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EBMM StingRay Special Club

Did your tuning pegs come with that plastic wrap over them? Or did the bass have plastic over the body/headstock in the case?

Mine did not. My Sterling Ray34 had plastic wrap on the pegs.

Just trying to make sure Musician’s Friend didn’t ship me a return as I got burned in the past.

This video shows his bass in bubble wrap - mine did not have this:



Mine didn't have that, but I bought it lightly used from someone. But it's definitely worth looking into. You paid a lot for it, even if it was a discount.
 
Did your tuning pegs come with that plastic wrap over them? Or did the bass have plastic over the body/headstock in the case?

Mine did not. My Sterling Ray34 had plastic wrap on the pegs.

Just trying to make sure Musician’s Friend didn’t ship me a return as I got burned in the past.

This video shows his bass in bubble wrap - mine did not have this:


That sounds like how mine arrived from a different vendor.
 
Did your tuning pegs come with that plastic wrap over them? Or did the bass have plastic over the body/headstock in the case?

Mine did not. My Sterling Ray34 had plastic wrap on the pegs.

Just trying to make sure Musician’s Friend didn’t ship me a return as I got burned in the past.

This video shows his bass in bubble wrap - mine did not have this:



No offense but im confused what your obsessing over regarding if its new direct from factory or not.. like i read through your recent posts it doesn't sound as if the bass is defective or dinged, or am I missing something? I feel like you are ruining your excitement of your new acquistion by looking for something to be upset about.

If a music store has a return policy, which most do usually within a week kind thing if its defective or they arent gelling with it, what do you expect them to do when someone ships it back in perfect condition because it was a gift and the person didn't like it ect? What if you return it because it didnt have plastic wrap on the tuning pegs but its otherwise in perfect condition? Throw it in the garbage lol?

Now, if theres a ding in it or something thats making you concerned - completely understand you shouldnt be getting compromised product for full price but otherwise im not seeing the problem here.
 
No offense but im confused what your obsessing over regarding if its new direct from factory or not.. like i read through your recent posts it doesn't sound as if the bass is defective or dinged, or am I missing something? I feel like you are ruining your excitement of your new acquistion by looking for something to be upset about.

If a music store has a return policy, which most do usually within a week kind thing if its defective or they arent gelling with it, what do you expect them to do when someone ships it back in perfect condition because it was a gift and the person didn't like it ect? What if you return it because it didnt have plastic wrap on the tuning pegs but its otherwise in perfect condition? Throw it in the garbage lol?

Now, if theres a ding in it or something thats making you concerned - completely understand you shouldnt be getting compromised product for full price but otherwise im not seeing the problem here.
No offense taken. You are indeed missing something in why I'm concerned.

Musician's Friend/Guitar Center have had a reputation for sometimes selling instruments as new when in reality they were returns/floor models. I have not had this happen with an instrument, but I have bought accessories such as a snare drum rack that were clearly returns. You can simply peruse Reddit and find numerous examples of this occurring.

The fact the pick guard had a gouge in it and the protective materials were different from what I've seen in other unboxing videos made me suspicious. Hence I'm doing due diligence by inquiring from those who know more than me. I've learned that what protective materials are included in the case are more based on the specific vendor and not EBMM - I would have not known this if I did not ask. I'm sure by my questioning it makes me seem like a crank, but it's on me to do due diligence. If this were a returned bass with issues then people would also critique me for not investigating it when I had the chance to do an exchange or return.

If I'm paying north of $2k for an instrument that's sold as new I want to make sure that end of the bargain is upheld.

Edit: I probably sound like a dink in my reply. I apologize. I've been working 60+ hours the last month and I'm exhausted.

____

I had my local tech look at it. He is advising I exchange it as the B string saddle is bottomed out and the action is still quite high. He believes the neck is currently set perfectly.
 
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No offense taken. You are indeed missing something in why I'm concerned.

Musician's Friend/Guitar Center have had a reputation for sometimes selling instruments as new when in reality they were returns/floor models. I have not had this happen with an instrument, but I have bought accessories such as a snare drum rack that were clearly returns. You can simply peruse Reddit and find numerous examples of this occurring.

The fact the pick guard had a gouge in it and the protective materials were different from what I've seen in other unboxing videos made me suspicious. Hence I'm doing due diligence by inquiring from those who know more than me. I've learned that what protective materials are included in the case are more based on the specific vendor and not EBMM - I would have not known this if I did not ask. I'm sure by my questioning it makes me seem like a crank, but it's on me to do due diligence. If this were a returned bass with issues then people would also critique me for not investigating it when I had the chance to do an exchange or return.

If I'm paying north of $2k for an instrument that's sold as new I want to make sure that end of the bargain is upheld.

Edit: I probably sound like a dink in my reply. I apologize. I've been working 60+ hours the last month and I'm exhausted.

____

I had my local tech look at it. He is advising I exchange it as the B string saddle is bottomed out and the action is still quite high. He believes the neck is currently set perfectly.

Send it back and order directly from EBMM no doubts then or at least call CS and ask how they are packed at factory

Many stores will tell you if it is a return MF and GC are not one of those: If it is a demo or return with finish defect missing parts/manual they will mention that with discount

From what I have read some EBMM basses need shims and they sell them
 
Guys,
I don’t have Music Man bass but I’m planning a build soon and need the ideal location for the MM pickup. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Pep

The front edge of the bridge pickup on my Stingray Special (34" scale length) is ~12.5 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is ~2 inches wide. The front edge of the neck pickup is 8 7/8 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is also ~2 inches wide. 1 inch = 25.4 mm if you are into the metric system.

The bridge pickup location is the same on by Big Al 5H as the Stingray Special. The bridge pickup on my Bongo 5HH is 13 3/8 inches from the 12th fret (i.e. slightly closer to the bridge than the standard MM location).

Good luck with your build!

IMG_0527.jpegIMG_0528.jpeg
 
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The front edge of the bridge pickup on my Stingray Special (34" scale length) is ~12.5 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is ~2 inches wide. The front edge of the neck pickup is 9 7/8 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is also ~2 inches wide. 1 inch = 25.4 mm if you are into the metric system.

The bridge pickup location is the same on by Big Al 5H as the Stingray Special. The bridge pickup on my Bongo 5HH is 13 3/8 inches from the 12th fret (i.e. slightly closer to the bridge than the standard MM location).

Good luck with your build!

View attachment 7458848View attachment 7458849
Would LOVE to find a white pickup cover for my Special!….😁
 
Would LOVE to find a white pickup cover for my Special!….😁
I think you need to get the right bass to get a white pickup cover. I have never taken my special apart, but the bongo pickups I bought in the classifieds are epoxied in place (or there is a thread of some solidified goo around the edges of the coils holding them in the cover).
 
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I think you need to get the right bass to get a white pickup cover. I have never taken my special apart, but the bongo pickups I bought in the classifieds are epoxied in place (or there is a thread of some solidified goo around the edges of the coils holding them in the cover).
I believe I read somewhere that this goes for the Specials as well. That’s why I haven’t pursued the idea.
 
The front edge of the bridge pickup on my Stingray Special (34" scale length) is ~12.5 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is ~2 inches wide. The front edge of the neck pickup is 8 7/8 inches from the 12th fret and the pickup is also ~2 inches wide. 1 inch = 25.4 mm if you are into the metric system.

The bridge pickup location is the same on by Big Al 5H as the Stingray Special. The bridge pickup on my Bongo 5HH is 13 3/8 inches from the 12th fret (i.e. slightly closer to the bridge than the standard MM location).

Good luck with your build!

View attachment 7458848View attachment 7458849
Thanks. That what I need. 👍
 
My new bass showed up today. My other two basses are blond and natural, so I decided I should go less understated. I was about to get Grape Crush but then the Darkray in Plasma Purple was announced. I got my degree in plasmas; that sealed the deal on color selection. The custom design experience was great and all it took to get a different color was an email. This thing is AMAZING!

The picture doesn't do the finish justice - there's lighter purple flecks mixed in.

IMG_3111.jpeg
 
My new bass showed up today. My other two basses are blond and natural, so I decided I should go less understated. I was about to get Grape Crush but then the Darkray in Plasma Purple was announced. I got my degree in plasmas; that sealed the deal on color selection. The custom design experience was great and all it took to get a different color was an email. This thing is AMAZING!

The picture doesn't do the finish justice - there's lighter purple flecks mixed in.

View attachment 7459293
💜 💜💜
 
I think you need to get the right bass to get a white pickup cover. I have never taken my special apart, but the bongo pickups I bought in the classifieds are epoxied in place (or there is a thread of some solidified goo around the edges of the coils holding them in the cover).
Yeah mine has a factory white cover but it’s a unique model as it had a painted headstock (finish is called Candyman) and an ebony board.