• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: StingRay Special 5HH (BFR Crescendo)

elgecko

elgecko

Apr 30, 2007
9,062
16,934
Anasleim, CA
#1
I didn't need a new bass...my main bass of over three decades, a Modulus Q5, never left me wanting, but life is short so what the heck. I already have Ps and Js so figured it was finally time to acquire an example of Leo's third bass, a Stingray, and here we are. Incidentally, the fact that it was a limited edition Ball Family Reserve bass has absolutely zero bearing on why I picked this bass, it just checked the boxes of white body, matching headstock, white pickups, gold hardware, and flame maple neck. I guess I just lucked out, it was well priced for any Ernie Ball and I'm going to play it just like any other bass. I actually picked this up a few months ago and have played a few gigs with it. Here are my early impressions:

Cons
  • The B string, while good, is no match for the Modulus, but I figured that going in
  • It's not as tuning-stable as the Modulus, but I also knew that going in
  • I wish they hadn't painted the back of the neck so I I could admire the roasted flame maple while I play, it's gorgeous and the wax/oil finish is to die for!
Pros
  • It's about half a pound lighter than the Modulus
  • It responds well to being played hard, it gets very impolite
  • It sure is pretty! No picture I've ever seen of this color accurately portrays what the metal flake looks like in person
The seller is a better photographer than I'll ever be so I'll just use their pics
SR a.png
SR b.png
SR c.png
SR d.png
SR e.png
SR f.png
SR g.png
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: MonetBass, mpdd, nixdad and 51 others
#8
A beauty! I also have a stingray five, but the single H, which has an even more rolled off low B than the HH. I’ve found the strings you choose will hugely influence that, accentuating the roll off or filling it out.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: elgecko
#11
Gorgeous, and Xtra points for the gold polepieces. Wow. I like the entire neck painted, a little paste wax will make it slick as glass if necessary. PUHLEEZE don't sand it ! !

Congrats

BTW, THIS is a Larry Graham Moon:

1783730036877.png

White fingerboard. I've never quite grasped that 80s/90s Japanese thing of the canted Jazz neck pickup, but there you are.

1783730115276.png

Brother, that, is CLEAN.

JJ-4 LARRY GRAHAM MODEL | BASS | MOON GUITARS - 国産のオーダーメイド・ギター、ベース・楽器メーカー、ムーン・ギターズの公式ホームページ

JJJ-4 LARRY GRAHAM MODEL | BASS | MOON GUITARS - 国産のオーダーメイド・ギター、ベース・楽器メーカー、ムーン・ギターズの公式ホームページ
moon-guitar.co.jp
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: elgecko
#12
I always thought that was such a great finish, they did a Bongo 5 in that one as well.

But I agree about the painted neck, at least EBMM painted necks never get sticky for me even when it's hot but YMMV

Love the B string on both my Bongo and Stingray 5s, but a carbon fiber 35 scale bass will always be better due to the rigidity and extra scale.

String choice does matter of course too. I find tapered core Sadowsky and Dunlop Hybrid or Super Bright to be the best Bs for me

Enjoy it!
 
  • Like
Reactions: elgecko
#13
That's absolutly beautiful. If Larry Graham has been a rocker instead of a funker this could have been his bass.

Every time I picked it up, the neck paint would bother me. I'd tell myself I'm going to strip it down, but then would back down because it's such a beautiful instrument. I wonder how long I could maintain that cycle before the dumb won? This is why I shouldn't have nice things :)

Enjoy jamming this bass as it was meant to!
 
  • Like
Reactions: elgecko
#15
TeaTime said:
Every time I picked it up, the neck paint would bother me. I'd tell myself I'm going to strip it down, but then would back down because it's such a beautiful instrument. I wonder how long I could maintain that cycle before the dumb won? This is why I shouldn't have nice things :)
Click to expand...
The conflict is real! It's not that I'm anti-paint, but it's like laying shag carpet over hardwood floors or painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa!
 
#17
elgecko said:
I didn't need a new bass...my main bass of over three decades, a Modulus Q5, never left me wanting, but life is short so what the heck. I already have Ps and Js so figured it was finally time to acquire an example of Leo's third bass, a Stingray, and here we are. Incidentally, the fact that it was a limited edition Ball Family Reserve bass has absolutely zero bearing on why I picked this bass, it just checked the boxes of white body, matching headstock, white pickups, gold hardware, and flame maple neck. I guess I just lucked out, it was well priced for any Ernie Ball and I'm going to play it just like any other bass. I actually picked this up a few months ago and have played a few gigs with it. Here are my early impressions:

Cons
  • The B string, while good, is no match for the Modulus, but I figured that going in
  • It's not as tuning-stable as the Modulus, but I also knew that going in
  • I wish they hadn't painted the back of the neck so I I could admire the roasted flame maple while I play, it's gorgeous and the wax/oil finish is to die for!
Pros
  • It's about half a pound lighter than the Modulus
  • It responds well to being played hard, it gets very impolite
  • It sure is pretty! No picture I've ever seen of this color accurately portrays what the metal flake looks like in person
The seller is a better photographer than I'll ever be so I'll just use their picsView attachment 7533546View attachment 7533547View attachment 7533548View attachment 7533549View attachment 7533550View attachment 7533551View attachment 7533552
Click to expand...

Typical beautiful BFR Stingray, it looks wonderful, but like you, I don’t care for painted necks.
 
  • Like
Reactions: elgecko

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back