Music Man Stingray Special 4HH - So...close...

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I tried the seafoam green Stingray 5 next to it and was impressed with everything except the price. I think all the refinements they made over the non-Specials are good, especially the downsized bodies and improvement in weight (especially the tuners). If you like the Stingray look and sound, it's a solid choice.

 

[Swampish]

here is the youtube link explaining the difference between the 3 band and 2 band preamps

Very cool analysis! There is definitely a difference in that very low end, in particular, it seems.

 

[newwavefrank]

Its as much the brittle high end of the three band that I am not a fan of

 

[Swampish]

I tried the seafoam green Stingray 5 next to it and was impressed with everything except the price. I think all the refinements they made over the non-Specials are good, especially the downsized bodies and improvement in weight (especially the tuners). If you like the Stingray look and sound, it's a solid choice.

yeah, the price is definitely painful.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

@Swampish
My two cents...

Yes, specials are legit. I own 4 USA specials... a 4H, 4HH, 5H, and 5HH. All but the 5HH are from the original 2018 run. They're my mains and I don't see myself getting rid of any of them. If you already own a P and a J, get yourself a Ray and you'll have the 'big 3'.

I'm one of the crazies who thinks the the tone of the H models is different than the tone of a HH model with the bridge pick-up solo'd. It's splitting hairs, but noticeable when recording. To my ears the H has more mids present, but it's not a huge thing. 99.9% of people won't notice.

I would try to work a deal for that 2018 HH model you're looking at. The store know's it's old stock and one of the less popular finishes. If you can give them a cash offer for 10% below their ticket price, I think that's reasonable. Oh, and be sure to get the original USA hardshell case with it!

Good luck!

 

[Bevan777]

here is the youtube link explaining the difference between the 3 band and 2 band preamps

Fwiw the 3 band EQ in the specials is quite different to the old 3 band. Much better sounding.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

You will not put it down, l play it more than any other bass. I found a 2018 4HH in Dropped Copper, brand new old stock, a couple months ago. It sounds great and with compressors even greater.

 

[Swampish]

@Swampish
My two cents...

Yes, specials are legit. I own 4 USA specials... a 4H, 4HH, 5H, and 5HH. All but the 5HH are from the original 2018 run. They're my mains and I don't see myself getting rid of any of them. If you already own a P and a J, get yourself a Ray and you'll have the 'big 3'.

I'm one of the crazies who thinks the the tone of the H models is different than the tone of a HH model with the bridge pick-up solo'd. It's splitting hairs, but noticeable when recording. To my ears the H has more mids present, but it's not a huge thing. 99.9% of people won't notice.

I would try to work a deal for that 2018 HH model you're looking at. The store know's it's old stock and one of the less popular finishes. If you can give them a cash offer for 10% below their ticket price, I think that's reasonable. Oh, and be sure to get the original USA hardshell case with it!

Good luck!

Good point, because, yes, they are pretty steep!

 

[Swampish]

Fwiw the 3 band EQ in the specials is quite different to the old 3 band. Much better sounding.

I really liked the tone differences that were available even without switching pups

 

[Swampish]

You will not put it down, l play it more than any other bass. I found a 2018 4HH in Dropped Copper, brand new old stock, a couple months ago. It sounds great and with compressors even greater.

Sweet!

 

[N4860]

I'm seriously considering purchasing a Music Man Stingray Special 4HH. I held off for many years owing to the weight of standard 'rays, but the Special is so light and the HH offers a ton of tonal variety while still respecting the original 'ray tone (or extremely close to it). I currently have two P's (one of which is a PJ) and a Jazz. Originally, was going to go for another American Professional II Precision, but came across this 'ray and am really digging what it has to offer, plus it will give me something completely different in terms of tone. Any thoughts on this line of 'ray Specials (I believe this is the 2018 model). Also, any thoughts about H vs HH (there were no H's at the store, only HH)?
View attachment 5336215

Just FYI, I don't think that particular bass is a 2018 special. It looks like one of the newer pastel colours from 2023, specifically the sea breeze finish. It's a good looking bass and as the owner of 4 SR Specials, I cannot recommend them enough. They're my favourite basses.

 

[Nebadon2000]

Folks say the 2eq and 3eq sound different. I watched a great YouTube video that showed 2eq is a bit smoother sounding with no high pass filtering. The 3eq has some built-in HPF plus a resonant peak around 4 Khz that you apparently can't just dial out. So the 3eq sounds a bit thinner and has a high-end presence / bite / spike to it.

The Special is a different 3 band preamp [no HPF or 4k spike if vid is actually accurate] saying that I have heard both live and on video pre special 3 bands sound fantastic also surly not thin as compared to 2 band

If the Video your talking about is guy with modded Squire who built his own 2 & 3 band preamps in a box
both sounded awful which makes Video irrelevant to me [or anyone]

All Stingray versions sound great depending on who is using them and understanding EQ 2 or 3

Here is fellow TB'er with '96 3 band sounds just a tad better than that comparison video



He has some other nice videos in with Band Mix

 

[Nightsprinter]

I saw that on my FB feed and definitely some really sharp looking colours, but I like the look of Sea Breeze Blue a lot and there doesn't seem to be anything similar in the new line-up.
View attachment 5336337

Purple Sunset is gonna be a best seller

 

[Swampish]

Just FYI, I don't think that particular bass is a 2018 special. It looks like one of the newer pastel colours from 2023, specifically the sea breeze finish. It's a good looking bass and as the owner of 4 SR Specials, I cannot recommend them enough. They're my favourite basses.

Definitely wasn't positive about the year, but I guess it's the second most recent model. Either way, it really seems to tick a lot of boxes

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I own 4HH and absolutely love it do not and will not ever care it doesn't sound its predecessors because it sounds so got darn good and fun to play.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

The real winner on an HH is the Inner Coils position, nothing quite like it! I will say as far as Stingrays go, I’ve had them all and I ended up hanging onto a regular old USA SUB with the 2 band. I have a bass that does inner coils like an HH though so that itch is being scratched elsewhere. For one bass an HH Ray is hard to beat, the 18v also gives it more headroom so it comes across cleaner. You can do a lot with the 5 positions and the preamp.

 

[Grooveline]

I much prefer the two band preamp compared to the three band preamp. If the new special preamps dont have the high pass filter or the 4k spike then I say go for it. No doubt it is going to give you a different tone flavor than a P or J. I myself have a P, J, Stingray and Rick and it's nice to have options.

Not to highjack thread but is there a video showing the eq points (center frequencies) of the new special preamps?

 

[Rojd]

I saw that on my FB feed and definitely some really sharp looking colours, but I like the look of Sea Breeze Blue a lot and there doesn't seem to be anything similar in the new line-up.
View attachment 5336337

I like the kiwi green and grape crush

 

[Nebadon2000]

I much prefer the two band preamp compared to the three band preamp. If the new special preamps dont have the high pass filter or the 4k spike then I say go for it. No doubt it is going to give you a different tone flavor than a P or J. I myself have a P, J, Stingray and Rick and it's nice to have options.

Not to highjack thread but is there a video showing the eq points (center frequencies) of the new special preamps?

I have Mesa WD-800 that has adjustable HPF; if I set it to 70hz and then set it to 25hz there is a very noticeable difference in Bass

Amp also has Para Eq if I set one section to 4Khz and reduce it get a very vintage tone and it also is smooth at flat setting.

Oh it it is nice of you to give OP permission to buy Special if it meets your preference

I choose Special for many reasons but if all I could get is 2 band I would also be content; If you have actually vetted your choice by playing both and feel 2 band is works better for you I respect that but many may differ

Here is post from EBMM Bass Forum Employee;

"I don't think we'll make an Old Smoothie or Classic how we used to again. We'll have a limited version of a Classic drop soon and then hopefully we can improve those concepts in 2022.

*Edit just read the other thread..

There is only so much capacity with Covid that we had to reduce certain offerings. To put it in perspective I would guess it's 40-1 for Special vs Classic sales."

 

[Swampish]

I have Mesa WD-800 that has adjustable HPF; if I set it to 70hz and then set it to 25hz there is a very noticeable difference in Bass

Amp also has Para Eq if I set one section to 4Khz and reduce it get a very vintage tone and it also is smooth at flat setting.

Oh it it is nice of you to give OP permission to buy Special if it meets your preference

I choose Special for many reasons but if all I could get is 2 band I would also be content; If you have actually vetted your choice by playing both and feel 2 band is works better for you I respect that but many may differ

Here is post from EBMM Bass Forum Employee;

"I don't think we'll make an Old Smoothie or Classic how we used to again. We'll have a limited version of a Classic drop soon and then hopefully we can improve those concepts in 2022.

*Edit just read the other thread..

There is only so much capacity with Covid that we had to reduce certain offerings. To put it in perspective I would guess it's 40-1 for Special vs Classic sales."

Wow! That's an insane ratio!!!