SBMM Stingray Short scale

[Texican]

I like my daphne blue short scale a lot but if there is one thing that really bugs me it is the mediocre fret work. I guess it's about as poor what came on my Squier Vintage Modified 60's P bass. The thing is the fret work on my made in China Squier Paranormal Jazz is excellent. Not to the same simply perfect standards as on my EBMM 4H Special but still way better than on my Sterling shorty. If they can get that sorted out, put better tuners on it even if they have to raise the price a bit and then get some dashing colors out there (the new copper color is just not doing anything for me) they will have another hit on their hands. Otherwise I'd much prefer to go the route of the EBMM next time not having to deal with fret fixing and future component upgrade decisions.

My fretwork wasn’t a problem at all. But you may recall that my tuners, nut, and intonation were a tuning NIGHTMARE. Looks like consistency may be an issue. I’m pretty sure that the Sterlings are built in the same Indonesian factory as the post-2019 squier classic vibes... and those also suffer from major consistency issues.

 

[Spupilup]

Same here. The fretwork on my bass was remarkable considering what I paid for it. Sure, it's not as good as my pleked G&L L1000 but it's right up there with my Gibson Les Paul Tribute, an American made guitar costing twice as much as the Sterling.

My only complaint, and Sterling took care of it right away, was a poor fitted tuning paddle that would rattle. They sent me a replacement within days of my emailing them about the problem. The tuners are, at least as far as I'm concerned, the weak link in this bass but I have yet to do anything about it. I just have too much fun playing the bass.

 

[Spupilup]

My fretwork wasn’t a problem at all. But you may recall that my tuners, nut, and intonation were a tuning NIGHTMARE. Looks like consistency may be an issue. I’m pretty sure that the Sterlings are built in the same Indonesian factory as the post-2019 squier classic vibes... and those also suffer from major consistency issues.

I am a firm believer in using witness points when installing new strings and adjusting intonation. I had no problem whatsoever with setting intonation when I installed my new strings.

Do a quick search on TB if you aren't familiar with the process.

 

[GtenderG]

Mine arrived pretty well setup. Intonation and string were good. Tuned it and played it. My only issue was the the 3-way rotary switch. I have DPDT toggle switch arriving today and I've been sitting on a Nordstrand MM4.2. The original pup sound really good but since the Nordstrand is right here I am going to A/B the pickups.
Aaaaaand here here is the pic!

 

[Texican]

I am a firm believer in using witness points when installing new strings and adjusting intonation. I had no problem whatsoever with setting intonation when I installed my new strings.

Do a quick search on TB if you aren't familiar with the process.

I’m familiar with witness points, and I did use them when fixing the intonation. That being said, I’ve never seen anything about them outside and Talkbass. I did a search on YouTube and couldn’t find anything about them. Including videos by some master luthiers like Roger Sadowsky. I find it odd that if witness points are so important, they are so rarely mentioned outside of this forum.

 

[Texican]

Mine arrived pretty well setup. Intonation and string were good. Tuned it and played it. My only issue was the the 3-way rotary switch. I have DPDT toggle switch arriving today and I've been sitting on a Nordstrand MM4.2. The original pup sound really good but since the Nordstrand is right here I am going to A/B the pickups.
Aaaaaand here here is the pic!
View attachment 4134192

I’m super excited to hear all about the pickup comparison. Did you get the bass new?... I notice the black pickguard.

 

[GtenderG]

I’m super excited to hear all about the pickup comparison. Did you get the bass new?... I notice the black pickguard.

Pickguard is from Precision Guitar (reverb). Perfect fit! I'll report back after I get the Nordstrand installed.

 

[Spupilup]

I’m familiar with witness points, and I did use them when fixing the intonation. That being said, I’ve never seen anything about them outside and Talkbass. I did a search on YouTube and couldn’t find anything about them. Including videos by some master luthiers like Roger Sadowsky. I find it odd that if witness points are so important, they are so rarely mentioned outside of this forum.

I found out about them on the bassesbyleo.com website. But, I guess I'm something of a G&L fanboi!

 

[WestyBassBob]

I’m familiar with witness points, and I did use them when fixing the intonation. That being said, I’ve never seen anything about them outside and Talkbass. I did a search on YouTube and couldn’t find anything about them. Including videos by some master luthiers like Roger Sadowsky. I find it odd that if witness points are so important, they are so rarely mentioned outside of this forum.

This is an article I found on it. Never heard of them until now and the term doesn't mean what I thought it would mean. Given how the saddles of this bass are shaped I don't really see this being an issue.

String Seating and Witness Points — Haze Guitars

 

[tonym]

Really does make a big difference with bass strings. It is mentioned in a lot of set up videos I've watched, but sometimes just as 'press down on the string' immediately before the saddle, etc. Here on TB it is a very common response on from experienced members regarding intonation and other string problems, and fixes the issue in many cases. I searched "Witness Point" on the Strings Forum and got 64 pages of results.

 

[MWBass13]

 

[Hank Scorpio]

View attachment 4134667

That's a gorgeous bass, and a great strap, too. Seen so many anemic looking pau ferro boards on lower priced Fenders these days that kind of put me off, love how dark & rich the fretboard looks on this.

 

[richwag]

Curious to know what peo

I tried it with a pedal the other day, yes I think if you were going for melt your face off fuzz/distortion it would be that extra kick. But that's not what I do. I honestly think they were just looking to add something since it's a passive bass and people expect active features since it's a StingRay.

Yea, I admit it's a bit gimmicky. It's all I could come up with. ;-)

 

[richwag]

View attachment 4134667

I think that looks really nice with a pearl pick guard. Brings out the yellow tint of the olympic white color.

 

[AjCalderon]

Well I bought the pink EBMM with maple so since I have yet to find a SBMM to swap necks with my EBMM shorties are gonna get a neck swap. All maple starry night with black hardware and a hot pink with rosewood and black hardware will be mine soon!

 

[Texican]

Well I bought the pink EBMM with maple so since I have yet to find a SBMM to swap necks with my EBMM shorties are gonna get a neck swap. All maple starry night with black hardware and a hot pink with rosewood and black hardware will be mine soon!

I would have traded with you, but it’s really only the Rosewood on white that bothers me… And if I buy a white one I’ll need the maple board for the white body.

 

[AjCalderon]

I would have traded with you, but it’s really only the Rosewood on white that bothers me… And if I buy a white one I’ll need the maple board for the white body.

Yea I get that because my SBMM shorty is Olympic white and I really wish it had the maple board option as well.

 

[Texican]

Yea I get that because my SBMM shorty is Olympic white and I really wish it had the maple board option as well.

My preference on the white is a maple fretboard and black pickguard. If you’re a fan of brown tort, I bet it would look cool on the white or Daphne blue as long as the fretboard is Rosewood.

I did prefer Rosewood on the Daphne blue, until I saw the Daphne blue with a black pickguard. I think the maple fretboard looks better with the black pickguard. Sometimes I feel like a Hollywood diva trying to match my heels to my purse LOL.

 

[WestyBassBob]

My preference on the white is a maple fretboard and black pickguard. If you’re a fan of brown tort, I bet it would look cool on the white or Daphne blue as long as the fretboard is Rosewood.

I did prefer Rosewood on the Daphne blue, until I saw the Daphne blue with a black pickguard. I think the maple fretboard looks better with the black pickguard. Sometimes I feel like a Hollywood diva trying to match my heels to my purse LOL.

Is it purely looks that you are after? Because I just don’t really care for the way maple fretboards feel. I like the open grain on rosewoods.

 

[Texican]

Is it purely looks that you are after? Because I just don’t really care for the way maple fretboards feel. I like the open grain on rosewoods.

I don’t find that the feel makes 1 ounce of difference to me. I don’t think the sound makes that much of a difference either. I’m not saying that there is no difference at all, but simply that I find them to be negligible and of no consequence to my playing. Everyone is different though.