EBMM StingRay Special Club

[Geri O]

I've listened to a zillion videos demonstrating Specials.
Most videos sound much darker than my 2-band Ray with the EQ at about noon.
Do you find this true or just warmer sounding videos?

I haven't seen any videos specific to the Specials. But I like setting my EQ controls to the center detent or "flat" position and do the EQing at the console and/or amp.

The audio on most all these videos is so very gakked up, I'd hate to know I had to make judgments on something audio.

I enjoy videos of groups and live shows, but demos of specific basses makes me cringe.

Now, let's look for some of those Special demo videos and give them a listen!....

 

[jam.majors]

I've listened to a zillion videos demonstrating Specials.
Most videos sound much darker than my 2-band Ray with the EQ at about noon.
Do you find this true or just warmer sounding videos?

I feel like most of the videos I've seen sound a bit darker than when playing flat through my amp or headphones. This is one of the videos I liked the most, but in headphones its definitely darker.

 

[Geri O]

I feel like most of the videos I've seen sound a bit darker than when playing flat through my amp or headphones. This is one of the videos I liked the most, but in headphones its definitely darker.

Dang1

Definitely a good one. Sounded really good on my studio speakers and headphones. And almost got me interested in an HH!

Almost......

(Still thinking......)

 

[Jim C]

My suggestion…… get out and try one for yourself. If you are in the MD/ DC area, there should be plenty around . It will be worth it to have it in your own hands to hear, feel, and play.

You would think!
Neither the 5 local GC's, Island Music (who used to always stock them), or Chuck Levin's has a 4H Special in stock.
Reverb does not have one listed within 100 miles.
The closest is Brooklyn, NY but 237 mile just to try a bass is not happening in this weather.
Edit: Just found another 180 miles away in NJ.

To put this in perspective Chicago Music Exchange has 1 and Sweetwater has 5.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Any word on the new colors for the Stingray Specials floating around cyberspace?

 

[Geri O]

Any word on the new colors for the Stingray Specials floating around cyberspace?

Looked at the site today for a reference for providing my Stingray Special for a backline rental (Yes, I will be present for the show. Renting my IEMs and bass rig as well.

Only the Harvest Orange was available. All other colors discontinued.

And dang, if that Harvest Orange came with a maple neck.....Oh my!

 

[N4860]

Any word on the new colors for the Stingray Specials floating around cyberspace?

Probably wait a week or so. NAMM is next week I believe and they usually release their new colours there.

 

[Geri O]

You would think!
Neither the 5 local GC's, Island Music (who used to always stock them), or Chuck Levin's has a 4H Special in stock.
Reverb does not have one listed within 100 miles.
The closest is Brooklyn, NY but 237 mile just to try a bass is not happening in this weather.
Edit: Just found another 180 miles away in NJ.

To put this in perspective Chicago Music Exchange has 1 and Sweetwater has 5.

One idea would be to buy one from a site with a good return policy and give it a try. The bummer is having to pay the return shipping if you don't like it. It's the fair thing to do in exchange for the return privilege, but having two try a bass like this kinda sucks. But better than nothing.

Anyone within reasonable distance to Jackson, MS is welcome to drive over and take MINE for a spin....
(men, geez!)

 

[Geri O]

And it would be nice to have more posts like this entire thread than the insipid (insert pet subject here) vs (insert other pet subject here) posts of late. So pointless.....

I like you guys!...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

You would think!
Neither the 5 local GC's, Island Music (who used to always stock them), or Chuck Levin's has a 4H Special in stock.
Reverb does not have one listed within 100 miles.
The closest is Brooklyn, NY but 237 mile just to try a bass is not happening in this weather.
Edit: Just found another 180 miles away in NJ.

To put this in perspective Chicago Music Exchange has 1 and Sweetwater has 5.

Bad time of year. Everything is sold out as we await the latest batch of new finish options soon to be released .
You might have to find one with a good return policy to try out.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

You would think!
Neither the 5 local GC's, Island Music (who used to always stock them), or Chuck Levin's has a 4H Special in stock.
Reverb does not have one listed within 100 miles.
The closest is Brooklyn, NY but 237 mile just to try a bass is not happening in this weather.
Edit: Just found another 180 miles away in NJ.

To put this in perspective Chicago Music Exchange has 1 and Sweetwater has 5.

Dang!!! When I lived in DC a few years back , they were everywhere .

 

[modbass]

How’s about a special 5 Fretless in Fuego!

Picked it up for my birthday back in August. I just restrung it with LaBella white tapewounds.

 

[dave64o]

They have the sexiest necks!



…and I love the lack of a pickguard over that gorgeous finish.

 

[graphics1988]

I am making a 7.5hr (one way) trip down to the USA tomorrow - found the one I have been lookin for.
Cost me a LOT more than it realistically should have (not including the trip itself)..but I am hopeful this will be a 'lifer'..I did a ton of research (plus I have had a few Stingrays) so I narrowed it down - we shall see. Pix will follow in the next day or so.
Thanks to those (you know who you are) who have been instrumental in my decision making..all were appreciated. I may start to sell off a couple boutique basses that are being wall art this spring..we shall see.

 

[Geri O]

How’s about a special 5 Fretless in Fuego!

Picked it up for my birthday back in August. I just restrung it with LaBella white tapewounds.


View attachment 5322566 View attachment 5322567 View attachment 5322568

Dang. Just dang!

I may need to resign myself to getting a fretless Stingray and without the lines or “training wheels” as a tech I spoke with unflatteringly called them recently.

I like the lines because of how the infrequently I get an opportunity to play fretless. I know, I’m less of a man and my relatives should be ashamed that I want lines, but I’m playing the damn thing, not them or anyone else.

But that gorgeous thing has me thinking….

Again…

 

[modbass]

Dang. Just dang!

I may need to resign myself to getting a fretless Stingray and without the lines or “training wheels” as a tech I spoke with unflatteringly called them recently.

I like the lines because of how the infrequently I get an opportunity to play fretless. I know, I’m less of a man and my relatives should be ashamed that I want lines, but I’m playing the damn thing, not them or anyone else.

But that gorgeous thing has me thinking….

Again…

it’s not as intimidating as you might think. There are dots on the side that get you started. It did take a while to figure out how to intonate when I changed strings though.

also…I’ve been on a Pino rabbit hole so playing along is significantly helping

 

[Geri O]

it’s not as intimidating as you might think. There are dots on the side that get you started. It did take a while to figure out how to intonate when I changed strings though.

also…I’ve been on a Pino rabbit hole so playing along is significantly helping

I’m getting more and more convinced of this every time I look at your bass!….

 

[Jim C]

I am making a 7.5hr (one way) trip down to the USA tomorrow - found the one I have been lookin for.
Cost me a LOT more than it realistically should have (not including the trip itself)..but I am hopeful this will be a 'lifer'..I did a ton of research (plus I have had a few Stingrays) so I narrowed it down - we shall see. Pix will follow in the next day or so.
Thanks to those (you know who you are) who have been instrumental in my decision making..all were appreciated. I may start to sell off a couple boutique basses that are being wall art this spring..we shall see.

Is this because not many ship to Canada in general or that your dealers don't have any in stock?
Here in the states, we have lots of dealers who used to carry stock daily.
It seems the factory can not keep up with demand or have scaled back on production for financial reasons.

 

[Sparky Mark]

Is this because not many ship to Canada in general or that your dealers don't have any in stock?
Here in the states, we have lots of dealers who used to carry stock daily.
It seems the factory can not keep up with demand or have scaled back on production for financial reasons.

I would characterise the EQ at centre detent tone of my Special 4H as being no darker than the EQ at nominal centre of my 1981 2 band 4H (if you can judge accurately where that is). However, once I start to increase the hi EQ on the 81 4H it seems to sound much brighter than my Special. This may not be a good thing since modern cabs with better high frequency response and tweeters could sound very harsh.
I think the EQ on Specials is more refined than on the early 2 EQ; which is probably a good thing most of the time.
As for availability, I had to import my Special from Japan into the UK to get a new one.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Is this because not many ship to Canada in general or that your dealers don't have any in stock?
Here in the states, we have lots of dealers who used to carry stock daily.
It seems the factory can not keep up with demand or have scaled back on production for financial reasons.

When I went to Purchase in August 2023 it was Slim Pickens and has been since; 2 Stores in my Area had none

The pastels were available; Fortunate for Me GC had in stock/in box an exclusive in Burnt Apple which was my preferred finish[still my preferred] when I almost bought one in December 2019 [GC Exclusive has matching headstock 2019 didn't]

My Guess since Summer of 2023 low inventory with only some BFR's, Store exclusives and Vault being available and some dealers with past orders dribbling in.

Maybe the New Retro's took precedence.

Maybe some patience for another week or so and see what NAAM brings

BUT from what you have posted recently the Special doesn't seem to inspire you based on Youtube
there are some nice Classic's on sale here[TB] or start tinkering with what you have