position of the G string on my Stingray 5HH Special.

 

[cbdriver]

To preface my maybe controversial statement, I currently own a first run 4H stingray special and previously owned a pre-special 4H stingray. I'm also not a 5-string player.

That being said, while the 5-string stingray is, to my knowledge, inspired by the silhouette guitar - why does it continue to need to be? I always thought the Classic series stingray 5's looked great and didn't require a large pickguard to cover up over half the bass body. The BFR stingray 5's without the pickguard look great and I'd assume a 5-string in the 4-string special body design would look and feel good as well.

Anybody else have similar thoughts or am I way out in left field?

We’re all untitled to an opinion. That being said, I’d prefer less plastic & I’ve always loved the distinct oval PG on the stingray 4’s. I suppose I just prefer the look of wood over plastic….

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

It took me less a day to adjust so this G slipping off the edge doesn't happen. It is a little closer to the edge than other basses.

I think most can adjust no problem, but it is a deal breaker for some.

My Bongo 5 was the same.

It is not actually a string spacing problem, it is the position of the G string on the neck. I have some basses with 16.5 mm spacing and there is no adjustment needed to not have the G string slip.

I think the Stingray 5 neck would be less comfortable if they widened it slightly. I like it the way it is.

I think it is a pretty small percentage that have an ongoing issue with the Stingray 5 G string. Most can adjust their technique without a problem.

 

[metron]

G slippage is a thing but I find its mostly when playing faster runs that involve a jump across the neck from low to high registers. Requires a little more precision landing than on other basses. Not a big deal.

I like the SR5 pickguard but only if there isn’t a lot of contrast with the body color. I did not appreciate the stock white pearl on my tectonic blue. Black looks pretty great. But Im one of those weirdos that thinks the standard egg guard and banana control plate on the 4 is visually challenged.

 

[FirewalZ]

I had a 2016 SR5 and I found the G string to be annoyingly close to the edge. You should try one before you buy.

Thx...not looking to buy, was just wondering based on a FB post.

 

[PhinDog]

This. Some will, no doubt, have difficulty adjusting their technique. And some styles of playing just might not ever be compatible with a StingRay 5. Me, I don’t have any issue keeping the G-string in the fretboard of a StingRay 5, and I wouldn’t say that my technique is especially clean.

+1

 

[Cesar Vortmann]

I've never owned a 5 string, but recently saw on FB folks complaining that on the newer ones the G string is to close to the edge of the fretboard. Is this a real issue, or perceived because its "different", etc?

When I tested at the shop it was the only thing I was concerned about comparing to the other 5-string I've tried (Spector Bolt-on). That being said, I bought it anyway. It's just getting used to neck dimensions the same way when we move from a 4-string to a 5-string. 2 days of practice and that string will never fall off again.

All taken in consideration, for my hands, the Stingray 5 have the best 5-string neck.

 

[Taustin Powers]

All you HH users, do you actually use settings with the neck pickup most of the time? What tonal benefit does the second pickup bring in your opinion?

 

[vivaknoxvegas]

Best place online to buy a clear guard for a Stingray5 Special HH?

 

[Stranger Danger]

I’m definitely having to make adjustments in my playing to accommodate the SR5 quirks. Just not that big of a deal really