Short scale Stingray!

[philthygeezer]

I haven't seen one so posted far, I put a black abalone on mine because I already swapped out my dropped copper special with a black pickguard and didn't want them exactly the same. I posted it back on page 20. I can say I think it looks better with a darker or black pickguard though.

I had an abalone on my Candy Red Stingray and it looks nice and fancy. I like the black very much as well.

 

[gigetto]

I'm interested to a cheaper but not too cheap HH model of this.

 

[Bigal1369]

I'm interested to a cheaper but not too cheap HH model of this.

Sterling has it. For about 550. The only difference is the neck heal. And colors. Price. Not made in USA.

I'm interested to a cheaper but not too cheap HH model of this.

Sterling by Music Man has it. For 549.00. 2 different colors. But not HH
Single H. There a company call Harly Benton guitars. That has 34 inch scale HH model. copy.

 

[gigetto]

I know very well HB....Sterling in my opinion is the only cheaper alternative to the original one....

 

[tonym]

I put TI Jazz Flats on my SS Stingray. I use these strings on all of the basses I mentioned above, in fact.

This SS Stingray is my first short-scale bass that has no shortcomings that leave me looking for something better.

@alpho, I read your post with great interest. I'd also been using a Lakland HB30 until I got my SS Stingray and have had the exact same experience. I've been thinking to putting TI Jazz Flats on it but from what I read of the specs even their SS seem to be too long. How did they fit on yours? Did you have to make any accommodation? I'd been thinking of ordering Optima Chrome SS Flats, because I've read they sound very close to the TI's but (at least based on specs) should fit better.

 

[Iofflight]

I put both TI flats and rounds on my SSSR. The e string was the only one that I wished could have been a bit shorter but neither was a problem. I’d recommend them without hesitation, they both suit the bass nicely.

 

[fermata]

... The lowest F on this SS Stingray has all the apparent depth and growl that I hear on my 34" Fender Precision and EBMM Stingray & Sterling basses. ... This SS Stingray is my first short-scale bass that has no shortcomings that leave me looking for something better.

The low F definition issue is a big reason I moved from short to medium scale, so this is good news (although not good news for the GAS I have for this bass). What about on the other end of the spectrum? Does the tone have that signature short scale sweetness in the higher register (especially on the G string)?

 

[Iofflight]

I think, so I actually prefer this bass in higher registers to be honest.

 

[alpho]

The low F definition issue is a big reason I moved from short to medium scale, so this is good news (although not good news for the GAS I have for this bass). What about on the other end of the spectrum? Does the tone have that signature short scale sweetness in the higher register (especially on the G string)?

I'm so used to playing short scales that I might be comparing the low-F growl to my MEMORY of the sound of a long-scale. I'm sure an objective comparison would show the long-scale to be...wait a minute! I'm not going to do a comparison. My ears are happy, so I am happy. I don't want to hear any facts. My SS SR is still too new.

 

[alpho]

@alpho, I read your post with great interest. I'd also been using a Lakland HB30 until I got my SS Stingray and have had the exact same experience. I've been thinking to putting TI Jazz Flats on it but from what I read of the specs even their SS seem to be too long. How did they fit on yours? Did you have to make any accommodation? I'd been thinking of ordering Optima Chrome SS Flats, because I've read they sound very close to the TI's but (at least based on specs) should fit better.

The TI SS FLATS are a little too long for all four 30" SS basses I put them on. Some of he red silk gets wrapped onto the tuning post, but they work.

I'd like to hear what you think of the Optimas vs. the TI Flats.

I tried Pyramids (found them at decent sale price) on the Lakland HB30, but I nded up liking the TI's better. The Pyramids were a just a little stiffer, which I liked, but the low E & A sounds had more thud than note, which I didn't like at all.

 

[itsratso]

few things in life are as disappointing to me as this, but the St. Vincent bass has been officially scrapped according to EBMM reps at NAMM this year. they are not saying why, but speculation is that they have been burned a little bit on new bass releases (ahem game changer) and are gun shy. considering how popular both the stv model and short scale basses have been this makes no sense to me, but I don't run things.

 

[Wood and Wire]

few things in life are as disappointing to me as this, but the St. Vincent bass has been officially scrapped according to EBMM reps at NAMM this year. they are not saying why, but speculation is that they have been burned a little bit on new bass releases (ahem game changer) and are gun shy. considering how popular both the stv model and short scale basses have been this makes no sense to me, but I don't run things.

That's a shame, but I can understand where they're coming from :

The Cutlass

The Caprice

The Big Al

The Sabre (several times)

The Game Changer.


Unfortunately the Sting Ray, the Sting Ray-5, and to a much lesser degree, the Sterling seem to be about as adventurous as most people want to get.

This ticks a lot of boxes - short scale, passive, and looks exactly like a Sting Ray. It's no wonder they played it safe, and kept the Sting Ray moniker too.

Hopefully these are a long term success, and maybe the St Vincent gets revived (I'm sure I heard that Pino had one, so there are presumably prototypes knocking about).

 

[grrg63]

These look sweet, I wonder when they'll be available?

 

[itsratso]

They won't be. 100% sold out in pre-production from what I've heard.

 

[grrg63]

I wonder how much they were going for? Seems like they would be a pretty reliable seller (if not too pricey), judging by the popularity of the first edition and the Sterling.

 

[itsratso]

Around $2k.you can still get the cheaper sbmm version for around $600. I've got one.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Around $2k.you can still get the cheaper sbmm version for around $600. I've got one.

I've got both. Oddly enough, both basses sound pretty identical. The Musicman feels nicer, but I'd have no complaints if I only owned the SBMM. I have no complaints owning the Musicman either, except THAT THEY PUT THE DANG STARRY NIGHT ONE OUT AFTER I GOT MINE!!!! Oh hwell.

To sum it up, the SBMM is awesome. The Musicman is magical. IMO. It feels about a pound lighter too.

 

[itsratso]

the SBMM is awesome. The Musicman is magical.

Thanx for that, Joe. I've been kicking around for a while the idea of trading up for the EB model, but can't convince myself it's worth 3x the price.

 

[Rawkabilly]

FYI: Bass Central has ONE Starry Night Stingray shorty that isn’t spoken for. Grasshopper said that it’s scheduled to arrive in September. Somebody needs to put their name on it before I do something silly. LOL

 

[Rawkabilly]

I've got both. Oddly enough, both basses sound pretty identical. The Musicman feels nicer, but I'd have no complaints if I only owned the SBMM. I have no complaints owning the Musicman either, except THAT THEY PUT THE DANG STARRY NIGHT ONE OUT AFTER I GOT MINE!!!! Oh hwell.

To sum it up, the SBMM is awesome. The Musicman is magical. IMO. It feels about a pound lighter too.

Joe, could you compare/contrast the Sterling vs USA Stingray shorty?