EBMM StingRay Special Club

[lm183902]

I think I'm most excited about the neck on this bass. I currently own 3 other basses and they're all Fenders with nitro finishes. Sometimes that can get a little sticky when moving up and down the neck if you have any moisture on your hands. The Stingray is perfect in that regard, though - buttery smooth.

 

[lomo]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

 

[Pet Sounds]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

I like the black and the tort, personally.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

I like the black better, but they both look great to me.

 

[jam.majors]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

I think the black looks way more vintage, but they both look great.

 

[ics1974]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

black by a mile

 

[lomo]

I don't mind the black, but I prefer when the 'guard ties the body and neck together in some way, rather than being "its own thing". There really is no accounting for taste

 

[tremor100]

So did NAMM not start today? Or did EBMM and pretty much every company just not go? I was looking forward to the flood of gear news but there has been nothing - was hoping to see the 2025 finishes which i feel like they normally show off at NAMM then update the website, but nothing.

Even if they didn't attend are they just not releasing new ones? I know a month ago they added a few colors to the signature basses but was hoping for some crazy new special ones.

 

[Element Zero]

I don't mind the black, but I prefer when the 'guard ties the body and neck together in some way, rather than being "its own thing". There really is no accounting for taste

For the record, I like the tort here. I’m RARELY a fan of it. But this completes the tweedish aesthetic.

 

[Brandon Shea]

This BFR has monopolized 90% of my attention…..and is now completed with a tort’ ‘guard. I must say I do not understand why this was originally shipped with a black one.

Insanely cool tort, I agree that it suits this bass way better than the black guard.

 

[pgpete]

well - just got back from band practice - and I'm very satisfied. The stingray special did everything I wanted.
after changing the strings I noted that I had some string buzz - particularly the D an G strings around the 5th to 7th fret. I decided to give the truss rod a tweak (1/8 turn anti clock wise) , and the fret buzz disappeared - It was probably a combination of being setup in the factory in january ( winter) and me living in the summery southern hemisphere, and new strings with less tension

Anyway - with a bit of amp EQ fiddling and bass EQ fiddling and I was getting a nice tone and the bass played very nicely indeed.
I like the 5 way blade switch - position 5 for 60s covers and position 1 for 80s covers. - Simples.

But the bass solved two problems I get with my usual bass -
1st. I used to get a lot of boominess and harsh sounding mid - but because the stingray special EQ band drops off at about 50 HZ - there's no boominess.
2nd. I used to get a weak G string. I tried solving this with different strings, pickup tweak, preamp replacement. nothing got me what I wanted. - I no longer have this problem with the Stingray special.

The Stingray Special was effortless to play and I was getting exactly what I wanted.

Well done EBMM - this bass is great.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

well - just got back from band practice - and I'm very satisfied. The stingray special did everything I wanted.
after changing the strings I noted that I had some string buzz - particularly the D an G strings around the 5th to 7th fret. I decided to give the truss rod a tweak (1/8 turn anti clock wise) , and the fret buzz disappeared - It was probably a combination of being setup in the factory in january ( winter) and me living in the summery southern hemisphere, and new strings with less tension

Anyway - with a bit of amp EQ fiddling and bass EQ fiddling and I was getting a nice tone and the bass played very nicely indeed.
I like the 5 way blade switch - position 5 for 60s covers and position 1 for 80s covers. - Simples.

But the bass solved two problems I get with my usual bass -
1st. I used to get a lot of boominess and harsh sounding mid - but because the stingray special EQ band drops off at about 50 HZ - there's no boominess.
2nd. I used to get a weak G string. I tried solving this with different strings, pickup tweak, preamp replacement. nothing got me what I wanted. - I no longer have this problem with the Stingray special.

The Stingray Special was effortless to play and I was getting exactly what I wanted.

Well done EBMM - this bass is great.

Great review and update. Im glad this bass is working out for you. How did the band like it? Have you ordered the new pick guard and when does it arrive?

 

[pgpete]

How did the band like it?

well after the eye-rolling (OMG He's bought another bass?) They did say it looked cool !
This time the singer didnt complain about boomy bass in her ear, and we all noticed that the mix was better than usual - so two-thumbs up all 'round.

Have you ordered the new pick guard and when does it arrive?

yes I have - from an Ebay seller in Texas - so its got to make its was to the other side of the world by square-wheeled bicycle and rusty freighter - ETA between 10th and 25th February. So dont hold your breath for the next review!

cheers!

 

[Jeff K]

Ah, the old black vs. tort question. I love both. I think on yours @lomo I prefer the tort. But I would probably condition the fretboard a bit to make it look darker/richer.

My Burnt Ends HH came with the tort, which I think looks great. But I alternate back and forth with the black. In MY case, I think the black gets the slight edge, but curious what you folks think looks better.

 

[Pet Sounds]

Ah, the old black vs. tort question. I love both. I think on yours @lomo I prefer the tort. But I would probably condition the fretboard a bit to make it look darker/richer.

My Burnt Ends HH came with the tort, which I think looks great. But I alternate back and forth with the black. In MY case, I think the black gets the slight edge, but curious what you folks think looks better.
View attachment 7131446View attachment 7131447

Oh, yeah! That black guard gets my vote, though both look good. Burnt Ends is a cool finish -- kind of like sunburst, but with extra pizzazz.

 

[lomo]

Ah, the old black vs. tort question. I love both. I think on yours @lomo I prefer the tort. But I would probably condition the fretboard a bit to make it look darker/richer.

My Burnt Ends HH came with the tort, which I think looks great. But I alternate back and forth with the black. In MY case, I think the black gets the slight edge, but curious what you folks think looks better.

With this bass I think they work equally well, because (to my eye/taste) the black body edges and pup cover make it so the black is visually in synch with its surroundings/ ties it all together just as well as the tort'....BUT.....with the black one it'd be even nicer IMHO with all black hardware!

 

[lomo]

The example of tort shipped standard with a new EBMM 'ray that makes me face palm is the red gloss with white pups. The tort in that context makes my eyes hurt. I think I'd prefer black there.

 

[Jeff K]

With this bass I think they work equally well, because (to my eye/taste) the black body edges and pup cover make it so the black is visually in synch with its surroundings/ ties it all together just as well as the tort'....BUT.....with the black one it'd be even nicer IMHO with all black hardware!

Ha ha! As a general rule, I'm not real fond of black hardware, although there are MANY exceptions. But I DO own one with black hardware, so you might like this one better (Raspberry Burst - my avatar bass).

 

[jam.majors]

Ah, the old black vs. tort question. I love both. I think on yours @lomo I prefer the tort. But I would probably condition the fretboard a bit to make it look darker/richer.

My Burnt Ends HH came with the tort, which I think looks great. But I alternate back and forth with the black. In MY case, I think the black gets the slight edge, but curious what you folks think looks better.
View attachment 7131446View attachment 7131447

I'm in the tort camp for this bass!

 

[Btone]

Finally qualified for the Stingray Special Club. 2020 Burnt Amber finish.