Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
Wow, that’s gorgeous!
This has me considering a pearloid pickguard to replace the black pickguard on my Special.
I just gotta decide if I want to go with black or the white as in the photo of yours.
Enjoy!
WOW!I've been seeing on the Spector thread, for awhile now, that they like to post "Happy First Friday of the Month" as an excuse to post pictures of their current Spectors. I like that idea and would like to steal it for this thread since:
1) It's not against the law, even though I am admitting to stealing.
2) More pictures of Stingray Specials on this thread.
3) Why not?
So I'll go ahead and get started.
Happy First Friday of the Month!!!!!
View attachment 5370618 View attachment 5370619 View attachment 5370621
I have and like both but tend to use my Access Stage 5 most often. The Stage 5 is just fantastic (pricey though
)I'm assuming you mean the Continental Voyager? I thought they stopped making the Continental several years ago. Here are my thoughts on them:
CONTEGO:
- One of the best value gig bags, great protection for the price
- The side walls are pretty stiff and are densely padded.
- Padding and stiffness on the top and the back are not as stiff or well padded as the sides, a negative for me.
- More storage pockets than the Continental Voyager
CONTINENTAL VOYAGER:
- Very well padded sides and the side walls are pretty stiff. It seems like it protects the bass nicely all around.
- The top and back are noticeably better padded and stiffer than the front and back of the Contego
- Handle is much more comfortable than the Contego
- Has bumpers at the bottom of the bag with a little space for the strap pin. I really like having this extra protection at the bottom since you'll always have a reason to stand the bag up at some point when it's in use.
Between those two, I prefer the Continental Voyager because of the overall better protection. To me, that's the purpose of one these "better than a plain ol' gig bag" gig bags. I'm willing to give up some on-bag storage capacity for the protection. However, they're both pretty good and would server you well.
But, if you feel like spending some money, the Stage 5 is a reallllllly nice gig bag!
I wish they made a dual bass model in the Stage 5. You didn't ask about it, but I have a Gator Pro Go dual bass model that I usually use for gigs. It's very well padded (including extra padding at the bottom, like the Continental Voyager) and has decent storage capacity. My only issues with it are that it's a relatively heavy bag (I also have a Mono M80 dual that's noticeably lighter) and I find the bass compartment to be a little shallow. I have to put a little effort into closing the compartments with most of my basses in it. I don't know if that's specific to the dual or if the single has the same issue. But, assuming that the single is as well made, it would be worth considering, or at least seeing if you could get it at a sale price like the others.
I've been seeing on the Spector thread, for awhile now, that they like to post "Happy First Friday of the Month" as an excuse to post pictures of their current Spectors. I like that idea and would like to steal it for this thread since:
1) It's not against the law, even though I am admitting to stealing
2) More pictures of Stingray Specials on this thread
3) Why not?
So I'll go ahead and get started.
Happy First Friday of the Month!!!!!
View attachment 5370618 View attachment 5370619 View attachment 5370621
Great set
My Special still remains supreme compared to other basses I try
I've been seeing on the Spector thread, for awhile now, that they like to post "Happy First Friday of the Month" as an excuse to post pictures of their current Spectors. I like that idea and would like to steal it for this thread since:
1) It's not against the law, even though I am admitting to stealing
2) More pictures of Stingray Specials on this thread
3) Why not?
So I'll go ahead and get started.
Happy First Friday of the Month!!!!!
View attachment 5370618 View attachment 5370619 View attachment 5370621
Great collection!
I only have one Special (the top one, Vintage Tobacco Burst with the aftermarket tort pickguard), however, I am a Musicman nut and also have a ceramic Stingray 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS, as most of you have probably heard about many times.
. Here's the Special with its cousins:I've had this specific trio in my collection for about six months now (the Big Al was the most recent acquisition) and my favorite is usually whichever I'm playing at the given time. And, for having been a Stingray guy for quite a while, the Big Al impresses me more and more every time I gig it. And I always find out who the musicians are in the crowd because, every time I play it out, at least one of them comes up to me at some point and asks, "What's THAT?!?!
".
Nice collection. I really wish they’d bring back the Big Al. EBMM - you listening?Great collection!
I only have one Special (the top one, Vintage Tobacco Burst with the aftermarket tort pickguard), however, I am a Musicman nut and also have a ceramic Stingray 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS, as most of you have probably heard about many times.
View attachment 5370700
I've had this specific trio in my collection for about six months now (the Big Al was the most recent acquisition) and my favorite is usually whichever I'm playing at the given time. And, for having been a Stingray guy for quite a while, the Big Al impresses me more and more every time I gig it. And I always find out who the musicians are in the crowd because, every time I play it out, at least one of them comes up to me at some point and asks, "What's THAT?!?!
That Big Al is so cool looking.Great collection!
I only have one Special (the top one, Vintage Tobacco Burst with the aftermarket tort pickguard), however, I am a Musicman nut and also have a ceramic Stingray 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS, as most of you have probably heard about many times.
View attachment 5370700
I've had this specific trio in my collection for about six months now (the Big Al was the most recent acquisition) and my favorite is usually whichever I'm playing at the given time. And, for having been a Stingray guy for quite a while, the Big Al impresses me more and more every time I gig it. And I always find out who the musicians are in the crowd because, every time I play it out, at least one of them comes up to me at some point and asks, "What's THAT?!?!
Thank you. Great review. I forgot to ask but seems it will fit my Ray yes?I have and like both but tend to use my Access Stage 5 most often. The Stage 5 is just fantastic (pricey though
I'm assuming you mean the Continental Voyager? I thought they stopped making the Continental several years ago. Here are my thoughts on them:
CONTEGO:
- One of the best value gig bags, great protection for the price
- The side walls are pretty stiff and are densely padded.
- Padding and stiffness on the top and the back are not as stiff or well padded as the sides, a negative for me.
- More storage pockets than the Continental Voyager
CONTINENTAL VOYAGER:
- Very well padded sides and the side walls are pretty stiff. It seems like it protects the bass nicely all around.
- The top and back are noticeably better padded and stiffer than the front and back of the Contego
- Handle is much more comfortable than the Contego
- Has bumpers at the bottom of the bag with a little space for the strap pin. I really like having this extra protection at the bottom since you'll always have a reason to stand the bag up at some point when it's in use.
Between those two, I prefer the Continental Voyager because of the overall better protection. To me, that's the purpose of one these "better than a plain ol' gig bag" gig bags. I'm willing to give up some on-bag storage capacity for the protection. However, they're both pretty good and would server you well.
But, if you feel like spending some money, the Stage 5 is a reallllllly nice gig bag!
You didn't ask about it, but I have a Gator Pro Go dual bass model that I usually use for gigs. It's very well padded (including extra padding at the bottom, like the Continental Voyager) and has decent storage capacity. My only issues with it are that it's a relatively heavy bag (I also have a Mono M80 dual that's noticeably lighter) and I find the bass compartment to be a little shallow. I have to put a little effort into closing the compartments with most of my basses in it. I don't know if that's specific to the dual or if the single has the same issue. But, assuming that the single is as well made, it would be worth considering, or at least seeing if you could get it at a sale price like the others.
I've been seeing on the Spector thread, for awhile now, that they like to post "Happy First Friday of the Month" as an excuse to post pictures of their current Spectors. I like that idea and would like to steal it for this thread since:
1) It's not against the law, even though I am admitting to stealing
2) More pictures of Stingray Specials on this thread
3) Why not?
So I'll go ahead and get started.
Happy First Friday of the Month!!!!!
View attachment 5370618 View attachment 5370619 View attachment 5370621
Haha. As a member of both threads, I approve!
My SR5S Charcoal Sparkle!
Attachments
LOL. Yeah, I realize I didn't say it explicitly but, yes, my Special fits in both my Contego and my Continental Voyager.
So I just put it into both bags. One thing I forgot about is that I have to take the strap off of the bass to put it into the Contego. With the Duncan Dual Design Strap Lock on it, it sticks out too much and forces the bass up past the top of the bag. And even with the strap off, the headstock just fits. These first two pictures are of the bass in the Contego.
The Special is in the Continental Voyager in this picture. Notice how the strap lock fits neatly between the bumper pads at the bottom and there's still room up at the head. I also forgot that I also prefer the way the neck is secured in the Continental Voyager. That strap is much more substantial than in the Contego.
I remember seeing a Charcoal Sparkle 5HH in the local Guitar Center a couple of years ago and being shocked at just how pretty it is in person. I haven't seen a picture, even pro shots on web sites, that shows just how pretty it really is.
... kind of like my Honeyburst!
I remember seeing a Charcoal Sparkle 5HH in the local Guitar Center a couple of years ago and being shocked at just how pretty it is in person. I haven't seen a picture, even pro shots on web sites, that shows just how pretty it really is.
... kind of like my Honeyburst!
Hard facts. It's frustrating!!
Love that Big Al (the Stingrays are pretty nice too). Developing mild GAS for one of those.Great collection!
I only have one Special (the top one, Vintage Tobacco Burst with the aftermarket tort pickguard), however, I am a Musicman nut and also have a ceramic Stingray 5HH and a Big Al 5SSS, as most of you have probably heard about many times.
View attachment 5370700
I've had this specific trio in my collection for about six months now (the Big Al was the most recent acquisition) and my favorite is usually whichever I'm playing at the given time. And, for having been a Stingray guy for quite a while, the Big Al impresses me more and more every time I gig it. And I always find out who the musicians are in the crowd because, every time I play it out, at least one of them comes up to me at some point and asks, "What's THAT?!?!
I’ve got a Contego. Really nice bag for the money. I agree with @Dave640: top and back could use a little more padding (it’s still waaay more protective than my old Levy’s bag), but all in all, I’m really happy either the purchase. Fits my 4H Special well.
I don’t have the Reunion Blues gig bag, but I do own an old RB upright case, and it’s far and away one of the nicest, most protective double bass bags… ever. Fit and finish is great. Just heavy. But you definitely can’t go wrong with Reunion Blues, as long as you don’t mind paying the premium (which, I assume you don’t, since you own a Special).
Last edited:
On another note, I’ve been in the studio lately with my Special. It’s got the TI Jazz Flats on it, and I’ve been running it through a Sushi Box UA tube preamp and some light compression with an Empress, and I was just floored yesterday when I heard it played back. Thing is just killing.
Genius Gold arrived yesterday and it is stunning!!
