They are a looser feeling string due to their round core. I prefer it to the stiffer feel of hex strings, but that’s just me.
Sounds like I might like the sound of Pure Blues but the feel wouldn’t work for me. Thanks!
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They are a looser feeling string due to their round core. I prefer it to the stiffer feel of hex strings, but that’s just me.
Thinking I might need one of those new SBMM Ray35s in Purple Sparkle as a backup for my Aqua Sparkle Special
I was thinking about putting super light strings and set it up to be a slap monsterMe too!
I was thinking it would be cool to do a fretless conversion on one
It does. I had a Ray35 for a while and it was a tank. The Special is lighter and better balanced and the roasted neck is a great touch.I've owned two Ray35s and they were both a little neck heavy. I never tried one with a roasted neck, hope it helps balance them better.
I'll wait till they start showing up used.
Thinking I might need one of those new SBMM Ray35s in Purple Sparkle as a backup for my Aqua Sparkle Special
Great minds think alike . I ordered a blue sparkle Ray35 . I hope I get a light one . I know it won’t get as much play as my Amethyst Sparkle or my Sandberg TM-5 Ida, but I could not resist the sparkle at such a great price.Me too!
I was thinking it would be cool to do a fretless conversion on one
I'm not a big fan of roasted fretboards, but for the roasted fretboard, I would own the Blue Sparkle Sterling in aGreat minds think alike . I ordered a blue sparkle Ray35 . I hope I get a light one . I know it won’t get as much play as my Amethyst Sparkle or my Sandberg TM-5 Ida, but I could not resist the sparkle at such a great price.
My plan is to put a set of TI flats on it and throw some foam under the bridge.
If that doesn’t yield great results I was considering a Fretless conversion.





Great minds think alike . I ordered a blue sparkle Ray35 . I hope I get a light one . I know it won’t get as much play as my Amethyst Sparkle or my Sandberg TM-5 Ida, but I could not resist the sparkle at such a great price.
My plan is to put a set of TI flats on it and throw some foam under the bridge.
If that doesn’t yield great results I was considering a Fretless conversion.
I've even considered getting a second special to turn into a fretless. I think the electronics would be a better fit but quite the investment to modify one...
Wish they offered a stock fretless Special 5 with lined ebony board
Keep an eye out for one of the previous BFR SR Special fretlesses. I have one of the 4 strings and it is amazing, I'm sure the 5 strings are too. They're not ebony, but the roasted flame maple fretboard is something to behold.
Definitely understable. I struggle with my unlined but I am not an experience fretless player. I did have a lined jazz fretless for a bit but didn't really spend enough time with it. I do find that I feel more comfortable with the unlined as I spend more time with it though.I thought about it, but I vastly prefer lined necks. I've played fretless on and off since the late 90s and still like lines!
I have not played the 4 Special so I can not compare. But I think the 5 is very comfy. I have small hands and fingers (5'5 female). one of the fastest 5 sting necks I've ever played.Question for those that have played both 4 and 5 string specials…… is the neck as thin front to back on the 5 string special as it is on a 4 string?
I’ve a TBer interested in trading me a 5 string special for my 4 string. The neck on my 4 string with roasted maple board is very thin front to back and I love it!
I also haven’t played a 4 but the 5 seems to be just right but on the thinner side. Biggest difference I would think is the string spacing. The 5 I believe is 17.5mm the 4 would be a little wider I would imagine. But not 100%.Question for those that have played both 4 and 5 string specials…… is the neck as thin front to back on the 5 string special as it is on a 4 string?
I’ve a TBer interested in trading me a 5 string special for my 4 string. The neck on my 4 string with roasted maple board is very thin front to back and I love it!
That's some mighty good thinking.Thinking I might need one of those new SBMM Ray35s in Purple Sparkle as a backup for my Aqua Sparkle Special
That Purple Sparkle is really eye catching. Too bad I don't see that color on the Ray34 HH or the Stingray Specials. Regardless, I'll probably be getting one anyway.Thinking I might need one of those new SBMM Ray35s in Purple Sparkle as a backup for my Aqua Sparkle Special
I have a 5 and a 4 and I would say that the necks are about the same thickness. The 5 is of course a little wider but not enough that it’s uncomfortable. Expect the strings to feel a little slinkier on the 5 and the narrower string spacing to be noticeable. I really like it. After figuring out how to tame the ringing open strings, I find myself wanting to play the 5 more.Question for those that have played both 4 and 5 string specials…… is the neck as thin front to back on the 5 string special as it is on a 4 string?
I’ve a TBer interested in trading me a 5 string special for my 4 string. The neck on my 4 string with roasted maple board is very thin front to back and I love it!