EBMM StingRay Special Club

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sparkle Specials seem to be the flavor of the year around here !!! I’m loving it.

 

[dave64o]

You may bear some responsibility for that trend....

 

[fryhole]

Check a couple posts down from the one you quoted. I shared a photo of the back of the headstock.

And yeah, I had a similar experience when I checked out the ones that were local to me. There were two available locally at two different guitar centers. Both of them had sort of meh wood grain and the flame was visible but not really blowing me away. One was on the lighter side while the other was heavier. They both played really well, but the heavier one also had a buzz somewhere near the bridge that I couldn’t quite work out.

If I had to pick one of the two I’d have opted for the lighter weight one which played amazingly well, but since the neck wood was so unremarkable looking it didn’t make sense to be spending BFR money on it. So, I took a chance on ordering one off the website. I figured there’s only 40 of them made, they can’t all have unremarkable necks. So, whether I got lucky or the two local stores just have the least interesting of the 40 necks made for this run, the one I received was very nice.

Thank you for the quick and lengthy reply. I’m not sure why I didn’t see the post with the neck pic.
There was one of the GC Pro fellas who reached out to another GC and they have one that’s a little better, so I’ll check that one out when it gets shipped to my closest GC. I’ve had three Stingrays in the past and, while they were all immaculately built and played well, the pickup voicing wasn’t “thrilling” me. When I tried this Ruby Punch SR, I was amazed how good the new pickups sound. I’m also a complete sucker for matching headstocks. Thanks again @RedJag!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

You may bear some responsibility for that trend....

Guilty as charged !!! I gladly own it!!!
Now I’m just waiting on you to give in . Then I’ll feel my work is truly done.
As soon as Ernie Ball comes out with a sparkling burst you will give in.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Ernie Ball is building stuff that I’ve always wanted . I just can’t resist. Nothing left on my list .( except for mutes )

I was hoping to buy another one in the New Year but dropped too much money moving after a breakup...

So here's to 2024! The year hopefully I'll get a fretless Stingray 5

 

[dave64o]

Guilty as charged !!! I gladly own it!!!
Now I’m just waiting on you to give in . Then I’ll feel my work is truly done.
As soon as Ernie Ball comes out with a sparkling burst you will give in.

If they come out with a sparkly version of their now discontinued Honeyburst, I’ll be in big, BIG trouble. ‘Specially if it’s available on a Classic 5.


…and I’ll have you to thank!


I played in my weekly Tuesday night basement jam session tonight and took my Special. I enjoyed more than three hours of bass bliss playing it - and hearing it. It sat nicely in the mix when I wanted it to sit in the mix, it cut through with authority when I wanted it cut through, and it even thumped nicely on some old R&B songs. It’s SUCH a versatile bass.

 

[Bassed in NZ]

Ah - the GAS is strong on this one. I've got a mate heading to the States in a couple of weeks who may bring me back a Stingray Special (they're not shipping to the retailer here in New Zealand due to supply chain issues). I'm considering a 5HH, and wonder if those of you with them might chip in?

• I hear that they're much lighter than the previous Stingrays (which is a good thing for me) - any thoughts what sort of range of weights? I've read that they're possibly in the 8-9lb range - is this right?
• Where would you recommend I buy from in the US (I'd get it shipped to a hotel) that would 1) find me a light one, 2) be reliable in terms of delivery date (if we miss the window at the hotel I'm in trouble).

I've bought from Sweetwater before, and often they have weights on their site - but I can't see it for the Stingray Specials. Perhaps there's supply issues on these in the US as well?

Any input to feed the GAS flame welcome...(eyeing a Frost Green Pearl)

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

If they come out with a sparkly version of their now discontinued Honeyburst, I’ll be in big, BIG trouble. ‘Specially if it’s available on a Classic 5.


…and I’ll have you to thank!


I played in my weekly Tuesday night basement jam session tonight and took my Special. I enjoyed more than three hours of bass bliss playing it - and hearing it. It sat nicely in the mix when I wanted it to sit in the mix, it cut through with authority when I wanted it cut through, and it even thumped nicely on some old R&B songs. It’s SUCH a versatile bass.

Ok so now you have to tel me your different settings for IN THE MIX, CUT THROUGH THR MIX, and THUMP NICELY . Im still getting reacquainted with the HH versatility. So far, I am really liking setting 2, in between 2&3, 4, in between 4&5, and off course 5 never lets me down.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Ah - the GAS is strong on this one. I've got a mate heading to the States in a couple of weeks who may bring me back a Stingray Special (they're not shipping to the retailer here in New Zealand due to supply chain issues). I'm considering a 5HH, and wonder if those of you with them might chip in?

• I hear that they're much lighter than the previous Stingrays (which is a good thing for me) - any thoughts what sort of range of weights? I've read that they're possibly in the 8-9lb range - is this right?
• Where would you recommend I buy from in the US (I'd get it shipped to a hotel) that would 1) find me a light one, 2) be reliable in terms of delivery date (if we miss the window at the hotel I'm in trouble).

I've bought from Sweetwater before, and often they have weights on their site - but I can't see it for the Stingray Specials. Perhaps there's supply issues on these in the US as well?

Any input to feed the GAS flame welcome...(eyeing a Frost Green Pearl)

SweetWater, Bass Central, and WillCutt always have weight and the most stock with good pics.
My Special 5 Amethyst is 8.6 bought from Bass Central in person as it is my local store.
My BFR Fuego Fretless 5 is 8.4 bought used from Guitar Center
My new BFR Crescendo HH is 8.7 lbs purchased from SweetWater. This is a lot lighter than my prior Aqua Sparkle HH. It had Ebony fretboard and that Sparkle finish which both seems to add a few ounces to the weight. Mine weighed 9.2 lbs IIRC.

For the first time in my life, I dont have thing on my bass stand that weighs over 9lbs. My Sandberg is 9lbs. Ive tired some of the Sandberg Super Lights, that were around 6 lbs. I did not care for the sound. It was very airy with no heft to the notes. I think 7.5 to 9 lbs is perfect for me.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Ah - the GAS is strong on this one. I've got a mate heading to the States in a couple of weeks who may bring me back a Stingray Special (they're not shipping to the retailer here in New Zealand due to supply chain issues). I'm considering a 5HH, and wonder if those of you with them might chip in?

• I hear that they're much lighter than the previous Stingrays (which is a good thing for me) - any thoughts what sort of range of weights? I've read that they're possibly in the 8-9lb range - is this right?
• Where would you recommend I buy from in the US (I'd get it shipped to a hotel) that would 1) find me a light one, 2) be reliable in terms of delivery date (if we miss the window at the hotel I'm in trouble).

I've bought from Sweetwater before, and often they have weights on their site - but I can't see it for the Stingray Specials. Perhaps there's supply issues on these in the US as well?

Any input to feed the GAS flame welcome...(eyeing a Frost Green Pearl)

Good luck with getting your Special! I'd just call as many US dealers as you can and try and get weights. That said most of the Special 5s I have seen are in the 8.5-9.5lb range. My Aqua Sparkle 5H is 8.9lbs.

Still my favorite bass!

Looking forward to seeing what you find

 

[metron]

Ah - the GAS is strong on this one. I've got a mate heading to the States in a couple of weeks who may bring me back a Stingray Special (they're not shipping to the retailer here in New Zealand due to supply chain issues). I'm considering a 5HH, and wonder if those of you with them might chip in?

• I hear that they're much lighter than the previous Stingrays (which is a good thing for me) - any thoughts what sort of range of weights? I've read that they're possibly in the 8-9lb range - is this right?
• Where would you recommend I buy from in the US (I'd get it shipped to a hotel) that would 1) find me a light one, 2) be reliable in terms of delivery date (if we miss the window at the hotel I'm in trouble).

I've bought from Sweetwater before, and often they have weights on their site - but I can't see it for the Stingray Specials. Perhaps there's supply issues on these in the US as well?

Any input to feed the GAS flame welcome...(eyeing a Frost Green Pearl)

I have a 5H in sparkle blue that is 9.4 lbs. From what I’ve seen, thats on the high side. There is an implied promise of light weight with the specials but that’s not always the case. In fact I recall a video EBMM made where they stated these are coming in at 8 lbs on average. That’s pretty optimistic.

Lighter would be better but I dont mind the weight. My cutoff is 10 lbs.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have a 5H in sparkle blue that is 9.4 lbs. From what I’ve seen, thats on the high side. There is an implied promise of light weight with the specials but that’s not always the case. In fact I recall a video EBMM made where they stated these are coming in at 8 lbs on average. That’s pretty optimistic.

Lighter would be better but I dont mind the weight. My cutoff is 10 lbs.

View attachment 4883027

I really think ebony and sparkle adds to the weight . Especially if you get ash and HH. I know the BFR’s seem to get light ash.

 

[N4860]

I really think ebony and sparkle adds to the weight . Especially if you get ash and HH. I know the BFR’s seem to get light ash.

I don't know exactly how light my SR5 Special is but it is one of my lighter basses. I'd guess around 8.5 lbs. It's an okoume body though which I think is generally pretty light.

 

[Benny4P]

My 5H special with rosewood board comes in at 8.3 pounds. Not sure if I would want to go much lighter though. As stated before, HH models and those with ebony board tend to be a little heavier

 

[metron]

I really think ebony and sparkle adds to the weight . Especially if you get ash and HH. I know the BFR’s seem to get light ash.

Perhaps though I’ve seen lots of ebony sparkle ones in the mid 8s. Not sure what wood mine is made of.

Does anyone know if they keep records for that now that they spec everything non BFR as “select hardwoods”?

I honestly don’t mean to be a downer but the marketing campaign for the special release was loud about lightweight ash. The switch to unspecified body woods and maybe light maybe not was quiet. Kinda lame.

 

[Paradilum]

My 2018 5HH Charcoal Sparkle w/ Ebony is 8Lbs 11oz on the Postage Scale. I think I read somewhere that the earlier specials had lighter body woods.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Kinda surprised they’re letting BFRs out the door with meh neck wood. Not sure what the point of the premium price is then?

 

[jd50]

My 5H special with rosewood board comes in at 8.3 pounds. Not sure if I would want to go much lighter though. As stated before, HH models and those with ebony board tend to be a little heavier

Wow that is really light! I saw this pop up on Reverb and I love the look of it, but 7lbs 6oz. seems too light IMO - Music Man Stingray 5 Roasted Flame Maple Neck 5H Limited Edition Lightweight! | Reverb

 

[dave64o]

Ok so now you have to tel me your different settings for IN THE MIX, CUT THROUGH THR MIX, and THUMP NICELY . Im still getting reacquainted with the HH versatility. So far, I am really liking setting 2, in between 2&3, 4, in between 4&5, and off course 5 never lets me down.

I may be doing this backwards, but my recollection of the Musicman HH controls is that Position 1 is the bridge, Position 5 is the neck. If I'm wrong, I'll fix what I typed below.

In the mix - I typically use Position 2 (outer coils) or, more often, Position 4 (inner coils, my favorite setting). Bass is raised just a little from the center detent and treble is lowered a littel more than I raised the bass. This is my personal default Stingray tone and I could be perfectly happy using only these settings, especially in Position 4.

Cut through - I'll usually use Position 1 (bridge pickup) with a little bass boost. If I want to cut through a lot, I'll raise the treble to get the amount that I need. If I don't want to cut through as much, I'll leave the treble alone and boost the mids to get the amount that I want. I also sometimes use Position 5 (neck pickup) with a little mid boost and that gives me a good rock or blues rock tone.

Thumpy - I'll use Position (3 both coils), bass boosted a little and treble cut to taste. If I want a little more definition, I'll raise the mids just a little. I also have a compressor on my pedalboards (a Broughton Apex on the big board and a Becos CompIQ Mini Pro on the small board) set to act as a leveler, with a relatively low threshold and a relatively low ratio. Both of those also have a sidechain HPF filter on the compressor to reduce the amount of compression triggered by the low end. Didn't know what that was when I bought the Apex but I learned to like it, so I looked for another compressor that had that feature but in a tiny enclosure when I bought the Becos.

Hope that's useful to you.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I really think ebony and sparkle adds to the weight . Especially if you get ash and HH. I know the BFR’s seem to get light ash.

I'd never heard that ebony adds to the weight, but that does jive with my experience: The 4H Special in Cruz Teal with ebony is clearly the heaviest of my three Specials. However, my two sparkle basses (Amethyst and Burnt Apple) are nice and light.