Short scale Stingray!

[Akami]

...the tone of this bass is the most focused I have regardless of scale length. It's definitely a Stingray-ish sound. Unmistakable there. But, it is more cutting in the lower mids, less scooped, less boomy, and less extreme-high-end-y. It sits in the band mix, at least to my ears, with sort of a narrower focus on the "money frequencies" for bass. You will be heard with this bass without having to crank it...

Reviews like this are definitely making it more tempting.

 

[Rocket Queen]

Before I got the bass, I'd planned on replacing the strings with D'Addario 110 - 55 stainless steel strings like I have on a couple of my other short scale basses...

I'm curious, are the 110-55 strings a distinct branded set, or are they simply custom gauges that you put together yourself? I very well could have missed something, but I didn't notice anything like these in the D'Addario online catalog.

 

[Christcr]

I'm curious, are the 110-55 strings a distinct branded set, or are they simply custom gauges that you put together yourself? I very well could have missed something, but I didn't notice anything like these in the D'Addario online catalog.

They are just the regular (long scale) D'Addario EPS230 Pro Steel string set. Contrary to popular belief, long scale strings will work on short scale basses (even heavy sets like this). Yes, the short scale sets are much more convenient and I use them when available in gauges I like (GHS Boomers make a heavy set and the Ernie Ball set is pretty stout), but as long as you are careful when stringing the bass, the long scales work. Fender actually strings the PJ Mustangs and JMJ Mustang with long scale strings... so it's not a sin like some players think it is. It's mainly the E string that is a bit of a hassle, but it is doable.

 

[Christcr]

I'm curious, are the 110-55 strings a distinct branded set, or are they simply custom gauges that you put together yourself? I very well could have missed something, but I didn't notice anything like these in the D'Addario online catalog.

Here is the closest actual short scale set I know of with heavier gauge strings:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000I2ME6...olid=1Q05WXZ0MUR09&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[gigetto]

You have to use Ernie Ball on a short stingray

 

[Fro68]

I bought a parchment pickguard for my blue SSStingray. I think it looks better than the black. If I could, I’d try a mint colored guard.

 

[BassAssHat]

I bought a parchment pickguard for my blue SSStingray. I think it looks better than the black. If I could, I’d try a mint colored guard.

where did you get it? I was wondering about sizing.

 

[Iofflight]

I bought a parchment pickguard for my blue SSStingray. I think it looks better than the black. If I could, I’d try a mint colored guard.

What?! No Picture! What is wrong with you!?

I've actually thought black would look good on the red. I swapped out the parchment pickguard on my SS special which is the dropped copper color so I didn't want them to look too much alike. But black and red just go so well together.

 

[hooky_marr]

Me too, hence, my posts saying I'd like to see a short scale Sterling.

Lots of 32" medium scale basses in Japan and I've had quite a few of them, including three beveled edge Jazz Bass Specials, the last one of which is in my avatar, and a Yamaha which I still have. I was on a medium scale buying binge when my girlfriend was my bass player, but am down to the last two that she used to play on stage.

Yup. I've got a pair of the later 1990s Motion Bs with the TRB-style 2x2 headstock. They are sweet, light, balance really well. I upgraded one of them with Hipshot tuners + a narrower Hipshot bridge (closer to a Hofner violin bass string spacing) - really nice if you've got small hands.

 

[Akami]

Yup. I've got a pair of the later 1990s Motion Bs with the TRB-style 2x2 headstock. They are sweet, light, balance really well. I upgraded one of them with Hipshot tuners + a narrower Hipshot bridge (closer to a Hofner violin bass string spacing) - really nice if you've got small hands.

The Jazz Bass Special she's got in the picture ended up getting some new tuners too, in addition to some Bartolini's, an EMG control package and a Hipshot bridge. I think the Bartolini's made the biggest improvement.

By the way, did you know the Glenmore Inn used to have live music? I played there and out in Sibbald during a couple months in Calgary a long time ago.

 

[Fro68]

where did you get it? I was wondering about sizing.

I bought is direct from Music Man.

What?! No Picture! What is wrong with you!?

I've actually thought black would look good on the red. I swapped out the parchment pickguard on my SS special which is the dropped copper color so I didn't want them to look too much alike. But black and red just go so well together.

Here’s a quick pic:

 

[Iofflight]

Yeah I think that suits it better than the black. I may have to swap mine out for black, you interested in selling the black one it came with?

 

[Fro68]

I’m going to keep it in case I want to switch it back sometime. Call MM and ask for the parts dept.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I put a white one on mine too, but switched back to the black. The white, IMO, made it look a bit toy like. It looks more serious (for lack of a better word) with the black... to me.

I plan to swap them back and forth anyhow.

 

[Fro68]

I'd like to find a mint colored pickguard, or maybe a very light gray color.

 

[JoeWPgh]

I heard back from Sam Ash after leaving a scathing review, that mentioned the awful setup and the fact that it was misrepresented as a BFR (Ball Family Reserve) instrument. They apologized for the listing and corrected it on their other SR SS's. They offered to let me return the instrument, or take a $300 refund to keep it. I'm taking the refund I already got the nut filed down to a reasonable height, which was a huge improvement. This weekend, I'll give it the fret leveling/crowning it so desperately needs. The fretwork, especially the upper 5~7 frets is truly atrocious. It won't take a master luthier to make this neck 4 times better and more playable. After that, with the refund, I'll be quite the happy little camper!
I just thought that after trashing Sam Ash, I should report back that they handled the situation quite fairly.

 

[Fro68]

I bought is direct from Music Man.



Here’s a quick pic:

I’m still loving this bass but I decided I don’t like the white pickguard. It’s back to stock with the black pickguard. I think I’m going to try and dye the white guard a dark grey color.

 

[Iofflight]

I’m still loving this bass but I decided I don’t like the white pickguard. It’s back to stock with the black pick guard. I think I’m going to try and dye the white guard a dark grey color.

You know this is a hard color to match and still be interesting, I'm thinking if it were me I'd go for the more reddish tortoiseshell. That could look really dynamic! Like I have on my Jazz bass.

 

[Merlo]

This is the bass I’ve been waiting for my whole life. I played sterlings for years and couldn’t after a back injury. I really hope they make this a permanent model.

 

[gigetto]

The only thing i disagree in this masterpiece is the bridge, old style, if they would have made one more modern....