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SBMM Stingray Short scale

#224
Christcr said:
All the videos you've posted sound great, bass sounds great, and your playing is great. Gotta say though, and not to rain on the parade, that I do prefer the bass tone of the first two videos over this one. In trying to decide why that is (because, like I said, the bass sounds good on all the videos) I'd have to say that the flatwounds cause the bass to maybe lose a little bit of the "stingray character." They sound a bit more generic to me--again, not in a bad way, but just that I prefer the sound of the rounds in your videos. There is a certain "grittiness" or "spank" or "spark" that the bass had with the rounds.

Beyond all that, your playing is great on all of the videos and the bass sounds good on all the videos, regardless of the strings. These SBMM short scale stingrays are REALLY great basses, far beyond their meager price.
Click to expand...
Hey man
After your comment and playing on the Flats A bit more
I just like the feel of rounds better .
I know everyone is different
I just like that loose feel with the stingray spark.. and bite
I did another vid to listen for myself and I do favor the rounds myself as well
Put the Rounds back on
Take a listen!!
Thanks much man

 
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#225
Hunter Erwin said:
Hey man
After your comment and playing on the Flats A bit more
I just like the feel of rounds better .
I know everyone is different
I just like that loose feel with the stingray spark.. and bite
I did another vid to listen for myself and I do favor the rounds myself as well
Put the Rounds back on
Take a listen!!
Thanks much man

Click to expand...


Sounds great. Nice playing yet again. These babies have such a distinct voice that just sits in the mix so well.

I had a chance to compare my SBMM SS Stingray directly with my Fender Ultra Jazz yesterday for a couple of hours. The Ultra Jazz is a great bass and I've been playing it a lot lately (until I got this short scale Stingray, that is!). But I have to say that I prefer the sound of the Stingray. Sure, the Jazz is more variable in sound, but the Stingray just has "the sound" that I really like. And with the coil switching, it is more versatile and variable than a regular Stingray. It's like a better version of the (American) Sterling Bass, IMO. I played Sterlings for years and switched back to J-basses (mostly) as some point. But this short scale Stingray has the coil switching that I loved about the Sterlings in a package that is far more ergonomic than a full-scale Stingray (or Sterling) and so much lighter. Plus the short scale Stingray looks better, IMO, than either the full scale Stingray or the American Sterlings. I'm so glad Music Man came out with these babies (both the American and SBMM). I can't wait to get the starry night American version in a few months that I ordered--it will be a long wait, but with this SBMM version, not nearly as painful a wait. They got this bass right. And at such a great price too.
 
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#226
I just wanted to post quickly that I got my EBMM SS pickguard from PickguardPlanet/Chandler. The holes and pickup opening all line up with the original pickguard, but the openening for the neck and truss rod adjuster is too small by almost 1mm on each side and a half mil at the adjuster.

So I filed it. On the sides of the opening it's the taper that's off, so it needs more material removed by the top. It took about 2 hours to do it with a small file instead of hogging away at it with a dremel or something. File, check fitment, file, check again, etc for 2 hours. It fits now, but the fit could be a bit better. I'll likely have another go at it with another file or my cordless dremel tool. The cordless is capable of low speeds that are less likely to rip the piece you're working on to shreds.

I really don't suggest doing this unless you're willing to waste the money on the pickguard in case you make a mistake. Mine is definately not going to look 100% if you look at it closely.

Guess that wasn't that quick of a post. Pictures later.
 
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#227
Protagonist said:
I just wanted to post quickly that I got my EBMM SS pickguard from PickguardPlanet/Chandler. The holes and pickup opening all line up with the original pickguard, but the openening for the neck and truss rod adjuster is too small by almost 1mm on each side and a half mil at the adjuster.

So I filed it. On the sides of the opening it's the taper that's off, so it needs more material removed by the top. It took about 2 hours to do it with a small file instead of hogging away at it with a dremel or something. File, check fitment, file, check again, etc for 2 hours. It fits now, but the fit could be a bit better. I'll likely have another go at it with another file or my cordless dremel tool. The cordless is capable of low speeds that are less likely to rip the piece you're working on to shreds.

I really don't suggest doing this unless you're willing to waste the money on the pickguard in case you make a mistake. Mine is definately not going to look 100% if you look at it closely.

Guess that wasn't that quick of a post. Pictures later.
Click to expand...
Thanks for updating on this... I've been curious if it was going to fit before ordering my own. Maybe I will opt to having the current one painted. (Or just wait until they eventually hit the market)
 
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#228
Christcr said:
Sounds great. Nice playing yet again. These babies have such a distinct voice that just sits in the mix so well.

I had a chance to compare my SBMM SS Stingray directly with my Fender Ultra Jazz yesterday for a couple of hours. The Ultra Jazz is a great bass and I've been playing it a lot lately (until I got this short scale Stingray, that is!). But I have to say that I prefer the sound of the Stingray. Sure, the Jazz is more variable in sound, but the Stingray just has "the sound" that I really like. And with the coil switching, it is more versatile and variable than a regular Stingray. It's like a better version of the (American) Sterling Bass, IMO. I played Sterlings for years and switched back to J-basses (mostly) as some point. But this short scale Stingray has the coil switching that I loved about the Sterlings in a package that is far more ergonomic than a full-scale Stingray (or Sterling) and so much lighter. Plus the short scale Stingray looks better, IMO, than either the full scale Stingray or the American Sterlings. I'm so glad Music Man came out with these babies (both the American and SBMM). I can't wait to get the starry night American version in a few months that I ordered--it will be a long wait, but with this SBMM version, not nearly as painful a wait. They got this bass right. And at such a great price too.
Click to expand...
I could not agree more with
You
It’s outstanding !
I know you are excited about getting the new EBMM SS
I like the feel too
Kinda makes you smile when you play it..
And man does it cut in a mix and I think that’s what a good bass is designed to do!!
And as far as looks
I think it’s one of the best looking there is
Look forward to seeing pics of the new one soon!
 
#229
Voyevoda said:
My e string with the stock strings seems to be very floppy and loose. I have been looking at flatwound strings for a deeper sound, would they be stiffer or less floppy or w/e
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My e string was floppy as well. I did a minor truss rod adjustment and it seemed to help. There wasn't enough neck relief. I did purchase a set of D'Addario rounds to replace the stock strings. But, I think I'll hold off changing them out for now. I've had this bass for a little over a week, and like it more everyday!
 
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#230
Got the flats today and put them on and after playing for an hour....I love them! I love the sound and I have pretty soft hands so doing slides are much easier without murdering my fingertips. Also they are cool and shiny FF8A4CCA-5036-48A2-A858-22DF3A38EFE4.jpeg EEBC17DE-C4E4-485D-8DD3-797F3DDBC64C.jpeg AB1A3BD9-BA47-4823-AA26-E9F3DC648B93.jpeg
 
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#234
Voyevoda said:
I did not see that :0 I have the phrase “short scale stingray” watched so I’m surprised I missed it
Click to expand...

It was crazy. I'm not sure how they got away with it (MAP is the price you see all the rest going for and stores are not supposed to advertise them for less than that). I was horribly tempted to press the buy button when I saw that. Both colors and there were, I think, 3 of each at first. I REALLY had to logically talk myself out of it--you know, "You already have one, why do you need another?" (etc). LOL.
 
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#235
Christcr said:
It was crazy. I'm not sure how they got away with it (MAP is the price you see all the rest going for and stores are not supposed to advertise them for less than that). I was horribly tempted to press the buy button when I saw that. Both colors and there were, I think, 3 of each at first. I REALLY had to logically talk myself out of it--you know, "You already have one, why do you need another?" (etc). LOL.
Click to expand...
Maybe they “fell off a truck”
 
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#236
Christcr said:
It was crazy. I'm not sure how they got away with it (MAP is the price you see all the rest going for and stores are not supposed to advertise them for less than that). I was horribly tempted to press the buy button when I saw that. Both colors and there were, I think, 3 of each at first. I REALLY had to logically talk myself out of it--you know, "You already have one, why do you need another?" (etc). LOL.
Click to expand...
I have good reason to believe that was a mistake or some sort of scam. Maybe like the $14 basses that were all getting delivered today :)?

Anyhow...

My trigger has been pulled. I should have one in my hands shortly.

Has anyone replaced the pickguard yet? I REALLY NEED a black pg on this when I get it. Also, @Christcr - is it the same pg as on the MIA? If so, I won't have to buy one.

I'm very excited.
 
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#237
Joe Nerve said:
I have good reason to believe that was a mistake or some sort of scam. Maybe like the $14 basses that were all getting delivered today :)?

Anyhow...

My trigger has been pulled. I should have one in my hands shortly.

Has anyone replaced the pickguard yet? I REALLY NEED a black pg on this when I get it. Also, @Christcr - is it the same pg as on the MIA? If so, I won't have to buy one.

I'm very excited.
Click to expand...

Don't have time to pull one off right now, but from taking a couple of measurements, they are slightly different in shape and hole placement. Just from looks and the measurements, I'd say they don't quite cross fit.

Also, interestingly, the body shapes are also very slightly different, especially around the heel of the body where the bridges are mounted. It's all really close, though.
 
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#238
Hank Scorpio said:
Anyone seeing these pop up in the UK yet? I'd love a daphne blue one, would ideally like to try it first, as I'm not a Jazz-nut width fan. The 'ray sound in a compact package like this is really appealing to me though.
Click to expand...
Got one on order in Daphne Blue from Bass Direct - £650 - due mid to end of March. It was the only place that is getting them in that I could find, though I guess they'll show up elsewhere eventually. Buying sight unseen, but this thread has been very helpful.
 
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