EBMM StingRay Special Club

[_Obra_]

It’s most definitely position, but I’ll wager Ernie Ball music man technical Support would be able to give you an answer regarding voicing..

As far as I remember (think I read somewhere) apart from the position, in Specials pole pieces are aligned differently in order to be placed directly in the middle under the strings.
Since the distance between the strings narrows going from the bridge to the nut, pole pieces wallows that lines, so the pickups are different in terms of the position of the pole pieces (I can't guarantee it, but I read somewhere).

In addition to this topic, yesterday I had the chance to play two new Special 5H, so I made a short video in which I compare the sound of Maple and Ebony Fingerboard.
Hope You will like it

 

[Stevorebob]

As far as I remember (think I read somewhere) apart from the position, in Specials pole pieces are aligned differently in order to be placed directly in the middle under the strings.
Since the distance between the strings narrows going from the bridge to the nut, pole pieces wallows that lines, so the pickups are different in terms of the position of the pole pieces (I can't guarantee it, but I read somewhere).

***

This. My Special 5HH outer pole pieces measure approximately 72mm and 76mm from the outside edges of the neck and bridge pickups respectively. Pre-Speaials are both 76mm. I imagine the change was a remedy for the weak G-string issue.

 

[Mr_O'B]

This is pretty cool! I love that he is playing his trust MM bass.

 

[Mr_O'B]

This is pretty cool too! I am on a MM kick!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

As far as I remember (think I read somewhere) apart from the position, in Specials pole pieces are aligned differently in order to be placed directly in the middle under the strings.
Since the distance between the strings narrows going from the bridge to the nut, pole pieces wallows that lines, so the pickups are different in terms of the position of the pole pieces (I can't guarantee it, but I read somewhere).

In addition to this topic, yesterday I had the chance to play two new Special 5H, so I made a short video in which I compare the sound of Maple and Ebony Fingerboard.
Hope You will like it

Great comparison. There is something that is both Classic & Special about ash / maple on a StingRay. It just pops in all the right places to my ears.

Something is a bit more subdued with ebony. It lacks some of the warmth and richness of rosewood and some of the snap and richness of maple.

 

[Moonskunk]

Great comparison. There is something that is both Classic & Special about ash / maple on a StingRay. It just pops in all the right places to my ears.

Something is a bit more subdued with ebony. It lacks some of the warmth and richness of rosewood and some of the snap and richness of maple.

But ebony (live) sounds so much like a Steinway Grand piano with the right EQ, strings, it's amazing! Subdued it's not. Harmonically rich it is.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Great comparison. There is something that is both Classic & Special about ash / maple on a StingRay. It just pops in all the right places to my ears.

Something is a bit more subdued with ebony. It lacks some of the warmth and richness of rosewood and some of the snap and richness of maple.

Agreed, but I did like both sounds. This video certainly helps bolster the argument that fretboard wood makes a tonal difference.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Great comparison. There is something that is both Classic & Special about ash / maple on a StingRay. It just pops in all the right places to my ears.

Something is a bit more subdued with ebony. It lacks some of the warmth and richness of rosewood and some of the snap and richness of maple.

Sounds like the ebony is clearer to me, not subdued. But it's all subjective based on our ears.

Ebony just has a little more ping to the top end which I like. Especially when they were slapped I heard it

 

[jam.majors]

As far as I remember (think I read somewhere) apart from the position, in Specials pole pieces are aligned differently in order to be placed directly in the middle under the strings.
Since the distance between the strings narrows going from the bridge to the nut, pole pieces wallows that lines, so the pickups are different in terms of the position of the pole pieces (I can't guarantee it, but I read somewhere).

In addition to this topic, yesterday I had the chance to play two new Special 5H, so I made a short video in which I compare the sound of Maple and Ebony Fingerboard.
Hope You will like it

I've always been in the "fretboard material is just for the look" camp. But this has me fully convinced I've been wrong. There a definite difference. I like the maple more, but somebody wanting all that extra sizzle would LOVE the ebony.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

But ebony (live) sounds so much like a Steinway Grand piano with the right EQ, strings, it's amazing! Subdued it's not. Harmonically rich it is.

Agreed, but I did like both sounds. This video certainly helps bolster the argument that fretboard wood makes a tonal difference.

Sounds like the ebony is clearer to me, not subdued. But it's all subjective based on our ears.

Ebony just has a little more ping to the top end which I like. Especially when they were slapped I heard it

You are all correct . What I was describing needs be clarified . To put it in bass player terms, ebony goes in a different sonic direction than maple and rosewood. It isn’t a sound one would associate with Fender sounds or the pre Ernie Ball or pre Special era StingRays.

It has more clarity and note seperation and there is a no delay on the note bloom. It has a lot of sustain as well . Very piano like immediate response that is well balanced.

Puts me in mind of the original Yamaha BB basses. When I had my ash/ ebony Special5 , the string choice made a huge difference . It either worked, or it didn’t . Flats did nothing for it and neither did dead rounds. They always had to be fresh and full of zing . Otherwise it just sounded off.

 

[VegetarianBass]

I’m currently learning “Teen Town” (at half speed). I don’t have a Fretless at the moment but I tell you I can get some pretty convincing Jaco tone on my SRS5. I boosted the mids all the way, and rolled the bass and treble all the way off on the bass. My Tone Hammer 500 is basically set to noon across the board.

it’s warm with just little bit of bite depending on how hard I play. I’m digging the sound and may try throwing some flats on it just to see where it goes!

 

[N4860]

I've always been in the "fretboard material is just for the look" camp. But this has me fully convinced I've been wrong. There a definite difference. I like the maple more, but somebody wanting all that extra sizzle would LOVE the ebony.

I can hear a difference too but I don't believe it is for certain attributed to the fretboard material. I've played some identical basses in stores that have had similar differences in sound too so it is kind of hard to really say which component is producing the variation in tone. Could just be variations in the stiffness or mass of the maple neck.

 

[_Obra_]

I can hear a difference too but I don't believe it is for certain attributed to the fretboard material. I've played some identical basses in stores that have had similar differences in sound too so it is kind of hard to really say which component is producing the variation in tone. Could just be variations in the stiffness or mass of the maple neck.

In this case, it's the fretboard material .

I also tested two different SR5H with maple necks and they sounded identical, as two with ebony, 4h and 5H. Also sounded the same.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

I can't give you a definitive answer but I can contribute this having removed the preamp from my 5hh. The pots all read the same and have the same resistance ratings so the tone differences are most likely not coming from the preamp, only from the pickups. If I get a chance to take readings from the pickups, I will let you know what I find. In the meantime, someone might read this and offer some further insight on multimeters readings from the pickups. I'd love to assist in satisfying your curiosity.

 

[Bunky]

My stingray stopped making any sound at all. I thought they work passively to a degree? I put a new battery in (the special takes two 9 volt) and it worked again fine. I noticed when I pushed on the battery I replaced I did get some sound but just ended up using the new one in as the Duracell it came with wouldn’t keep working when I closed the battery holder. Any thoughts?

 

[Benko]

My stingray stopped making any sound at all. I thought they work passively to a degree? I put a new battery in (the special takes two 9 volt) and it worked again fine. I noticed when I pushed on the battery I replaced I did get some sound but just ended up using the new one in as the Duracell it came with wouldn’t keep working when I closed the battery holder. Any thoughts?

Nope, no power no sound output, but usually the signal starts weakening before completly stopping, could it be you have been playing with a tone that did not sound right?

Those batteries compartments are nothing great, I really dislike them and would wish that a company like EBMM comes up with something better (Dingwall seems to have a good system)

 

[_Obra_]

When I changed the factory Duracell and put two new Thomann 9V, it didn't work at all. Thomann's are less than 1mm narrower and the contact was not good, so I had to buy a new Duracell. I works just fine with them.

 

[Bill Murray]

My stingray stopped making any sound at all. I thought they work passively to a degree? I put a new battery in (the special takes two 9 volt) and it worked again fine. I noticed when I pushed on the battery I replaced I did get some sound but just ended up using the new one in as the Duracell it came with wouldn’t keep working when I closed the battery holder. Any thoughts?

They do no work passively to any degree. Sometimes batteries die slowly but in my experience, when the time comes, they distort and then quickly stop working completely.

The battery jacks are the only component I’ve ever had an issue with. Some batteries are too small and as a result the connection is compromised, others too large and you have to borderline force them into place.

I had a loose battery pack once that basically meant if I didn’t have the pack pushed to the right position I’d have no sound at all. Easy fix though, dropped it off at a local shop and they replaced the battery pack for like $40. It’s been fine ever since.

hope this helps and good luck.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

If the battery isn't making good contact then you can put a folded piece of paper behind the battery.

Yup those battery compartments are the only thing I dislike about these basses...

That and I think they should plek them for the price we pay

 

[kdubb24]

My stingray stopped making any sound at all. I thought they work passively to a degree? I put a new battery in (the special takes two 9 volt) and it worked again fine. I noticed when I pushed on the battery I replaced I did get some sound but just ended up using the new one in as the Duracell it came with wouldn’t keep working when I closed the battery holder. Any thoughts?

The problem is usually that one of the wires on the battery box has become loose/disconnected. Makes contact when you open the compartment, but separates when closed.