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SBMM Stingray Short scale
- Thread starter dralionux
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- short scale bass
I'd like to try out the Graph Tech Ratio tuners (BassRATIO) but they don't make a 3+1 set for these basses.
Otherwise, I'd go with Gotoh Res-o-Lite 640s. (https://g-gotoh.com/product/gb640/?lang=en) I've not measured them all out, but they generally look like they'd fit.
Or I'll be a rebel and go with enclosed tuners with Y-knobs like the GB350s or Hipshot Ultra-lights. But those are probably not what you mean by "relatively easy."
You may want to contact GraphTech about 3 in 1 tuners. I had a SBMM guitar I was thinking of getting graph tech ratio locking tuners and I noticed they didn’t have any on the site so I contacted them and they told me they could change out the tuner for a left handed one to match but I never got them b/c I sold the guitar. Also the price was going to be the same. However, graphtech tuners are a bit expensive but worth it if you don’t want to drill new holes.
For less than the cost of new tuners you can buy a cheap Mikro. Play with that once a week and you won’t complain about the tuners on this.
The G&L ultralights would work. Back holes match, fronts don’t but old holes would be covered. Post is a bit shorter.
I got mine back in December and don’t think I’ve touched it since. Still has the plastic on the tuners and pickguard and hang tag.
it just sounds like it has a blanket over the tone in any other mode than single coil. And I didn’t buy it to be a single coil bass.
maybe I should upgrade the pots.
I’ll eventually get a router and install a preamp or send it to someone to do it.
The neck is wonderful though.
it just sounds like it has a blanket over the tone in any other mode than single coil. And I didn’t buy it to be a single coil bass.
maybe I should upgrade the pots.
I’ll eventually get a router and install a preamp or send it to someone to do it.
The neck is wonderful though.
I know that the 1/2" Hipshot ultralites work well. You just have to fill the tiny holes left over with some wood putty. Any hipshot ultralite tune knob can be switched from left to right, so you can buy an inline set and change the knob on one of them like i did here on the Sterling I had before.
I was considering a SS StingRay, until I saw the poor fret rounding and the fact that they put the cheapest asian tuner available; same found on Squier instruments (even Classic Vibe line now!!)
Looks good!
Is it only the USA models you can switch orientation on? I had it in my head that the Licensed models couldn't be reversed, but not sure how accurate that is.
Oh, it might only be changeable on the USA Hipshots..I don't have experience with the cheap licensed hipshot tuners...I always stick with the USA hipshots. I wonder now.
Regarding the Hipshots, the factory drilled post holes are slightly too large. My luthier ended up shimming the holes with very thin veneer to get a tight fit. Otherwise, I’m very happy with the Hipshots as replacements for the factory tuners.
I actually like this bass best in single coil. In parallel mode it does have a bit of a veil or mudiness that doesn't cut through so well, I usually end up turning up the treble on my amp or tweeter up a notch in my bass cabinet. I think it sounds pretty good until I switch over to either of EBMM Stingray Specials and that's when it sinks in that this bass doesn't cut it as a Stingray so I use it mostly in single coil which has its own vibe. I wonder what this thing would have sounded like had they made it active. Honestly if I had to do it over again I probably would have waited and eventually gotten the EBMM version for a much better feeling neck in roasted maple, way better fret work, steel frets (my frets are already showing wear) a compensated nut, a nice case, better electronics and neater much more organized wiring, buttery smooth quality knobs and last but not least much better tuners. These tuners that they are putting on all Sterlings as well as on Squire basses are consistently bad.
I like all three modes but I am surpised at how much I put it single coil which is supposed to be like a J pup right? In any case, the onboard electronics are pretty good for a bass in this price range but one could always install a preamp right?
If I was a pro (or even semi-pro) I would probably spring the extra money for the EBMM shortscale for all the reasons you state (if nothing else because I love metallic finish), but I since I have to live with my wife there is no way I can ever justify spending that kind of dough on a bass. However with time I can certainly upgrade those. Spend a little here or there, all these things come in small boxes without the price on the cover. A new bass is going to raise questions though.
I like single coil best too, followed by series.
Agree too their build quality is really spotty. My neck was fine, but one of the tuner ferrules had no chrome on it, the nut looked like it was filed with hack saw, the bridge screws looked someone used a power drill to put them in (messed up screw tops).
Be interesting to know how it compares to a G&L Tribute Kiloton or Fallout in build quality.
Wow, I had no problems with mine. Just set up really. I would send it back if it was like that. No chrome plating on a tuner is such an obvious miss.
Surely there are better tuner qualities available but I have no problem with the tuners on my SBMM SS Stingray. They tune in pitch smoothly and keep the tuning stable. Good enough for me.
The tuners are very inconsistent on the Sterlings. I also had a Sterling Sub 4 (which was returned) and just as with my Sterling short scale two of the tuning key ends were woobly like something was loose and ready to fall off. You may be lucky and get 4 good ones and be quite content at least for the time being, however chances of getting at least one clunker tuning key are high and I think with the poor design and based on the fact so many are bad right from the start they are just destined to be problematic down the road.
I have 2 tuning keys that get slightly wobbly sometimes. I have to push them (or hit them) down into the post to make them tight and then they usually stay secure for at least a month. Still annoying, but I’m mostly happy with everything else. I’m replacing the nut with TUSQ soon to see if it helps with tuning and intonation. The nut it has seems to be cut a bit high and maybe cheap plastic(?) but I guess we get what we pay for. I think this bass is great in the most important areas (neck, pickup tones, ergonomics/design, weight)
