Congratulations, that sucker is BEAUTIFUL!
-ScottM
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EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
-ScottM
Okay. My initial desire for a Stingray sound turned into a Sire Z7 purchase, and after having it for a few day but needing to return due to bad frets I'm... back... I've almost convinced myself to dive in on a used Special HH 5. While it's far outside the budget I initially set, I think I could flip some unused / underused gear to cover most, if not all of the cost eventually.
Things my mind is stuck on, which I've done research on but am still stuck on and thus venting into the internet void:
- 4 vs 5: my original thought was to go 4 for a more classic look and sound, but at this price range I'm wondering if that would simply limit me. Even if I use the B once on a gig it provides functionality that otherwise doesn't exist. I did want to use this bass as a vehicle to finally really dig into slapping, and while the B makes things cramped there are plenty of players who shred that style on a 5 or 6.
- H vs HH: logic tells me that the HH can create any tone that the H can, but my heart is afraid that it might be missing something.
I know these are questions raised repeatedly here but I'm throwing into the ether once more, in the hopes that they help me decide. Especially since the particular finish I want is available right now haha
Things my mind is stuck on, which I've done research on but am still stuck on and thus venting into the internet void:
- 4 vs 5: my original thought was to go 4 for a more classic look and sound, but at this price range I'm wondering if that would simply limit me. Even if I use the B once on a gig it provides functionality that otherwise doesn't exist. I did want to use this bass as a vehicle to finally really dig into slapping, and while the B makes things cramped there are plenty of players who shred that style on a 5 or 6.
- H vs HH: logic tells me that the HH can create any tone that the H can, but my heart is afraid that it might be missing something.
I know these are questions raised repeatedly here but I'm throwing into the ether once more, in the hopes that they help me decide. Especially since the particular finish I want is available right now haha
Brandon Shea
Commercial User
I’m in a very similar situation, although I ended up skipping the Sire basses this time around since none of them really looked that appealing. Even the pictures on Sweetwater looked a little goofy… shouldn’t the strings line up with the pole pieces?
Anyway, there’s a used Stingray Special 5H near me that I’m jonesing for. It’s not the finish I really want, but the price puts it much closer to my budget, and it’s really comfortable to play. Just over 8lbs according to their scale!
Now that I’ve tried a few Stingray Specials in the store, I’m getting the hype for these instruments. I’ll be keeping an eye on any responses you get for my own benefit as well.
I haven't
I haven't even gotten to play one yet and I'm already jonesing!I’m in a very similar situation, although I ended up skipping the Sire basses this time around since none of them really looked that appealing. Even the pictures on Sweetwater looked a little goofy… shouldn’t the strings line up with the pole pieces?
Anyway, there’s a used Stingray Special 5H near me that I’m jonesing for. It’s not the finish I really want, but the price puts it much closer to my budget, and it’s really comfortable to play. Just over 8lbs according to their scale!
Now that I’ve tried a few Stingray Specials in the store, I’m getting the hype for these instruments. I’ll be keeping an eye on any responses you get for my own benefit as well.
I had been wanting a Stingray for awhile and I bought a 4H Special August 2023 not one that 'sort of looked/sounded' like a EBMM Stingray
The 'H' is extremely versatile on its own; I can get tones that will fit my song needs but I stick mainly to small variations of 'Stingray Sounds' that works great with most music I will be playing
I am sure HH may add some tones I don't know that I could use but as I said I am content fully with 4H
Ok real reason I bought initially 4H is I like the Aesthetics better with 1 pickup
BUT all above is true alsoIf your other basses are 5'ers well...... for me being a 4 string player for over 40 years[thousands of Gig's never wished I had a 5] but did consider trying a 5 recently but relearning muting, adapting to smaller string spacing etc. may be more than I want to deal with at this time
BUT I will say the Stingray Special 5H may be the best Stingray ever to my ears; B is first rate and must admit has me thinking of moving my 4H over for a 5H despite the aggravation during learning process and as you mentioned B having limited use but I would find ways to turn limited into fairly often just because
I got finish I wanted on mine but if I couldn't I would have still bought one; new retail was in my budget; I would only have bought used Mint if that was only way to get finish I wanted
Will You keep the green one - fretless?
Yes sir! All Stingrays have a forever home with me. When I’m gone I want them all to keep keeping on
I might regret this but I've taken the plunge...
Sweet! 
I'll never get over my love of bursts, but the sparkle finish Specials (with the help of several club members
) have really got me looking harder at the sparkles.
And I like how the Amethyst Sparkle goes a coupla steps further with the white pickup covers and the gold hardware.
I'll never get over my love of bursts, but the sparkle finish Specials (with the help of several club members
) have really got me looking harder at the sparkles.And I like how the Amethyst Sparkle goes a coupla steps further with the white pickup covers and the gold hardware.
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I own a 4HH and 5H STINGRAY SPECIAL I'm so not a purist of the STINGRAY Dogma. LOL I prefer double pickup basses so much so my only P style bass is a PJ. In an ideal 1st world reality, I'd already have a 4HH SLO and 5HH Fretless & Fretted. All in due time.
I also plan on getting a Sire Z7 5 Natural finish. Unless the frets required more than my tech would recommend dressing. I won't return a Bass or Guitar over frets. I've seen even the highest end boutique instruments that could use a fret dressing on arrival. I've have Sire V7 2nd gen i absolutely enjoy playing . Also its signed by Marcus himself (Thanks to NAMM). I want the Z7 to be my take anywhere anytime 5 string bass. If price is an issue consider used one you can try out preferably. Good luck in your search.
That's the problem I encountered - my tech looked at the Z7 I received and said that it required an amount of dressing that made him think a return was required.
If you look at my previous post you'll see what route I've currently taken...
You won 't! Great Amethyst Sparkle finish! I love my Amethyst 4H.
Where can I get a special in the UK under 2K? They’re all too expensive.
I’ll add my thoughts to what others have said.
- Fives are a thing; some love them, others not so much. If you’re undecided here, I suggest you play them. If none are available to try, then pick up an inexpensive five to see if it works for you. First, see if a 5-string bass fits your needs and playing style. I am exclusively a 5-string player.
- Next, make sure The tight-ish 17.5 mm string spacing of a Music Man 5-string (versus the 19mm spacing of an 4-string) fits your technique. It impedes some folks in the slap department. Will this work for you? I don’t slap much, so this does not concern me.
- Similarly, the HH pickup configuration gets in the way of some players’ slap style. That’s a big pickup right there where some want their fingers. Again, not a concern for me.
- Also, some players have difficulty keeping a Music Man 5-string’s G-string on the fret board. The string can be prone to being pulled off. This may make a StingRay 5 incompatible with your technique. I have never had an issue here.
- The StingRay 5H has a coil selector switch for series/single coil emulation/parallel, providing tones available only on the 5H. I like the series and single coil emulation.
- Some say the additional magnets in an HH affect the tone and sustain compared to the H. I’ve experienced no issue here, or maybe I’m just not aware enough to hear the issue.
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Appreciate the thoughts. I've been playing for about twenty years, and the past 12-13 have almost entirely been on a five-string so I'm not worried about whether or not one would work for me. I could have been more clear though, my specific quandary was whether a 4 vs 5 Special would give a more "traditional" tone. I went with a 5HH that should arrive in a week.
First great Advise; OP did buy Special 5HH
As I mentioned in previous post been a 4 player over 40+ years and have considered your advice above finding a inexpensive 5 with similar string spacing as Special and see if I can get comfortable with a 5
First pic of the twins together....
