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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
I would seriously consider a set of the the Labella Short Scale Flexible Flats instead.
LTF-4A-S Low Tension Flats 42-100, Short Scale
I'm using them on my short scale Bronco bass and they are excellent just as they are on my 2015 USA Fender P too. The Flexible Flats are lower tension and have great sustain, they are Labella's take on the Thomastick flat design. I use the traditional 760's on my Hofner club and a 40 year old set of 760's is on my vintage 65 P bass. The 760's are "old school" and take some getting used to if you've never played flatwounds.
The Flexible Flats are a nice in between feel if you are used to roundwounds but they retain the signature flatwound Labella sound. The 760FL-S would be the one for the SBMM if you go that direction.
Either way, you won't go wrong with Labella.
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I used to play TI flats, but I found the tension too floppy. How does the tension of the Labella LTFs compare with the TIs?
They aren’t as “floppy” as the TI. You can dig into them and they don’t bottom out but they aren’t as stiff as the 760 and the sustain is better. I like the TI, you just have to raise your action a little to accommodate the lower tension or relax the truss rod. Of course, it depends on how hard you play too. I play with a lighter touch and I love the sustain and nuances of low tension strings. But, I also know a lot of local players with terrible technique who attack a bass like it’s a fist fight. they’ve developed a lot of bad habits and are ruining the tendons in their hands and developing arthritis. Playing the bass should never hurt, period.
The stock tuners weigh in at 2.73 oz. each (not including screws or headstock tuner bushing) for a total of 10.92 oz. You'll save 4.56 oz. by going to the Ultralites. I went with the Hipshot USA exact replacements on my short scale with the non tapered shafts (like the old, vintage Fender Kluson tuners) I'm not having neck dive issues and the overall bass weight is pretty light.
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I’m sure it’s been mentioned but has anyone put a preamp in one of these? I searched but couldn’t find a comment and at nearly 3,000 posts I don’t have the time to reread the thread. I was thinking of trying the John East 3 knob 2 band MMSR. Anyone know if it fits. I’ll contact them but thought someone might have tried it and could give a review?
Do it and tell us how it goes! I have looked hard at the Audere audio preamps but never pulled the trigger.
Kraken put one in his. You can contact him and get some feedback.
Yes. I could not stand the sound of the stock pickups, so I did the following:
- Routed cavity on back for 9v battery box
- Installed Graph Tech Ghost 9v Battery Box ($19.75)
- Enlarged control cavity for EMG pots and wires
- Installed Invalid Link Removed ($119) with Invalid Link Removed ($99)
-r
I don’t have the tools (or skills and confidence) to try this myself. I’d have to pay a luthier which would make it expensive. Im hoping the John East has the battery in the cavity, like their Jazz preamps do. I haven’t even taken the plate off yet to see if there us room. I’ll ask @Kraken but his profile says he was last active (pardon the pun) in 2014!!
Wrong 'Kraken' my friend. You are looking to talk to @kraken_kr.
@Yonni
In my experience, the SBMM Stingray control cavity is tiny. I doubt it's big enough for a preamp and a 9v battery. Before ordering anything, I recommend you take measurements of the cavity. Then ask the nice folks at Josh East for their measurements. Then figure out if there is any room left over for the 9v battery.
I routed the bass myself simply b/c there was no room for the EMG BTS and 9v battery.
Regarding routing the cavity, my local luthier charges $80 per hour. If you don't mind putting one or two 9v batteries behind the pickguard, I bet your local luthier could route out a space behind the pickguard in less than an hour.
Good luck.
In my experience, the SBMM Stingray control cavity is tiny. I doubt it's big enough for a preamp and a 9v battery. Before ordering anything, I recommend you take measurements of the cavity. Then ask the nice folks at Josh East for their measurements. Then figure out if there is any room left over for the 9v battery.
I routed the bass myself simply b/c there was no room for the EMG BTS and 9v battery.
Regarding routing the cavity, my local luthier charges $80 per hour. If you don't mind putting one or two 9v batteries behind the pickguard, I bet your local luthier could route out a space behind the pickguard in less than an hour.
Good luck.
Hey,
I have put the John East pre in my SBMM before...
- As others said already, the SBMM Stingray control cavity is tiny...Battery doesn't really fit in the cavity, extra routing is needed.
- You will probably lose the three-way mode selector if you are not looking to change the control plate/punch an extra hole somewhere...
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for anyone interested, I just posted a Zero Mod thumb rest for the short scale Stingray in the accessories classifieds
For Sale - Zero Mod thumbrest for Short Scale Stingray
For Sale - Zero Mod thumbrest for Short Scale Stingray
I have been trying to find the optimal pickup height for my SBMM Stingray short scale.I have found that the Sterling suggested pickup height of 3/16" from the top of the pickup to the bottom of the open G string (not fretted) results in a weak signal. I have raised them quite a bit from these suggested settings and it sounds much better to me.
I would like to hear how high others have their pickup set on their SMBB Stingray short scale. Thanks so much!
I would like to hear how high others have their pickup set on their SMBB Stingray short scale. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing. Are these measurements taken with the strings open (not pressed/fretted)?
