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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#15,962
LadyLoveStingRay5 said:
What strings are you using ? How is your bass eq set? :headphone:

Very well done. Excellent song choice. Really showcases the joy of a Fretless Ray.
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Dogal Jonas Hellborg round wound strings… miss my elixirs but giving these SUPER limp noodles a chance… EQ is a little less than 50% boost on bass and treble with mids at detent running pickup in series.
 
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#15,967
Replacement Stingray Special 5H came yesterday. Brought it to my tech and he's thinking we'd need to do a neck shim to get it near playable otherwise we're using up all of the saddle adjustability. This one was worse than the first one. He recommended I return it as he doesn't think I should need to shim a new instrument of this caliber.

I think at this point I'm just going to buy a used one off the TB Classifieds. I'm not having good luck with basses kept in Musician's Friend's warehouse.

Thanks for your help everyone.
 
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#15,969
aarono2690 said:
Replacement Stingray Special 5H came yesterday. Brought it to my tech and he's thinking we'd need to do a neck shim to get it near playable otherwise we're using up all of the saddle adjustability. This one was worse than the first one. He recommended I return it as he doesn't think I should need to shim a new instrument of this caliber.

I think at this point I'm just going to buy a used one off the TB Classifieds. I'm not having good luck with basses kept in Musician's Friend's warehouse.

Thanks for your help everyone.
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Stingrays are notorious for needing shims. Why they don't just correct it at the factory with an angled neck pocket? No idea. Never had this problem with a Fender, but had it with around 5-8 EBMMs. It's not a big deal though. I like to use the EBMM factory shims. If it works on an otherwise prefect neck, no issue in my mind. Is it annoying? Absolutely.
 
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#15,970
MIJ Fender Guy said:
Stingrays are notorious for needing shims. Why they don't just correct it at the factory with an angled neck pocket? No idea. Never had this problem with a Fender, but had it with around 5-8 EBMMs. It's not a big deal though. I like to use the EBMM factory shims. If it works on an otherwise prefect neck, no issue in my mind. Is it annoying? Absolutely.
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I've needed shims many times with Fender, but never with MM :).
 
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#15,972
humbuckaroo said:
Specials shouldn't need shims. Older ones I can sort of understand since action tended to lean higher in those days.

Me, I like my bass to sit comfortably at 2mm without a shim. I can get that with my Special and my Spector... but I noticed it's hit and miss with older designs.
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I wonder if part of the problem is these basses sit in boxes untouched in a warehouse for a over a year. At least with Sweetwater they’re getting fresh air and a little exercise.
 
#15,973
humbuckaroo said:
Specials shouldn't need shims. Older ones I can sort of understand since action tended to lean higher in those days.

Me, I like my bass to sit comfortably at 2mm without a shim. I can get that with my Special and my Spector... but I noticed it's hit and miss with older designs.
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aarono2690 said:
I wonder if part of the problem is these basses sit in boxes untouched in a warehouse for an over a year. At least with Sweetwater they’re getting fresh air and a little exercise.
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My fretless could certainly use a shim to get the strings SUPER low. I’ve basically bottomed out the saddles but I’m fine with where it’s at. It’s comfortable and allows me some wiggle room to play a bit more aggressively. However these Dogal strings can’t take quite as much punishment as my preferred Elixirs or Super Slinks.
 
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#15,974
aarono2690 said:
Replacement Stingray Special 5H came yesterday. Brought it to my tech and he's thinking we'd need to do a neck shim to get it near playable otherwise we're using up all of the saddle adjustability. This one was worse than the first one. He recommended I return it as he doesn't think I should need to shim a new instrument of this caliber.

I think at this point I'm just going to buy a used one off the TB Classifieds. I'm not having good luck with basses kept in Musician's Friend's warehouse.

Thanks for your help everyone.
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What problems did you have where you couldn't get it playable on your own?

Also did Tech try to get setup to your liking and still it didn't fit your needs?

I would get 2nd opinion since your tech. reason for telling you to send back solely based on 'a Bass at that price" even though he thinks a shim will make bass perfectly playable

Since it could also be Neck needs time to settle in new environment which is much more common than those from any manufacturer needing a shim which is usually important mainly for someone who prefers super low action: yes sometimes just to get it at normal good action

Also some basses come from factory with shims
 
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#15,975
Nebadon2000 said:
What problems did you have where you couldn't get it playable on your own?

Also did Tech try to get setup to your liking and still it didn't fit your needs?

I would get 2nd opinion since your tech. reason for telling you to send back solely based on 'a Bass at that price" even though he thinks a shim will make bass perfectly playable

Since it could also be Neck needs time to settle in new environment which is much more common than those from any manufacturer needing a shim which is usually important mainly for someone who prefers super low action: yes sometimes just to get it at normal good action

Also some basses come from factory with shims
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The action is currently in orbit near the moon. To get it to a reasonable level we will use up all of the saddle adjustability and bottom them out. We would most likely need to shim the neck as I stated.

“A bass at that price” was NOT the tech’s sole reasoning. He knows what he’s doing and he looks out for me. If he says to return an instrument, I do so. He’s been doing repair work for 30+ years and has never steered me wrong. He is an expert in his field and I listen just like I listen to my doctor, lawyer, etc. He’s probably being cautious, but as I stated he’s watching out for me.

I could seek a second opinion, but I’m not sure I care enough to do so at this stage. I’m not trying to be flippant, but my joy and excitement with this bass has left the building.

I can let the bass settle a bit to see what develops, but I’m not having a shim put in. I’m not dealing with it on a new instrument of this caliber. I’ll take the money and buy a used one I can see and feel before buying.
 
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#15,976
aarono2690 said:
…He knows what he’s doing and he looks out for me. If he says to return an instrument, I do so. He’s been doing repair work for 30+ years…
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Even doctors of 30+ years have to continuously learn and grow within the field. New discoveries are learned everyday… just sayin…

BUT I get it that now you’ve had issues with 2 new Specials. Best bet would be to get your hands on some before droppin the cash. Not taking into account my fretless, but the 1 Special 5 string I’ve played felt SIGNIFICANTLY different than my ‘99 StingRay 5 though it was still quite good. Might be worth a look into an older model too.

Best of luck to you finding the right StingRay.
 
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#15,977
Element Zero said:
Even doctors of 30+ years have to continuously learn and grow within the field. New discoveries are learned everyday… just sayin…

BUT I get it that now you’ve had issues with 2 new Specials. Best bet would be to get your hands on some before droppin the cash. Not taking into account my fretless, but the 1 Special 5 string I’ve played felt SIGNIFICANTLY different than my ‘99 StingRay 5 though it was still quite good. Might be worth a look into an older model too.

Best of luck to you finding the right StingRay.
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Appreciate it. You nailed it.

I need to buy one I can actually play before buying OR buy from a vendor who takes the bass out of the box and inspects it before sale such as Sweetwater. There’s some on the classifieds I’m also looking at.
 
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#15,978
aarono2690 said:
Appreciate it. You nailed it.

I need to buy one I can actually play before buying OR buy from a vendor who takes the bass out of the box and inspects it before sale such as Sweetwater. There’s some on the classifieds I’m also looking at.
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Luckily my Special set up very low with no shim.

I always recommend buying used anyway. Good luck, really hope it works out this time!
 
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