Im a sucker for white pickups, sparkles, and pearl pick guards. If that Dazzler finish had gold hardware and active preamp and mutes, it would be headed my way. The day they make a sparkle Tiffany Blue .....its over!!!!
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New EBMM Short Scales 2025
- Thread starter LadyLoveStingRay5
- Start date
only you can make that judgment...
the EBMM clearly has better materials & fit and finish. the EBMM neck is my favorite of any I've ever played. OTOH, they sound very similar
There is NO doubt that the LadyLoveStingray5 Signature Stingray would have to be Tiffany Blue!
Are you out there, Sterling? Are you listening?
The EBMM is pretty top notch in quality while there are plenty of gripes about the Sterlings having quality control issues. The EBMM has more interesting finishes and comes with a great case. The Sterling versions are pretty bare bones in appearance. They aren't going to sound super different.
So I guess I'd say if this would stress your budget or if you're only wanting a short scale StingRay for some occasional StingRay fun, go with the Sterling. But if you can afford it and expect to be playing it a lot, the EBMM version will make you very happy.
I have owned both Sterling and Music Man stuff. I feel like it is worth saving for a legit Stingray. Everything from the electronics to the finish just feels ultra premium with Music Man. Worth every penny in my opinion.
That stealth black with all black hardware has me GAS’d big time.
For me it was. I had a Sterling SS and quickly moved it along to a friend's kid. That was after doing a fret level and dressing, set up and such. But now I have an EBMM SS stingray and it's almost my number 1. I take it to most gigs and the fit, finish and neck are far beyond the Sterling line. Like way beyond.
Nothing really. If I'm not taking the Stingray, it's because I'm just feeling nostalgic about my other basses and take them out from time to time just to take them out. The Stingray really is the bees' knees. The Warmoth 32" P-bass comes in very close.
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I have owned two of the Sterling SS Rays and will attest to the inconsistency in them. The first, in Daphne blue was very well put together, sets up easily and I've had no complaints at all about playability or tone. I then bought another because I couldn't resist the dropped copper finish. It needed nut filing ad a shim to get close to a decent action and I always struggled with the setup on it. Sounded just fine though. I moved that one on but still play the Daphne one a lot. I'm sure the EBMMs will have no issues with playability or fit and finish. What that is worth is pretty subjective. Four times better, probably not, but those kind of comparisons rarely work in favor of the more expensive item.
As much as people make fun of Fender for having ten different P or J bass price points, there is something to the ability to pay for the finish level you're ok with. For these short scale StingRays, the gap in both quality and price is enormous because there are only the two options.
Yep it’s a total gamble that’s not in your favor, but I had a Ray24 that was better feeling than any US Stingray I ever had. Too bad I dropped it and it cracked. BUT I’ve had like 4 trash ones too. To get a good one is very lucky, not a consistent guarantee.
Agreed. They need something in the 1500-2000 range. Like the Japanese EX models of the past. Sterling sucks and even though cheaper is still overpriced for Squier quality.
I tried the Sterling one and thought it had terrible ergonomics. I also find 30” scale far too cramped around the 12th fret.
Still want one.
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My main problem with short scales is you that you lose those juicy overtones. They don’t ring like a 34" does. I’m a slapper/bridge pickup guy. My friend has a short stingray and he makes it sound good, but it doesn’t have the booty without the preamp. Of course you can turn up the bass on the amp.
They look great, and all of the finishes are perfect considering the other finishes available for their other instruments. A very nice compliment. That being said, I'm sure they sound amazing, play amazing, and all that, but I still can't bring myself to play a short scale stingray. Maybe someday I will be changed, but for all of those who do, I'm very happy for you!
