Now it is officially named Summer 2023 BFR Collection.
Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man
I’ll be waiting for Fall to arrive. This Summer run was underwhelming. Giving my bank account a rest.
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EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
Ball Family Reserve | Ernie Ball Music Man
I’ll be waiting for Fall to arrive. This Summer run was underwhelming. Giving my bank account a rest.
My black pickguard has just arrived. The question once again is white, black or neither? I can't find a clear one online?
IMHO, looks great in black.
Definitely black
I've had some time to compare the Special to the Old Smoothie. The Special has a much more flexible tone pallet due to the 3 band EQ. The neodymium pickup is much more mid present compared with the more mid scoop of the OS alnico pickup, probably accentuated by the off string pole positions.Are you teasing us ?!?!
So glad you like it. But I knew you would. Yes, please do a comparison with Old Smoothie. Im very interested in how they compare. I use my Ernie Ball Short Scale and my Alder / Rosewood Amethyst Sparkle when I want to get into Old Smoothie Territory. On both, flats and muting seem to do the trick.
The OS has a certain "zing" that is also present in my 1980 SR but if I was using flats I don't think it would be there. Both the Special and OS appear to have the factory roundwounds so should be very similar in that respect.
I don't play with flats, other than TIs on my CS Pino, but I don't think the OS would give you anything with flats that the Special couldn't. The lower weight combined with all the other improvements over previous SR generations make it the best player's choice in my opinion.
White for me but it is close call
None or clear to me takes away from the pickguard being an important part. of Stingray look
None or clear to me takes away from the pickguard being an important part. of Stingray look
I totally agree that the pickguard is an essential aesthetic of the SR and that the white does look good too. I'm 60/40 in favour of black ATM.
The black looks good with Maple Fingerboard
White adds contrast with Rosewood on Special as I see it but I also like Mark Bass yellow
Also how did you set action on Special
(MM or 64ths)
The black looks good with Maple Fingerboard
White adds contrast with Rosewood on Special as I see it but I also like Mark Bass yellow
Also how did you set action on Special
(MM or 64ths)
It was perfectly set up for me from the case, but I still lowered the saddles until I got fret buzz above the 12th fret and then backed them off.
From top of 12th fret to underside of E is 2mm and approx 1.5mm for the G.
Black is my suggestion.
I don't love bright white so parchment or something less bright would be my second choice.
I don't love bright white so parchment or something less bright would be my second choice.
Now I'm going to ruffle some feathers; I'm not a fan of roasted maple fingerboards!!! That colour is fine for the back of the neck in my opinion but it looks dull, even grubby as a fingerboard. I know that's my preference and others most likely love it. No offence intended but that was my rationale behind purchasing a rosewood board (from the other side of the planet!). I'll get my coat...The black looks good with Maple Fingerboard
White adds contrast with Rosewood on Special as I see it but I also like Mark Bass yellow
I don't like the maple necks with the oil finish. They not only look dirty after use, they are!
Much prefer high gloss clear coat. Can I catch a ride out of here with you?
Thanks That is what I went with 5/64 & 4/64
But need to be gentle with touch if I ever play up on 18 to 22nd frets
I like naked best so you can see more of that lovely burst. Of the two pick guards, I'd go with black for a similar reason - it helps bring out the burst.
I think that the white one looks quite nice on it overall, but the brightness of it overpowers the burst so you don't perceive it as easily as you do with the black one on it.
Although having said that, there was a pink sparkle SR HH with gold hardware and roasted maple neck that looked spectacular. It depends on the the body finish but I'd never get away with pink sparkle.
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First let me say how nice those basses look. Your collection is very nice !! Natural ash and Burst are about as classic as you can get. The black pick guard is perfect.
Second , are/were you at all interested in the BFR Retro 76 that was recently offered?
Third, thank you for taking the time to compare and respond. I was on the fence about an Old Smoothie , but I knew the big slab body and neck were a no go for me. So I will stick with my Short Scale and my Amethyst Sparkle and keep doing what Im doing. I figured the Specials could get Smooth enough with my technique . Im pleased with the results .
I think the roasted fingerboards look great on the BFR models that have highly figured grain. Like you said, it really depends on the finish. I also love the lack of fret markers.
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Thank you and you are very welcome. Yes, I think I'm covered for MM basses now (or at least for the timebeing). Unfortunately that BFR 76 is in Canada so not really an option as a private purchase. One has appeared in the UK but at $5,200 it is too much considering the MM basses I already have.
