EBMM StingRay Special Club

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have owned two HH models. 2007 ceramic SR5 HH and a Special 5 HH. Sold both because I had a love hate relationship with the second pickup. One day I would love it then I wouldn't the next day. I ended up selling them both but regretting selling my 2007 ceramic SR5 HH because it had a great aggressive sound I missed. I ended up buying it back from the buyer and absolutely loved the sound again... until I recently bought a Duff Mckagan signature Jazz bass Special. Now when I play the Duff and then play the HH, the sound of the second pickup is not what I want it to be. So now I am confused about my HH again. I do absolutely love the sound of the bridge pickup on my HH though. It is killer!
If I were you, I would probably go for the single H version.

I go through this alot with my Sandberg and my 5HH. I had to stop comparing them and realize that they not meant to sound the same . I have to appreciate what they each bring to the table.
Then I’m happy to have them all.

 

[Geri O]

Another question for you guys. Do you like the single H or HH configuration better tonally? Can the 5HH still get that famous Single H tone?

I prefer the H models, but only because I want that tone from a Stingray. Not because I think HHs are bad.

I’ve heard other players get killer tones from HHs that have certainly piqued my interest. But I stay in my H lanes with the other sound preferences.

 

[ics1974]

I go through this alot with my Sandberg and my 5HH. I had to stop comparing them and realize that they not meant to sound the same . I have to appreciate what they each bring to the table.
Then I’m happy to have them all.

This is a good point and I need to think that way.

 

[Mike Vee]

EBMM quality is very consistent . But no one is perfect. We live in an imperfect world . That is probably why his bass was offered at a good discount that he couldn’t pass up. These issues are less common and not the norm. Buy with a good return policy like he did and all will be fine.

NOPE. brand new from SW, not a demo or B stock. Most of the pastel colors were discounted to $2199 from 2699 - there were 3 pink ones at that price and all are sold. HOWEVER, I am not bashing the Stingray quality, it's very good. But for me, I've had the same type of fret leveling/buzz issues with every EBMM neck I've owned (about 7), except two, a 2006 4H and a 2018 Special. Always on the G string side. I've never had this problem on any Fender. But again, I don't want to be bashing, I am not. I probably could have fixed all of them somewhat easily, but it goes against principle for me to spend more money on a bass that already costs more than most of the competition. I will leave this thread until one day I get another! Happy Wednesday!!

 

[cholyoke]

Re: H vs HH:

I have a Stingray 5HH and a Big Al5 H. The 5H is super aggressive and, I think, the pickup is ceramic similar to the EBMM Sterling. It does one thing EXTREMELY well. It is probably my favorite bass. I like the versatility of the HH, but would probably not buy another single H bass. I think my favorite sound on the HH is position 2, which I think is both the outer single coils. However, position 1 (bridge H) and position 4 (inner coils) are super, too. If I had to have only one of them, I would probably keep the HH because it can do the aggressive H sound, but has additional choices.

Luckily, I am a fortunate human and do not have to make that decision!

 

[dave64o]

@LadyLoveStingRay5 told me to post about this here. Maybe I can find some new friends who also love the newer stingray version.

So, I got my stingray special 5h a few days ago through a trade plus cash on my end. I've been trying to put her through the paces and I'm definitely in the boat of keeper her for a long time. I know people have said it before here on TalkBass, but I really feel like my GAS is gone.

Anyway she's a 5H in Cruz Teal with roasted maple neck and ebony fretboard. Speaking of looks, this is honestly only the second bass my wife has said is pretty. So she definitely going to be a long term keeper. Anyway, below are the pics and a vid I did showing off the tone I got with it.

https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_4252-jpg.5434476/ https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_4253-jpg.5434477/ https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_4255-jpg.5434478/

Love that color, and the black hardware is a great look with the ebony board. Congrats!

 

[dave64o]

Another question for you guys. Do you like the single H or HH configuration better tonally? Can the 5HH still get that famous Single H tone?

Ha, that's a question that will prompt a wide variety of responses, but at least the "club" members keep things pretty civil and respect everyone's opinions/choices here.

I'm a big fan of the 5HH. I know the 5HH doesn't have the single-coil or series options if the 5H, but it has its own unique tones and I find they all work quite well for me.

Whether I'm playing my SR Special 5HH or my 2007 ceramic 5HH, I'll use all five switch positions on a typical gig. I especially love position 4, the inner coils, and that's unique to the HH (though you can get almost the same tone from an HS model - IF you can find one).

I'm not against an H model, though. I'm intrigued by a Classic 5 and that one was only available in an H configuration.

There's not really a wrong answer. It's just the different options are more right for some of us than they are for others.

 

[joel the bass player]

My 5H selector switch is always in position 1 (towards the bridge). So technically I'd be just as happy with a 5HH!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

NOPE. brand new from SW, not a demo or B stock. Most of the pastel colors were discounted to $2199 from 2699 - there were 3 pink ones at that price and all are sold. HOWEVER, I am not bashing the Stingray quality, it's very good. But for me, I've had the same type of fret leveling/buzz issues with every EBMM neck I've owned (about 7), except two, a 2006 4H and a 2018 Special. Always on the G string side. I've never had this problem on any Fender. But again, I don't want to be bashing, I am not. I probably could have fixed all of them somewhat easily, but it goes against principle for me to spend more money on a bass that already costs more than most of the competition. I will leave this thread until one day I get another! Happy Wednesday!!

Ok .

 

[Stevorebob]

Another question for you guys. Do you like the single H or HH configuration better tonally? Can the 5HH still get that famous Single H tone?

Well… Yes and no.

The HH will do the H tone — Special HH to Special H. But is it the “famous” StingRay single-H tone? Not so much if you mean the classic StingRay aggressive snap and bite of older pre-Special StingRays.

The Specials are great, but much tamer than the older StingRays. They will get in the neighborhood and will satisfy most folks, but neither my 5HH nor 5H will get as aggressive as my pre-Special 5HH and Classic 5H. That’s what makes the Specials more appealing to many players.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Well… Yes and no.

The HH will do the H tone — Special HH to Special H. But is it the “famous” StingRay single-H tone? Not so much if you mean the classic StingRay aggressive snap and bite of older pre-Special StingRays.

The Specials are great, but much tamer than the older StingRays. They will get in the neighborhood and will satisfy most folks, but neither my 5HH nor 5H will get as aggressive as my pre-Special 5HH and Classic 5H. That’s what makes the Specials more appealing to many players.

Just haven't found this to be true. Have compared pre special Stingray and Stingray Classic to my Special. All through the same rig and with the same strings.

Special can get that classic tone no problem with some EQ adjustments. There's more headroom on the Special EQ and it can do a lot. They are a little tamer overall for sure, but also have more treble to work with if you crank it.

My opinion only

 

[Nebadon2000]

Just my p

Just haven't found this to be true. Have compared pre special Stingray and Stingray Classic to my Special. All through the same rig and with the same strings.

Special can get that classic tone no problem with some EQ adjustments. There's more headroom on the Special EQ and it can do a lot. They are a little tamer overall for sure, but also have more treble to work with if you crank it.

My opinion only

Nope my opinion [and experience] also[bonus for me; noticeably lighter, Great Tuners, 11" radius, Body contours, build quality, Finish and New [in my case]

Even if my ears are a little off and I am satisfied with[hearing] just 'close enough'; In live band mix whether it is Stage or Carrying Club, doing 'Processed' Recording the small nuanced difference will be irrelevant[ not to mention Strings, Technique, Amp, Cab, , PA system, sound techs ears and Recording equipment with what's used to monitor Ect. all ignored in statements/opinions.]

Maybe at home with personal equipment comparing Solo playing 50 year old bass riffs/lines pre-EB may sound more similar slightly for you to Benard, Louis Etc. DEPENDING on what Audio Equipment/type headphones[but not knowing how processed to LP/CD] you listen to those old tracks with as your reference but that's another Story

Ok I am done

 

[BassGuyFL]

Just my p


Nope my opinion [and experience] also[bonus for me; noticeably lighter, Great Tuners, 11" radius, Body contours, build quality, Finish and New [in my case]

Even if my ears are a little off and I am satisfied with[hearing] just 'close enough'; In live band mix whether it is Stage or Carrying Club, doing 'Processed' Recording the small nuanced difference will be irrelevant[ not to mention Strings, Technique, Amp, Cab, , PA system, sound techs ears and Recording equipment with what's used to monitor Ect. all ignored in statements/opinions.]

Maybe at home with personal equipment comparing Solo playing 50 year old bass riffs/lines pre-EB may sound more similar slightly for you to Benard, Louis Etc. DEPENDING on what Audio Equipment/type headphones[but not knowing how processed to LP/CD] you listen to those old tracks with as your reference but that's another Story

Ok I am done

Pert of the Specials for me is the “fixed” everything I did or like about the prior Stingrays. The weight, the harshness, etc. Even small details like the pickup cover shape with the 2 ears on a 5 string so I have a nice plant spot for my thumb now.

 

[seescottrock]

I deeply love the H tone, and I'll be honest it is the tone I use the majority of the time - but having that neck pickup lets me get down motown style.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I deeply love the H tone, and I'll be honest it is the tone I use the majority of the time - but having that neck pickup lets me get down motown style.

I get what you're saying, but I've been getting very decent Motown sounds on my 4H with flats, EQing on the bass and plucking hand placement. I'm pleasantly surprised by that.

 

[seescottrock]

I get what you're saying, but I've been getting very decent Motown sounds on my 4H with flats, EQing on the bass and plucking hand placement. I'm pleasantly surprised by that.

I love that that is working out for you! I just find it much easier to flip the switch forward a few positions and be most of the way there. Don’t have a ton of time to futz with knobs between tunes

 

[Pet Sounds]

I love that that is working out for you! I just find it much easier to flip the switch forward a few positions and be most of the way there. Don’t have a ton of time to futz with knobs between tunes

Understood!

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I deeply love the H tone, and I'll be honest it is the tone I use the majority of the time - but having that neck pickup lets me get down motown style.

I get what you're saying, but I've been getting very decent Motown sounds on my 4H with flats, EQing on the bass and plucking hand placement. I'm pleasantly surprised by that.

I love that that is working out for you! I just find it much easier to flip the switch forward a few positions and be most of the way there. Don’t have a ton of time to futz with knobs between tunes

Just goes to show how versatile these basses are. There always more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[BassGuyFL]

Wow nice typos in my post

 

[TheKillersFan]

Has anyone set up their 4 string special for BEAD tuning? I’m kinda curious if this’ll work without having to file the nut and if the thicker gauge will work fine on the bridge