Atta Boy! I’ve been sayin’ that all along!
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EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
Different wood, different voiced preamp, and most importantly different pickup placement.
I have both. The ‘Ray is more organic sounding with more growl, the Bongo brighter and more hifi. They are nothing alike.
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I agree. I don’t own a bongo. But I have played them . Stingray Special is more smooth and warm.
I really hope HD Yellow is not discontinued before I have a chance to get one. Yes I will pay good money for a yellow bass. I’m impressed that EBMM offers it and want to support their ongoing variety. Of course it’s not all about the color, but I will be getting a white guard to swap in. 5HH methinks.
Third Music Man and first Stingray.
Third Music Man and first Stingray.
Be sure to post pics. You might be the first here to get that color.
Thanks! I see you have Bongo 5HH and SR Special 5H. Between the two, which one would you prefer more?
I know, it's a tough one. But I'm currently thinking of swapping my 5HH Bongo (which I don't play that often nowadays) for a SR Special 5H.
I think SRs are more reliable and sturdy-built. And that's what I'd prefer. But I like the sound of Bongo so much... Decisions, decisions....
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Well, the Special has become my #1. Before I got it, my older StingRays were my main players. The Bongo is a great bass, it’s just that for my present needs the Special works best.Thanks! I see you have Bongo 5HH and SR Special 5H. Between the two, which one would you prefer more?
I know, it's a tough one. But I'm currently thinking of swapping my 5HH Bongo (which I don't play that often nowadays) for a SR Special 5H.
I think SRs are more reliable and sturdy-built. And that's what I'd prefer. But I like the sound of Bongo so much... Decisions, decisions....
The Bongo 5HH has searing highs and thunderous lows, and everything in between. But they don’t have the StingRay character. Bongos do a lot, they just don’t do StingRay. The Special is a tamer, more organic StingRay than it’s predecessors — it’s a step in the direction of a Jazz Bass.
As for build quality and durability, they are all exceptional. There is nothing less about a Bongo. The older StingRay have a heft about them — solid ash bodies and stout necks. You could say they drive like a truck, a nibble truck. The new Special is much the same feel, but without the mass behind it. The Bongo rips like a sports car, even though mine is a pound and a half or so heavier than the Special. (The one vulnerability with a Bongo is the headstock point — those get dinged and chip a lot.)
If possible , try out a Special and maybe a Classic and Old Smoothie . Listen to sound samples of each with some good earphones. All Stringrays are not the same. You might prefer the 2 band over the 3 band. Or you might prefer 90’s Era Stingrays over the new Specials. It’s not always a good thing to trade away a bass that you like. You might regret it.Thanks! I see you have Bongo 5HH and SR Special 5H. Between the two, which one would you prefer more?
I know, it's a tough one. But I'm currently thinking of swapping my 5HH Bongo (which I don't play that often nowadays) for a SR Special 5H.
I think SRs are more reliable and sturdy-built. And that's what I'd prefer. But I like the sound of Bongo so much... Decisions, decisions....
You could possible purchase from a place with good return policy. If you find you don’t like it , return it. If you do , keep it and sell your Bongo.
Exactly. No one can tell someone else what they’re going to like. All we can do here is tell another person what we like.
And what exactly it is that we like about it. If another player is interested in those features and tones , we might steer them in the right direction to finding a bass that meets their individual wants and needs.
That is how I came to own my 3 basses. They all came highly recommended basses upon what I said I was looking for . I was fortunate enough to be play several different examples of each before I bought them. Consistency was there so I also was able to order my colors of choice .
The Sire , was the only exception to this but having owned one before, I pretty much knew what I was getting and good youtubers helped .
This is a great forum with lots of helpful members.
Much nicer than plain white.
Thank you!
Well, I have an '83 SR. And the dilemma is that if I want a new SR Special - one of my MMs has to go. The older SR is a workhorse. Although I'm sure the new Special shall sound better, I'm just not ready to toss the old bass.
I like Bongo and used her a lot at one time. But it's not a very reliable and durable bass: one of the reasons (but not the main one) she mostly stays in the stable for the last 6 (omg) years. Plus, I'd like to have that series position (sounds incredible), and it's only on 5-er (5H), so that's another yellow card for my beloved Bongo. Oh well, have to think it over.
And yes, thank you for your input!
Quite a nice delima to have.
I think the 2 Stingrays are different enough to warrant owning both .
Nothing better than owning a Stingray than owning 2.
I've watched a few of his vids. I haven't seen this one yet but he seemed pretty smitten with his new Special.
