SBMM Stingray Short scale

[redstrand]

So those of you who've been playing your Stingray short scale for some time, what do your long scale basses feel like in your hands now? What do you miss about them if anything?

I picked up one of mine today and it just felt enormously long. So what do long scale basses get us that short scales don't (besides more choices?).

It’s a comfort thing worth me. Even though I’m 6’4” and can palm a basketball, I’ve sustained enough injuries that short scales help me to play without hurting. It only takes a few to get used to 34”, playing my 35” 5 string on the other hand does take more than a couple of minutes but I adjust

 

[RodRy]

So those of you who've been playing your Stingray short scale for some time, what do your long scale basses feel like in your hands now? What do you miss about them if anything?

I picked up one of mine today and it just felt enormously long. So what do long scale basses get us that short scales don't (besides more choices?).

Well, I have a Carvin Bolt (Strat-style guitar), my StingRay, and a Carvin LB-70 fretless on my stand right now, and grab each depending on what I'm feeling like.

The big difference between the 30 and 34 scales are that it takes a bit for my fingers to remember the intonation locations on the fretless. After about one song, I'm pretty well set again. Funny thing is how much better the access is on my long-scale fretless once I get above the 17th fret. Not that I spend much time there during songs, but for some of my exercises it's noteworthy.

 

[534N]

So those of you who've been playing your Stingray short scale for some time, what do your long scale basses feel like in your hands now? What do you miss about them if anything?

I picked up one of mine today and it just felt enormously long. So what do long scale basses get us that short scales don't (besides more choices?).

I don’t like playing long scale basses anymore. I don’t think there’s any advantage to long scales except getting more natural sustain and having more available choices with strings and certain models. Some say that the tension on short scales is problematic, but it’s never been an issue for me. I think we can just get thicker strings if it is a problem. And we can get a compressor pedal if the sustain isn’t long enough. Neither of these things have been a problem for me. With short scales, I can play faster and more comfortably, and most basses I like are made in short scale now, so the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

So those of you who've been playing your Stingray short scale for some time, what do your long scale basses feel like in your hands now? What do you miss about them if anything?

I picked up one of mine today and it just felt enormously long. So what do long scale basses get us that short scales don't (besides more choices?).

My 34" basses feel huge for a little bit when I pick them up now - obviously the scale length, but also going from 1.5" short scale nut widths to 1.625 on my long scales, and the tiny Mustang/SS Stingray bodies for full size P & Js (the Jazz in particular feels enormous).

The difference in string feel is the biggest thing for me. I prefer the tension and clarity on a long scale, but it's only a slight improvement - and the benefits of the short scales outweighs that ten fold.

I do have a custom set of rounds on my Mustang - .50, .70, .90, .112 tuned to C#G#C#F#, and to be honest now I really feel like the tension and sound is approaching a long scale. The bottom string is hefty but still very clear, and the tension is enough to thrash at the strings with a pick happily enough. Any instrument will be a compromise somewhere, and I think this is the best one I've found.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

I do have a custom set of rounds on my Mustang - .50, .70, .90, .112 tuned to C#G#C#F#, and to be honest now I really feel like the tension and sound is approaching a long scale. The bottom string is hefty but still very clear, and the tension is enough to thrash at the strings with a pick happily enough. Any instrument will be a compromise somewhere, and I think this is the best one I've found.

Is it uptuned or downtuned?

 

[WestyBassBob]

My 34" basses feel huge for a little bit when I pick them up now - obviously the scale length, but also going from 1.5" short scale nut widths to 1.625 on my long scales, and the tiny Mustang/SS Stingray bodies for full size P & Js (the Jazz in particular feels enormous).

The difference in string feel is the biggest thing for me. I prefer the tension and clarity on a long scale, but it's only a slight improvement - and the benefits of the short scales outweighs that ten fold.

I do have a custom set of rounds on my Mustang - .50, .70, .90, .112 tuned to C#G#C#F#, and to be honest now I really feel like the tension and sound is approaching a long scale. The bottom string is hefty but still very clear, and the tension is enough to thrash at the strings with a pick happily enough. Any instrument will be a compromise somewhere, and I think this is the best one I've found.

Whenever I've played LS in the store I'm always blown away at how much more pressure is required to fret a note.

 

[Hank Scorpio]

Is it uptuned or downtuned?

Downtuned

 

[AjCalderon]

Anyone ever see this? Interesting blind test of the SBMM vs EBMM shorties.

 

[Spupilup]

Anyone ever see this? Interesting blind test of the SBMM vs EBMM shorties.

That video sparked my interest in the SBMM short scale. I wanted to give a short scale a try but didn’t want to spend any real money. I’ve already said, if I didn’t already own an L1000 and an L2000, I probably would have gone for a Fallout but when I saw my short scale ‘blem’ on sale I just couldn’t resist. What a great choice!!!

 

[richwag]

Anyone ever see this? Interesting blind test of the SBMM vs EBMM shorties.

I did. I'm guessing the pots feel a bit smoother? Maybe a few other touch points?

 

[richwag]

My 34" basses feel huge for a little bit when I pick them up now - obviously the scale length, but also going from 1.5" short scale nut widths to 1.625 on my long scales, and the tiny Mustang/SS Stingray bodies for full size P & Js (the Jazz in particular feels enormous).

The difference in string feel is the biggest thing for me. I prefer the tension and clarity on a long scale, but it's only a slight improvement - and the benefits of the short scales outweighs that ten fold.

I do have a custom set of rounds on my Mustang - .50, .70, .90, .112 tuned to C#G#C#F#, and to be honest now I really feel like the tension and sound is approaching a long scale. The bottom string is hefty but still very clear, and the tension is enough to thrash at the strings with a pick happily enough. Any instrument will be a compromise somewhere, and I think this is the best one I've found.

Isn't one of the things short scales have ( or so I've been told ) less overtones in their notes? So wouldn't a short scale have more clarity? Maybe I'm misunderstanding though.

 

[hiphoppapotamus]

I got mine last week from zzsounds. Unfortunately, almost the whole neck had sharp edges. I wouldn't have mind 2-4 sharp edges but it was like 85% of the edges on both sides. (Uploaded photos) Everything else was great but for paying $600 on a bass, I would like a little better quality. I shipped it back and should get a replacement soon. Hopefully, that one comes in better shape.

 

[WestyBassBob]

I got mine last week from zzsounds. Unfortunately, almost the whole neck had sharp edges. I wouldn't have mind 2-4 sharp edges but it was like 85% of the edges on both sides. (Uploaded photos) Everything else was great but for paying $600 on a bass, I would like a little better quality. I shipped it back and should get a replacement soon. Hopefully, that one comes in better shape.View attachment 4145404 View attachment 4145405

It is winter. Wood shrinks in the winter and it also shrinks across the grain. So it’s not that surprising.

 

[Moonskunk]

Mine were sharp too. I filed them down on my own but I think who ever did the work did a half ass job. My made in China Squier Paranormal Jazz has excellent fret work but my made in Indonesia Squier P bass also had poor fret work. My EBMM 4H Stingray Special has phenomenal fret work, but no big surprise there.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

Anyone ever see this? Interesting blind test of the SBMM vs EBMM shorties.

Nathan always sounds like he's been at the pub all afternoon.

 

[hiphoppapotamus]

Mine were sharp too. I filed them down on my own but I think who ever did the work did a half ass job. My made in China Squier Paranormal Jazz has excellent fret work but my made in Indonesia Squier P bass also had poor fret work. My EBMM 4H Stingray Special has phenomenal fret work, but no big surprise there.

Yea, I could have done it but spending $600 and needing to fix almost the whole neck was a deal breaker. I would understand a sub $300 bass but not a mid tier one.
My replacement is coming soon so hopefully it's better.

 

[TheBass]

It is winter. Wood shrinks in the winter and it also shrinks across the grain. So it’s not that surprising.

... and it's shrinking in dry environments too. Fret leveling should be conducted in dry environments. I don't know if that's the case in Indonesia.

 

[richwag]

put on the EBMM pick guard today. Required just the tiniest bit of widening at the neck. No more than a pencil width. Minutes with a dremel.

 

[RodRy]

View attachment 4149617
put on the EBMM pick guard today. Required just the tiniest bit of widening at the neck. No more than a pencil width. Minutes with a dremel.

That looks sick, in the best definition of the word!
Is that a black pearl pickguard?

 

[hiphoppapotamus]

... and it's shrinking in dry environments too. Fret leveling should be conducted in dry environments. I don't know if that's the case in Indonesia.

I got my replacement today and this one was perfect. Only had like 1 sharp edge, the rest of the neck was smooth. So, yes the wood shrinks and stuff but trust me, that wasn't the case with that 1st bass.
Awesome bass, the only mod I will do for now is change to a white pearloid pickguard.