EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Dr. Cheese]

I played this 5H Stingray Special today at a store that carry’s Music Man and Sadowsky. This Special and a Sadowsky JM5 Metroline really impressed me. The Special as super light as some I have played, but it was comfortable and I loved the color. Oddly, I thought it did not have the classic Stingray tone when I was playing it, but when I heard my video, I thought it had the traditional Stingray tone in spades. Maybe I was just tired today?

 

[PrimitiveMan]

I played this 5H Stingray Special today at a store that carry’s Music Man and Sadowsky. This Special and a Sadowsky JM5 Metroline really impressed me. The Special as super light as some I have played, but it was comfortable and I loved the color. Oddly, I thought it did not have the classic Stingray tone when I was playing it, but when I heard my video, I thought it had the traditional Stingray tone in spades. Maybe I was just tired today?

I always feel that those that think the Special doesn't have the Stingray tone just need to crank the treble more on the preamp. It just sounds very different flat but I've had no problem making them sound similar by tweaking the preamp.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I always feel that those that think the Special doesn't have the Stingray tone just need to crank the treble more on the preamp. It just sounds very different flat but I've had no problem making them sound similar by tweaking the preamp.

I usually love the sound of Stingray Specials. I do think being tired affected my perception.

 

[dave64o]

I always feel that those that think the Special doesn't have the Stingray tone just need to crank the treble more on the preamp. It just sounds very different flat but I've had no problem making them sound similar by tweaking the preamp.

Yep. And that's what the tone controls are for - getting the sound you want.

 

[ellenripley]

Hello everyone, I ask for advice.

They offer me a trade of a Musicman Bongo 5HH for my Stingray 5H Special. Apart from this Stingray 5H Special, I have another Special 5HH, which in the “Singray” position sounds exactly the same, but, as you know, it lacks the filtered and series sounds that the 5H has and that I really like. It is true that I like the Stingray 5HH more and it seems more versatile to me, but I don’t know if I’m going to regret this change, to be honest. Could someone who has both basses give me their opinion on this?

thanks

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Hello everyone, I ask for advice.

They offer me a trade of a Musicman Bongo 5HH for my Stingray 5H Special. Apart from this Stingray 5H Special, I have another Special 5HH, which in the “Singray” position sounds exactly the same, but, as you know, it lacks the filtered and series sounds that the 5H has and that I really like. It is true that I like the Stingray 5HH more and it seems more versatile to me, but I don’t know if I’m going to regret this change, to be honest. Could someone who has both basses give me their opinion on this?

thanks

I would not do it. Bongo does not sound , play , or feel like a StingRay. They are both high quality but don’t trade away a bass you like . The grass isn’t always greener.

 

[dave64o]

I was really impressed with the Bongos I’ve tried in the stores near me and would love to add one to my collection someday. But I also love my Stingrays and wouldn’t give one up for a Bongo.

The point isn’t that Stingrays are better basses than Bongos. It’s that I wouldn’t give up an instrument I was that connected with in order to get another instrument. I’d either sell/trade a different instrument or I’d wait until the time was right to buy the one I wanted.

 

[Stevorebob]

Hello everyone, I ask for advice.

They offer me a trade of a Musicman Bongo 5HH for my Stingray 5H Special. Apart from this Stingray 5H Special, I have another Special 5HH, which in the “Singray” position sounds exactly the Bongosame, but, as you know, it lacks the filtered and series sounds that the 5H has and that I really like. It is true that I like the Stingray 5HH more and it seems more versatile to me, but I don’t know if I’m going to regret this change, to be honest. Could someone who has both basses give me their opinion on this?

thanks

For context: I have and play all three: a Bongo 5HH, a StingRay Special 5H and a StingRay Special 5HH. I love all of them.

It depends on how much you like the Bongo. What a Bongo does, a StingRay Special can’t. What a StingRay Special does, Bongo can’t. They just do not sound the same. I strongly recommend that, if you haven’t, you play the Bongo and decide if it’s your jam. If you love the Bongo sound, this is a great trade. Otherwise, you’re in for a surprise. It could be a wonderful surprise or a huge disappointment.

Just because both have identical-looking humbuckers does not mean they are at all the same. The Bongo pickups are located closer to the bridge, the blend control does not provide a two-pickup mid-scoop and does not allow coil splitting combinations, and the 4-band preamp has little similarity to the Special’s three-band. Bongos are basswood, which, if you’re into tone wood, provides fuller mids than ash, alder, poplar or whatever your Special is constructed (or if your not a tone-wood type, makes no difference). The Bongo ergonomics are different, too. It has a little more body length behind the bridge that positions the bass a bit to the left and extends the reach some. Bongos have 24 frets, which is important to some folks. And most Bongos have satin painted necks, a negative for some who love the oil-and-wax neck finish. I find the Bongo my easiest playing, most comfortable bass; others will disagree.

Again, play the Bongo. Especially if you’re risk adverse. You may miss that great series-coil thing the Special 5H has, or maybe you’ll love everything wonderful about the (it-is-not-a-StingRay) Bongo.

 

[Moonskunk]

This is my Stingray Special 4H Snowy Night with tort pick guard which I just put on today purchased through EB. I really like the look of the Fender Ultra P bass in the Arctic Pearl finish with tort guard and thought the Snowy Night Stingray might also look good in tort since the 2 finishs are quite similar. I think the Fender Ultra P bass and the Stingray Special would make a really nice pairing. Of my three current Specials, a 4H Maroon Mist with rosewood and a 4 HH Tectonic Blue Sparkle with ebony, I think this particular Snowy Night sounds the best of the three. It's hard to explain but as good as the other two are, this Snowy Night has a richness to the sound that's on another level. If I could only keep one of the three it would be this one.

 

[ics1974]

This is my Stingray Special 4H Snowy Night with tort pick guard which I just put on today purchased through EB. I really like the look of the Fender Ultra P bass in the Arctic Pearl finish with tort guard and thought the Snowy Night Stingray might also look good in tort since the 2 finishs are quite similar. I think the Fender Ultra P bass and the Stingray Special would make a really nice pairing. Of my three current Specials, a 4H Maroon Mist with rosewood and a 4 HH Tectonic Blue Sparkle with ebony, I think this particular Snowy Night sounds the best of the three. It's hard to explain but as good as the other two are, this Snowy Night has a richness to the sound that's on another level. If I could only keep one of the three it would be this one.

View attachment 5242871

Congratulations! You probably just like the sound of a maple fretboard the best. For a Stingray Special anyways.

 

[makanudo]

This is my Stingray Special 4H Snowy Night with tort pick guard which I just put on today purchased through EB. I really like the look of the Fender Ultra P bass in the Arctic Pearl finish with tort guard and thought the Snowy Night Stingray might also look good in tort since the 2 finishs are quite similar. I think the Fender Ultra P bass and the Stingray Special would make a really nice pairing. Of my three current Specials, a 4H Maroon Mist with rosewood and a 4 HH Tectonic Blue Sparkle with ebony, I think this particular Snowy Night sounds the best of the three. It's hard to explain but as good as the other two are, this Snowy Night has a richness to the sound that's on another level. If I could only keep one of the three it would be this one.

View attachment 5242871

Now that's a rig!

 

[dave64o]

I'm a BIG tort fan but when I started reading the post I wasn't sure about tort on a Snowy Night. But, as I kept scrolling and saw the picture, I see I was wrong. It looks fantastic and ties together nicely with the roasted maple fretboard.

And I agree with @makanudo about your rig. I absolutely love my Barefaced cabinets but, if I had to buy new cabinets, I'd give the Genzler Bass Arrays serious consideration. How do you like them? I can compliment you on your choice of amp, too. My main gigging amp is a D-800+. I like the extra power and the feature set is perfect for me. I've never really been tempted by the WD-800 or the TT-800 because I wouldn't want to give up some of the features I like about the D-800+. But the entire Subway line of amps looks extremely well thought out so that nearly every player can find an amp in the series that works for them.

 

[Moonskunk]

I'm a BIG tort fan but when I started reading the post I wasn't sure about tort on a Snowy Night. But, as I kept scrolling and saw the picture, I see I was wrong. It looks fantastic and ties together nicely with the roasted maple fretboard.

And I agree with @makanudo about your rig. I absolutely love my Barefaced cabinets but, if I had to buy new cabinets, I'd give the Genzler Bass Arrays serious consideration. How do you like them? I can compliment you on your choice of amp, too. My main gigging amp is a D-800+. I like the extra power and the feature set is perfect for me. I've never really been tempted by the WD-800 or the TT-800 because I wouldn't want to give up some of the features I like about the D-800+. But the entire Subway line of amps looks extremely well thought out so that nearly every player can find an amp in the series that works for them.

As to your question regarding the Genzler Arrays since this is Stingray Special group, I'll try to tie them in with the Specials to keep others happy. I absolutely love them! I never heard such refined definition and resolution coming from a bass cabinet before and they really sound great with the Specials. For an example, the majority of people out there will tell you that there is no difference in sound between a 4H and 4HH in Stingray switch position 1 mode. Well I'd have to say that all depends on what you're listening to them through. With the Mesa and the Arrays it's easy to hear the difference, but with my previous rigs if you had asked me that exact question I'd have to say there was no difference. It's all about resolution. This would put your guitar and speaker cables into the equation also, I'm using all Rattlesnakes. Being an audio geek for over 50 years has carried over to my bass gear. There is no tweeter in these cabs but they instead use a set of 4 drivers arranged in an vertical array for better dispersion that handle the highs and mids allowing the 10" driver to do just one job, handle the lows. They are super light too and at this stage in my life I can really appreciate that.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

As to your question regarding the Genzler Arrays since this is Stingray Special group, I'll try to tie them in with the Specials to keep others happy. I absolutely love them! I never heard such refined definition and resolution coming from a bass cabinet before and they really sound great with the Specials. For an example, the majority of people out there will tell you that there is no difference in sound between a 4H and 4HH in Stingray switch position 1 mode. Well I'd have to say that all depends on what you're listening to them through. With the Mesa and the Arrays it's easy to hear the difference, but with my previous rigs if you had asked me that exact question I'd have to say there was no difference. It's all about resolution. This would put your guitar and speaker cables into the equation also, I'm using all Rattlesnakes. Being an audio geek for over 50 years has carried over to my bass gear. There is no tweeter in these cabs but they instead use a set of 4 drivers arranged in an vertical array for better dispersion that handle the highs and mids allowing the 10" driver to do just one job, handle the lows. They are super light too and at this stage in my life I can really appreciate that.

I'm using a Genzler 12.3 and love it too. I actually wasn't 100% sold on it until I heard it from further away. The sound is so even everywhere.

 

[poppunk]

My custom direct EBMM StingRay Special SLO Special (sounds weird) is here:

I played it a little bit yesterday and the neck profile is so much better for me with the narrower nut. I won't have a lot of time this weke to play it since I have to focus on a show that I'm playing guitar for Saturday, but after that I'll be learning new material and practicing for upcoming shows where I play bass.

One thing I didn't realize would happen is that EBMM would stamp this with the "SLO Special" on the headstock. They told me they were basically just making a SR Special with a thinner nut. It's now an uncommon, identifiable SR.

Getting it from UPS was a PITA. I saw that it shipped, but it was while I was gone from home. Nobody was going to be here the day it was coming, so I paid UPS to reschedule from last Tuesday to Thursday. It didn't make it on the truck either day (reschedule was confirmed but date was never updated). I got home Friday night and had to wait unitl Monday to go to our regional hub to have them get it. The UPS employees were super cool about it.

 

[jam.majors]

My custom direct EBMM StingRay Special SLO Special (sounds weird) is here:
View attachment 5243574
View attachment 5243575
I played it a little bit yesterday and the neck profile is so much better for me with the narrower nut. I won't have a lot of time this weke to play it since I have to focus on a show that I'm playing guitar for Saturday, but after that I'll be learning new material and practicing for upcoming shows where I play bass.

One thing I didn't realize would happen is that EBMM would stamp this with the "SLO Special" on the headstock. They told me they were basically just making a SR Special with a thinner nut. It's now an uncommon, identifiable SR.

Getting it from UPS was a PITA. I saw that it shipped, but it was while I was gone from home. Nobody was going to be here the day it was coming, so I paid UPS to reschedule from last Tuesday to Thursday. It didn't make it on the truck either day (reschedule was confirmed but date was never updated). I got home Friday night and had to wait unitl Monday to go to our regional hub to have them get it. The UPS employees were super cool about it.

I hope it isn’t tacky, but I’m going to ask how much it set you back. I fantasize about one day getting a BTO ray

 

[Geri O]

Okay, for anyone interested in that oh so elusive BT13 Xtender/Detuner from Hipshot....

They still ain't available from Hipshot! What the hell??

What's even more weird is that I've gotten both style of Xtenders (Honeydrop and Cloverleaf) from a seller in Spain! Decent enough pricing, but super-fast shipping! And a great seller, too. He helped me with the translation from Spanish (I guess) to English and gave me the USA price (dollars) plus really decent shipping price as well.

So the BT13s are getting out. Somehow, but who knows?

And I'm finally happy. I'm gonna list the cloverleaf BT13 later in the Parts section of the Classifieds.

 

[poppunk]

I hope it isn’t tacky, but I’m going to ask how much it set you back. I fantasize about one day getting a BTO ray

Totally fine. These are normally $2,699 but it cost $2,899. Trying to get a discount on a custom order doesn't seem fruitful, so I'm guessing this differential is bigger in reality. It's a lot but also covered by selling two of my other three basses. This was definitely one of those "you can always go cheaper" situations for me but it is legit the best instrument possible for me for general bass playing. I really appreciate EBMM working this into their production.

They made a EBMM Vault order form for me here for ordering (and if somebody else wants to buy this spec, it looks like you can just buy it):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[jam.majors]

Totally fine. These are normally $2,699 but it cost $2,899. Trying to get a discount on a custom order doesn't seem fruitful, so I'm guessing this differential is bigger in reality. It's a lot but also covered by selling two of my other three basses. This was definitely one of those "you can always go cheaper" situations for me but it is legit the best instrument possible for me for general bass playing. I really appreciate EBMM working this into their production.

They made a EBMM Vault order form for me here for ordering (and if somebody else wants to buy this spec, it looks like you can just buy it):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

I gotta say that would make feel pretty special if my order got added to the shop!

 

[jd50]

How do you go about getting a Build To Order Stingray?