EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Paradilum]

Looks like the new BFRs are also out. On deck is a Retro '76 Stingray - with string-thru bridge w/ mutes and 2-band EQ. And a cool retro case.

Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man

They even left off the 'Ernie Ball' from the headstock logo. Wow.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Looks like the new BFRs are also out. On deck is a Retro '76 Stingray - with string-thru bridge w/ mutes and 2-band EQ. And a cool retro case.

Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man

They even left off the 'Ernie Ball' from the headstock logo. Wow.

Announced last week and already sold out.

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Announced last week and already sold out.

He got me excited for a moment there lol.

 

[walking_line]

Looks like the new BFRs are also out. On deck is a Retro '76 Stingray - with string-thru bridge w/ mutes and 2-band EQ. And a cool retro case.

Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man

They even left off the 'Ernie Ball' from the headstock logo. Wow.

Yeah, there’s a whole other thread here and a fellow TB’er has already received theirs:

New MusicMan Stingray BFR - thoughts?

 

[Sasquatchbreath]

I’m probably a better fit for the terrible bass player with decent equipment but why not join both?

 

[Wicked G]

not sure where to put this. Has it been talked about yet? Galactic Pearl in the vault.

Well I have said before that I do not like white pickguards or white pickup covers, but for some reason it works on this bass. And I love the blue headstock. I could see myself playing this bass and not changing a thing.

 

[Hot Rats]

Well I have said before that I do not like white pickguards or white pickup covers, but for some reason it works on this bass. And I love the blue headstock. I could see myself playing this bass and not changing a thing.

When I first saw it and got all excited, I thought "hell yes" but then, the pink-ish center started to throw me a bit. I love the blue headstock too.

 

[Sacha 2A]

Hi everybody. I have never played on a Stingray Special and I have some questions about it : I know that the electronic, with its 18 volts preamp, and the pickup are different from the the Standards made before 2018. So, I would like to know if the color of the sound is still the same or if it is definitely a new model that has its own personality without any similarities except the look with the older ones. Thanks !

 

[Wicked G]

When I first saw it and got all excited, I thought "hell yes" but then, the pink-ish center started to throw me a bit. I love the blue headstock too.

It could look quite different in person as a lot of the Specials do. Although I really don't see myself buying one, it is cool to see something quite different coming out. I'm still pretty curious to see what else they come up with at NAMM.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Hi everybody. I have never played on a Stingray Special and I have some questions about it : I know that the electronic, with its 18 volts preamp, and the pickup are different from the the Standards made before 2018. So, I would like to know if the color of the sound is still the same or if it is definitely a new model that has its own personality without any similarities except the look with the older ones. Thanks !

More similar than different, but still different

There's some good comparison on YouTube

 

[Wood and Wire]

Hi everybody. I have never played on a Stingray Special and I have some questions about it : I know that the electronic, with its 18 volts preamp, and the pickup are different from the the Standards made before 2018. So, I would like to know if the color of the sound is still the same or if it is definitely a new model that has its own personality without any similarities except the look with the older ones. Thanks !

They both sound like a StingRay, but if the old Standard sounds like a StingRay with stainless steel round wound strings, played through an 80's solid state amp; the Special sounds like a StingRay with flat wound strings, played through a 60's tube amp.

 

[Sacha 2A]

They both sound like a StingRay, but if the old Standard sounds like a StingRay with stainless steel round wound strings, played through an 80's solid state amp; the Special sounds like a StingRay with flat wound strings, played through a 60's tube amp.

Sorry but I don't understand what you mean. Could you say more ?

 

[Wood and Wire]

Sorry but I don't understand what you mean. Could you say more ?

The old Standard sounds "Hi-Fi".

The Special sounds "vintage" .

 

[Sacha 2A]

Ok then. In that case, I would prefer to have a "hi-fi" sound for the kind of music I play.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Ok then. In that case, I would prefer to have a "hi-fi" sound for the kind of music I play.

I totally disagree. The Special sounds very hi fi, the old ones just sound a little brighter. The Specials are clearer across a broader frequency range so I'd say they are more hi fi actually.

But I'd recommend listening to the sound samples I provided and using your ears

 

[Sacha 2A]

I totally disagree. The Special sounds very hi fi, the old ones just sound a little brighter. The Specials are clearer across a broader frequency range so I'd say they are more hi fi actually.

But I'd recommend listening to the sound samples I provided and using your ears

That is what I've done and it is not enough to have an idea of which one would be better for me. That is why I thought that it would be interesting to have the opinion of bass players who know the two models.

 

[ics1974]

I have both and prefer the special because it’s less bright and more of a smoother sound. The pre special has more of an aggressive treble sound that can be hard to tame at times. If you want an aggressive sound get the pre special. If you want a more versatile sound get the special.

 

[pbass6811]

Got 3 "pairs" of basses, so I rotate thru 'em. Last weekend was Stingray weekend. That's always a good weekend...

 

[dave64o]

Got 3 "pairs" of basses, so I rotate thru 'em. Last weekend was Stingray weekend. That's always a good weekend...

View attachment 5027529

Nice! I like your idea of having a few “pairs” of basses. My Stingrays are my only pair.... so far.

Since getting my Special about a year ago, I’ve taken the two of them to most gigs, for obvious reasons. But so far this year I’ve taken at least one of my other basses just to give them some playing time (they deserve it, they’re nice basses, too). However, I was planning on changing that at Friday’s gig and letting the Stingrays team up again. It’s a private party, so I might not have have an opportunity to get a picture after setting up, but, keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Stefan Cartmale]

Just bought this used yesterday. The original owner had replaced the stock knobs with these atrocities, so I need to find some replacements. Other than directly from EBMM, is there any place I can find knobs that will fit?

Also, I took it into the shop for a professional setup, and apparently there’s a slight hump in the fretboard between the nut and the 5th fret. Is there a recommended fix for something like this?

View attachment 5021922

Nice looking bass-exceot the knobs. I wonder if they switched to plastic knobs to try and eliminate interference and hum? I've read about metal knobs working like an antenna and had considered changing them out on my 5HH but I think I will just go ahead with shielding all the cavities. Good find.