EBMM StingRay Special Club

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I’ve been wanting a 30th anniversary model for a while and one happened to be on the Guitar Center used section. After consulting the accounting department and some mild arm-twisting from a fellow player yada yada yada I have a tracking number One crossed off the bucket list, two to go. Well several to go.

When does your bass arrive?

 

[BassGuyFL]

When does your bass arrive?

Hopefully before this weekend so I can play it Saturday.

 

[jfiver]

thanks @jfiver

i have two sets of Pressurewounds on order which are actually for my Sandberg TM2 and VM4. now im thinking if i should try one of them on the Stingray. do you happen to have any sound clips of your Stingray with the pressurewounds?

they sound like worn in roundwounds on my Sandberg but without the string noise. my Sandberg however has a very polite preamp compared to the Stingray. I'm just a little afraid I will lose all the sizzle (I'm not a fan of sizzle but I do like it to be there "on demand" whenever the need calls for it).

Not to hand, but I can see if I can get something together in the next few days.

By 'sizzle' do you mean presence in the higher treble range? If so, I shouldn't worry about losing it with Pressurewounds - it's there, just in the modicum I prefer.

 

[PrimitiveMan]

Hi All,

Just wanted to ask which strings do you currently have strung on your Stingray Special(s)? Also, what are some strings you've tried with Special that you like/dislike?

I've always strung Nickel-plated Rounds on mine; tried the EB Slinky (that came with the bass of course), DR Sunbeams, Rotosound Nickel Swing 66, GHS Bass Boomers, Dunlop Superbright and more recently (and currently my favorite), LaBella RX Nickels.

I have GHS Pressurewounds, GHS Super Steels and LaBella RX Steels on my other basses (Sandberg, Yamaha, Atelier Z, etc) but have not tried them on any of my Stingray Specials. Anyone has any experience with the Pressurewounds and SS rounds?

My favs have been DR Pure Blues and Dunlop SS Super brights. Currently have a set of SIT SS Foundations which I didn't like at first but have settled in great.

I like the sizzle though.

Pressurewounds probably would sound great if you like the tension and slightly mellow tone. Always was a bit stiff for me

I want to try the Marcus Miller Super Brights next as I just tried them on my jazz bass and love them

 

[dave64o]

Hi All,

Just wanted to ask which strings do you currently have strung on your Stingray Special(s)? Also, what are some strings you've tried with Special that you like/dislike?

I've always strung Nickel-plated Rounds on mine; tried the EB Slinky (that came with the bass of course), DR Sunbeams, Rotosound Nickel Swing 66, GHS Bass Boomers, Dunlop Superbright and more recently (and currently my favorite), LaBella RX Nickels.

I have GHS Pressurewounds, GHS Super Steels and LaBella RX Steels on my other basses (Sandberg, Yamaha, Atelier Z, etc) but have not tried them on any of my Stingray Specials. Anyone has any experience with the Pressurewounds and SS rounds?

The only strings I’ve had on my Special 5HH are the Elixir NanoWebs that the previous owner installed right before I bought it. I never tried them before so I gave them a chance. They’re now two years old (almost to the day ) and I still like them enough to leave them on for a while. They have a nice warm tone, reduced finger noise, and they’re not a loose feeling string (I prefer pretty stiff strings).

When I do decide to change, I think I’m going to install my favorite overall string - nickel Lo Riders. I love the warm tone, strong low mids, stiff feel, and really long string life.

I’ve tried quite a few string on my ceramic SR5HH and the nickel Lo Riders are my favorite on that bass. Others include:
- Pressurewounds - I like the tone a lot, they lasted a long time, and they were just stiff enough for me to play. I prefer stiffer, but these were OK.
- Chromes - my favorite flatwound.
- Nanowebs - I put them on just to A/B them on this bass to my Special. They’re still on this bass.
- Ken Smith Burners - a great nickel wound string, warm tone, stiffer feel, and long life. I like these a lot.
- Ernie Ball Slinkys - they were too flexible for me. They sounded good at first, but they died too quickly for me and in a bad way. I love old rounds, but not these.

 

[Geri O]

Hi All,

Just wanted to ask which strings do you currently have strung on your Stingray Special(s)? Also, what are some strings you've tried with Special that you like?

D’Addario Pro Steels. No desire to try anything else. I use them on all my basses.

And coincidentally, these seem to be the most unpopular set of strings to Stingray owners.

You’ve been warned….

 

[RalphieBoy]

I couldn’t do it. It’s a keeper. Once I stopped comparing it , I realized why I bought it in the first place.

Totally agree with you there on the comparison side. I feel like I've grown out of trying to find the "one". Yeah I'll have a favorite, but each bass I have is a tool to get the job done. Funny enough I had this exact issue/lesson come up on Sunday.

I took the 5H to play for some gig reps to get a better live feel of how it sits. After practice I went to change the batteries cause I heard some distortion that could have been gain levels or batteries going flat. When I changed the batteries I had no signal... put the old ones in and no signal. So I ran how and got my Lakland 55-02. Was told how much smoother and how it set in the mix more by the drummer and sound guy. So, that's my Sunday bass apparently.

All that to say I don't see the point in forcing an instrument into a role that doesn't work potentially. I could change the strings and EQ the stingray differently to make it work, but I'd rather let the bass do what it does best. So, that being said I think I've landed on the following,

'78 P Bass with Flats - Singer/Songwriter/Acoustic stuff
Lakland 55-02 - Church
Stingray Special 5H - Rock/Funk/My Fun bass

 

[RalphieBoy]

But yeah the battery compartment on the Stingray Specials kinda suck. They seem really fragile (broke the tab on one of the compartments) and might be "fun" to make sure they seat correctly.

 

[FirewalZ]

Totally agree with you there on the comparison side. I feel like I've grown out of trying to find the "one". Yeah I'll have a favorite, but each bass I have is a tool to get the job done. Funny enough I had this exact issue/lesson come up on Sunday.

I took the 5H to play for some gig reps to get a better live feel of how it sits. After practice I went to change the batteries cause I heard some distortion that could have been gain levels or batteries going flat. When I changed the batteries I had no signal... put the old ones in and no signal. So I ran how and got my Lakland 55-02. Was told how much smoother and how it set in the mix more by the drummer and sound guy. So, that's my Sunday bass apparently.

All that to say I don't see the point in forcing an instrument into a role that doesn't work potentially. I could change the strings and EQ the stingray differently to make it work, but I'd rather let the bass do what it does best. So, that being said I think I've landed on the following,

'78 P Bass with Flats - Singer/Songwriter/Acoustic stuff
Lakland 55-02 - Church
Stingray Special 5H - Rock/Funk/My Fun bass

Also for me, what I like and prefer tends to change anyway. Maybe depending on what I'm listening to, the group I'm with, the room, etc. Often its a Stingray...Special or my 95 4H, less often a Jazz or a P. Sometimes I'm digging rounder tones, other times more throaty.

 

[Geri O]

So far, in 15 years of owning Stingrays, disregarding my previous bassist life in the 70s through the 90s, my favorite Stingray has always been….

“the one in my hands”….

 

[Jeff K]

I have DR Legend (flats) on my Special. On my SLO Special I have T.I. flats.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Hi All,

Just wanted to ask which strings do you currently have strung on your Stingray Special(s)? Also, what are some strings you've tried with Special that you like/dislike?

I've always strung Nickel-plated Rounds on mine; tried the EB Slinky (that came with the bass of course), DR Sunbeams, Rotosound Nickel Swing 66, GHS Bass Boomers, Dunlop Superbright and more recently (and currently my favorite), LaBella RX Nickels.

I have GHS Pressurewounds, GHS Super Steels and LaBella RX Steels on my other basses (Sandberg, Yamaha, Atelier Z, etc) but have not tried them on any of my Stingray Specials. Anyone has any experience with the Pressurewounds and SS rounds?

Currently, I have MJC IRON WORKS Nickles on my 4 HH & Slinky's on my 5H both are about to get MJC IRON WORKS. Once those are used up I'll be using Slinky's on the 5H & Dean Markley Blue Steel Nickle to use up as well. (Love these on my Jazz Basses) So, I'll try them on the 4HH.
Then once I use up all of my string stash they'll both get Slinky's. But I'm haven't had flats on a bass since before most of you were born. LMAO

EDIT: If the owner of MJC IRON WORKS hadn't died R.I.P. MIKE! I would use only MJC IRON WORKS Nickles the best sounding long lasting Nickles I've ever tried.

 

[walking_line]

I had, at least what I think were the stock slinkys from the previous owner. Didn’t care much for them. Put some TI flats on mine and am enjoying them. I would say that they’re most definitely not a string that you’re going to play all styles with, but for what they do, they’re really good.

 

[Pet Sounds]

I had, at least what I think were the stock slinkys from the previous owner. Didn’t care much for them. Put some TI flats on mine and am enjoying them. I would say that they’re most definitely not a string that you’re going to play all styles with, but for what they do, they’re really good.

What do you think TI flats do best?

 

[walking_line]

What do you think TI flats do best?

They sound great with the treble rolled off for that low-mid old school tone. They have a pretty similar feel under the fingers to the TI upright strings, albeit significantly less tension.

 

[Nuage420]

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.

I hear ya, I just put a deposit on another Sandberg. Will be my third and hopefully last one as it's exactly what I've been looking for. I tried to pick between the TM/VM bergs and HH rays and had both but they are too different and both killer. Soon an HH will be the last arrow I want for my quiver.

 

[BassGuyFL]

When does your bass arrive?

Scheduled to be here tomorrow now

 

[BassGuyFL]

Update: the 30th anniversary got here fine but seems like the output is super hot. Way hotter than my Special, my SBMM Ray34 and all my other basses. Almost to the point of unusable. Get nothing but distortion unless I turn the gain way down. I put a new battery in and gave it a god once-over and nothing looks wrong. I know Rays are known to have a hot signal but this is way out of proportion.

 

[Nuage420]

Update: the 30th anniversary got here fine but seems like the output is super hot. Way hotter than my Special, my SBMM Ray34 and all my other basses. Almost to the point of unusable. Get nothing but distortion unless I turn the gain way down. I put a new battery in and gave it a god once-over and nothing looks wrong. I know Rays are known to have a hot signal but this is way out of proportion.

Lower the pickups? The pre specials are definitely more rowdy but I'd start with a good setup.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Update: the 30th anniversary got here fine but seems like the output is super hot. Way hotter than my Special, my SBMM Ray34 and all my other basses. Almost to the point of unusable. Get nothing but distortion unless I turn the gain way down. I put a new battery in and gave it a god once-over and nothing looks wrong. I know Rays are known to have a hot signal but this is way out of proportion.

You've probably thought of this already, but would lowering the pickups help?