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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
- Start date
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- short scale bass
The bass is on its way to me
expecting it tomorrow. Also for the fellow EU Talkbass-ers. Thomann has a few on stock so it seems 
(both colors @ 769 euro)
Awesome! Please post your first impressions so I can live vicariously.The bass is on its way to me
Had my first band practice in over 3 months yesterday, and my first with the 'Ray. I'm completely sold on this bass. I found it so easy to play (although I do dig in with a pick so might try a higher string gauge), it balances perfectly and is a good weight so it didn't feel like a strain at all by the end of practice.
Very happy with the sound, too. Cut through perfectly, plays great with pedals, huge low end but with plenty of bite. I didn't feel like I was losing anything by not having the typical Stingray active EQ, which was not unexpected but very nice to confirm.
Very happy with the sound, too. Cut through perfectly, plays great with pedals, huge low end but with plenty of bite. I didn't feel like I was losing anything by not having the typical Stingray active EQ, which was not unexpected but very nice to confirm.
This bass has arrived!
I'm kinda blown away by this little fellow. Let me start with the good and then some things to consider.
The neck and the frets are done extremely well.. the neck feels extremely smooth, is completely unfinished as far as I can tell and the frets are not sharp at all. Nut is jazz width which I don't really prefer, but hey that's just a preference.
The sound of this bass is extremely nice. It has some sort of P bass merged with a J bass but then on steroids kinda vibe if that makes sense at all. I have no normal active ray to compare it with. But the sounds do sound very musical and useful.
The output of this pickup is insane. If this turns out to be a keeper then I will lower the pickup for sure.
The bass is nicely balanced, much more then any fender I've ever played. No neckdive whatsoever.
The strangest thing happened when tuning the bass. When I moved on to tune the G string, the D kept being adjusted.. took me just a little longer than I would like to admit that I was turning on the D tuner again because I failed to realize the 3+1 configuration
The only thing I have against this bass is, and these are minor remarks. The finish of the headstock seems a little sloppy, with some parts not being as nicely sanded. The finish appears to have like one small dust partical in it but I would say fit and finish is right up there with MIM Fender, with the exception on the neck. That might be one of the best ones I've ever played.
So will this be a keeper? I was surprised how much it felt like a toy to me, so the only reason I'm not yet a 100% sure is that it just feels so small. On the other hand.. I can almost shred on this bass, it plays so easy.
I will try to record some clips during the weekend If you have any request just let me know
I'm kinda blown away by this little fellow. Let me start with the good and then some things to consider.
The neck and the frets are done extremely well.. the neck feels extremely smooth, is completely unfinished as far as I can tell and the frets are not sharp at all. Nut is jazz width which I don't really prefer, but hey that's just a preference.
The sound of this bass is extremely nice. It has some sort of P bass merged with a J bass but then on steroids kinda vibe if that makes sense at all. I have no normal active ray to compare it with. But the sounds do sound very musical and useful.
The output of this pickup is insane. If this turns out to be a keeper then I will lower the pickup for sure.
The bass is nicely balanced, much more then any fender I've ever played. No neckdive whatsoever.
The strangest thing happened when tuning the bass. When I moved on to tune the G string, the D kept being adjusted.. took me just a little longer than I would like to admit that I was turning on the D tuner again because I failed to realize the 3+1 configuration
The only thing I have against this bass is, and these are minor remarks. The finish of the headstock seems a little sloppy, with some parts not being as nicely sanded. The finish appears to have like one small dust partical in it but I would say fit and finish is right up there with MIM Fender, with the exception on the neck. That might be one of the best ones I've ever played.
So will this be a keeper? I was surprised how much it felt like a toy to me, so the only reason I'm not yet a 100% sure is that it just feels so small. On the other hand.. I can almost shred on this bass, it plays so easy.
I will try to record some clips during the weekend
If you have any request just let me know
tuner malfunction. Glad to hear it might be a keeper. Selfishly happy that all the things you mentioned except for the finish issues are things I'm hoping mine will deliver.
I've tried to record a very short sample to show the different modes. Everything is with the tone wide open played with a pick:
Nice sample! It’s awesome to relive the excitement through others receiving theirs. I vote for it being a keeper
Do you like the sound of the stock strings though? I feel like the tone I got with a pick on those strings didn’t suit my taste, but after I switched them out with a warmer set, the bass grew on me even more. Also, I think depending on your size, it could feel awkward and disproportionate, but for smaller people, I think it has to be one of the best models ever made.
I agree about it being kind of like a P + J on steroids with the added grunt and grind too. I usually keep it on parallel and turn down the tone knob a little. I get my best tone from playing finger style right above the pickup with those settings. I can get more of a P bass sound if I play close to the neck, but it loses some of the fat round thump that I love from the P pickup placement. It still sounds pretty good though. Easily a keeper
I have no issue with the stock strings. They don't sound overly metallic to me. I guess there would be better options for the bass. I think it wouldn't sound to bad with flats either. But for now I'll keep these on.
I think the pickup should be lowered a bit, since the output is so hot it can distort my pedals on the normal settings, and from a convenience standpoint I would want to change all the pedals on my board to plug in a different bass. Although this little monster plays so easy I might not need to switch to much.
I also recall there where some questions regarding the gig bag. Mine came with one, a nice one. It very thick and offers much support. The button that closes around the handles seems a little less sturdy then one might hope for but it's definitely a step up from the fender gig bags that are shiped with the mim models. It strangely enough did not come with any documentation or manual of any kind.
Anyway I do think it's a keeper. Sure it has some little flaws but none that really matter, especially not at this price point.
I will look like a giant on stage.. or worse.. like a guitarist
I think the pickup should be lowered a bit, since the output is so hot it can distort my pedals on the normal settings, and from a convenience standpoint I would want to change all the pedals on my board to plug in a different bass. Although this little monster plays so easy I might not need to switch to much.
I also recall there where some questions regarding the gig bag. Mine came with one, a nice one. It very thick and offers much support. The button that closes around the handles seems a little less sturdy then one might hope for but it's definitely a step up from the fender gig bags that are shiped with the mim models. It strangely enough did not come with any documentation or manual of any kind.
Anyway I do think it's a keeper. Sure it has some little flaws but none that really matter, especially not at this price point.
I will look like a giant on stage.. or worse.. like a guitarist
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
First live performance tonight with the SBMM... a radio show thingie...
This is not my regular band, but I just completed an album with them. We're missing the keyboard player and some backup vocals, but you can get to see this bass shine fer sure. IMO of course
.
Music starts at 11:30. I like the tune that starts at 16:10 a lot more.
This is not my regular band, but I just completed an album with them. We're missing the keyboard player and some backup vocals, but you can get to see this bass shine fer sure. IMO of course
.Music starts at 11:30. I like the tune that starts at 16:10 a lot more.
+1 Thanks for posting that JN, can't wait to gig mine - but looks like I'll have to. In the meantime, I'm looking for a cool black face-mask.
First live performance tonight with the SBMM... a radio show thingie...
This is not my regular band, but I just completed an album with them. We're missing the keyboard player and some backup vocals, but you can get to see this bass shine fer sure. IMO of course
Music starts at 11:30. I like the tune that starts at 16:10 a lot more.
Badass. I really like the song that starts at 16 minutes in also. Are you still using the Ernie Ball strings? It sounds like a warmer tone than I was expecting based on your previous comments. I was thinking it would be a lot more gritty and aggressive, but it sounds more growly and fat, but with a smooth roll off the top end.. to my ears anyway. That's actually more of the tone I'm looking for.. what's the secret (if it's not too secret)?
My guess would however be that these are the stock strings. I really don't get the issue some people state to have with those.Badass. I really like the song that starts at 16 minutes in also. Are you still using the Ernie Ball strings? It sounds like a warmer tone than I was expecting based on your previous comments. I was thinking it would be a lot more gritty and aggressive, but it sounds more growly and fat, but with a smooth roll off the top end.. to my ears anyway. That's actually more of the tone I'm looking for.. what's the secret (if it's not too secret)?
First live performance tonight with the SBMM... a radio show thingie...
This is not my regular band, but I just completed an album with them. We're missing the keyboard player and some backup vocals, but you can get to see this bass shine fer sure. IMO of course
Music starts at 11:30. I like the tune that starts at 16:10 a lot more.
Video now showing as private.
I'm starting to wonder a little bit how well the neck will hold up since it's unfinised. I noticed that it sorta soaks up more dirt and sweat from my hands than the basses that have a satin finish to them. Also the wood is fairly pale. Do you guys think that will darken? Any advice how to keep the neck in top shape?
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Yeah... sorry bout that. The guy I was playing for was doing an interview and said some things he wished he hadn't. They're editing it out. Nothing political, but things involving his family that were personal and probably shouldn't have been said.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
Stock strings. For some reason I've never been a fan of EB strings before. They work perfect for me on the SS Stingrays though. I've tried others on my SS Musicman, and went back to theses when I got the SBMM.Badass. I really like the song that starts at 16 minutes in also. Are you still using the Ernie Ball strings? It sounds like a warmer tone than I was expecting based on your previous comments. I was thinking it would be a lot more gritty and aggressive, but it sounds more growly and fat, but with a smooth roll off the top end.. to my ears anyway. That's actually more of the tone I'm looking for.. what's the secret (if it's not too secret)?
I don't think it's unfinished, it's just a satin finish rather than gloss. If you are worried about it just wipe the neck down with a clean, dry cloth after you play, especially after you sweat on it. Should be fine.
