• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

SBMM Stingray Short scale

#301
Elvis Nixon said:
If I were on a desert island and could only have one mic for everything, it would be a Shure SM-57 for $89 or so. Record guitar/vocals/bass then use it hammer nails after that. You can’t hurt a 57. Haha.
Click to expand...
Sounds good to me! I’m pretty gentle with stuff and I’m essentially just building a bedroom studio(in my tiny apartment it’s more like a kitchen studio lol) but durability is always good
 
#302
I was looking at the specs of the SB SS and the body wood is mahogany as opposed to ash in the EB SS. Has anyone opened up the control cavity to notice if the SB version is in fact mahogany? Is my memory correct that regular Stingrays didn’t ever use mahogany?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyevoda
#303
Elvis Nixon said:
I was looking at the specs of the SB SS and the body wood is mahogany as opposed to ash in the EB SS. Has anyone opened up the control cavity to notice if the SB version is in fact mahogany? Is my memory correct that regular Stingrays didn’t ever use mahogany?
Click to expand...
Based on a quick look at their other basses, sterling uses ash on their higher range basses with trans finishes, mahogany on their higher end Basses with solid finishes, and basswood on the SUB range bodies
 
#306
Elvis Nixon said:
New guy here. I’m a guitar/bass player but I’m mainly a producer and engineer. I’ve been doing that for 30 years now. Over the years I’ve built up a stable of instruments and amps and a couple drum kits to get most of your standard prescribed sounds. I don’t currently have a Stingray and was looking for one when I saw the Sterling SS. I was smitten and bought it immediately. I won’t receive it for a week or so. I’m really looking forward because I really have great luck with the short scale basses I have (Jerry Jones Longhorn 4 and a 6, two Gretsch jet juniors; one with rounds the other with flats, a Japanese Mustang and an Ampeg AMB-1. My “secret weapon “ in the studio is a 26” kick drum with a SS bass and single coil guitars. In addition to Fenders, I like the sound and growl of P-90s over humbuckers in Gibsons and DeArmonds over Gretsch Filtertrons. You can get a great mix where everything sits in there perfectly. You can not only keep all the low-end on the kick, you don’t have to hack that big hole peaking at 150Hz or so out of the kick like you sometimes have to do with a long scale P or J. The short scale bass will sit perfectly on top of that 26” kick. The single coil guitars don’t step on the mids in the bass. I’m picturing how this thing is going to sound and I can’t wait to get this thing. Haven’t been this stoked for a new piece of gear in a while in case you didn’t notice. I’m gonna try my new ACME Motown DI (which sounds Killer BTW) into a vintage API 312 mic pre and API 550A eq into a vintage UREI 1176 into an Apogee Ensemble interface. I might try my Rupert Neve Designs mic pre which I also love on bass. It’s got a circuit that lets you dial in the sound of overdriving the transformers that really showcases the mid growl of a Stingray. If I like the bass as much as I think I will, I’m going to buy another with the rosewood FB and string it with some flats.
Click to expand...

I think you'll find the sound/tone of the SS Stingray to be very unique among short scale basses. If I could describe it in one word, it might be a "pointed" tone. Definitely not flabby or muddy.

Elvis Nixon said:
I was looking at the specs of the SB SS and the body wood is mahogany as opposed to ash in the EB SS. Has anyone opened up the control cavity to notice if the SB version is in fact mahogany? Is my memory correct that regular Stingrays didn’t ever use mahogany?
Click to expand...

I had the control cavity opened up just to see the electronics (they look very much like the US version). I couldn't see the wood because the cavity is coated with shielding paint. But SBMM does list it as mahogany. Tonally, I'd never have guessed that, though.

As for Music Man Stingrays in general, the only one I know of that had a mahogany body was the 30th anniversary model. I had one and it was, as most all Music Man basses, incredible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Joe Nerve, dralionux and Voyevoda
#307
Christcr said:
I think you'll find the sound/tone of the SS Stingray to be very unique among short scale basses. If I could describe it in one word, it might be a "pointed" tone. Definitely not flabby or muddy.



I had the control cavity opened up just to see the electronics (they look very much like the US version). I couldn't see the wood because the cavity is coated with shielding paint. But SBMM does list it as mahogany. Tonally, I'd never have guessed that, though.

As for Music Man Stingrays in general, the only one I know of that had a mahogany body was the 30th anniversary model. I had one and it was, as most all Music Man basses, incredible.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. This is getting really interesting. I can’t wait to get this bass. I hope I haven’t built this thing up too much. lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyevoda
#308
Christcr said:
I think you'll find the sound/tone of the SS Stingray to be very unique among short scale basses. If I could describe it in one word, it might be a "pointed" tone. Definitely not flabby or muddy.
I got it on Saturday and have been doing a lot of playing and recording since then and this thing is fantastic. You’re right in that it’s unique among shortscales (or any bass for that matter). The one I got is light but not too light, the 1.5 compound spacing is much better for my big hands, NO deadspots. Intonates perfectly. The only gripe I have is in a couple places on my maple neck the fret dressing is a bit worse than in other spots. The frets will be gone over when I take it to my luthier so no biggie. The set-up was great as is and I would have considered not having it done.
As far as sound, you are correct about it having no flab on the bottom like most shortscales tend towards. It does have a quick attack that makes the bass “click” fit perfectly in a mix. It sounds great with the 26” kick I use. I’ve already ordered another in rosewood FB that I’ll string with flats. And God help me, getting a third and dreaming up some cool electronic mods. I thought I read that the Sterling version has a normal size control plate and the USA has a smaller plate. Maybe have my guy add a P PU too since the lows are so tight. I’m sure the $2K USA model is nicer, but I canc have 3 Sterlings for that price.



I had the control cavity opened up just to see the electronics (they look very much like the US version). I couldn't see the wood because the cavity is coated with shielding paint. But SBMM does list it as mahogany. Tonally, I'd never have guessed that, though.

As for Music Man Stingrays in general, the only one I know of that had a mahogany body was the 30th anniversary model. I had one and it was, as most all Music Man basses, incredible.
Click to expand...
 
#309
Christcr said:
I think you'll find the sound/tone of the SS Stingray to be very unique among short scale basses. If I could describe it in one word, it might be a "pointed" tone. Definitely not flabby or muddy.



I had the control cavity opened up just to see the electronics (they look very much like the US version). I couldn't see the wood because the cavity is coated with shielding paint. But SBMM does list it as mahogany. Tonally, I'd never have guessed that, though.

As for Music Man Stingrays in general, the only one I know of that had a mahogany body was the 30th anniversary model. I had one and it was, as most all Music Man basses, incredible.
Click to expand...
Sorry for the double posts, but I screwed up the quoting and messed up Chris
I got it on Saturday and have been doing a lot of playing and recording since then and this thing is fantastic. You’re right in that it’s unique among shortscales (or any bass for that matter). The one I got is light but not too light, the 1.5 compound spacing is much better for my big hands, NO deadspots. Intonates perfectly. The only gripe I have is in a couple places on my maple neck the fret dressing is a bit worse than in other spots. The frets will be gone over when I take it to my luthier so no biggie. The set-up was great as is and I would have considered not having it done.
As far as sound, you are correct about it having no flab on the bottom like most shortscales tend towards. It does have a quick attack that makes the bass “click” fit perfectly in a mix. It sounds great with the 26” kick I use. I’ve already ordered another in rosewood FB that I’ll string with flats. And God help me, getting a third and dreaming up some cool electronic mods. I thought I read that the Sterling version has a normal size control plate and the USA has a smaller plate. Maybe have my guy add a P PU too since the lows are so tight. I’m sure the $2K USA model is nicer, but I canc have 3 Sterlings for that price.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyevoda
#310
Elvis Nixon said:
Sorry for the double posts, but I screwed up the quoting and messed up Chris
I got it on Saturday and have been doing a lot of playing and recording since then and this thing is fantastic. You’re right in that it’s unique among shortscales (or any bass for that matter). The one I got is light but not too light, the 1.5 compound spacing is much better for my big hands, NO deadspots. Intonates perfectly. The only gripe I have is in a couple places on my maple neck the fret dressing is a bit worse than in other spots. The frets will be gone over when I take it to my luthier so no biggie. The set-up was great as is and I would have considered not having it done.
As far as sound, you are correct about it having no flab on the bottom like most shortscales tend towards. It does have a quick attack that makes the bass “click” fit perfectly in a mix. It sounds great with the 26” kick I use. I’ve already ordered another in rosewood FB that I’ll string with flats. And God help me, getting a third and dreaming up some cool electronic mods. I thought I read that the Sterling version has a normal size control plate and the USA has a smaller plate. Maybe have my guy add a P PU too since the lows are so tight. I’m sure the $2K USA model is nicer, but I canc have 3 Sterlings for that price.
Click to expand...
Very nice! I was planning on having my guy add another humbucker later this year, and I have a lot of questions about it that I was planning on asking in here tomorrow lol
 
  • Like
Reactions: Elvis Nixon
#311
Not much about these on our Basschat forum in the UK but, encouraged by the obvious enthusiasm on here, I've just ordered one in Olympic White. I only play s-s nowadays and this will bring something different to the party. Should arrive tomorrow, cov-19 willing! I'll give the OE round-wounds a try first but will probably fit my preferred La Bella flats. Can't wait to get this puppy - and hopefully won't be too long before we're out gigging again!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Elvis Nixon and Voyevoda
#312
I have thought about mods myself. I like the bass so much, though, that I won't do mods on this one. I could get another and use it for a guinea pig, though! :D

I wouldn't want a second humbucker, since I've had a Stingray Special with dual humbuckers and never used the neck humbucker at all (just didn't like the sound much). I ended up selling that bass and buying a single humbucker Stingray Special (which I love).

But what I wouldn't mind trying on a short scale Stingray is loading it with the traditional two-band Stingray electronics (like the Nordstrand copy of the original Stingray preamp). I'll bet that would sound killer--I'd guess very much like an original (long scale) Stingray with a little bit more low-mid oomph. Might be something to try in the future...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyevoda
#313
Christcr said:
I have thought about mods myself. I like the bass so much, though, that I won't do mods on this one. I could get another and use it for a guinea pig, though! :D

I wouldn't want a second humbucker, since I've had a Stingray Special with dual humbuckers and never used the neck humbucker at all (just didn't like the sound much). I ended up selling that bass and buying a single humbucker Stingray Special (which I love).

But what I wouldn't mind trying on a short scale Stingray is loading it with the traditional two-band Stingray electronics (like the Nordstrand copy of the original Stingray preamp). I'll bet that would sound killer--I'd guess very much like an original (long scale) Stingray with a little bit more low-mid oomph. Might be something to try in the future...
Click to expand...

I was thinking of doing the same mod of turning the electronics into a traditional Stingray as well as adding the P bass PU. Although, the more I play this thing, the less I’m thinking about adding the P PU. I’m also only going to mod one and and have rounds one one, flats on another and the third will be the one I mod. Like I said before, I’m sure the USA version is nicer, but these Sterlings are so good that having 3 of these will cover A LOT of sonic ground in the studio. I also won’t have to twist as many arms to get bass players to use a short scale in the studio since this thing almost looks and feels like a long scale.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voyevoda
#320
Hunter Erwin said:
Still enjoying this little feller
Recorded this one on the IRig HD 2
Pretty cool little outfit
Hope you Enjoy and sub to channel much appreciated Thanks for watching
Yall keep enjoying your bass
It’s a good one !!
Click to expand...

Sweet! Nice job. Love that song too. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

I've had a problem with poke weeds in my yard every year and when I'm out pulling and/or spraying them this tune plays through my head.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back