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SBMM Stingray Short scale

#2,441
mrpackerguy said:
I just pulled the trigger on a 7# Daphne Blue on Reverb. Had played a new sunburst Sterlin SS in GC last week and couldn't believe the fit, finish and sound. Really blew me away. I have a '71 Musicmaster SS but cannot get a decent sound out of it despite a new Novak drop in replacement pup. The Sterling SS Ray has all the punchiness and tone I remember from full scale rays I've owned. And at 7#, should be a dream to play.

I certainly would prefer a rosewood neck. Anyone with a white Sterling SS wanna consider swap their rosewood neck for my maple neck? My Daphne won't be here until next week, maybe I'll like the maple neck, just like the sunburst one I tried. The only maple necked bass I currently have is my '79 pre-EB MM Sabre.
Click to expand...
Good luck setting up a swap - the results are pretty nice!
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Someone else here has a beautiful white with Maple one!
:D
 
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#2,442
Managed to get hold of a second hand short scale Stringray recently and couldn't resist swapping out the tuners for Hipshot HB1s with the short keys. It's made a big difference in terms of neck dive as the stock tuners are surprisingly heavy.

I decided to fill the existing screw holes before fitting as I wasn't happy with how the HB1s sat when using some of the original screw holes. So out came the wood glue, cocktail sticks and sandpaper. Then it was a simple case of lining them up, and drilling for the HB1s.

I'm really happy with the result! Gives it a proper Music Man vibe!
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#2,444
I played 3 of these this weekend and they were all terrible compared to my recently acquired Squier Mustang. They also use the same tuners as the Squier, so I get why some people are annoyed about them. And in true GC fashion, one of them had flats on it, had obviously been returned, and was selling as new. I won't make any judgements of anyone else. I just hope you're all getting better basses than I can find locally.
 
#2,445
I can't compare this thing to my MIA Mustang as they are just different but I still love my Stingray. I keep everything stock except the strings and set ups on all my basses, I don't tinker. I just buy something else. I will say this though, the US manufacturing plants better up their game! Indonesian basses are great and getting better all the time.
 
#2,446
Sargerino said:
Managed to get hold of a second hand short scale Stringray recently and couldn't resist swapping out the tuners for Hipshot HB1s with the short keys. It's made a big difference in terms of neck dive as the stock tuners are surprisingly heavy.

I decided to fill the existing screw holes before fitting as I wasn't happy with how the HB1s sat when using some of the original screw holes. So out came the wood glue, cocktail sticks and sandpaper. Then it was a simple case of lining them up, and drilling for the HB1s.

I'm really happy with the result! Gives it a proper Music Man vibe!View attachment 4650789 View attachment 4650790 View attachment 4650793
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I did a similar thing to mine as well. I managed to find a set of Schaller short key tuners (pretty rare I guess… at least I’ve never seen a set before besides branded musicman ones)
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#2,447
Lowendchamp said:
I can't compare this thing to my MIA Mustang as they are just different but I still love my Stingray. I keep everything stock except the strings and set ups on all my basses, I don't tinker. I just buy something else. I will say this though, the US manufacturing plants better up their game! Indonesian basses are great and getting better all the time.
Click to expand...
USA Ernie Ball MusicMan products rival boutique build quality . I can only say the same about one Fender I owned. That’s the USA Geddy Lee Jazz.
 
#2,452
Have a very soft/clicky E tuner. Does tune and hold, but it won’t last. Otherwise, haven’t plugged it in but played it several hours in front of the tv. Will likely keep it and change out tuners. Have strings on the way, going to try Labella DT flats on the Gib, and pick from 2-3 nickel rounds I have coming for, probably, the Ray.

OT but I am surprised how happy I have been with a set of basic XLs on the Gibson.
 
#2,454
If you ever wondered what the back of the neo sbmm ss pickup looks like, here it is. If I could have pushed the A and D magnets up a little bit I would have kept it in place. The string to string volume / balance was off and was really noticeable.
I installed an EMG MMTW and it’s an amazing sounding pickup. It is switchable between full humbucking and single coil with no hum and actually sounds like a series mode humbucker

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#2,455
laklandplayer said:
If you ever wondered what the back of the neo sbmm ss pickup looks like, here it is. If I could have pushed the A and D magnets up a little bit I would have kept it in place. The string to string volume / balance was off and was really noticeable.
I installed an EMG MMTW and it’s an amazing sounding pickup. It is switchable between full humbucking and single coil with no hum and actually sounds like a series mode humbucker

.View attachment 4658061View attachment 4658062
Click to expand...
interesting. I haven't heard any string to string imbalance in either of my short scale Stingrays- an EBMM & SBMM.
I wonder why the difference for you... and why the difference is not there with the EMG. What strings are you using?
 
#2,456
Djadja said:
interesting. I haven't heard any string to string imbalance in either of my short scale Stingrays- an EBMM & SBMM.
I wonder why the difference for you... and why the difference is not there with the EMG. What strings are you using?
Click to expand...
The EMG magnets are radiused to match the curve of the fretboard and the strings. With straight line magnets the G and E are louder than the A and D because they are closer to the poles.
I used it on a session and it was very apparent in the studio, the A and D strings didn’t have the same punch and volume as the outer strings. If they could just raise the A and D magnets it would fix it, I tried but they are epoxied in the bobbins. I’m using DR hi beams.
 
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#2,457
laklandplayer said:
The EMG magnets are radiused to match the curve of the fretboard and the strings. With straight line magnets the G and E are louder than the A and D because they are closer to the poles.
I used it on a session and it was very apparent in the studio, the A and D strings didn’t have the same punch and volume as the outer strings. If they could just raise the A and D magnets it would fix it, I tried but they are epoxied in the bobbins. I’m using DR hi beams.
Click to expand...
I didn't realize the EMG magnets are radiused.
 
#2,458
I changed tuners to a set of nickel Hipshot Ultralights while watching the Oilers destroy Nashville behind Drai’s hat trick. I hope we meet you in the playoffs, he owns you, had a 4 goal game last year.
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Oiled board, lightly sanded back of neck with 1000, just a few passes, got rid of small rough spots. Like the 6 bolt neck joint. Did not fill holes or reverse the off side tuner by choice, doesn’t bother me.
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