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EBMM StingRay Special Club

#1,961
I know I’m way outside of the norm here, but I don’t get the obsession with getting the lightest weight Special possible. (This is one of the TalkBass mysteries to me.) All the Specials are very light in weight. Previous StingRays were often in 11lb territory.

I enjoy my Special’s light weight and I certainly notice the near 30% increased heft of my older StingRays, but their heavier weights just don’t bother me. (And I am no strong man, my friends.) I simply don’t see the issue with a Special that’s on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Of course YMMV. And it apparently does. Respect.
 
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#1,962
She is here!
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#1,963
Stevorebob said:
I know I’m way outside of the norm here, but I don’t get the obsession with getting the lightest weight Special possible. (This is one of the TalkBass mysteries to me.) All the Specials are very light in weight. Previous StingRays were often in 11lb territory.

I enjoy my Special’s light weight and I certainly notice the near 30% increased heft of my older StingRays, but their heavier weights just don’t bother me. (And I am no strong man, my friends.) I simply don’t see the issue with a Special that’s on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Of course YMMV. And it apparently does. Respect.
Click to expand...

I think you’re onto something. I wouldn’t notice as much if I didn’t have access to knowing every ounce when retailers post that.

There’s a whole gestalt to what makes an individual instrument feel “right” to the player. For me, the Special design is pretty much that “right.”
 
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#1,968
So, I kill uncoated strings quickly and playing my new Special for the entire last week rendered the strings dead.

I had a new set of DR Black Beauties and a set of Super Slinkies. The DRs went on and lasted about 30mins. While they are good strings, they are too scooped and bright for the Special. The DRs also created a perceived volume drop as well....possibly lack of mids?

The new Super Slinkies went on and all is right with the world. I think the 100 sounds so much tighter and defined on a Ray vs a 105....but that could just be me being mental.
 
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#1,969
Stevorebob said:
I know I’m way outside of the norm here, but I don’t get the obsession with getting the lightest weight Special possible. (This is one of the TalkBass mysteries to me.) All the Specials are very light in weight. Previous StingRays were often in 11lb territory.

I enjoy my Special’s light weight and I certainly notice the near 30% increased heft of my older StingRays, but their heavier weights just don’t bother me. (And I am no strong man, my friends.) I simply don’t see the issue with a Special that’s on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Of course YMMV. And it apparently does. Respect.
Click to expand...
It comes down to possibilities. Think of it this way: let’s say there is a really nice car that we all like and some of the cars get 25 mpg but some of them get 32 mpg. Now you might say, 25 mpg is damn good and a lot better than my old car but OTOH, I could drive the same car and get 32 mpg. Same performance, same looks and same comfort but that mpg difference is going to nag at you until you do something about it. Now with this bass, it’s sort of a similar thing. It’s a great bass and no matter which one you get it’s going to lighter than the old Rays but damn! If 8.9 lbs is nice then 8.0 would be that much nicer.
 
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#1,970
twc1313 said:
So, I kill uncoated strings quickly and playing my new Special for the entire last week rendered the strings dead.

I had a new set of DR Black Beauties and a set of Super Slinkies. The DRs went on and lasted about 30mins. While they are good strings, they are too scooped and bright for the Special. The DRs also created a perceived volume drop as well....possibly lack of mids?

The new Super Slinkies went on and all is right with the world. I think the 100 sounds so much tighter and defined on a Ray vs a 105....but that could just be me being mental.
Click to expand...
I’m happy I’m not a String Killer! Damn that’s fast!
 
#1,971
Stranger Danger said:
I’m happy I’m not a String Killer! Damn that’s fast!
Click to expand...

Ya, I just have something in my body chemistry that does it. I used Elixirs for the longest time and was fine, but still prefer the tone of uncoated strings. It's a lose/lose.

I honestly think part of my GAS is string related; I like new strings. I've considered selling basses in the past, then put new strings on them and fall back in love. OCD at its finest.
 
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#1,972
twc1313 said:
Ya, I just have something in my body chemistry that does it. I used Elixirs for the longest time and was fine, but still prefer the tone of uncoated strings. It's a lose/lose.

I honestly think part of my GAS is string related; I like new strings. I've considered selling basses in the past, then put new strings on them and fall back in love. OCD at its finest.
Click to expand...
I’m an insane string jumper. Never happy. Next up for the SRS is a set of GHS Boomers. Haven’t used them in years. Should be fun
 
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#1,973
Stevorebob said:
I know I’m way outside of the norm here, but I don’t get the obsession with getting the lightest weight Special possible. (This is one of the TalkBass mysteries to me.) All the Specials are very light in weight. Previous StingRays were often in 11lb territory.

I enjoy my Special’s light weight and I certainly notice the near 30% increased heft of my older StingRays, but their heavier weights just don’t bother me. (And I am no strong man, my friends.) I simply don’t see the issue with a Special that’s on the heavier end of the spectrum.

Of course YMMV. And it apparently does. Respect.
Click to expand...
Also I have arthritis in my neck at 43 years old. Probably from playing 4 hour gigs with 10 lb basses for years. I will never do fatties again. 8 lbs or less.
 
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#1,974
twc1313 said:
Ya, I just have something in my body chemistry that does it. I used Elixirs for the longest time and was fine, but still prefer the tone of uncoated strings. It's a lose/lose.

I honestly think part of my GAS is string related; I like new strings. I've considered selling basses in the past, then put new strings on them and fall back in love. OCD at its finest.
Click to expand...
Actually the only thing I wish was different on these basses is I wish they would have done a quick release bridge like the Hipshot A Type. Then I could change a set of strings in about 45 seconds
 
#1,977
Stranger Danger said:
It comes down to possibilities. Think of it this way: let’s say there is a really nice car that we all like and some of the cars get 25 mpg but some of them get 32 mpg. Now you might say, 25 mpg is damn good and a lot better than my old car but OTOH, I could drive the same car and get 32 mpg. Same performance, same looks and same comfort but that mpg difference is going to nag at you until you do something about it. Now with this bass, it’s sort of a similar thing. It’s a great bass and no matter which one you get it’s going to lighter than the old Rays but damn! If 8.9 lbs is nice then 8.0 would be that much nicer.
Click to expand...
Some perspective: Your shirt might weigh more than that difference in weight, a jacket two to three times more. ;)
 
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