SBMM Stingray Short scale

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the active version in natural ash.

I found one about a month ago, less than week after I made this post. I had been searching for quite a long time and was able to pick this up locally.

This bass is perfect for those old school 70’s and 80’s funk tunes that require so much thumb work . The work of Louis Johnson and Allen McGreir ( Teena Marie) is so easy for me to play on this bass. Not to mention Paul Denmans work on Sade tunes is a breeze. The short scale punch combined with the active eq really captures that classic pre EBMM StingRay vibe.
I still prefer my Old Smoothie and Starry Night passive StingRay for Bernard Edwards style playing , but this active version can do it all.

 

[Oig]

(Lack of) progress pics…

The new harness looks good, but I have a little Dremel work ahead to fit the full size pots in. Hoping to get to it tonight.

 

[WestyBassBob]

(Lack of) progress pics…
View attachment 5456121
View attachment 5456122
The new harness looks good, but I have a little Dremel work ahead to fit the full size pots in. Hoping to get to it tonight.

Nice looking banana there!

 

[Oig]

Nice looking banana there!

Thanks! Needs to be installed to fully ripen.

 

[Oig]

New guts. Delano. Schallers.

 

[Djadja]

New guts. Delano. Schallers.
View attachment 5462024 View attachment 5462025 View attachment 5462026

all looks great!
which Schallers? And are they significantly lighter than the stock tuners?

 

[Oig]

all looks great!
which Schallers? And are they significantly lighter than the stock tuners?

Thanks! They’re BM’s. They probably weigh about the same as the originals, but accuracy and precision are on a whole other level.

 

[Oig]

And, done. Finally lol. Upgrades:

• Delano MC4 FE
• Schaller BM tuners
• WD celluloid tort pickguard
• CTS solid shaft pots
• Mallory cap
• Tele style set screw knobs

 

[Deleted member 268085]

And, done. Finally lol. Upgrades:

• Delano MC4 FE
• Schaller BM tuners
• WD celluloid tort pickguard
• CTS solid shaft pots
• Mallory cap
• Tele style set screw knobs

View attachment 5462559

 

[Oig]

I just spent some time plugged in — the Delano is a revelation. It’s much more articulate and dynamic, with a better fundamental tone. I can actually clearly hear the difference now when I use the pickup switch! With the stock pickup, I was always like “Did that make a difference? Dunno…” It’s fantastic.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I just spent some time plugged in — the Delano is a revelation. It’s much more articulate and dynamic, with a better fundamental tone. I can actually clearly hear the difference now when I use the pickup switch! With the stock pickup, I was always like “Did that make a difference? Dunno…” It’s fantastic.

Will it be noticeable in a band setting?
Let us know please!

 

[Oig]

Will it be noticeable in a band setting?
Let us know please!

Ironically, I literally just pulled out of the one show I had because of hand issues

My guess is that the differences will be subtle in a band setting, something that me and my band mates might notice, but no-one in the audience would - I don't think any of them is dissecting my bass tone hahaha!

The difference in pickup switching is quite marked though, so I think that'll be quite noticeable to me at least. With the stock pickup I had to struggle to hear the differences, with the Delano you have three distinct sounds, all of them good. I can see series and single coil being my faves.

 

[Deleted member 268085]

Ironically, I literally just pulled out of the one show I had because of hand issues

My guess is that the differences will be subtle in a band setting, something that me and my band mates might notice, but no-one in the audience would - I don't think any of them is dissecting my bass tone hahaha!

The difference in pickup switching is quite marked though, so I think that'll be quite noticeable to me at least. With the stock pickup I had to struggle to hear the differences, with the Delano you have three distinct sounds, all of them good. I can see series and single coil being my faves.

Except this music critic in the front row.

 

[Oig]

Except this music critic in the front row.

 

[Treblefree]

Anyone know where I can find a replacement pickguard? I’ve sent two messages to Precision Guitar on Reverb but they haven’t replied yet, and apart from them replacements for Sterling seem to be thin on the ground. Or conversely, will a replacement for a Music Man short scale fit?

No, they won't fit each other. Don't quite line up. I have both and tried to swap.

 

[XP2aficionado]

I just spent some time plugged in — the Delano is a revelation. It’s much more articulate and dynamic, with a better fundamental tone. I can actually clearly hear the difference now when I use the pickup switch! With the stock pickup, I was always like “Did that make a difference? Dunno…” It’s fantastic.

For me, the Delano is in a completely different league. My experience is based on a few rehearsals and one live gig so far.

What is better about the Delano?
The output is not so high. This is very advantageous when switching to other basses. The two single coils are noiseless. Another big advantage and since the two individual coils sound very, very good, it offers a huge expansion in the sound spectrum. You wouldn't believe how great a Ray sounds soloed with just the front or rear coil.
The classic Ray sound (parallel) is also fantastic, I don't use series, that's too muffled for me. So I can't say anything about that.

 

[Oig]

No, they won't fit each other. Don't quite line up. I have both and tried to swap.

I ended up buying one for an EBMM, and with a bit of filing around the neck pocket it fits great. So, not a direct drop in but definitely a workable solution.

 

[Oig]

For me, the Delano is in a completely different league. My experience is based on a few rehearsals and one live gig so far.

What is better about the Delano?
The output is not so high. This is very advantageous when switching to other basses. The two single coils are noiseless. Another big advantage and since the two individual coils sound very, very good, it offers a huge expansion in the sound spectrum. You wouldn't believe how great a Ray sounds soloed with just the front or rear coil.
The classic Ray sound (parallel) is also fantastic, I don't use series, that's too muffled for me. So I can't say anything about that.

Yes! I've swapped a bunch of pickups in guitars and basses over the years - jumps in quality like this are few and far between.

 

[XP2aficionado]

Yes! I've swapped a bunch of pickups in guitars and basses over the years - jumps in quality like this are few and far between.

Yes, that's unfortunately true. I've swapped pickups quite often and the results are often surprising. But at least it's exciting to hear the result. And don't forget that you should give a swap a chance to try it out with a band. What sounds good at home doesn't necessarily work in a band. After a rehearsal, I took some pickups out again.

 

[WestyBassBob]

So I can finally say the push push volume boost has its role. The other week I performed a medley of I’m just Ken and Hey Jude at a retirement party. This being my first live performance and the first half of that song not being a bass heavy song I set my volume a little too low because when we got to hey Jude I needed a little extra boost. Being able to get that little bit extra really helped me (sigh) cut through the mix.