EBMM StingRay Special Club

[DaBigBadaBoom]

The answer to most, if not all of your questions can be found here: Music Man Bass Global - Home. Musicmanbass Global

I have not ever tried aftermarket electronics for a Ray so can't comment on that. In terms of good/bad years, EBMM is pretty consistent and is not known for any particular bad years from what I've heard and experienced.

I don't think I've ever heard pre-EB being particularly better or anything, probably just more notable from a collectors standpoint.

The link above is going to give you a lot more info about the incremental changes that have been made through the years in terms of the bridge, neck bolts, pickup magnets, etc.

Whether the newer Rays or the vintage ones are best, that's debatable. What I can say is that the new SR Specials are generally a lot lighter than the older Rays which are known to be quite heavy.

Thank you! Maybe it just the string through body, but the old one I played was very different sounding and feeing to mine. So basically I'm just wondering how much I have to spend to get that back.

Thanks for the link! I'll read it thoroughly!

 

[dave64o]

It's a genuine antique radio that belonged to my grandfather. I hated to do it but I refinished it myself only because it was in such awful shape being around 100 years old being kept in the damp basement. Thanks for the compliment on the Stingray.

Very cool!

 

[ics1974]

Well I couldn’t resist the price and I went with the Pueblo Pink. I just couldn’t justify 600 more for hot honey. Plus, I MUCH prefer rosewood boards.
Pics?
It’s on the way, along with an EBMM OEM tortoise pickguard. It’s going to look pretty fantastic! Not every day that you see a shell pink/tort stingray with matching headstock! I’ve always loved that combo on Fenders.

 

[Mike Vee]

It’s being delivered today but I’m on the east coasts right now. Monday!

 

[Mike Vee]

Hey everyone. I'm about to pull a trigger on another Special 4H but can't decide between these two colors. Given the choice, which would be your pick and why?

snowy all day long.

 

[Mike Vee]

Hey guys,

So I have an 2018 HH that's almost identical to the natural one on page one of this thread.

I'd never had a MM before and so it was a total revelation when I bought it.

Then I played a festival and had requested a MM as part of the back line. And bit did they deliver. I got an 81.

So that rocked my world.

Now I'm on the lookout for a fretless H, but also hoping someone here can clear up some basic facts I'm having trouble nailing down.

Any help is appreciated.

How Do the different eras vary?

Clearly the '81 was radically different to the '18, but are all vintage ones in good nick better than all modern ones? How consistent is what's on the used market?

I can't really play basses first, and so if I don't like one I'll have to flip it, etc.

Are their good and bad years for MM?

Is all Pre EB better?

Is there better years for fretless?

Oh and finally, how much is down to electronics? And are the aftermarket electronics really any good compared to the original electronics on a vintage one?

Thanks soooo much for any help.

I love the vintage rays however I can’t do 7.5 radius.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Thank you! Maybe it just the string through body, but the old one I played was very different sounding and feeing to mine. So basically I'm just wondering how much I have to spend to get that back.

Thanks for the link! I'll read it thoroughly!

First you might get respose of agreement to your take easier On basic Stingray Thread this is Special thread most (not all) have vetted and made their choice

Ebmm has 70's Retro Stingray for $3199 (pre EB)
Classic pre EB are more money
The 1981 you preferred 2 or 3 Band will spark a "Dead Horse Debate' on TB

 

[DaBigBadaBoom]

First you might get respose of agreement to your take easier On basic Stingray Thread this is Special thread most (not all) have vetted and made their choice

Ebmm has 70's Retro Stingray for $3199 (pre EB)
Classic pre EB are more money
The 1981 you preferred 2 or 3 Band will spark a "Dead Horse Debate' on TB

It was a two band.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

 

[Nebadon2000]

It was a two band.

That is many users favorite and they love to get any chance to assert that

you seem to agree but 1981 is post EB
You might be able to sell your 2018 easily and if 3199 is to high can find 80's 2 Band or Stingray Classic for 2K range

But neither pass the mustard to the purist and so still not have the 'Real' Stingray

I choose Special but fairly sure I would be happy with Pre EB pre Special 3 Band or Classic, Retro
If any came my way just not quite as happy as I am with Special

 

[TheOtherSteveM]

Decided to trade in a handful of gear I wasn’t using and pick up a Special HH, since I’ve been gassing for one (and its additional tone options). I’m not a big green bass guy, but I thought the kiwi green was a stunner (especially with black hardware), and now I have a buddy for my first foray into EBMM Stingray Specials, the universally-loved pastel series laguna green I picked up last year. The build quality on these is amazing. I have yet to find a flaw.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Decided to trade in a handful of gear I wasn’t using and pick up a Special HH, since I’ve been gassing for one (and its additional tone options). I’m not a big green bass guy, but I thought the kiwi green was a stunner (especially with black hardware), and now I have a buddy for my first foray into EBMM Stingray Specials, the universally-loved pastel series laguna green I picked up last year. The build quality on these is amazing. I have yet to find a flaw.
View attachment 5430791 View attachment 5430792 View attachment 5430793 View attachment 5430794

I've always liked the Laguna Green! Looks great!

 

[Pet Sounds]

Decided to trade in a handful of gear I wasn’t using and pick up a Special HH, since I’ve been gassing for one (and its additional tone options). I’m not a big green bass guy, but I thought the kiwi green was a stunner (especially with black hardware), and now I have a buddy for my first foray into EBMM Stingray Specials, the universally-loved pastel series laguna green I picked up last year. The build quality on these is amazing. I have yet to find a flaw.
View attachment 5430791 View attachment 5430792 View attachment 5430793 View attachment 5430794

I find myself agreeing with those who've said that the problem with the pastels was that EBMM offered them all at once with no non-pastel options. I like several of the pastel colors a lot.

 

[TheOtherSteveM]

I find myself agreeing with those who've said that the problem with the pastels was that EBMM offered them all at once with no non-pastel options. I like several of the pastel colors a lot.

Yeah that was pretty strange, since it seems like most of the time they release a little bit of each type of finish (burst, metallic, sparkle) to try and please everyone.

 

[BellaB]

Decided to trade in a handful of gear I wasn’t using and pick up a Special HH, since I’ve been gassing for one (and its additional tone options). I’m not a big green bass guy, but I thought the kiwi green was a stunner (especially with black hardware), and now I have a buddy for my first foray into EBMM Stingray Specials, the universally-loved pastel series laguna green I picked up last year. The build quality on these is amazing. I have yet to find a flaw.
View attachment 5430791 View attachment 5430792 View attachment 5430793 View attachment 5430794

That green and black combo is awesome!

 

[Mike Vee]

I've always liked the Laguna Green! Looks great!

Yep just wait a few years they will be super desirable especially with the matching headstocks. Also, in my opinion, just about any other pickguard besides pearl would improve the look. Tort, mint, white.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

That is many users favorite and they love to get any chance to assert that

you seem to agree but 1981 is post EB
You might be able to sell your 2018 easily and if 3199 is to high can find 80's 2 Band or Stingray Classic for 2K range

But neither pass the mustard to the purist and so still not have the 'Real' Stingray

I choose Special but fairly sure I would be happy with Pre EB pre Special 3 Band or Classic, Retro
If any came my way just not quite as happy as I am with Special

It was a two band.

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

If you are a StingRay fan, I think everyone needs to at least experience a 2band. My personal favorite is Old Smoothie. Along with the Short Scale , these are my favorite 4 string StingRay offerings.
I personally think the Specials are the best 5 strings StingRays.

If you can handle the slab bodies , the Classics are also winners.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Decided to trade in a handful of gear I wasn’t using and pick up a Special HH, since I’ve been gassing for one (and its additional tone options). I’m not a big green bass guy, but I thought the kiwi green was a stunner (especially with black hardware), and now I have a buddy for my first foray into EBMM Stingray Specials, the universally-loved pastel series laguna green I picked up last year. The build quality on these is amazing. I have yet to find a flaw.
View attachment 5430791 View attachment 5430792 View attachment 5430793 View attachment 5430794

Nice greens !!

 

[Nebadon2000]

My personal favorite is Old Smoothie. Along with the Short Scale , these are my favorite 4 string StingRay offerings.
I personally think the Specials are the best 5 strings StingRays.

Makes sense to you since that is what you bought and still have along with more experience with Stingrays than most anyone.

The 'Stingray tone' stuck with me and I put file in my head when I first heard Pre-EB back in '79

From that time on I had short experiences[4H] with Pre EB, Pre Special 3 Band and tried a Classic[no Retro at time] before choosing Special but [If Special was not Available 3 Band would be my choice] for what I like and prefer in overall qualities/tones available/playability of Bass; Special works for me and all I need; Always been a 1 Bass type.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Makes sense to you since that is what you bought and still have along with more experience with Stingrays than most anyone.

The 'Stingray tone' stuck with mw and I put file in my head when I first heard Pre-EB back in '79

From that time on I had short experiences[4H] with Pre EB, Pre Special 3 Band and tried a Classic[no Retro at time] before choosing Special but [If Special was not Available 3 Band would be my choice] for what I like and prefer in overall qualities/tones available/playability of Bass; Special works for me and all I need; Always been a 1 Bass type.

One bass type ? As in own 1 bass at a time or stick with 1 type of bass?

Did you / do you own a Retro 70’s? Maybe I’m confusing you with someone else?

 

[Nebadon2000]

One bass type ? As in own 1 bass at a time or stick with 1 type of bass?

Did you / do you own a Retro 70’s? Maybe I’m confusing you with someone else?

1 at a time; No Retro bought my Special before it was released;