SBMM Stingray Short scale

[cheddar]

@cheddar, I always press the E and G strings down onto the last fret and then make the pickup height adjustments. Then I then adjust to taste. In this case, I found these heights worked well for me.
There's not "correct" answer. Just do what sounds good to you.

Thanks so much! I know it is a matter of personal preference, it is just that the recommended pickup height is extremely low, resulting in weak output, and I was curious how others have their pickup set. Appreciate your comments!

 

[Yonni]

I think I have discovered my intonation issues and why its always out of tune. I picked it up today and banged it against my arm. It rattled. Quick inspection showed that both front bridge screws were loose (the round allen key ones).

 

[Yonni]

I think I have discovered my intonation issues and why its always out of tune. I picked it up today and banged it against my arm. It rattled. Quick inspection showed that both bridge screws were loose.

 

[cashmoneywill]

Anyone know if the pickup covers are removable for this model? I vaguely remember someone mentioning it was glued on, but just to ask. Looking to swap it for a darker color or white.

 

[laklandplayer]

Anyone know if the pickup covers are removable for this model? I vaguely remember someone mentioning it was glued on, but just to ask. Looking to swap it for a darker color or white.

The pickup is sealed, you can't remove the cover. You can always buy a white EMG replacement.

 

[stshipley]

I got a Vintage Burst Sterling SS Stingray new in the box from GC in January last year. I was pretty pumped to get a shorty to replace my Ray34ca.

Straight out of the box it had some challenges to overcome. The fretwork was the worst I've ever seen in a brand new bass. Easily solved with a fret file and some YouTube instruction on how to fix it up.

In my home studio playing it alone, it sounded like a Stingray should and I was super happy with it, but . . . when I used it with my band it didn't sound like a Stingray at all. It was hyper boomy, a sea of low end with no cut whatsoever, which is why you have a Stingray! I used it for half of a show and was not happy about it at all. I went though a few stretches afterward where I was trying to get rid of it and I wasn't seeing how it would ever get any playing time compared to my Fender Jazz (medium scale.)

About a year later though, I'm happy to say that after a lot of research, experimentation, adjustments, amp and pedal tweaks, I used it for a 3 hour show last weekend and it sounded like a Stingray should. Lots of cut and punch and it wasn't hard to hear. It was clear without being biting.

I think the major hurdle I needed to get over is that the neodymium pickup is not like the alnico pickup of the Ray 34ca or traditional Stingrays. It's hyper powerful. In a live setting with an amp it generates a lot more low end, and it needed a cut in the amp lows to keep from being a sea of lows. And - even with my adjusted settings, it is FAR louder than my Fender Jazz.

I really am glad I was able to save it and find useful playing time with it, because it is my smallest and lightest (8lbs even) bass, and that's a great thing after a 3 hour show.

 

[Jazzdogg]

I got a Vintage Burst Sterling SS Stingray new in the box from GC in January last year. I was pretty pumped to get a shorty to replace my Ray34ca.

Straight out of the box it had some challenges to overcome. The fretwork was the worst I've ever seen in a brand new bass. Easily solved with a fret file and some YouTube instruction on how to fix it up.

In my home studio playing it alone, it sounded like a Stingray should and I was super happy with it, but . . . when I used it with my band it didn't sound like a Stingray at all. It was hyper boomy, a sea of low end with no cut whatsoever, which is why you have a Stingray! I used it for half of a show and was not happy about it at all. I went though a few stretches afterward where I was trying to get rid of it and I wasn't seeing how it would ever get any playing time compared to my Fender Jazz (medium scale.)

About a year later though, I'm happy to say that after a lot of research, experimentation, adjustments, amp and pedal tweaks, I used it for a 3 hour show last weekend and it sounded like a Stingray should. Lots of cut and punch and it wasn't hard to hear. It was clear without being biting.

I think the major hurdle I needed to get over is that the neodymium pickup is not like the alnico pickup of the Ray 34ca or traditional Stingrays. It's hyper powerful. In a live setting with an amp it generates a lot more low end, and it needed a cut in the amp lows to keep from being a sea of lows. And - even with my adjusted settings, it is FAR louder than my Fender Jazz.

I really am glad I was able to save it and find useful playing time with it, because it is my smallest and lightest (8lbs even) bass, and that's a great thing after a 3 hour show.

Thank you for your post. When I'm setting up at a gig, the first thing I do is experiment with the placement of my speaker cabinet(s) on stage, and adjust a variable high-pass filter, to normalize my rig to the venue's acoustics. The goal is to create the best possible sound on stage for myself and my fellow musicians; we each manage on-stage volume and EQ so that everyong on stage can be heard clearly. FOH can easily take care of what the audience hears if we manage our on-stage tone and volume effectively. Achieving "my sound" on stage is, at best, a tertiary consideration. What you experienced may have more to do with tweaking your rig to the venue's acoustics than to a particular instrument.

 

[DavidEdenAria]

Thank you for your post. When I'm setting up at a gig, the first thing I do is experiment with the placement of my speaker cabinet(s) on stage, and adjust a variable high-pass filter, to normalize my rig to the venue's acoustics. The goal is to create the best possible sound on stage for myself and my fellow musicians; we each manage on-stage volume and EQ so that everyong on stage can be heard clearly. FOH can easily take care of what the audience hears if we manage our on-stage tone and volume effectively. Achieving "my sound" on stage is, at best, a tertiary consideration. What you experienced may have more to do with tweaking your rig to the venue's acoustics than to a particular instrument.

HPF are a thing of beauty....more bassists should try one if their amp doesnt have one built in....its like a sub sonic filter seen on older HI Fi amps, the engineers had a reason for it with turntables but a variable HPF is the stuff!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I got a Vintage Burst Sterling SS Stingray new in the box from GC in January last year. I was pretty pumped to get a shorty to replace my Ray34ca.

Straight out of the box it had some challenges to overcome. The fretwork was the worst I've ever seen in a brand new bass. Easily solved with a fret file and some YouTube instruction on how to fix it up.

In my home studio playing it alone, it sounded like a Stingray should and I was super happy with it, but . . . when I used it with my band it didn't sound like a Stingray at all. It was hyper boomy, a sea of low end with no cut whatsoever, which is why you have a Stingray! I used it for half of a show and was not happy about it at all. I went though a few stretches afterward where I was trying to get rid of it and I wasn't seeing how it would ever get any playing time compared to my Fender Jazz (medium scale.)

About a year later though, I'm happy to say that after a lot of research, experimentation, adjustments, amp and pedal tweaks, I used it for a 3 hour show last weekend and it sounded like a Stingray should. Lots of cut and punch and it wasn't hard to hear. It was clear without being biting.

I think the major hurdle I needed to get over is that the neodymium pickup is not like the alnico pickup of the Ray 34ca or traditional Stingrays. It's hyper powerful. In a live setting with an amp it generates a lot more low end, and it needed a cut in the amp lows to keep from being a sea of lows. And - even with my adjusted settings, it is FAR louder than my Fender Jazz.

I really am glad I was able to save it and find useful playing time with it, because it is my smallest and lightest (8lbs even) bass, and that's a great thing after a 3 hour show.

According to the Company the neo pups are so powerful that when you set up an HH, the pickup height should be accounted for. In a single humbucker short scale that may be still a valid concern and I had to lower the pickup somewhat to get the tone where I wanted it.

It is good to hear that you've sorted it out though!

 

[Yonni]

I know there has been string choice discussion in this thread but what about strings for slap? Any higher tension bright round recommendations? I’m finding the E a bit lacking in definition. I’ve got whatever it came with on it (Slinkies?).

 

[AWMN]

Just a little gratuitous SBMM porn.

 

[soflbass]

I know there has been string choice discussion in this thread but what about strings for slap? Any higher tension bright round recommendations? I’m finding the E a bit lacking in definition. I’ve got whatever it came with on it (Slinkies?).

I'm not a slapper, but from what I've read, these two would be worth trying.
Dunlop Super Bright Stainless Steel Electric Bass Strings Short Scale Set - 4-String 45-105 DBSBS45105S
DR Hi-Beam Stainless Steel Electric Bass Strings Short Scale Set - 4-String 45-105 Medium SMR-45

 

[WestyBassBob]

I know there has been string choice discussion in this thread but what about strings for slap? Any higher tension bright round recommendations? I’m finding the E a bit lacking in definition. I’ve got whatever it came with on it (Slinkies?).

If you want bright stainless steel is the way to go. I use DR Hi Beams.

 

[RodRy]

Just a little gratuitous SBMM porn.
View attachment 5040127

Very cool photo!

 

[Djadja]

I know there has been string choice discussion in this thread but what about strings for slap? Any higher tension bright round recommendations? I’m finding the E a bit lacking in definition. I’ve got whatever it came with on it (Slinkies?).

I would add the Stringjoy stainless steel to the list. I use their nickel strings on both bass and electric guitar and love them. I expect the stainless would be excellent.

 

[Djadja]

Guitar Center has the sunburst models on sale again. Every time this happens I get this urge to buy another one.

 

[RodRy]

I would add the Stringjoy stainless steel to the list. I use their nickel strings on both bass and electric guitar and love them. I expect the stainless would be excellent.

Didn't realize Stringjoy came out with Stainless! Thanks for the note!

 

[Djadja]

Didn't realize Stringjoy came out with Stainless! Thanks for the note!

just looked and they have long scale on the website.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Just a little gratuitous SBMM porn.
View attachment 5040127

Is that dropped copper?

 

[mjmeche]

SS4 Bsss Porn pulled the triigger amd made some minor changes. I am pleased. Excuse the danger zone of my music room it needs to n]be doubled in size lol.