My Ampeg SCR-DI enables to get as bright and cutting as I like with my SBMM...
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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
Yeah, I use the Darkglass Microtubes B7K Ultra with my SBMM and it cuts right through the mix! Good preamp goes a LONG way in getting the tone you want.
Nice!
I am going to try an on board pre with the original pickup: John East MMSR 3-band is reputed to be great for MM sound.
This was always a possibility that I wanted to try on my short scale stingray. Like you and the poster above you, I was also able to get the results I wanted with an external preamp. But I don’t want an instrument that requires a pedal to sound serviceable. I also considered changing to higher value pots to hopefully open up some of the high end. Plan C was to completely gut it and route the body for a mustang or P bass pickup, and have a super unique short scale bass…
… unfortunately, I fell in love with a JMJ Mustang this past weekend and now my short scale stingray is gone.
… unfortunately, I fell in love with a JMJ Mustang this past weekend and now my short scale stingray is gone.
I never had a complaint about the stock sound. In fact, the bass sound great to me (maybe I got lucky) and plays as well as my Stingray. The preamp just gives me more choices in the soundscape. I hope you enjoy the JMJ, great little instrument.
Keep us posted on progress with this. Id be very interested in one if it makes a positive difference. Nothing wrong with my stock tone but I was going to put an East pre in a jazz until the SBMM shorty caught my eye. I wasn’t sure if they would fit.
I am prepared to make it fit in case it is necessary. We will see. I am buying a double battery box for this project.
Peruse the John East Preamp club if you have time; I think I saw someone did just what I have in mind. Or, it could have been one of the members here perhaps. Will let you know how it goes.
The EMG EXB tone circuit will work with the stock passive SBMM pickup and will sound great.
It provides a continueously variable EQ curve which is rather nice sounding.
I'm using it and I really like its sound and on the go simplicity.
The cost about $75.00.
It provides a continueously variable EQ curve which is rather nice sounding.
I'm using it and I really like its sound and on the go simplicity.
The cost about $75.00.
This has probably been discussed at some point in this thread but I’m new to this bass. I love everything about it but I’m struggling to get used to the tonal difference between the boomy E string and the more nasal G. I think I might need to replace the nut as I think the G slot is allowing too much lateral movement. Has anyone found a string or preamp pedal/setting or other fix that evens out the tone a bit?
Have you tried adjusting the pickup yet? Following Music Man setup specs, the distance from the pickup to the bottom of the G string should be 6/32" without pressing the string down at the last fret. The pickup should then be levelled with the pickguard. Distance to the E string would be about 7/32". If you are still getting boomy E string, lower the entire pickup in increments until it sounds even. The G string will always be a little nasally on a Stingray. Earlier in this thread some people tried flatwound strings which supposedly helped if that's what you're into.
Personally, I installed GHS balanced nickel short scale strings, medium gauge, which I really love.
Correctly cut string slots and nut height are important for proper intonation too.
Nuts are NEVER cut properly out of the box.
Find a good guitar repair guy and have them properly cut and angle the slots for your string guages and set the slot depth to get the proper string height at the first fret.
This sets the stage for the entire bass on how it feels, plays, and sounds.
One way to check it, get a chromatic tuner, play the open string and get it perfectly in tune, then play the first fret. If it is sharp, the nut is too high. You can also press down the first fret and look at the height of the string over the 2nd fret, this is how much clearance you need over the first fret when playing the string open.
I installed a Zero Glide nut and it pretty much does all of this by design. I don't have any problem with string inconsistancy and the overall feel and intonation is excellent.
Good Luck...
The pickups were way too low and about the same on each string (4/32 on the G 5/32 on the E). That has made a big improvement on the tone. Now I’m struggling to intonate the E. I realise that short strings will need fine tuning on this as a small change will have a bigger impact. My Boss TU3 is all over the place though. I might have to hand this to a tech to get it perfect.
I just received my Olympic White with Rosewood fretboard SS4 from Sam Ash on Black Friday. It was a demo model and one of the last three Sterling short scales with the rosewood fretboard in their system.
Fast shipping but no Sweetwater 55-point inspection on this bass. There was hard plastic in one of the tuners and the volume and tone knobs were loose.
However, these were minor issues with easy fixes. More importantly, the bass is 7.4 lbs, plays great, and sounds great.
I did a setup myself and only had to file the E string nut slightly to get my new LaBella flatwounds into low action and good intonation.
I was going to put Hipshot tuners on but they are not necessary as the stock tuners work perfectly. So I’m leaving the bass as is for a while since I got it as a backup/change of pace for my StingRay Special.
It is a little more comfortable to play than my full-sized StingRay and just as fun.
I really thought I would end up with a JMJ Mustang Bass but this Sterling is fantastic and my GAS is in remission again.
Fun Fact: Hipshot HB14 tuners are straight drop-ins with only two screws per Mr Les Funk, who has a beautiful Sterling SS4 on sale in the classifieds.
Unfortunately, Hipshot HB14 tuners are discontinued. I called Hipshot and they directed me to their eBay store for clearance items. There is a blemished set of four chrome HB14s for $97.95 still available. The keys are reversible.
Fast shipping but no Sweetwater 55-point inspection on this bass. There was hard plastic in one of the tuners and the volume and tone knobs were loose.
However, these were minor issues with easy fixes. More importantly, the bass is 7.4 lbs, plays great, and sounds great.
I did a setup myself and only had to file the E string nut slightly to get my new LaBella flatwounds into low action and good intonation.
I was going to put Hipshot tuners on but they are not necessary as the stock tuners work perfectly. So I’m leaving the bass as is for a while since I got it as a backup/change of pace for my StingRay Special.
It is a little more comfortable to play than my full-sized StingRay and just as fun.
I really thought I would end up with a JMJ Mustang Bass but this Sterling is fantastic and my GAS is in remission again.
Fun Fact: Hipshot HB14 tuners are straight drop-ins with only two screws per Mr Les Funk, who has a beautiful Sterling SS4 on sale in the classifieds.
Unfortunately, Hipshot HB14 tuners are discontinued. I called Hipshot and they directed me to their eBay store for clearance items. There is a blemished set of four chrome HB14s for $97.95 still available. The keys are reversible.
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Word. Pics?
I have an old Squire strat that I keep around on the rare occasions I play guitar. I was surprised at how much heavier it is than my Ray. I’m telling you this bass is excellent value even before you start thinking about upgrades. I haven’t done anything to mine yet but I am thinking about getting a Nordstrand PUP. If anyone here has experience with their MM pups speak up!
