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EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
I started my StingRay journey with a Ray24, just meant to be a fun side-bass to complement my main SR505 and P-bass.
But, I don’t know what it is about these damn StingRays… I was stung. Next thing I knew, I had a used Ray4 in hand, thinking I’d use it as a modding platform.
But nope. I saved up for months and went all-in on a brand-new StingRay Special. Boy, was it special. Raspberry Burst, blacked out with an ebony fretboard, and — best of all — 7.7 lbs! A unicorn! This was it, the one bass to rule them all. Except... I couldn’t bear to subject it to the wear and tear of tight rehearsal spaces or the sheer terror of travel damage (especially air travel). It needed a backup that played and sounded close enough to the Special, but something I wouldn’t cry over if it got dinged.
Enter a new Ray34. Spent some quality time with it. Took it to gigs, rehearsals, on planes, and left it backstage while I grabbed a drink. So, at this point, I had a Ray4, Ray24, Ray34, and the StingRay Special. A full stable. I eventually sold the Ray4 and Ray24, leaving me with what I thought was the "perfect" main + backup setup: the Ray34 and the Special.
Except... something was missing. Every time I picked up the Ray34, it felt like there was something just not right. The tone, the feel, that elusive "je ne sais quoi" — the Special had spoiled me.
Naturally, I thought about just playing the Special 100% of the time and ditching all the other wannabes. Or sticking to the status quo — Special for big comfy stages, Ray34 for the more challenging spaces. I mean, honestly, once the band goes full tilt, I can't tell them apart in tone. In the heat of the moment with sweaty fingers and tired palms, I can't tell them apart in feel either. Perfect setup, right? Right?
So, yeah. Now I have two StingRay Specials.
But, I don’t know what it is about these damn StingRays… I was stung. Next thing I knew, I had a used Ray4 in hand, thinking I’d use it as a modding platform.
But nope. I saved up for months and went all-in on a brand-new StingRay Special. Boy, was it special. Raspberry Burst, blacked out with an ebony fretboard, and — best of all — 7.7 lbs! A unicorn! This was it, the one bass to rule them all. Except... I couldn’t bear to subject it to the wear and tear of tight rehearsal spaces or the sheer terror of travel damage (especially air travel). It needed a backup that played and sounded close enough to the Special, but something I wouldn’t cry over if it got dinged.
Enter a new Ray34. Spent some quality time with it. Took it to gigs, rehearsals, on planes, and left it backstage while I grabbed a drink. So, at this point, I had a Ray4, Ray24, Ray34, and the StingRay Special. A full stable. I eventually sold the Ray4 and Ray24, leaving me with what I thought was the "perfect" main + backup setup: the Ray34 and the Special.
Except... something was missing. Every time I picked up the Ray34, it felt like there was something just not right. The tone, the feel, that elusive "je ne sais quoi" — the Special had spoiled me.
Naturally, I thought about just playing the Special 100% of the time and ditching all the other wannabes. Or sticking to the status quo — Special for big comfy stages, Ray34 for the more challenging spaces. I mean, honestly, once the band goes full tilt, I can't tell them apart in tone. In the heat of the moment with sweaty fingers and tired palms, I can't tell them apart in feel either. Perfect setup, right? Right?
So, yeah. Now I have two StingRay Specials.
I get irt the more comfortable and satisfied someone is with an instrument the better we'll play. I get it Special's are indeed Special. IMHO
Mono case for Stingray Special.
hey just thought I'd tell everyone - these Mono cases that get supplied with the latest Stingray Specials - they are really good!
I've always been a hard case guy - I dont trust gig-bags at all - I figure they give as much protection to your bass as a pillow case - but these mono cases that come with the Stingray special have won me over.
They are incredibly light!
They have something like an internal ABS sheet on the top and bottom to provide protection, and the formed foam part around the bass is very well designed to keep it in place and safe.
I am staggered how much lighter a stingray special in a mono case compared to an older stingray in a hardcase .
I am a convert. (if only i could get a mono case like this for my other basses)
hey just thought I'd tell everyone - these Mono cases that get supplied with the latest Stingray Specials - they are really good!
I've always been a hard case guy - I dont trust gig-bags at all - I figure they give as much protection to your bass as a pillow case - but these mono cases that come with the Stingray special have won me over.
They are incredibly light!
They have something like an internal ABS sheet on the top and bottom to provide protection, and the formed foam part around the bass is very well designed to keep it in place and safe.
I am staggered how much lighter a stingray special in a mono case compared to an older stingray in a hardcase .
I am a convert. (if only i could get a mono case like this for my other basses)
They are really great!
But the Mono case that came with my Special had no provisions for a backstrap. A deal-breaker for me right off. And I hated that.
So I sold it to a TB that participates often here….
. And bought a ProTec Contega case for my new Special. Those are great cases as well.
My new BFR arrived yesterday! Big and clean through my rig. It’s got the zing if you want it, but it’s also warmer than I expected in position 4 (if that’s the second one from the front?) and right hand playing close to the neck. The neck on this bass is a work of art! Also got a call to sub this weekend. My first gig since moving to Florida about 6 months ago. Can’t wait!
Matches your rig too!!
Welcome to Florida !! Which area? Im in the Orlando area.
I have it's cousin. I absolutely love it although mine is a pound heavier than yours. No biggie for me though. My Burnt Ends Special is just a couple ounces heavier than your Raspberry Burst.
We're almost neighbors! We live in Ocala and love it here! Gig scene in my immediate area is almost non-existent, but I'm expanding my horizons and considering a more regional approach.
Thank you again!! I’m enjoying it very much.They are really great!
But the Mono case that came with my Special had no provisions for a backstrap. A deal-breaker for me right off. And I hated that.
So I sold it to a TB that participates often here….
Horse country!! It’s beautiful there. You should find more gigs in Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa , Daytona , and further towards The beach areas.
Very nice!
I still can't help drooling over the blocks. The look of that particular burst, the matching headstock, and a maple fretboard effectively demand blocks. They're a perfect fit for the overall look of your bass.
Enjoy!
I've never seen one in person and my Special is a 2019, so the Mono cases weren't yet available. But, from what I've seen in pictures, they look like they're very well shaped for these basses and the padding around the outside of the case looks really substantial. How stiff/protective are the tops and bottoms (assuming the bag is flat on its back)?
I've tried several brands/models of "better" gig bags and like the Protec Contego as the best value and the Access Stage 5 as the best bag I've tried. The Stage 5 is noticeably better than any simple/basic ABS plastic hard case I've owned (for example, the Gator I bought for the Yamaha BB235 I just bought). The original Reunion Blues Continental was probably the equal of the Stage 5, but I was stupid and included that bag when I sold a bass. Doh!
The lack of backpack straps on the Special's Mono bag is a negative for me because i do occasionally use them. But I don't think I'd call it a deal breaker. I'd be willing to give one a try.
I really like the Raspberry Burst, It's such beautiful color and the black hardware go perfectly with it.
Thanks. I'm generally not a fan of black hardware. I love the classy contrast that chrome provides. But on my Raspberry Burst, it admittedly has grown on me! (And it doesn't hurt that I love the bass as a whole...)I really like the Raspberry Burst, It's such beautiful color and the black hardware go perfectly with it.
The only thing I’m worried about is how the matte finish on the black hardware ages. It may pick up blemishes fast and age/smooth out non-uniformly.
Well got the 4HH from GC today, rear most coil of the bridge pickup is dead... I was wondering why it sounded so dark and tapped the coils to discover the issue.
Back it goes, very annoying as it set up great and is in excellent condition.
Back it goes, very annoying as it set up great and is in excellent condition.
Good catch! Sorry to hear about the problem. Hope ya get a fix. The HH special is absolutely “special”. Didn’t think I’d like it better than my 97 SR. But there’s so much to offer in that set up.
