EBMM SUB Stingray Q's and newbie 4 string vs 5 string electric buggaloo.

[NoisyPegasus]

Hi, I'm a long time guitarist (18+ years playing) and Piano/Synth musician (26ish years playing) who has decided to pick up playing a Live bass (A few hours and many trips to guitar stores).

I've sampled many and the ones I really liked were the Epi FB, Ibby IC300EX (Which sold when I wanted to come back for it.) and the EBMM SUB stingray. After further comparing sounds and listening to it vs squire, and mexi fender Jazz basses and a few others I cant remember on different amps.
Of the lot running under 400 USD; I have arrived to liking the EBMM the most.

It's bright, gets punchy and dat gigantic midrange scoop to play with, amirite?

Also, while I like the mexifender Jazzbass for its thumpy dark tones, I think I can tonesculpt the EBMM down with a homebrew "tone" pedal or some good old EQing on an amp (or use a pedal to roll those trebs off when I want a darker sound.). There's also using an obscenely long cable too..

Since its EB's lowest end bass, I'm curious what kind of problems people have experienced with this bass. While I often believe in "you get what you pay for." I have no problems servicing my gear to upgrade or update it.

While I do like the characteristics of a EBMM if higher price, I feel for my studio this will sit well in it.

Also, since this would be my first bass, should I go 4 or 5 string?
The pros to 5 string I can consider is I have experience on 7 string and would prolly use that low string to hit lower registers, many bands I listen to use one live, and I don't mind string skipping if I need to. It'd save me from drop tuning and having to retune a bunch.

Cons: Most tutorials I've found are aimed at 4 string. and restringing it will cost a little more. That's it.

tl;dr 4vs 5 string bass? And what problems are in the EBMM stingray SUB?

Thank you for your time.

 

[jdaunt]

As far as QC on the Sub Rays, i’ve never owned one but have heard mostly good things. As with any lower end model, definitely try before you but if possible. There’s great ones and not so great ones, so having the chance to check it out and make sure you like it makes a huge difference.
For 4 v 5, it’s obviously easier to learn the basics of bass playing on a 4, but if you really think you’ll be a 5 player you might as well start from scratch on a 5. That way you’re not learning on a 4 then wishing you had the 5 and having to get a new one and re-learn how to play a 5 down the road. Especially if you’ve played a 7 guitar and know that bottom string already.

 

[NoisyPegasus]

As far as QC on the Sub Rays, i’ve never owned one but have heard mostly good things. As with any lower end model, definitely try before you but if possible. There’s great ones and not so great ones, so having the chance to check it out and make sure you like it makes a huge difference.
For 4 v 5, it’s obviously easier to learn the basics of bass playing on a 4, but if you really think you’ll be a 5 player you might as well start from scratch on a 5. That way you’re not learning on a 4 then wishing you had the 5 and having to get a new one and re-learn how to play a 5 down the road. Especially if you’ve played a 7 guitar and know that bottom string already.

Thank you! Sadly, there aren't many EBMM's in my town and I have to drive a few hours to get to a city with one.
I'm pretty confident I can get started on a 5 and be happy with it.
Thank you for your reply. <3