Oh, you need to patent that idea quick!OK then how about the pickup is stationary but the bass slides on a rail.
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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
Yea, Fallout isn’t good looking but it’s got that thick room filling sound. If you’ve heard an L1000 or L2000 on the front pickup, that’s the sound.
I personally think the newest Fallouts look great, especially the USA Fullerton burst model. Like what a Mustang bass wants to be when it grows up. The racing stripe introductory model on the other hand, um no.
Here's a side by side comparison of the G&L Fallout and the SBMM StingRay SS (modified pickup position).
Given the locations of the strap buttons as well as the lower bouts, it appears the headstock of the StingRay would naturally rest closer in to the body than the Fallout in both standing and seated positions. In other words, one's arm would be less extended playing the lower frets (more comfortable for people with short arms) on the StingRay than the Fallout. Ironic, considering the StingRay is known as more of a "solo" bass where players often reach for the higher registers.
Given the locations of the strap buttons as well as the lower bouts, it appears the headstock of the StingRay would naturally rest closer in to the body than the Fallout in both standing and seated positions. In other words, one's arm would be less extended playing the lower frets (more comfortable for people with short arms) on the StingRay than the Fallout. Ironic, considering the StingRay is known as more of a "solo" bass where players often reach for the higher registers.
Here's another with the strap pins aligned (surprisingly, they are nearly the same spacing.)
One's right hand would also tend to fall closer to the neck with the StingRay. With the modified pickup location, I think the Sterling SS could make for a naturally deep and warm sounding bass.
Is it obvious that I'm really trying to convince myself into buying one of these? ;-)
One's right hand would also tend to fall closer to the neck with the StingRay. With the modified pickup location, I think the Sterling SS could make for a naturally deep and warm sounding bass.
Is it obvious that I'm really trying to convince myself into buying one of these? ;-)
Great picture. That's interesting. I find my Sting Ray a little awkward to play sitting down. It feels cramped to me. And the lower cutout is pretty narrow. Barely fits my hand/wrist.
Ed Friedland has a good review on YouTube of the Fall Out. The US model has been one of his main gigging basses for a while so he seems to like it.
Two different beasts tonally.
That’s very interesting. I think it is the result of the bridge on the fallout being set about an 1.5” closer to the neck than the Sting Ray. And it just confirms for me that I made the right choice when I bought the stingray. Especially since the Ray has a narrower neck.
Nice job with the comparison! This also highlights my complaint with Ibanez's Mezzo basses: the reach is further than it could be.
As far as buying a short scale StingRay, I can say that I really like mine. It sounds very nice to me as it is, and I think it's a very fun and easy to play bass. I agree with @richwag that upper fret access is more cramped than some of my other basses. But I seldom play up there, so I guess it does not really matter to me.
I can definitely see how the Stingray might feel cramped in the upper registers. It looks like the lower cutout would fall close to the center of your body. As a guitarist this doesn't concern me much. I mostly interested in the low end of the bass. And I think the Stingray's neck reach will be a little more like what I accustomed to.
Thanks for pointing out the Ed Friedland video. The Fallout sounds really deep and full. I'm hoping the combination of the Stingray's mahogany body and the modified pickup position will give it a deep warm growl. Now that I think of it, that's the perfect analogy for my ideal bass tone - the warm, deep, purring growl that a big cat makes towards its cubs.
Thanks for confirming my direct-experience-free engineering analysis. I was running the risk of "shut up, you don't know what youre talking about."
When playing my Stingray sitting down I have to move it from my right leg to the middle of my lap. This is because my bad shoulder makes the upper registers awkward for me as well. I don't need to do this with medium scales or my EBMM Sterling. That's probably why I'm interested in basses like the Fallout, Mustang and Chowny SWB1 that have short scale fret spacing but a slightly longer reach.
The mustang is likely more similar to the stingray as the bridge is further back on the body in the same way as the stingray. The fallout, with the bridge further forward, feels closer to a standard scale bass as far as arm reach. I cant speak to the chowney in this regard, but from what you describe you are looking for the fallout will likely be a better bet.
No worries, even if I disagree with you, I'll try to give you the benefit of the doubt. As far as the upper fret access, I think the photo of my instrument rack with my Carvin Bolt in front of my StingRay shows how much wider the hand clearance is at the treble side of the bodies of each. That Carvin has great access to those upper frets.
This is a pretty blue SBMM that I played Thursday. I want one, but my wife gave me a SBMM Stingray 5 out of the blue for my birthday, and I was practically wordless. The short scale may be a possibility next year.
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This is a pretty blue SBMM that I played Thursday. I want one, but my wife have me SBMM Stingray 5 out of the blue for my birthday, and I was practically wordless. The short scale may be a possibility next year.
Love mine. Easy to play and a ton of tones.
This is a pretty blue SBMM that I played Thursday. I want one, but my wife have me SBMM Stingray 5 out of the blue for my birthday, and I was practically wordless. The short scale may be a possibility next year.
Wow! Dr. Cheese actually played the bass I own! I feel like when you go to a concert and they recognize the town you’re in.
Seriously love your videos. Vicarious bass shopping at its finest.
This is a pretty blue SBMM that I played Thursday. I want one, but my wife have me SBMM Stingray 5 out of the blue for my birthday, and I was practically wordless. The short scale may be a possibility next year.
What amp did you plug the bass in?
