Wasn't even offered. Got a shoulder shrug and returned it. But I also didn't mess around with it enough to see what else could have been wrong with it.
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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
- Start date
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- short scale bass
So I’ve spent a bit more time playing these strings… I’m starting to like them. A lot. The tension and lack of flexibility do make some things a bit more difficult to play, especially in the first position, but they speak with authority (I can’t think of any other description of them) and they are even across the registers. They do have more high end material than other flats but they are not bright… more like complete. They don’t slap well (at least for me at this point) but ghost notes pop out like left jabs. I could almost see them becoming my primary string. I’ll have to give them more time and play some with the band. I’ve been down with Covid and haven’t been to a rehearsal in 2 weeks… no gigs for a few more. That will be the test.
I put the same strings on my EBMM SS nearly a month ago. I replaced my Dunlop Flats with them.
Tension is about the same for both flat sets. I'm used to it now. The Dunlops feel like glass and are so easy to move around on and just so smooth. I like them best for that. The Cobalts were very sticky at first in comparison, but now with some play time on them, they are much slicker now. Certainly a lot smoother than a round, but not as glassy as the Dunlops.
The sound of the Cobalts is really phenomenal. They have a lot of range and it includes much more treble ability. I really like them for that. I put them on my F-Jazz V bass as well due to the sound and playability once played in.
Now the question is, does my SBMM SS get the old EB rounds that were on my EBMM SS or does it get the Dunlops? The Dunlops are pure gold for anything Motown and a real joy to play, but I feel the range is really limited along those lines as they are soooo flat. But sooo smooth!
Djadja - I'd put the Dunlops on your fretless. I bet that would be pure heaven.
You should post this on some of the string topics I’ve started. Get a lot more info out to the people about these strings . But I’m glad you like them. They have green wraps right?
I’ve been fairly satisfied with the tapes on my fretless. The whites are the brightest ones I think. The issue with moving too and from the short scale tapes is that they only come in a very fat gauge and required a new nut to be cut. I’m not sure whether moving back to a more normal gauge might cause some buzzing and require another nut…
Got the used bass replacement from GC which I added some ultra lites I had and a full setup. Kind of like the lollipops! Action was really high, but setup came out great - 1.5mm on g side snd 2mm on e side. This thing really sings and came with a zero mod thumb bar snd a set of tapewound strings. I am so knocked out with the sound, feel and response. Playing it Mostly on the parallel setting as I feel the the output too much on the others. This is a world away from the broken bass and feels like it was made somewhere else from the other one. The tape wound strings are very nice, mellow and punchy.
Since you are only tuning down a step, try 45-105, and you can certainly use long scale strings.
Just put a 90 degree bend in the string before you cut it to length and install them, they will be fine.
But, this only works on round wound strings, flats have to be actual short scale sets.
I use long scale string on both my SBMM and G&L Fallout with no problem at all.
Good luck.
I’m really enjoying the tapewound strings that came on my bass - they have a purple wrap and are color coded on the ball end. I’m guessing they are daddario but have never used their tapewounds. Anyone know if the purple wraps are D’addario?
My dropped copper arrived. I put some EB Cobalt Flats on it. These strings are different for sure. Not as smooth as normal flats. This is my first time trying them.
The pickup on this bass is hot. It's going to require me greatly improving my muting because unmuted strings pick up vibrations in ways I've not experienced on others. Do the cobalt flats also pick up more of this vibration than other strong types?
The pickup on this bass is hot. It's going to require me greatly improving my muting because unmuted strings pick up vibrations in ways I've not experienced on others. Do the cobalt flats also pick up more of this vibration than other strong types?
Congratulations on your new SBMM! The electronics in these basses are fairly hot and crystal clear. It's not those particular strings you will find. It will definitely help in improving your technique. Enjoy!
Just picked up a white/rosewood SBMM short scale. I’ve owned lots of Stingrays; several EBMMs and a couple of Sterling Subs but never got on with the sizzly preamp. Spent too much time twiddling the dials which is why I use passive basses now. I got the short scale as it’s passive and I love the look of Stingrays.
Construction. Very well made. 7lb 8oz. No fret issues. Tuners are really good. I was surprised by this as some people have had issues with them. Came well set up but I adjusted the truss to lower the strings and brought the string height to 2mm G and 2.5mm E. No string buzzing. Needed to adjust the intonation on two strings. Pickup height is 5mm G and 6mm E (open strings) which I’ve left as the pickups have strong magnets (neodymium). Knobs are wonky even when I adjust them which looks a bit cheap. Balances well on lap and strap. Maybe a slight bit of neck dive. It feels cramped compared to my full length basses and has made my right shoulder ache a bit but presume I’ll adjust to this. No bad frets or dead spots. Overall pleased. Does feel a little toy-like compared to a full scale.
Sound. It’s very punchy. Series is too hot for me, especially with the volume boost. Serial is nice and crisp but not typical stingray sound. Bit more Jazz. Parallel is typical stingray sound. My fav. It’s more punchy rather than zingy as with a normal Stingray. Apparently short scales have fewer top end harmonics. Turning up the treble and a little bit of bass on the amp brings out the typical Stingray tone. Very like all my previous Stingrays.
To sum up, well built and nice Stingray tones. I’m still not sure if I dig the Stingray vibe (I have a love/hate relationship with them!). They sound better in the band than at home in my experience.
Construction. Very well made. 7lb 8oz. No fret issues. Tuners are really good. I was surprised by this as some people have had issues with them. Came well set up but I adjusted the truss to lower the strings and brought the string height to 2mm G and 2.5mm E. No string buzzing. Needed to adjust the intonation on two strings. Pickup height is 5mm G and 6mm E (open strings) which I’ve left as the pickups have strong magnets (neodymium). Knobs are wonky even when I adjust them which looks a bit cheap. Balances well on lap and strap. Maybe a slight bit of neck dive. It feels cramped compared to my full length basses and has made my right shoulder ache a bit but presume I’ll adjust to this. No bad frets or dead spots. Overall pleased. Does feel a little toy-like compared to a full scale.
Sound. It’s very punchy. Series is too hot for me, especially with the volume boost. Serial is nice and crisp but not typical stingray sound. Bit more Jazz. Parallel is typical stingray sound. My fav. It’s more punchy rather than zingy as with a normal Stingray. Apparently short scales have fewer top end harmonics. Turning up the treble and a little bit of bass on the amp brings out the typical Stingray tone. Very like all my previous Stingrays.
To sum up, well built and nice Stingray tones. I’m still not sure if I dig the Stingray vibe (I have a love/hate relationship with them!). They sound better in the band than at home in my experience.
If you really can't get on with the sound, you have a really good 'mod platform'.
That bass is designed to sound good in a band setting, not at home solo.
It is worth looking under the control plate to check on solder joints. Wires have come loose on quite a few specimens and this can happen during a performance.
Not sure I like the boost toggle knob. It’s actually a cut when in. It evens the volume between parallel and series. In series the pickups are louder with more suppressed high frequencies and more bass. In single and parallel there are more highs and less bass. Single is slightly louder than parallel. Series is a bigger jump in volume from single.
Here’s a good explanation…
Guitar Wiring: Series vs. Parallel Explained.
Here’s a good explanation…
Guitar Wiring: Series vs. Parallel Explained.
Has anyone installed a Hipshot D Tuner on their short scale Stingray? If so, which model, how did it fit, and did you experience any issues peculiar to or made more difficult due to the 30 inch scale?
Did two gigs with the short Ray this weekend. The series mode was just too much input signal even with the compressor and hpf but alternating between parallel snd single coil hit some punchy sounds snd a def stingray sound. The note definition was very noticeable. Less left hand fatigue but the tapewound strings are very stiff and my plucking fingers a bit mute sore than usual with my round core strings on my pbass. Fun time playing this bass as always!
I have a set of LaBella white tapewounds on my defretted SBMM SS and don’t find them any more stiff than my Stringjoy rounds on my EBMM SS and they are more flexible than the EB Cobalt flats on my fretted SBMM SS.
