NBD: Wanted a fiver. Found a pretty one!

[CoffeeLove]

Over the last two years, I’ve been buying & selling basses, trying to find what’s right for me. In the end, I ended up with all 4-strings, which is cool... but I like having a 5-string on-hand. A five is a different instrument than a four. In my thinking, it serves a different purpose. And it didn’t take long before I found myself missing having one.

So i decided, if I’m only gonna have one fiver, I want it to be a good one. After some diligent searching, I came across this beauty. It’s a 30th Anniversary EBMM Stingray 5 with one of the prettiest flame maple necks I’ve ever seen.

I had one of these during my buying/selling period that I was able to sell for a profit. And while I’m happy for the occasions where I can make a little extra cash on a deal, I quickly realized that it’s the one bass I regret letting go. Great tone and very playable neck.

Feels like my arsenal is just about complete (that empty slot is anxiously waiting for Bluesman Vintage to finish my telecaster w/ a Bigsby tremolo).

I know GAS never ends. But mine is in a pretty stable spot right now. I guess we’ll see.

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Beautiful, congrats.

 

[M0ses]

you keep your basses in the stand like that?? Against the angle of the offset? That's wild!

Haha but seriously that's a beautiful bass, the neck looks like a freaking torch. Love it.

Very nice bass, but a question
I switched to 5 in 2006 and have never felt the need to switch back and forth
Can you explain your reasoning for doing so?
Thanks
Duke

Not OP but I find the 5 very useful, practical, helpful for a number of reasons but both my 4s are more comfortable so I play a lot of styles and I take out whatever's most appropriate for the moment.

 

[cnltb]

Over the last two years, I’ve been buying & selling basses, trying to find what’s right for me. In the end, I ended up with all 4-strings, which is cool... but I like having a 5-string on-hand. A five is a different instrument than a four. In my thinking, it serves a different purpose. And it didn’t take long before I found myself missing having one.

So i decided, if I’m only gonna have one fiver, I want it to be a good one. After some diligent searching, I came across this beauty. It’s a 30th Anniversary EBMM Stingray 5 with one of the prettiest flame maple necks I’ve ever seen.

I had one of these during my buying/selling period that I was able to sell for a profit. And while I’m happy for the occasions where I can make a little extra cash on a deal, I quickly realized that it’s the one bass I regret letting go. Great tone and very playable neck.

Feels like my arsenal is just about complete (that empty slot is anxiously waiting for Bluesman Vintage to finish my telecaster w/ a Bigsby tremolo).

I know GAS never ends. But mine is in a pretty stable spot right now. I guess we’ll see.

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I like that a lot!
How heavy is it?

 

[nilorius]

Yes, pretty cool looking. It should sound good, too.

 

[dave64o]

Wow, what a pretty bass! That neck is beautiful and the binding takes it to another level. Congrats!

Yeah, I had a 2009 Honey Burst SR5 that was perfect. I never should have gotten rid of it. That era was great for Stingrays. This one's amazing in its own right. The pre is definitely different. But it sounds fantastic.

No arguments from me about Stingray 5's an especially no arguments about the EBMM honeyburst. It's such a shame they had to discontinue it. If I was forced to sell off all my bass gear, my honeyburst SR5 would be the last piece I sell and the one I try hardest to find a way to hold onto. Hopefully you find another one someday.

 

[tb-player]

No arguments from me about Stingray 5's an especially no arguments about the EBMM honeyburst. It's such a shame they had to discontinue it. If I was forced to sell off all my bass gear, my honeyburst SR5 would be the last piece I sell and the one I try hardest to find a way to hold onto. Hopefully you find another one someday.

Okay, now you’re just rubbing it in... lol.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

YES!!!! Excellent Choice!

 

[dave64o]

Okay, now you’re just rubbing it in... lol.

Ha! Wasn’t the intent, just agreeing with you. And, believe me, I’m drooling over yours. I love binding and the binding on that neck looks fantastic with that body color (butter cream?).

 

[SteveC]

... but I like having a 5-string on-hand. A five is a different instrument than a four. In my thinking, it serves a different purpose.

Great thought for when the “4 v 5” threads come up.

 

[tb-player]

I like that a lot!
How heavy is it?

Just north of 10lb. Normally I wouldn’t get a bass quite that heavy, but SR5s tends to be very well balanced (and I own a couple of 4” wide neoprene straps!)

 

[tb-player]

Great thought for when the “4 v 5” threads come up.

What? People repeat thread subjects on TB???

Seriously tho, I always try & make this point when those threads inevitably come up. But it’s usually lost in the shuffle. I’m quite passionate about a 5-string not being approached as a glorified 4. But hey... to each his own.

 

[jdwinva]

Beautiful bass! I own a Stingray 5 and love it.

 

[tb-player]

you keep your basses in the stand like that?? Against the angle of the offset? That’s wild!

Don’t scare me like that. I just got that stand. I was like, “Am I using it wrong?!?” (Probably still gonna Google it to be sure... lol)

 

[Chef]

wow, that's great, congrats!

 

[cnltb]

Just north of 10lb. Normally I wouldn’t get a bass quite that heavy, but SR5s tends to be very well balanced (and I own a couple of 4” wide neoprene straps!)

I thought it might be quite heavy, it being Musicman(even with a roasted neck-how much of a difference do you think this makes?).
I have been wondering for a while; can't they or won't they get lighter material...?
Their prices should allow for slightly more expensive wood. No?.

But yes; good balance and wide straps will to some degree, offset it's boat anchor-ness.
I still think it looks really good and would expect it to sound good too.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

 

[tb-player]

I thought it might be quite heavy, it being Musicman(even with a roasted neck-how much of a difference do you think this makes?).
I have been wondering for a while; can't they or won't they get lighter material...?
Their prices should allow for slightly more expensive wood. No?.

But yes; good balance and wide straps will to some degree, offset it's boat anchor-ness.
I still think it looks really good and would expect it to sound good too.

The other one I had was just under 10lb. So it seems that’s the range. Because the finish is translucent buttercream, the body is figured ash. Ash is typically heavy.

I also learned, from another bass build that the more dense the wood, the more highs get through, which makes sense for an SB5. That’s part of their sound. My 8lb Bluesman Vintage is very warm in tone. So I guess that makes sense?

The newer Stingray Specials are much lighter. They also have a different preamp. I guess that’s why.

 

[Watchootognbout]

That neck is beautiful,but that broad sheet of pepperoni plastic ruins it IMO.
But it's your bass so........

 

[bottomzone]

KILLER BASS!!!