EBMM StingRay Special Club

[jam.majors]

Do your hear a difference headphones suggested.

The second video (Jozef Madola) was where I heard the most difference. Ebony sounded darker, maple brighter, and rosewood had almost a "hollow" sound. Maybe some sort of narrow band scoop to it? I didn't think I'd hear as big a difference as their was. Makes me very curious about a rosewood ray.
And only after I wrote the above did I notice that the ebony was a Special, and the other two are pre-special.

On a related note, is there a better nomenclature than "pre-special" stingrays? Is "3-band" workable, or not specific enough?

 

[GregC]

I'm pretty confident that in an actual blind test I wouldn't be able to tell which is which. I just pick the fretboard wood that I think looks best with the body finish.

 

[walking_line]

I'm not saying there's no difference, but, personally, I think perceived bias based on appearance would have a greater impact on how you hear it rather than the material itself.

 

[PeeeBass]

I prefer playing on rosewood. Mostly for the feel of the "wood".
As opposed to playing on a finish, like with maple

 

[Mike Vee]

I prefer playing on rosewood. Mostly for the feel of the "wood".
As opposed to playing on a finish, like with maple

I agree somewhat, but why does maple have to be finished?

 

[Mike Vee]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

 

[dave64o]

I think the Pscific Pacific Sunset is absolutely spectacular!

EDIT: Fixed the typo above

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I think the Pscific Sunset is absolutely spectacular!

PURPLE SUNSET !! And yes it is!!

 

[ics1974]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

View attachment 5397406

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

Then you should go for it.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

View attachment 5397406

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

Your StingRays and Sabres never make the cut. Do you think this one will be different if you aren’t really sold on the finish and features?


I think it’s one of the best EBMM finishes ever offered .

 

[Mike Vee]

Your StingRays and Sabres never make the cut. Do you think this one will be different if you aren’t really sold on the finish and features?

My Sabre was awesome. I sold it because of financial reasons and because it was too heavy. That is really what I want again. However, this thing is gorg, and I know how good the Specials are built. I am also eyeing a passive Okoume BFR

 

[Wicked G]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

View attachment 5397406

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

I am not of fan of white pickguards, but the pearloid PG on my Amethyst Sparkle looks so nice in person I wouldn't even think of changing it. You should get it so that we can all be envious of you.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

View attachment 5397406

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

Congrats Clear pickguard and perfection!

 

[Mike Vee]

Congrats Clear pickguard and perfection!

yea that would be pretty sick

 

[graphics1988]

I am VERY close to pulling the trigger on this:

View attachment 5397406

Not a color I would normally go for, you'd think I'd find it a little tacky, but nope, this just looks so classy! It just works so well, even the roasted maple and the pearl pg, which I am also typically not a huge fan of. In fact I should really dislike this entire bass aesthetic, but I love it!

....but....but....I thought Stingrays and you don't get along? lolol
That is not anything I would buy - only cuz I am not good/cool enough to pull it off. I need the subdued, hide me in the corner, type guy.
I may be snoopin for a 2 bay EQ Stingray, or a Special 4HH in raspberry burst (to match my other H)...that's about as wild as I can go...a real Sabre is also high on my list (as long as it's sub 10lbs).

Off topic - have you guys ever done 'dead spot' comparisons - to fret-board wood type? (assuming this doesn't open a can of worms)....I have a buddy that swears that rosewood is the culprit to dead spotting. (i disagreed and then we got into it until I tapped out) haha

 

[coyoteboy]

Of the 3 MM basses ive owned, all 3 had notable dead spots. Maple, rosewood, and ebony. Ebony was the worst.

 

[graphics1988]

Of the 3 MM basses ive owned, all 3 had notable dead spots. Maple, rosewood, and ebony. Ebony was the worst.

I'm sure there are tons of posts on the 'how/why' dead spots happen - (I have not searched)..I do know of all my basses...I think I only have ONE that has no signs of it...(boutique brand)...all the others have some varying degrees of it - luckily, they're all minor.
Looks wise - maple boards are my fav. (esp once they wear in)

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I have just ordered a Stingray Special 5H in Amethyst Sparkle. Been eyeing for one for at least a year now and finally pulled the trigger. I'd love to have one with a matching headstock but seeing that over here in Germany they seem to only have one or two 5Hs in that color every 6-9 months or so I couldn't wait any longer.

By the way: I really like that they engineered a meatier G-String and tamed the highs. That's what I did not like about Music Mans up till now. Watching all of youtube (twice!) I do prefer the single 5H version... the B-String sounds just incredible and I did not care too much for the additional tonal options. I also focused on the maple vs. rosewood fretboards and seem to prefer the "fuller" sounding rosewood.

These videos made me pull the trigger:







With Dunlop Flatwound Strings:

 

[Maxi Funkl]

No dead spots here

 

[bbjonz]

I went through several SRS 5s a couple of years ago, all of which were great, but kinda sold them when the project they were used on ended. I prefer the 5H because I find the selector switch useful (parallel, series, filter) and I never use the neck pickup on the 5HH. I had one 5HH that weighed less than 8lbs, and the weight and playability were perfect.

Fast forward a bit and with a few projects on the horizon, I decided to look for a 5H in the 8lb range. They are out there. I wound up with 2, somewhat accidentally, both of which weigh less than 8lbs. Have a gander:



I bought the natural one last week from a fellow TBer and, shortly after, the other showed up on TB. The burst one is in LA with a friend (that's where one project is), who picked it from the LA-based seller, so I haven't actually held or weighed it yet, but the seller said 7.7lbs. That's crazy light. The natural one is 7lbs, 15oz, also crazy light.

Not trying to corner the market on sub-8lb SRS 5Hs but it's convenient to have one in LA and here at home so I don't have to travel with one.