EBMM StingRay Special Club

[FLStudiobassist]

New Stingray Special owner here. What kind of battery life can I expect? Is there an audible advance warning or does it plummet off a cliff?

View attachment 7566378

lol I’ve had mine for 5 years and have only changed the battery in it once. I play mine every day for hours per day. Once every 3-4 years I have to change it. So mine personally lasts forever

 

[The Sandman]

Well, I can see why there is a separate Stingray Special “Club”. My 4H Special was also my first bass, and I love it to death. But I also love the other Stingrays in my stable (still looking for a couple more… it’s a work in progress)… each has a unique feel and its own variations on the signature Stingray tone. I love playing them all:

2009 Dargie II Stingray 5 HP
2017 Stingray 5 HS Neckthrough
2017 30th Anniversary Stingray 5 H
2018 BFR 40th Anniversary Old Smoothie 4 H
2019 BFR Dargie III Stingray 4 HH
2024 Stingray Special 4 H

So rather than joining any particular chapter, I think I’ll remain a Nomad.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

What kind of battery life can I expect?

Mine gets changed about once a year.

 

[The Sandman]

What kind of battery life can I expect? Is there an audible advance warning or does it plummet off a cliff?

lol I’ve had mine for 5 years and have only changed the battery in it once. I play mine every day for hours per day. Once every 3-4 years I have to change it. So mine personally lasts forever

Mine gets changed about once a year.

We’re talking two batteries, not one. Mine also last about a year. The first time they just died… went from playing to nothing. The second time, there were some nasty noises… it was during a lesson and it sounded like a loose cable before it faded to nothing.

My active/passive basses don’t last as long… likely because I don’t always remember to switch to passive after use. With active only, the battery stops draining as soon as you pull out the jack.

 

[Pet Sounds]

We’re talking two batteries, not one. Mine also last about a year. The first time they just died… went from playing to nothing. The second time, there were some nasty noises… it was during a lesson and it sounded like a loose cable before it faded to nothing.

My active/passive basses don’t last as long… likely because I don’t always remember to switch to passive after use. With active only, the battery stops draining as soon as you pull out the jack.

I believe the batteries still drain while plugged in in passive mode?

 

[The Sandman]

I believe the batteries still drain while plugged in in passive mode?

Yes, you’re probably right. I always pull the jack when I’m done playing. I think some active/passive designs can discharge the batteries in active mode even when not jacked in. That’s what I was referring to.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

I don’t think the Stingray Specials have a passive mode. Always active, and when the batteries are dead, the bass stops working

 

[The Sandman]

I don’t think the Stingray Specials have a passive mode. Always active, and when the batteries are dead, the bass stops working

Active only 18v preamps are a hallmark of Stingray Specials. I was only comparing perceived battery life of Stingray Specials to active/passive basses.

 

[dave64o]

Finally got in my gorgeous Fretless HoneyBurst 5H!View attachment 7548474

Prettiest Musicman finish ever, IMHO. My honeyburst wears tort, which I just love, but I’m also a big white pearl fan and I love how that looks on yours, especially with the white pickup cover.

Beautiful bass!

 

[Pet Sounds]

I don’t think the Stingray Specials have a passive mode. Always active, and when the batteries are dead, the bass stops working

You're right, of course. I guess I was just thinking of active/passive basses generally when I made the comment about battery drain in passive mode.

 

[FightMilk]

some active/passive designs can discharge the batteries in active mode even when not jacked in.

Then your output jack is wired wrong.

 

[Stevorebob]

OK, consider me out of the Special Sting Ray Club then. I'll try to join a regular club later.

Join us here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/music-man-stingray-club-part-five.1062983/.