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SBMM Stingray Short scale

#3,381
Pearly Gator said:
Picked up a new one this month. I drove 35 miles to a Guitar Center that had one in stock. Testing it through an amp, the selector switch was cutting out. Only one position initally worked, then it cut out all together. It was a great feeling instrument so, I had them order one. It arrived and all was well.

The switch works great and the tones are wonderful. Full CCW is the coils in parallel, center is one coil and fully CW are the coils in series. Only con is on the fretboard edges, the fret slots are not all filled equally with finish. But I like the bass very much. It cost more than the other three together in the picture. Ha, ha! But it is a great addition to my home studio.

The pickup is very nice. Pressing it lowera little by hand, the tones improved greatly. A little lower in volume but much clearer tone and sweet lows. I haven't set it up yet as the holidays are keeping me busy right now.

oQdPQp1.jpeg
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Question: what color is the Stingray? It's not one of the two colors currently offered in the U.S., unless that's a rare dark version of Toluca Lake Blue. ???
 
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#3,382
RedHotFuzz said:
Question: what color is the Stingray? It's not one of the two colors currently offered in the U.S., unless that's a rare dark version of Toluca Lake Blue. ???
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On the Guitar Center web site, they call this dark metallic color "Pearl Blue". It's a "new arrival".

The whole story is, three years ago, I started to teach my wife to play bass. But she is petite. So, I got her the Mini P first and it worked great. Next came the blue Mykro because she likes the color and it became her favorite to gig. Wanting to move her towards a higher quality instrument, I got her a Mustang P/J bass. But it was too long and heavy and she didn't like it. I'm hoping the SBMM Short Scale works for her. But if not, it's still a great bass for the home studio.
 
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#3,383
Pearly Gator said:
On the Guitar Center web site, they call this dark metallic color "Pearl Blue". It's a "new arrival".
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Very interesting. No trace of this on the Sterling site (or Sweetwater, my always-preferred retailer). I wonder if it's a Guitar Center exclusive color? Or a sneak peak at Sterling 2026 colors? Shame they're still using the rosewood board with the blue. The raw roasted maple would look so much better (IMO).

blue pearl.jpg
 
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#3,384
Philtastic said:
Thanks. I brought it into the store for repair, since it's under warranty.

They also had another unit in stock with the push-push knob set right down on the pickguard, so it was impossible to activate the boost. So far they're 0-2 on QC issues...

(Yes, it was easy enough for them to adjust the set screw, and fix it, but it's not inexpensive, as far as Sterling basses are concerned, so it's not making a good impression.)
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The construction of my specimen is solid. Got it for modding. So, there was no disappointment. I will make it active by installing a J. East preamp in it.

It is worth the effort to learn how to solder.

These basses make a nice travel bass b/c they are built well and they fit into a mono guitar bag.
 
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#3,385
Kubicki Fan said:
The construction of my specimen is solid. Got it for modding. So, there was no disappointment. I will make it active by installing a J. East preamp in it.

It is worth the effort to learn how to solder.

These basses make a nice travel bass b/c they are built well and they fit into a mono guitar bag.
Click to expand...
I've done several guitar and bass mods at this point, so I could have easily done the repair myself, but I figured it's under warranty, so might as well take advantage, and have them do a set-up, too.
 
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#3,386
RedHotFuzz said:
This photo is great, looks like the SS Stingray body is not too much bigger than the Mini P or the miKro. Looks petite next to the P-bass. Good! I just want big sound from small equipment. I have a Mini P I bought awhile ago with the intent to replace all its parts but hadn't gotten around to it and am now thinking I'd rather just have a SS Stingray.
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I have both and the Sterling is on par in playability and tone. I even had to file the fret sprout on the EBMM. The weight, finish and ergonomics are a bit better on the american specimen, but it cost 5x, so..
 
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#3,387
Cool
Philtastic said:
I've done several guitar and bass mods at this point, so I could have easily done the repair myself, but I figured it's under warranty, so might as well take advantage, and have them do a set-up, too.
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. Me too. I let the store tech do the repair. They surprised me with a set of short scale slinkys for my trouble.
 
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#3,391
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#3,393
Looking to get my first Stingray (short scale of course). This sounds silly but the thing about Stingrays that’s always turned me off is that giant shiny control plate. It just looks slapped on there. Frankenstein-esque. And with the short scale it looks even more prominent and awkward, especially how it’s mashed up against the guard and the bridge. I’d love the oval pickguard if the controls were rear-mounted. Alas. What I do like, however, is the guard on the 5-string:

IMG_2260.jpeg

Would anyone be interested in such a thing if it can be designed in a way that compliments the short scale body? If we can dial in a perfect-fit template, an established pick guard maker like Paradox may be willing to add it to their catalog. Is this a Stingray vibe-killer or a rational improvement?
 
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#3,395
My travel companion. Thankfully my wife humors me when I say “I think I’m gonna bring a bass and a battery powered amp to Mexico for the holidays”.

This is the second shortie I’ve had. I actually prefer the neck on this one over the roasted neck on a newer one I had and returned. Needed fretwork, but it’s dialed in now and wearing LaBella flats.

So glad I brought it, and so much fun to play. The Phil Jones is a perfect travel amp.

IMG_9733.jpeg


IMG_9734.jpeg
 
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#3,396
BGroovy said:
My travel companion. Thankfully my wife humors me when I say “I think I’m gonna bring a bass and a battery powered amp to Mexico for the holidays”.

This is the second shortie I’ve had. I actually prefer the neck on this one over the roasted neck on a newer one I had and returned. Needed fretwork, but it’s dialed in now and wearing LaBella flats.

So glad I brought it, and so much fun to play. The Phil Jones is a perfect travel amp.

View attachment 7400612

View attachment 7400614
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Labella flats are great on this bass. Cheers!
 
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#3,397
RedHotFuzz said:
Has anyone tried one of these with your passive short scale Stingray?
www.mastereffectspedals.com

Manta Ray 2 & 3 Band | mastereffects

Pedal versions of the EBMM 2-band and 3-band Stingray Bass Preamps.
www.mastereffectspedals.com www.mastereffectspedals.com

View attachment 7400516
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Personally, I haven’t, but I always suggest it. I have owned Sterling and EBMM versions of this bass. To me, it needs the active eq to bring out the best this bass has to offer.

I do happen to own an active version ( EBMM Tim Commerford short scale). The bass sounds 100% better to my ears.
 
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#3,400
BGroovy said:
My travel companion. Thankfully my wife humors me when I say “I think I’m gonna bring a bass and a battery powered amp to Mexico for the holidays”.

This is the second shortie I’ve had. I actually prefer the neck on this one over the roasted neck on a newer one I had and returned. Needed fretwork, but it’s dialed in now and wearing LaBella flats.

So glad I brought it, and so much fun to play. The Phil Jones is a perfect travel amp.

View attachment 7400612
Click to expand...
What case is that? I see it’s a Gator but can’t quite make out the model number in the pic.
 
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