SBMM Stingray Short scale

[Michael - NYC]

Wow, I had no problems with mine. Just set up really. I would send it back if it was like that. No chrome plating on a tuner is such an obvious miss.

Me too. If I pay for a New instrument . . . it had Better arrive in Perfect condition. (if not) it Immediately goes-back. I'm not getting Stuck with someone else's headache.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Surely there are better tuner qualities available but I have no problem with the tuners on my SBMM SS Stingray. They tune in pitch smoothly and keep the tuning stable. Good enough for me.

Me too. I'm using a strobe tuner, and they are rock-solid (thus far). I'd only upgrade, if I felt they did not perform well-enough. I like the Look of them too.

 

[Michael - NYC]

By the way does anyone have experience with Sterling customer service? I sent them an email a week ago regarding 2 defective tuners on my short scale that are giving me issues that I'm not happy with. I got an intial reply the very same day asking for more info and copy of my receipt and since sending the asked for info haven't heard a thing even after sending the asked for info twice. They can't be that busy.

I found them to be: Not Very Knowledgable. I always have a great experience with: Suhr & Taylor. I guess you Get . . . what you pay for?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Could anyone who owns the Sterling short scale provide the measurement from nut to pickup? I am looking to install a MM pickup into a Mustang short scale bass and am curious if the pickup "sweet spot" on the SS4 (which sounds pretty damn sweet by all accounts!) has the same nut to pickup ratio as the long scale.

I just used a tape measure. It's 25.75" (twenty five & three quarters) to the front of the pickup (facing the headstock). Hope that helps?

 

[Michael - NYC]

I hate that for you. Mine was in a single box with a grid of cardboard slats holding it in place. I was very fortunate it arrived in perfect condition.

Me too. I vowed, that I'd NEVER Buy a guitar in the mail (or without playing it 1st) - I lucked-out and my White SS-4 arrived in Pristine Condition. I'm only missing the Springs for under the Pickup. I will eventually contact Sterling/Praxis music.

 

[Michael - NYC]

I'm not familiar with MM style basses as this Sterling short scale is my first one. I did notice the G on this Sterling shorty played much louder than the other strings, but I was able to correct this by lowering the PU a little on the G side. There's also some noticeable hum going on, but I figure it's probably the overly zingy round wound strings it came with and am hoping changing over to nylon coated LaBellas later will eliminate that...

However I'm also seriously wondering if it's normal for that so called 'boost' on the volume knob to do nothing? I mean, I don't hear any difference whatsoever pushing that knob in and then in again? (And again and again...) Granted I do play sort of low in my home, but then even when I do turn the volume up some there's no difference! Shouldn't there be something going on? I mean, why have a boost control anyway if one can't hear any 'boost'??
So is this bass possibly defective, or does the boost perhaps work only on very loud volumes? Should I take it back to my local GC to have their tech check it out? Or should I insist on having it replaced with a new one?
Thanks for any help and suggestions here...
Greywoulf

Replaced !!!

 

[Michael - NYC]

Yeah the switch out is the normal loudness, depressed and it's quieter. Mine has a very noticeable difference

Me too. I keep mine down with No Boost - all the time. I'm running my amp on 20% volume.

 

[Michael - NYC]

I really like the South Korean guitars.

Agree. South Korea has quality workmanship. They stepped-up-their-game, to compete and grab-some marketshare from Japan ( who also does phenomenal workmanship ).

 

[Michael - NYC]

That's a shame about that store.

I think people here knock GC because it's not a very pleasant place to shop. The stores aren't usually very clean or nice and the inventory isn't exactly overwhelming and the staff is helpful but usually slow and over burdened. But we all buy there on the regular for the prices, returns and convenience of having a store instead of just a website.

I've actually gone Back to Guitar Center recently, (Summer 2021) and have had a Positive experience 3x's in-a-row.

 

[Michael - NYC]

The 2 new tuner keys arrived today from Sterling. I installed them, tuned up and everything so far is good. Sometimes (even before) it seems this bass is a micro tad out of tune like with a slight warble. I lowered my pickup again, lower than the suggested spec and I think that helps. For some reason they like to be set lower than the pick ups on my EBMM Stingray Specials which are also neodymium.

Exactly how I feel. The magnet is very-strong. Lower the pickup, and you will see the Tone & Sustain on that little Stingray-shine. There is no need to change that Pickup. It's actually pretty good quality.

 

[WestyBassBob]

I've actually gone Back to Guitar Center recently, (Summer 2021) and have had a Positive experience 3x's in-a-row.

It's hit or miss. They just almost never have something in stock that I want unless I've ordered it or someone happened to sell it there recently. It's a low margin, low-investment business but it will continue to survive as a nexus for hard to ship equipment sales and as a return center. It's like how Kohl's does returns for Amazon. They know that just having you come in to return something makes it more likely to sell you something.

 

[Michael - NYC]

My Sterling SS in white with rosewood neck arrived a few weeks ago. $510 from Musicians Friend. I wanted to give it some time before I posted anything here about it. I've been playing it a lot. The Sterling joins my Starry Night EBMM SS. I bought the Indonesian built Sterling based on how much I like the made in California one.

After a few weeks of playing, I can tell you that I've found absolutely nothing wrong, or poorly done on the Sterling. No flaws at all on mine. It compares very well with the US built one. The sound is very similar, and familiar to anyone who knows the Stingray sound. The neck feel is very good, although slightly different in profile than the EBMM, it's similar, and very comfortable. If I were blindfolded, I'd have a hard time knowing for sure which one was in my hands.

In all honesty, the playing action (string height) can be brought slightly lower on the Sterling than it can be on my US built one. I like very low action, but can't stand fret-buzz. I think there is a slightly high fret about 6 or 7 up on the EBMM neck which prevents the action from getting as low as the Sterling (or many of my other basses) without fret buzz (I own 28 others, about half of them short-scale). I've done a few different settings on the neck, but haven't been able to get past it. I need to take the EBMM to a good tech to have the frets leveled. I'm sure the two will be comparable after that. But the point is, the one that cost <1/4 as much came to me slightly more easily playable. I would have expected it to be the other way around.

After spending $2200 on a bass, I shouldn't need to spend more having the frets leveled to get it perfect. Since the Starry Night color is rare, and finding a replacement would be difficult, I didn't really wish to risk shipping it back. I don't want to blow this out of proportion, the difference in action is slight, but the Sterling is better.

I've loaded both of mine with my favorite GHS Pressure Wound SS strings, which fit perfectly on these basses. They are an excellent compromise between flats and rounds, and very comfortable to play. I did make a slight neck adjustment on the Sterling after the string change.

I've read that some others here have gotten Sterling imports with some flaws, and that's unfortunate. Product support is something I haven't dealt with from either Sterling or EBMM, so I can't comment on that.

So, there's my review and out of the box comparison of them both. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Sterling, and may do so if they come out with a color I really like...although, I do like my white one. I might play with some different PG's on it however, just for fun. I like the purple one someone here bought, but there's nothing wrong with the white one that it came with. I wish I could have gotten a bass of this quality for this (inflation adjusted) price when I started playing bass back in the 60's!

Dave O.

I had a similar experience. My 2 other guitars are $2,750 Taylor and a $2,800 Suhr and this Sterling Stingray is not as far-off (as the Price would indicate) $598 with tax ... in terms of a Quality Instrument. Particularly the fret-work, pickup, Set-up and intonation - all spot on.

 

[Michael - NYC]

My Sterling SS in white with rosewood neck arrived a few weeks ago. $510 from Musicians Friend. I wanted to give it some time before I posted anything here about it. I've been playing it a lot. The Sterling joins my Starry Night EBMM SS. I bought the Indonesian built Sterling based on how much I like the made in California one.

After a few weeks of playing, I can tell you that I've found absolutely nothing wrong, or poorly done on the Sterling. No flaws at all on mine. It compares very well with the US built one. The sound is very similar, and familiar to anyone who knows the Stingray sound. The neck feel is very good, although slightly different in profile than the EBMM, it's similar, and very comfortable. If I were blindfolded, I'd have a hard time knowing for sure which one was in my hands.

In all honesty, the playing action (string height) can be brought slightly lower on the Sterling than it can be on my US built one. I like very low action, but can't stand fret-buzz. I think there is a slightly high fret about 6 or 7 up on the EBMM neck which prevents the action from getting as low as the Sterling (or many of my other basses) without fret buzz (I own 28 others, about half of them short-scale). I've done a few different settings on the neck, but haven't been able to get past it. I need to take the EBMM to a good tech to have the frets leveled. I'm sure the two will be comparable after that. But the point is, the one that cost <1/4 as much came to me slightly more easily playable. I would have expected it to be the other way around.

After spending $2200 on a bass, I shouldn't need to spend more having the frets leveled to get it perfect. Since the Starry Night color is rare, and finding a replacement would be difficult, I didn't really wish to risk shipping it back. I don't want to blow this out of proportion, the difference in action is slight, but the Sterling is better.

I've loaded both of mine with my favorite GHS Pressure Wound SS strings, which fit perfectly on these basses. They are an excellent compromise between flats and rounds, and very comfortable to play. I did make a slight neck adjustment on the Sterling after the string change.

I've read that some others here have gotten Sterling imports with some flaws, and that's unfortunate. Product support is something I haven't dealt with from either Sterling or EBMM, so I can't comment on that.

So, there's my review and out of the box comparison of them both. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another Sterling, and may do so if they come out with a color I really like...although, I do like my white one. I might play with some different PG's on it however, just for fun. I like the purple one someone here bought, but there's nothing wrong with the white one that it came with. I wish I could have gotten a bass of this quality for this (inflation adjusted) price when I started playing bass back in the 60's!

Dave O.

I had a similar experience. Mine came in Pristine condition, and compares favorably with my 2 (guitars) a Suhr and a Taylor (both) costing over 4x's the price. My only Complaint is: the bottom horn is a little Tight to access frets 20, 21 & 22 comfortably.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Speaking of truss adjustment the holes in the truss rod adjustment wheel on mine have a few holes that aren't even punched all the way through! Talk about poor quality control. They are also smaller diameter holes than the ones on my EBMM Specials so the rod adjustment tool EBMM supplies with the Specials won't even work on the Sterlings. Come on now!

Mine came with 2 Wrenches. 1 for the Bridge saddles and 1 for the Truss rod?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Hi,

I need to loosen the truss rid, which way do I turn the wheel?

Turn it "gently" towards the deep, fat Low E String. Counterclockwise to loosen or add relief. First: Loosen the strings a little bit, and only go 1/4 turn at a time. Hope that helps?

 

[Michael - NYC]

Do you guys know what's the overal length of these basses? no web source shows this info...
I have only found the dimension of the Mustang, which is 42.5'' and (in theory) should be comparable with the StingRay

The overall dimensions are:
Length 42" inches ( top of headstock to bottom strap button )
Lower Bout 12.5"
Middle Bout 10.5
Upper Bout 9.75
Headstock 7" ( width across 3 x 1 tuning keys )

 

[Michael - NYC]

Any one out there playing roundwound steel strings on their SBMM Stingray SS ? Which do you recommend ?

I'm sticking with the Ernie Ball's (that come with it). I bought 2 extra packs, with my initial purchase. They are the Gauge . . . the Nut was cut-for. I like a little Zing (especially on a short scale bass) as some tend to sound Boomy & Muddy. This Stingray sounds closest to a full scale bass (i.m.o.)

 

[Michael - NYC]

This happened to me also. Easy fix. Take a small screwdriver and lower the pickup on the top side (closer to the E) .. do this while you’re playing with an amp or plugged into something you can hear the bass and adjust it until everything sounds even.
I lowered the whole pickup (top and bottom sides) quite a bit from the factory setting but the top side needs a little extra lowering to make things even.

Me too. I considerably-lowered my pickup and it sounds Amazing. Great even tone, clear note definition and long sustain. Trust me: get your Volume from your Amp. Get your Tone from the pickups.

 

[Michael - NYC]

Because I'm afraid I'll never find another one that plays like this one. It's the best playing short-scale bass I've got...and I've got a lot of them...some cost almost 8x this much. A lot of people here have complained about neck problems, and a lot of inconsistency in these basses. Other than the weight, this one is perfect in every other way. It would be a dandy session bass, because it sounds really nice, and I don't have to stand with 11 pounds of it hanging on my shoulder for hours then.

I also got it for a really good price...not much over $400. Paying shipping both ways on a replacement that might have a crummy neck isn't really worth it to me.

I'll shut-up about it now. Thanks for all the feedback.

Dave O.

Keep it . . . (your words): It's the best playing short-scale bass I've got...and I've got a lot of them...some cost almost 8x this much. You will Regret It - if your return it and get a Lemon "Trust Me" - I was also Lucky to get an Absolute Gem. Mine is going to the Grave with me!!!

 

[Michael - NYC]

I review of my Sterling by Music Man Stingray Short Scale in in order.

First off, I got a great deal on it from someone here on TB. $400 shipped in mint condition. And this is one of those rare cases where the seller said mint, and it actually was mint!

Some background - I never liked Stingrays. Why? I like a deep full tone, not the aggressive highs I hear from Stingrays. And I never liked the round pickguard. Also I could never figure our the nomenclature ... Sterling, Ernie Ball, MusicMan, SUB ... just too much to keep track of

So why did I buy it? It popped up on the TB classifieds one day and I loved the short scale and the color. It was a great deal. And I thought maybe it would be a good addition to my short scale collection, even if it didn't get played much.

Here are my thoughts on the bass in no particular order.

The dropped copper color is amazing and unique.

The bass is heavy, but it doesn't neck dive when held on a strap. The result is it feels solid, really solid. I Like.
[Let me add a comment to this. Its "on the verge" of neck diving. I can feel it. I can see where other ones might. Maybe mine has a heavy body that is balancing it. Lightweight tuners might be a good upgrade.]

The neck is super stiff and holds position well after adjusting the truss rod. Was able to set the action easily and it hasn't moved since. The truss rod wheel is the best thing ever! I don't know why this hasn't caught on with other manufacturer's? Is it patented?

The neck feels great in my hand. I don't know the radius, but its thicker and rounder than my other short scales. Feels very comfortable.

The neck feel unfinished. Obviously it has something on it, but its matte and you really can't see or feel it much. It feels almost like raw wood in your hand. Some people may not like this, or may associate it with being cheap, but not me. Its super smooth and your hand slides easily. To me this is one of the best features of the bass. Plays like butter as sellers like to say.

The fret work is well done. No high frets. And the edges are super smooth.

I like the fact that its passive. No batteries in my bass collection. The passive boost is just about too much - it may over-drive your amp! But even without the boost, its got a really hot output. The pickup is a beast. Please, no comments or arguments about "passive boost". I'm an engineer and I understand how this works. Bottom line is that you turn the knob and it gets louder. Marketing people are gonna call that a boost. Let me and my fellow engineers stick to making things, and let the sales and marketing types name them. Who am I to argue with them?

The tone is surprisingly versatile. This is very surprising to me, I did not expect it on a Stingray. It came with what I assume were the original strings and I was not happy with the tone, which I will exaggerate and call shrill. OK, not really shrill ... lets call it overly aggressive and mid focused. I put flats on it and it was much better, but a little bland. It seemed to lose its personality. So recently I put D'Addario EXL160S Nickel Rounds (50 to 105) on it. WOW. These strings sing on this bass. Now I can get anything from low and powerful to bright and snarly out of it. I never thought I'd like Stingray tone, but I have to admit to being into it now. I like to dial back the tone to maintain the deep low end, but it still always has that little bite on top of it.

Overall the fit, finish, hardware, and quality is such that I have no complaints at all. I can't find anything wrong with it. Its an amazing value for the money. I can't imagine how the USA version could be better enough for the extra cost.

The only thing I don't really like is the headstock. The 3+1 configuration is growing on me. It makes a lot of sense from a practical standpoint, as it places the tuners in optimal locations. But aesthetically the headstock looks big and ugly to me. I'm tempted to take it the band saw

The "round" pickguard doesn't bother me anymore. I guess I got used to it over time.

Overall this is a great bass and I'm going to keep it and play it. I never thought I'd say that about a Stingray.

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9.5 Neck Radius