SBMM Stingray Short scale

[534N]

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?

My Squier VM Mustang (2013) and Squier Strat guitar (2005) both have the same kind of unfinished-feeling neck but they never soaked in any dirt. They both darkened to a light amber tone over a period of a few years. I predict the Stingray will do the same.

 

[534N]

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.

I’m guessing you really wore them in and/or cut the highs. I may have to go back to stock later if that’s what I’m missing out on. Or maybe I just need to get a new set of fingers In any case, great playing!

 

[Joe Nerve]

I’m guessing you really wore them in and/or cut the highs. I may have to go back to stock later if that’s what I’m missing out on. Or maybe I just need to get a new set of fingers In any case, great playing!

They're not worn in. Still pretty new, as I've only played it at home (and play my other Stingray lots, too). Could have something to do with my rolling off the highs a bit, and going through a HUGE AMPEG .

FWIW, video was taken down for some editing. The guy I was playing for said some things during the interview that he rethought. Some personal stuff regarding other people that I agree he probably shouldn't have said.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Looking at ordering some custom string gauges through Newtone to try out, not used them before but it seems like a shorty would be a good time to try a custom set!

Anyone know off hand what length, ball end to nut, these Rays would need?

 

[Tex Bass]

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.

Hey Joe: please repost if the edited version gets uploaded. I only had a chance to hear a little bit on my phone earlier, and was planning on checking it out later with headphones. Thanks!

 

[Joe Nerve]

Hey Joe: please repost if the edited version gets uploaded. I only had a chance to hear a little bit on my phone earlier, and was planning on checking it out later with headphones. Thanks!

Soitanly!

I'm waiting patiently for whatever he's doing with it. Checked a few times today, and still a no go. I liked it cuz the bass was pretty up front, probably too much so at certain points. I thought it really showcased what this little monster is all about though.

 

[534N]

Soitanly!

I'm waiting patiently for whatever he's doing with it. Checked a few times today, and still a no go. I liked it cuz the bass was pretty up front, probably too much so at certain points. I thought it really showcased what this little monster is all about though.

Funny you thought the bass was up front. I was thinking it could use more volume The band sounds great with the current mix, but some extra bass would add some exciting extra punch with the drums. Maybe I need to listen again on some better headphones though.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

Woot! I found a new Daphne in stock and got lucky enough to reserve it for pick up tomorrow in Upstate NY. No further deets to avoid a TB mugging.

I'll post back after I've had a chance to try it. It'll be my first experience with a short-scale so it won't be a very objective review with all the new variables thrown in.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

Unfortunately I think it's the only one they have on-hand but might be worth a call if anyone's still looking - Parkway Music Store | Home | Clifton Park, NY

 

[moderatelyfunky]

I was able to pick up the bass on Friday, but I'm thinking about returning it because of neck-dive and some pickup noise when recording direct. I'd imagine there's a way to fix the electronics, but the neck dive is what is most disappointing.

On the plus side, the finishes are great, the joinery looks perfect. I set it up with new strings, added very little relief to the neck tweaked the string heights and intonated it. Other than being out of balance, the neck is beautiful - the finish is very similar to my EBMM sterling and it feels great. The body is also flawless.

I was hoping to use it on Saturday for a recording project I'm working on, but there were strange and intermittent noises from the pickup. Whistling some times, humming other times. I lowered the pickup significantly which seemed to help, but it didn't get rid of the noises completely. Weirdest part was that it wasn't steady.

Before I throw in the towel, does anyone have suggestions on how to fix the neck dive and pickup noise?

 

[Hank Scorpio]

I was able to pick up the bass on Friday, but I'm thinking about returning it because of neck-dive and some pickup noise when recording direct. I'd imagine there's a way to fix the electronics, but the neck dive is what is most disappointing.

On the plus side, the finishes are great, the joinery looks perfect. I set it up with new strings, added very little relief to the neck tweaked the string heights and intonated it. Other than being out of balance, the neck is beautiful - the finish is very similar to my EBMM sterling and it feels great. The body is also flawless.

I was hoping to use it on Saturday for a recording project I'm working on, but there were strange and intermittent noises from the pickup. Whistling some times, humming other times. I lowered the pickup significantly which seemed to help, but it didn't get rid of the noises completely. Weirdest part was that it wasn't steady.

Before I throw in the towel, does anyone have suggestions on how to fix the neck dive and pickup noise?

The pickup noise I can't really advise on - I've only had a chance to practice loudly once with it and even with a lot of heavy distortion it seemed quiet to me - but the neck dive does surprise me. Is your bass very light?

I'd imagine mine is around 8lb, and it balances perfectly. I use a relatively wide leather strap, but it sits much better than any of my other basses (although they're all long scale). Best fixes for neck dive for me have always been a good strap and Hipshot Ultralites, but that's an expensive step for an instrument you're not sold on.

 

[scrumpymike]

I was able to pick up the bass on Friday, but I'm thinking about returning it because of neck-dive and some pickup noise when recording direct. I'd imagine there's a way to fix the electronics, but the neck dive is what is most disappointing.

On the plus side, the finishes are great, the joinery looks perfect. I set it up with new strings, added very little relief to the neck tweaked the string heights and intonated it. Other than being out of balance, the neck is beautiful - the finish is very similar to my EBMM sterling and it feels great. The body is also flawless.

I was hoping to use it on Saturday for a recording project I'm working on, but there were strange and intermittent noises from the pickup. Whistling some times, humming other times. I lowered the pickup significantly which seemed to help, but it didn't get rid of the noises completely. Weirdest part was that it wasn't steady.

Before I throw in the towel, does anyone have suggestions on how to fix the neck dive and pickup noise?

I'm normally very picky about neck dive. Mine sits fine for me but if it didn't I'd be replacing the tuning machines with a set of lightweight Hipshots. Adds £100 to the cost of the bass but more than worth it IMHO. Can't comment on noisy pups as haven't used it for recording yet.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

Thanks for the thoughts. The lightweight tuners are an interesting idea. It seems like the bass is good enough to warrant the additional cost, but I hate the idea of boogering up the headstock.

Mine does feel light, the bathroom scale says it's 8 lbs too.

Glad you're both having good luck with yours.

 

[loucook]

I replaced the tuners with Hipshot Ultralites. No neck dive, before or after. BTW, the Hipshots (1/2” shaft) are not a perfect fit in the existing holes. The luthier who installed them for me said he used thin maple veneer to shim the holes to get them to fit.
I also have a problem with noisy electronics. Seems to be a grounding issue—it goes away when I touch strings or metal parts. It is most noticeable when the tone control is turned fully clockwise. Keep in mind I am playing into a Mackie mixer and monitoring with headphones. In a live band situation it would be less of a problem, I think. Does anyone know if the control cavities are shielded and properly grounded?

 

[theschnitt]

Yeah, I put the 1/2" HipShot Ultras on mine, one winding of electrical tape around the shaft helped them to seat well.

I think occasional neck dive is a common problem with many lower-end models, some balance great, some need some help. I think it's due to the less consistent wood selection, some lighter bodies and/or heavier necks result in unpredictability. I bought my Stingray SS online, and the balance needed help, but with my Squier Jaguar SS I was able to try several in person and found one that did not dive.

Finally, what pickup setting are you on when you get the noise? What you described is what I sometimes hear when I'm in single-coil mode (the middle setting of the middle knob), but in series or parallel (positions 1 or 3 of the middle knob) it's dead quiet, even right in front of my 'puter.

 

[RodRy]

I was able to pick up the bass on Friday, but I'm thinking about returning it because of neck-dive and some pickup noise when recording direct. I'd imagine there's a way to fix the electronics, but the neck dive is what is most disappointing.

On the plus side, the finishes are great, the joinery looks perfect. I set it up with new strings, added very little relief to the neck tweaked the string heights and intonated it. Other than being out of balance, the neck is beautiful - the finish is very similar to my EBMM sterling and it feels great. The body is also flawless.

I was hoping to use it on Saturday for a recording project I'm working on, but there were strange and intermittent noises from the pickup. Whistling some times, humming other times. I lowered the pickup significantly which seemed to help, but it didn't get rid of the noises completely. Weirdest part was that it wasn't steady.

Before I throw in the towel, does anyone have suggestions on how to fix the neck dive and pickup noise?

For neck-dive, I like Gotoh Res-o-lites GB350s. Even lighter than Hipshots, and I think they look better. I've had both models on my basses, and can't find any performance difference, so to me it comes down to weight and looks. Prices are pretty similar.

For the noises, do you have a power conditioner between your amp and wall? That could have something to do with odd noises. Otherwise, I'd look into how well shielded the electronics are.

Best of luck!

 

[Protagonist]

Lightweight Ernie Ball Special tuning machines exist for purchase. Just saying. I'm planning on buying some eventually for my SBMM.

Edit: Just checked them out again. $39 each from the only vendor selling them. Guess you'd have to be pretty set on keeping it in the EBMM family to get them.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

Yeah, I put the 1/2" HipShot Ultras on mine, one winding of electrical tape around the shaft helped them to seat well.

I think occasional neck dive is a common problem with many lower-end models, some balance great, some need some help. I think it's due to the less consistent wood selection, some lighter bodies and/or heavier necks result in unpredictability. I bought my Stingray SS online, and the balance needed help, but with my Squier Jaguar SS I was able to try several in person and found one that did not dive.

Finally, what pickup setting are you on when you get the noise? What you described is what I sometimes hear when I'm in single-coil mode (the middle setting of the middle knob), but in series or parallel (positions 1 or 3 of the middle knob) it's dead quiet, even right in front of my 'puter.

That makes a lot of sense about the variability in balance.

As for the pickup position, it might be the same that I experienced, but I can’t say for sure. It seemed to vary. I’ll try to get another test in to confirm.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

For neck-dive, I like Gotoh Res-o-lites GB350s. Even lighter than Hipshots, and I think they look better. I've had both models on my basses, and can't find any performance difference, so to me it comes down to weight and looks. Prices are pretty similar.

For the noises, do you have a power conditioner between your amp and wall? That could have something to do with odd noises. Otherwise, I'd look into how well shielded the electronics are.

Best of luck!

Thanks for the ideas. I don’t have any power conditioning. I don’t have the issue with other Basses, but that doesn’t mean it wouldn’t help this case.

 

[moderatelyfunky]

Lightweight Ernie Ball Special tuning machines exist for purchase. Just saying. I'm planning on buying some eventually for my SBMM.

Edit: Just checked them out again. $39 each from the only vendor selling them. Guess you'd have to be pretty set on keeping it in the EBMM family to get them.

I think I’m going to return it and save for the EBMM version.