SBMM Stingray Short scale

[Oig]

Looks great! I'm considering doing something vaguely similar to my SBMM short scale as well, could elaborate a bit on which parts you used? I mean, which type of rotary switch did you go for and what values were your pots and cap? Thanks.

This is my shopping list from amplifiedparts.com. Specs are what EBMM uses for their short scales, except for the voltage of the cap (the impedance is the same though .1uf) and I did away with the push-push pot because I didn't want the faux volume boost. The stock rotary switch is 3 position, 4 poles but the 3 position, 3 pole one works great, and there are no redundant connectors like on the stock one. I opted for it because it was the only one I could find at the time with a solid shaft. I got help figuring out how to wire it here: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/did-i-get-the-wrong-switch.1648771/#post-28393825

1 x Potentiometer CTS, Audio, Solid Shaft - $4.95

SKU: R-VC500KA-M

• Resistance: 500 kΩ

1 x Potentiometer - CTS, Audio, Solid Shaft - $4.95

SKU: R-VC100KA-M

• Resistance: 100 kΩ

1 x Switch - Alpha, Rotary, 3 Poles, 3 Position - $2.55

SKU: P-H395

1 x Capacitor - Mallory, 630V, 150s, Axial Lead - $2.21

SKU: C-MD1-630

• Capacitance: .1 µF

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Sounds like a good plan. I'll send EBMM an email today and see what they say. I may have to sell one of my 3 Specials in order to have the funds immediately on hand in case something should come up. Is Talkbass a good place to sell a bass? I believe the only cost is $35 to join where as Reverb takes a rather chunky commission.

It would be nice if you could keep them all and add the short scale . I think that both Reverb and EBMM offer financing .

Are you interested in any particular finish ? I will let you know if I spot anything .

 

[Moonskunk]

It would be nice if you could keep them all and add the short scale . I think that both Reverb and EBMM offer financing .

Are you interested in any particular finish ? I will let you know if I spot anything .

Off hand I'd love either a Plum Crazy with rosewood fret board or a Sunburst with maple. I did email EBMM but it may be a few days before they reply. Thanks

 

[gln1955]

I bought a daphne blue Sterling SS Ray about a year and a half ago and love that thing. So much that I just bought another, this one in dropped copper. I have to say I'm not impressed nearly as much with the build quality on this new one. I had to shim the neck and the nut was cut ridiculously high. On the good side, I was able to get it to play as well as the old blue and the finish is killer. I just ordered some sheet copper to make a complimentary yet still contrasting pickguard since the factory white is just a bad choice with that finish.

 

[laklandplayer]

I bought a daphne blue Sterling SS Ray about a year and a half ago and love that thing. So much that I just bought another, this one in dropped copper. I have to say I'm not impressed nearly as much with the build quality on this new one. I had to shim the neck and the nut was cut ridiculously high. On the good side, I was able to get it to play as well as the old blue and the finish is killer. I just ordered some sheet copper to make a complimentary yet still contrasting pickguard since the factory white is just a bad choice with that finish.

I have a Daphne blue too and love it. The Daphne blue basses have mahogany bodies, the copper bodies are made of nyatoh wood, I think the difference in the wood makes a difference in the sound and weight.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have a Daphne blue too and love it. The Daphne blue basses have mahogany bodies, the copper bodies are made of nyatoh wood, I think the difference in the wood makes a difference in the sound and weight.

The white and the light blue are the best of the Sterling models that I’ve tried thus far. I had the light blue and it was nice .
I have no experience with the new roasted neck models. My preference would be for a mahogany body .

 

[gln1955]

I have a Daphne blue too and love it. The Daphne blue basses have mahogany bodies, the copper bodies are made of nyatoh wood, I think the difference in the wood makes a difference in the sound and weight.

I've seen some pretty light nyatoh bodies at Sweetwater and was hoping mine would be lighter than the daphne blue one, but they weight almost exactly the same. I have different strings on them (GHS pressure wounds vs GHS Brite Flats) but I don't hear a lot of difference there either.

It seems a bit silly to have two identical basses except for color, so I'm thinking about stringing one of them BEAD.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

I have a Daphne blue too and love it. The Daphne blue basses have mahogany bodies, the copper bodies are made of nyatoh wood, I think the difference in the wood makes a difference in the sound and weight.

My dropped copper shortie is around 8.3 lbs. I must say, the colour is really nice and so is the fit and construction. I was not going to buy one since I have an EBMM version, but I was so impressed by the floor model at the music store, that I took it home. It is going to get an East pre.

 

[Mustang Surly]

Like:

• that it's not MIC

•satin finish on neck

•22 frets

•1.5" nut width

•humbucker

Not crazy about:

•shapes of control cavity cover plate and pick guard together

•3+1 tuners: would prefer either 4-in-line or 2+2



My two minor criticisms would not be deal breakers if I was in the market for one right now. Just something about that control plate has never looked quite right to me on any MM bass: it follows the body contour but not that of the scratchplate, so it looks like one of the two of them should be on some other bass. I've done a lot of graphic arts, so things like that bother me more than they probably do 95% of other people.

 

[soflbass]

There seems to be a bit of controversy about the nomenclature used for Asian produced guitars and mahogany. Please see the discussion below and or do a Google search and you will find a lot of information.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/what-sort-of-wood-is-nato.132566/

Naytoh is a wood sometimes referred to as eastern mahogany. So the earlier advertisements listing the wood is mahogany could be just a generalization. None of us knows for sure, but the earlier materials used in the body would of these instruments may be exactly the same as the current models. The only one that could answer this question is Sterling. Each piece of wood is different and has its own density which will affect the weight of the guitar. I have a sunburst Naytoh bodied version that is 7.6 lbs.

 

[gln1955]

There seems to be a bit of controversy about the nomenclature used for Asian produced guitars and mahogany. Please see the discussion below and or do a Google search and you will find a lot of information.
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/what-sort-of-wood-is-nato.132566/

Naytoh is a wood sometimes referred to as eastern mahogany. So the earlier advertisements listing the wood is mahogany could be just a generalization. None of us knows for sure, but the earlier materials used in the body would of these instruments may be exactly the same as the current models. The only one that could answer this question is Sterling. Each piece of wood is different and has its own density which will affect the weight of the guitar. I have a sunburst Naytoh bodied version that is 7.6 lbs.

For most hardwoods you can find similar species in the Americas, Europe, Asia or Africa. It's all mystery wood unless the builder specifies the species.

 

[soflbass]

For most hardwoods you can find similar species in the Americas, Europe, Asia or Africa. It's all mystery wood unless the builder specifies the species.

Mahogany in the name of the wood does not mean it's actually mahogany. Depending on the genus, it may not even be in the same wood family. Examples are Phillipine Mahogany or Indonesian Mahogany. The article below speaks a lot about the confusion.
Mahogany Mixups: the Lowdown | The Wood Database

 

[Djadja]

Guitar Center deal of the day today is a gig bag that fits my SS Stingray for a great price.

 

[Oig]

Guitar Center deal of the day today is a gig bag that fits my SS Stingray for a great price.

Great looking bag! Too bad I’m not in the market for one.

 

[LennyJ]

Has anyone found a compensated nut for their short scale Sterling.

Any help appreciated.

 

[laklandplayer]

Has anyone found a compensated nut for their short scale Sterling.

Any help appreciated.

No but I use this and it's great. I've installed them on my G&L Fallout, Hofner Ignition Club, Ibanez BTB33 too.

ZS-26F Slotted for Basses (Common on Fender Jazz Bass)

The Zero Glide Replacement Nut System borrows the "zero fret" concept to reduce string contact in the nut by up to 93%, increasing tuning stability, playability, and open string tone. It only takes a few minutes to install with absolutely no permanent alteration to your instrument. For Fender...

goldtonemusicgroup.com

 

[Driften]

You guys had me a little scared after reading the QC issues after I had ordered a new one in Toluca Lake Blue. It has a roasted neck that is on the dark side. The fret ends are not sharp, the frets are polished, the knobs fit, and the pots are not scratchy. Oh and so far the tuners are fine. Maybe I got lucky or maybe QC has improved on the latest version.

 

[Djadja]

You guys had me a little scared after reading the QC issues after I had ordered a new one in Toluca Lake Blue. It has a roasted neck that is on the dark side. The fret ends are not sharp, the frets are polished, the knobs fit, and the pots are not scratchy. Oh and so far the tuners are fine. Maybe I got lucky or maybe QC has improved on the latest version.

In the past, some were fine... and some weren't. If you got a good one, you had a good one. I bought three and returned the 2nd one.
I can't speak to the current generation but the colors and the roasted neck are very cool. Glad you got a good one.

 

[Driften]

In the past, some were fine... and some weren't. If you got a good one, you had a good one. I bought three and returned the 2nd one.
I can't speak to the current generation but the colors and the roasted neck are very cool. Glad you got a good one.

Sure I can believe it. It just made me worry when there aren't many still available this long after the 2024 run. It's not like I could have the dealer swap it with another one. In any case I'm good and can focus on playing.

 

[WestyBassBob]

You guys had me a little scared after reading the QC issues after I had ordered a new one in Toluca Lake Blue. It has a roasted neck that is on the dark side. The fret ends are not sharp, the frets are polished, the knobs fit, and the pots are not scratchy. Oh and so far the tuners are fine. Maybe I got lucky or maybe QC has improved on the latest version.

love it. Gorgeous. I feel like this bass is like any mass produced bass. It has some lemons and it’s not going to be comparable to a made in USA bass or even a premium Asian bass. I think many of the people who complain about the tuners are coming from a different level of instrument. Having previously played a Mikro I can tell you there are worse tuners out there.

But given the price point you can totally just buy new and keep returning if you get a bad one.