EBMM StingRay Special Club

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Let’s talk about the StingRay5 Special HH. Specifically the switching options. Of course #1 is always a winner. But Im really enjoying #4. It sounds good slapped , picked, and finger style .
What would you say it compares to as far as another bass is concerned ?

 

[Stranger Danger]

Sounds like a DiMarzio model P p bass tone to me

 

[cholyoke]

I only play it on #1 and #2, but mostly #2 (outer single coils?). #2 reminds me of my jazz bass, but way better.

 

[Bill Murray]

Interesting… I use #3 almost always.

 

[dave64o]

Position #4 has been my favorite since I bought my first HH. I find it Precision-like, but not exactly. But that's not the reason I have an HH or why it's my favorite of the five. It's just the one I like best for what I typically play. That's been the case with all three SR5HH's I've owned, regardless of the strings I've put on them.

That being said, I do like and use all five pickup positions on a typical four-set gig. However, #4 is my clear favorite. I'd be perfectly happy using that one and only that one.

 

[dave64o]

I only play it on #1 and #2, but mostly #2 (outer single coils?). #2 reminds me of my jazz bass, but way better.

Yes, I find #2 to be pretty Jazz like, but even better. The mid control (at least on a 3-band) allows you to dial some mids back in if you want to reduce the mid scoop you get on a Jazz when both pickups are set equally.

Of course, there are tones you can get on a real Jazz that you can't get in Position #2, but it does sound like a tone you can get from a Jazz.

#2 is probably my second favorite on an HH.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

Position 1 almost exclusively now but I started with 3 for the first 2 years I had mine.. I guess tastes change but also my preamp settings have and so have my amps. Lots of tone options!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I was thinking #2 was PBass territory. But it seems more full yet clear. So I guess I would say like a thicker PBass with added lows and cleaner trebles.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

They sound great with flats, too.

Well, I should clarify. I've had flats on my ceramic Stingray 5 for a few years but I haven't yet tried them on my Stingray Special 5. It still has the Elixir Nanowebs that the previous owner installed.

But I will agree that they sound fantastic with rounds, too. My ceramic is amazing with either stainless steel or nickel Lo Riders. I love both but have been using the nickels beacuse they're a better fit for what I typically play, but the SS Lo Riders are excellent for a brighter tone that lasts for quite a long time. As much as I've been enjoying the Nanowebs, I probably give the nickel Lo Riders an opportunity when it's time to change strings.

You know, I’d never considered spending $3500 on a bass or doing one of those payment plan options for any instrument, but this photo is seriously making me reconsider

A few weeks ago I put red DR strings on a black p-bass with Geezer Butler emg's in it. I liked the look and the strings so much I wondered what my special 5hh would look like with black ones on it on account of the black hardware. They came today and they look amazing! But here is the thing I didn't expect; OMG they transformed my bass entirely and I just fell in love with it all over again. I bought a light gauge 40-100 set and I have got to spread the word! I can tap these babies, slap these babies ( with the clunker set I had on there, slapping was shall we say complicated?). They play fast, I can bend them like slinkies, they sound amazing, they look amazing and the feel amazing! I am never looking back. I thought my string sorting days were a thing of the past but was I ever missing out. Chords are now a dream. I have a light set on a G&L M2000 and it gave me the idea that maybe I should try lighter sets on the 5 too. Brilliant! Check out the pics!

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

One more for SaG!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

A few weeks ago I put red DR strings on a black p-bass with Geezer Butler emg's in it. I liked the look and the strings so much I wondered what my special 5hh would look like with black ones on it on account of the black hardware. They came today and they look amazing! But here is the thing I didn't expect; OMG they transformed my bass entirely and I just fell in love with it all over again. I bought a light gauge 40-100 set and I have got to spread the word! I can tap these babies, slap these babies ( with the clunker set I had on there, slapping was shall we say complicated?). They play fast, I can bend them like slinkies, they sound amazing, they look amazing and the feel amazing! I am never looking back. I thought my string sorting days were a thing of the past but was I ever missing out. Chords are now a dream. I have a light set on a G&L M2000 and it gave me the idea that maybe I should try lighter sets on the 5 too. Brilliant! Check out the pics!View attachment 4924858 View attachment 4924859

Ive had the same experience with stings . All of my basses have very light gauge strings. TI Flats ruined me . I can no longer play 45-130. Everything is 40-125. The notes really sing and it feels just right. No more fighting the bass. They wear TI Flats, TI Rounds, Ernie Ball Super Slinky Rounds, and Super Slinky Custom Light ( Cobalt) Flats.

 

[got_the_bug]

A few weeks ago I put red DR strings on a black p-bass with Geezer Butler emg's in it. I liked the look and the strings so much I wondered what my special 5hh would look like with black ones on it on account of the black hardware. They came today and they look amazing! But here is the thing I didn't expect; OMG they transformed my bass entirely and I just fell in love with it all over again. I bought a light gauge 40-100 set and I have got to spread the word! I can tap these babies, slap these babies ( with the clunker set I had on there, slapping was shall we say complicated?). They play fast, I can bend them like slinkies, they sound amazing, they look amazing and the feel amazing! I am never looking back. I thought my string sorting days were a thing of the past but was I ever missing out. Chords are now a dream. I have a light set on a G&L M2000 and it gave me the idea that maybe I should try lighter sets on the 5 too. Brilliant! Check out the pics!

DR Black Beauties, I assume? I think they look great and sound great, as well.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

DR Black Beauties, I assume? I think they look great and sound great, as well.

Correct. Set gauge is 40-120.

 

[Nuage420]

Just put an ad up for my Darkray but figured I'd pop in here too. Miss having an HH! If anyone is interested in a trade hit me up. Not opposed to checking out any color combo but the hardware must be black and high preference for matching headstock.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

That is pretty! I'm all about the aqua sparkle though. As I spend more time with my 5HH I realize new things: first I was thinking about a single H but then I was doing some home recording and found out that with the right tone settings on the bass( treble all down, mid just slightly up and bass 3/4 to full) I could just about get my Special to sound like my p-bass. Thanks to Gail Ann Dorsey for that tidbit! I finally found a use for position 1!!! Too, I found that position 4 could sort of mimic my Jazz bass tone though I'm not overly fond of Jazz bass tone ( it has its uses sometimes for certain things)
Secondly, I realized that with lighter gauge strings I could finally slap and pop the 5HH. I've lowered the front pup to make this easier. I came so close to trading the special 5HH out but after spending time with it I've fell in love all over again. What a versatile axe. If I hadn't blown the preamp out of my G&L M2000 and was forced to use the 5HH special, I may never have discovered ( necessity - the mother of invention) just how awesome the design of the Special is. It can still deliver a really good Stingray sound too which surprise, it is one lol!
I know I sound like I'm gushing but I figure I am in the right forum for that!!

 

[Nuage420]

I know I sound like I'm gushing but I figure I am in the right forum for that!!

You're absolutely on the right place! And it's funny you mention Gails advice as it was a revelation for me too. I struggle with the Darkray because it's SOOOOOO good. The Holy Grail for me would be a Darkray HH but I know that won't be a thing unfortunately. I have some other basses that might move and then I'll keep the Darkray and just buy an HH.

 

[ics1974]

This beauty is headed my way. I sold my white one a year or so ago and wanted another Special 4H. Not a fan of the current finish run, but I am a sucker for a natural ray. Will be nice to revisit the 4H.... I have some plans for this one

what do you mean by current finish run?

 

[LowEndLobster]

what do you mean by current finish run?

The 2022 lineup of finishes for the Stingray special. None of them really wowed me. I like the black on black and the teal burst but am not crazy for either. Really excited to snag this natural beauty! It should be arriving here in the next few days hopefully

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

You're absolutely on the right place! And it's funny you mention Gails advice as it was a revelation for me too. I struggle with the Darkray because it's SOOOOOO good. The Holy Grail for me would be a Darkray HH but I know that won't be a thing unfortunately. I have some other basses that might move and then I'll keep the Darkray and just buy an HH.[/QUOT

This beauty is headed my way. I sold my white one a year or so ago and wanted another Special 4H. Not a fan of the current finish run, but I am a sucker for a natural ray. Will be nice to revisit the 4H.... I have some plans for this one

Hi Lobster! Love your channel! You are my go to reviewer for all things GAS related lol! That bass reminds of a pic I saw in a music magazine from when the Stingrays were first released. I was 16, had just started playing bass and I absolutely fell in love with the look of the stingray from that ad. The mag was laying around my aunt and uncle's place and was from years before when my cousin was still living at home so might have been an ad from the 70's as there was an article talking about the new release Stingray too. Here in rural Ontario in 1986 though a Stingray was a unicorn. I didn't lay eyes on my first one in a music store until years later but it was so much money I couldn't afford it. The kids all moved out of the house a few years ago and finished college so I finally had the ability to drop a few nickels on my first Stingray (and only one lol- still not a millionaire!). Your pic took me back to that moment when I first fell in love with the look of the SRay. Of course when I bought one it was a 5HH Aqua Sparkle and not a wood grain finish. (Ooh shiny things shiny things!)
Keep on thumping on and give your kitty a little scratch on the chin for me.

 

[Paradilum]

View attachment 4926263

I would love to have blacked-out magnets on my SR5SHH. I love the way that looks.