SBMM Stingray Short scale

[Michael - NYC]

I’d like to order replacement tuners and I think I’m sold on Gotohs. Can someone let me know if [This invalid link has been removed] is the closest I’m going to get for size?

Love the Gotoh stuff. Their Trem-unit on my Suhr strat = Gotoh 510 2-Post Bent Saddles Steel Block Bridge, is Phenomenal.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Sorry for the noob question. My Olympic white SS stingray is coming in next week...It will be the first bass I have ever owned...Just wondering is it necessary to get it set up professionally or it is good out of boxes? Thank you!

Mine was almost spot-on (right out of the box). I raised each saddle just a pinch. I am a little OCD with "anyBuzz" and like each note to Ring-true. Great Bass though.

 

[loucook]

I bought my Stingray short scale in May 2020, and it quickly became my Number One bass. The main feature for me is the playability. I have joint damage in my wrists and fingers from long-term arthritis, and it became more and more difficult for me to get around on a long scale bass.
I’m thinking of buying another short scale bass as a backup to the Stingray. I considered picking up another Stingray, but I like the idea of adding something different for variety.
Are there any Stingray short scale owners that have another short scale bass that they like as much as (or better than) their Stingray?

 

[Michael - NYC]

I bought my Stingray short scale in May 2020, and it quickly became my Number One bass. The main feature for me is the playability. I have joint damage in my wrists and fingers from long-term arthritis, and it became more and more difficult for me to get around on a long scale bass.
I’m thinking of buying another short scale bass as a backup to the Stingray. I considered picking up another Stingray, but I like the idea of adding something different for variety.
Are there any Stingray short scale owners that have another short scale bass that they like as much as (or better than) their Stingray?

Look into the Chowney and the Sire. I don't know if they are better, but either would be worth checking out. I love my SS-4. It plays like a dream. I'm lightly-sanding the neck, and applying Tru-oil for the Suhr super-smooth Satin effect.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Does anyone have both SBMM and EBMM Stingray shorty’s? Curious, did you feel a difference in the way the bass felt or tonality between the two? I did not see a search for this form so I entered the keywords SBMM Stingray Short Scale followed by EBMM in the main search and nothing came up.

There is a great comparison on You Tube by Low-end Lobster.

 

[Michael - NYC]

I

These have finally started showing up in Canada!

I picked mine up this afternoon from Long & McQuade. I haven't had much time to play it, but I immediately noticed something odd, so I wanted to see if any of you have also experienced it:

The volume knob's 100-0% range seems to exists between 100 and 75%, with a linear decrease in volume over that span. 100% is as loud as I'd expect it to be, 75-1% is basically the same barely audible volume, and 0% is truly off. The same behaviour is exhibited with the volume boost on and off.

Does anyone know if this is normal, or is it back to the store with this one?

I agree. Same with mine. Great fretwork, impressive pickup, the taper on the Volume & Tone controls are not top-notch = (not a deal breaker for me ) as I love the sound & playability.

 

[Michael - NYC]

View attachment 3972394 I noticed that the nut on mine is cut higher on the E string and lowers towards the G string. Never seen this on my other basses. Normal or should I try to sand it down and even it out?

Mine too. I guess it's to better-compensate for the descending string gauges. It works, so I'm happy.

 

[Michael - NYC]

I got it from Precision Guitar in Phoenix, Arizona. PG did not have a template so I sent them my original pickguard. Besides the solid black and white pearl they have many more colors to choose from. Just ask what colors they have on hand.
Replacement pickguard for Sterling StingRay Short Scale Bass SS | Precision Guitar | Reverb

How's the Quality (feel, fit & thickness) vs. the Original? I do like some of their pickguards.

 

[Michael - NYC]

I put on the D'addario Prosteel 45-100 short scale strings on today. I had to raise the strings a tad but I really like them. They have an even clear tone with a nice top end without being harsh or edgy. I have the long scale Prosteel 45-105 version on my Squier P bass and like them on that also. I'm pretty happy with these tuning keys, they are doing the job. I had similar or the same ones on my Squier and they were aweful. One of them was so bad it wouldn't even make a complete revolution without binding to a halt and I had making metal shavings everywhere. I'm sure the tuning keys on the EBMM short scale are better than these but for an extra $1,500 you better be getting something. I wonder if the wiring harness, electronics and pots inside this Sterling are as immaculate and tidy as what I seen in a photo of the EBMM short scale wiring, just beautiful! Anyone taken their pick guard off for a look inside? When I saw the inside wiring and soldering on my Ibanez TMB100 I had a rude awakening, it looked like a nursery school kid did it. My Squier CV 60 's Precision was not much better so I rewired it with a new harness with much better pots. So far other than new strings I think I am going to keep my short scale stock. If it's not broke don't fix it.

Agree 100% - keeping mine stock. (except Tru-oil & very lite sanding, on the neck) for that smooth Satin Suhr-like finish.

 

[Michael - NYC]

View attachment 3981174View attachment 3981175 I see it now ( bottom), looks about as shabby as what was in my Squier but better than my Ibanez. Probably made at the same plant in Indonesia. I said I was going to keep mine stock but after seeing the difference in guts between these two I'm not so sure anymore. That has to make some sonic difference no matter how small. Wonder if it would be possible to just buy the wiring harness, electronics and pots from Musicman for the short scale and put it in the Sterling?

Please let me know (if you do) and how it worked out. I'd be open to doing the same thing on mine.

 

[Michael - NYC]

My case just came in today! Finally gonna send it off to a luthier once the strings get here. Here’s some pictures! And I’ll toss a link to the case too

Gator GC-ELEC-XL Deluxe ABS Molded Case for Extra Long Baritone Guitar

View attachment 3986299 View attachment 3986300

Hi Cntric - I just ordered this exact case. How do you like it?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Is the chorus effect only on one string? Or hearing it everywhere you play?

Every time I've heard it on a bass, it's been either a dodgy string, or the pickup is too high. I had it on a Mustang PJ with the stock E string, when I replaced them with GHS Boomers it was gone. First port of call, though, is lower the pickup so it's further away from the strings. That's likely to be the issue if you're not only hearing it from one string.

Agree. Lower the pickup on this Bass. Neodymium magnets are very powerful. You will get better tone, and actually more sustain. Too much Magnetic-pull, Stops the string from vibrating.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Where would I get the same wiring and pots of the MM to put into the Sterling? I am pretty happy with the tuning keys, they are not perfection but all work smoothly unlike in my Squier P where I had to replace all tuners with Hipshots.

Me too. I'm cool with the tuning keys, love the neck, fret-work & pickup - I'd be open to
Changing out: the wiring, pots, switches, and knobs. I'd appreciate any Information on How to do this?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Check out the disclaimer on the EBMM tuner page:

This part is not intended for Sterling by Music Man instruments. If you need a replacement part for a Sterling by Music Man instrument, please contact them at [email protected].

View attachment 4017216

Whats up with that?

Good Luck with that. I did not find them (Praxis Music / Sterling staff) to be very knowledgable or Helpful

 

[Michael - NYC]

Very cool! I like the engineering on these tuners. I’d just have a hard time justifying the cost. The matching set would cost more than a third of what I paid for the whole bass! I’m looking for cheap and effective.

That’s why I’m ordering 3 (@$18 ea.) G&L tuners. They’re made by Schaller, have a lightweight aluminum core and I’ve got noting but good things to say about them based on my experiences with them on my CLF L1000. The fact that I already have one of these in my L1000’s case made my decision all that much easier.

Do they Seamlessly Fit - or do you need to Mod & Drill?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Quick questions to the experts!
I bought a B stock Sterling short scale from Musician Friend and its probably going back, since one tuner machine is broken and has a big crack in the finish on the back (the packaging was terrible)
I could no try it properly since I could not tune it properly, but even if it sounded good, it was very noisy, specially on center position of the selector.
I'm talking about a single coil like nasty buzz.
Is this normal? Or maybe that is why is a B stock?
I would like to hear some opinions.
I'm now not sure If I should get another.
I play in cover bands, and bars sometimes don't have the cleanest power...
Thanks

I'd Never accept an instrument like this . . . for Any $ Amount $ of money discounted. Good Move.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Ok, now I'm confused...
Is the noise normal or not?

Mine doesn't do that. There is an (expected) "super-faint" single coil hum in the middle / single-coil position, as there is no phantom / hum-cancelling coil in this bass.

 

[Michael - NYC]

There’s been a lot of talk over on the MM Short Scale thread about a clear pick guard. I have a Daphne blue bass and think the white pick guard is painfully dull. So, this morning, after reading about clear pick guards on the other thread, I completely removed mine.

I think it looks much better. I’m not thrilled by the screws but think a clear pick guard might work. I’m also going to the hardware store to see if I can get replacements for the original screws with the counter sunk heads. That might make the complete absence of the pick guard more tolerable. Unfortunately, because of the way the screws ever so slightly damaged the paint upon removal, I can’t go with nothing covering the holes.View attachment 4056393

I think it looks cool - just like that. I would just leave it.

 

[Michael - NYC]

it has nothing to do with being a wuss. For some, there is no question, a short scale bass can remove pressure from physical issues. For others, it’s a matter of trying something that’s a little different. Yet, for others, it a matter of a personal sense that a short scale “fits” better.

Personally, besides playing around with a Mustang about 40 years ago, I had never considered a short scale bass before now. I also have no pressing physical issues requiring me to rethink my equipment. I was just curious, thanks to owning a Bass VI and the release of the Fallout and Sterling short scale.

Now that I own a short scale, I’m grateful I took the plunge. My Sterling is such an easy and inviting bass to play (I’m sure the same could be said of the Fallout as well) that it has served to make my time playing so enjoyable. Isn’t that the bottom line, achieving joy in playing our musical instruments

I have (2) Torn Rotator Cuffs (from playing American Football) and the short-scale is Easier & less Painful when I play Up on the first 3 frets. I love it.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Normally I am not a fan of short scale editions derived from a long scale model because they often cut too much corners from the sound of their originals. But the SBMM/EBMM Stingray marks a very positive exception from that. I really like the sound and still can't believe it's just passive. It sounds great played solo but also in the band mix and plays smooth like butter. My best purchase since years.[/QUOTE

Depending on your opinion of telecaster styles, the Banshee holds its own in the P category.

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FWIW I spent the last 9 months trying every short scale I can find and that one stood out alongside the SBMM and Fallout in terms of build quality for the price. I ultimately went with the SBMM because I need another P bass about as badly as I need another hole in my head, and my limit for stingrays is always N+1.

I can't get past that Headstock. If I bought it, I'd shave off the bottom-part, to make it look more like a Suhr headstock. I think it's Hideous looking. I know people who did not purchase it (based on the headstock).