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SBMM Stingray Short scale

#2,561
BassMatt42 said:
Well, this is my first post! Got myself a sunburst SBMM shorty about a week ago. Read all two years of this thread and the $450 sale at GC clinched the deal. Happy I pulled the trigger when I did as they're back up to $600 now!

Was lucky to have a really great GC rep on the case. He called me after I placed my order online and told me the one they had in stock was a floor model, missing a knob, light scratching, as you'd expect. He then went through two others that he got in from other stores before he found one that was in condition he thought I'd be happy with. Really great experience with Carlos at the Naperville, IL store. 10/10 would recommend.

Anyway, I love the heck out of this thing. It's great for my smaller hands, I really feel in command of the fretboard. Tone is amazing, love the pickup. Neck needed a little relief and intonation and saddles needed a little adjustment when I got her, but other than that she's amazing! I haven't minded the tuners as much as some of the folks here, but I might end up replacing them.

I've only gotten to use it at one band practice so far, but I was thrilled with how it cut through the mix. Got a gig on Saturday, so we'll see how it fares live then.

Thanks for all your posts and mod recommendations (I've got a tusq nut in the mail!), they were a big help in deciding to pull the trigger. Happy to be a member of the club!!
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Sounds like you got a good one. Those burst look sweet in person. I haven’t been so impressed with an import since my CV 60’s P. Glad you snagged one before the sale ended.
Enjoy it!!
 
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#2,562
Getting discouraged about finding a SS neck for the OLY white SBMM. Talked to Warmoth,and said their necks,would not fit the SS Sterlings. Even the OLP neck I got was too wide at the heel,not that it would work. Asked the previous owner what happened to the neck,and he said he took in a trade,with some other parts. Also talked with Sterling people this morning said they don't sell individual necks. I noticed Schecter Banshee SS basses have the truss rod wheel,that Music Man has on their necks. I have the vintage sunburst,and I switched necks,to go with rosewood fretboard.
 
#2,563
Chrome Dome said:
Getting discouraged about finding a SS neck for the OLY white SBMM. Talked to Warmoth,and said their necks,would not fit the SS Sterlings. Even the OLP neck I got was too wide at the heel,not that it would work. Asked the previous owner what happened to the neck,and he said he took in a trade,with some other parts. Also talked with Sterling people this morning said they don't sell individual necks. I noticed Schecter Banshee SS basses have the truss rod wheel,that Music Man has on their necks. I have the vintage sunburst,and I switched necks,to go with rosewood fretboard.
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Message sent.:)
 
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#2,564
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May look like in desperate mode,but not finding a neck to match the OLY white short scale body. Found a 30" scale SX vintage neck to put on the body,and be able to get it playable anyway. Once I get the neck,and get it mounted will show some pictures with update,on the progress. Measurement,of neck pocket,heel of neck,will be close,but thinking it should alright. Unfortunately Ernie Ball,and Sterling real firm about parting,or modding their basses.
IMG_6937.JPG
 
#2,566
NBD, just got a daphne blue one today and unfortunately I'm not entirely happy. QC could be better, it's not terrible, but not perfect. But even though I have read about this before, I am surprised how high the action is, it's ridiculous. My E string is still pretty high but I can't set it any lower, the saddle is already touching the bridge plate.

I guess my only option is to shim? :(
 
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#2,567
Ok looking into this further, the action seems like a QC issue. Measured it, it's 2.5mm at the VERY lowest setting. Checked with a fellow owner and his action is 2mm with plenty of room under the saddle. So there's something wrong with mine. Would hate to send it back, it's out of stock in most stores in the UK for quite a while now :(
 
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#2,568
whave said:
NBD, just got a daphne blue one today and unfortunately I'm not entirely happy. QC could be better, it's not terrible, but not perfect. But even though I have read about this before, I am surprised how high the action is, it's ridiculous. My E string is still pretty high but I can't set it any lower, the saddle is already touching the bridge plate.

I guess my only option is to shim? :(
Click to expand...

Yes, I had to shim mine. I also replaced the nut. Neither job is difficult and not more than $50 USD in parts. It’s a nice playing and sounding bass and well worth the cost(s).
 
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#2,569
whave said:
Ok looking into this further, the action seems like a QC issue. Measured it, it's 2.5mm at the VERY lowest setting. Checked with a fellow owner and his action is 2mm with plenty of room under the saddle. So there's something wrong with mine. Would hate to send it back, it's out of stock in most stores in the UK for quite a while now :(
Click to expand...
Some are great, some are not even close. I'd exchange it for a better one unless you can try in person (which is what I did).
 
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#2,571
whave said:
NBD, just got a daphne blue one today and unfortunately I'm not entirely happy. QC could be better, it's not terrible, but not perfect. But even though I have read about this before, I am surprised how high the action is, it's ridiculous. My E string is still pretty high but I can't set it any lower, the saddle is already touching the bridge plate.

I guess my only option is to shim? :(
Click to expand...
I had to shim mine, no big deal. I used a thick business card that I cut to fit the between end of the neck pocket and first set of neck screw holes. It's fine now.
 
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#2,572
BassPilot said:
Yes, I had to shim mine. I also replaced the nut. Neither job is difficult and not more than $50 USD in parts. It’s a nice playing and sounding bass and well worth the cost(s).
Click to expand...
BassPilot said:
Yes, I had to shim mine. I also replaced the nut. Neither job is difficult and not more than $50 USD in parts. It’s a nice playing and sounding bass and well worth the cost(s).
Click to expand...
Does the bottom of the nut, on the SS, fit flat in the nut slot or does the nut slot curve like the neck radius?
I'm thinking of replacing mine with either a zero glide or Tusc. Thanks
 
#2,576
IMG_1200.jpg
Update,on the SX neck received today, for the SBMM short scale project,and got it bolted up,and checking the intonation. It is close but needing to check it out with a luthier here locally. Neck is 30" scale neck 20 fret. It is close enough not to have to relocate the bridge. It is going to take some tweaking,that I am not able to adjust it out right,but it will work. A work in progress? Pictures will show what I am trying to accomplish,and I love a challenge.
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#2,577
Chrome Dome said:
View attachment 4697311 Update,on the SX neck received today, for the SBMM short scale project,and got it bolted up,and checking the intonation. It is close but needing to check it out with a luthier here locally. Neck is 30" scale neck 20 fret. It is close enough not to have to relocate the bridge. It is going to take some tweaking,that I am not able to adjust it out right,but it will work. A work in progress? Pictures will show what I am trying to accomplish,and I love a challenge.View attachment 4697300 View attachment 4697301 View attachment 4697304 View attachment 4697305 View attachment 4697306
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You need to measure from the 12th fret to the bridge and see, I'd string it up and see how it intonates, it may be fine.
 
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#2,579
Don't want to bother you all with the dilemma trying to find replacement neck. Stumbled across this neck,FB market place,and contacted the seller,and is a 22 fret,with the correct measurements we needed to know. He was real patient about helping me with the measurements,just hoping he measured them correctly? The neck looks like a Warmoth headstock? Now I have two necks,for sale,by not doing enough research,as said before just a novice,appreciate you all not being too bad? The headstock will have 2+2 tuners Hipshots to fit the hole pattern.
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#2,580
Chrome Dome said:
Don't want to bother you all with the dilemma trying to find replacement neck. Stumbled across this neck,FB market place,and contacted the seller,and is a 22 fret,with the correct measurements we needed to know. He was real patient about helping me with the measurements,just hoping he measured them correctly? The neck looks like a Warmoth headstock? Now I have two necks,for sale,by not doing enough research,as said before just a novice,appreciate you all not being too bad? The headstock will have 2+2 tuners Hipshots to fit the hole pattern. View attachment 4701179 View attachment 4701180
Click to expand...
Looks like a custom headstock to me. Best of luck!
 
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