the 55-110 strings feel great on it. Takes the tension closer to what I was used to on a full scale. Was worried it might be too much as I had really gotten used to the stock strings but enjoying these a lot so far.
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Short scale Stingray!
- Thread starter BigBigGuy44
- Start date
the 55-110 strings feel great on it. Takes the tension closer to what I was used to on a full scale. Was worried it might be too much as I had really gotten used to the stock strings but enjoying these a lot so far.
After more time jamming I think a set of 50, 70, 90, 110 would be really nice. The 55 feels a little tight in standard tuning and would enjoy a little more slack in the G. I play mainly with fingers but I bet The extra tension and thickness would actually by nice with a pick as you could really dig in and given the tones you can get out of this bass I bet it’d sound mean. So I think swapping the 55 for a 50 would feel really nice for how I play.
So after more time on the heavy String Joy strings on the Starry Night I really really like the extra tension the .110 on the E gives. When I back and forth between them and my SBMM shortie with the stock strings the E feels a little loose in comparison. They’re “rounder” sounding to me and less aggressive than the stock strings less attack. The .110 Gauge also handles dropping to D so much better. However the .55 high string is way too heavy for standard tuning. If I decide to keep these strings on I’m gonna need to order a .50 for the D for sure. When I went back to their site I found a tension calculator that had I used before ordering I would have placed an order for a custom gauge set instead.
one of my shorties is gonna end up tuned DGCF and after playing with the tension calculator it would seem that a set of .50,.70,.90,.115 would yield mostly the same as the stock string tension but a little lighter and .50,75,.95,.115 would be just a little tighter. I’d even consider up to a .125 if one was planning to drop the D to C for a CFCG tuning.
one of my shorties is gonna end up tuned DGCF and after playing with the tension calculator it would seem that a set of .50,.70,.90,.115 would yield mostly the same as the stock string tension but a little lighter and .50,75,.95,.115 would be just a little tighter. I’d even consider up to a .125 if one was planning to drop the D to C for a CFCG tuning.
Nice! I get the feeling I have a similar use and preference list so when it comes time for new strings, I'll try the middle set you spec'd out. Thanks a lot for the information!
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Ok...A comment, and then two questions...
First the Comment...I think AJ's Starry Night is about the prettiest bass I've ever seen! (and I've been playing bass since 1965)
Now the two questions...
Can someone give a better description of the color (if there is any) in the Starry Night finish? Some pics really look quite blue, and other just look grey. So does it really have some blue in it?
Second...Would it be crazy to put a clear PG on it? I mean, I'd like to show as much of that sparkle as possible.
Dave O.
First the Comment...I think AJ's Starry Night is about the prettiest bass I've ever seen! (and I've been playing bass since 1965)
Now the two questions...
Can someone give a better description of the color (if there is any) in the Starry Night finish? Some pics really look quite blue, and other just look grey. So does it really have some blue in it?
Second...Would it be crazy to put a clear PG on it? I mean, I'd like to show as much of that sparkle as possible.
Dave O.
Definitely Silver Grey with strong Blue / Purple / overtones depending on the light, the depth of sparkle is cool, it's a beautiful finish and add the roasted maple neck which feels amazing and smells amazing too !! Aj's photos do it justice for colour
It's impossible to take a decent photo of it as it changes so much depending om the light, let's all agree
that they look absolutely amazing and even more important, they play and sound as good as they look !!
This comes close to what it looks like in the flesh ...
that they look absolutely amazing and even more important, they play and sound as good as they look !!
This comes close to what it looks like in the flesh ...
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Thanks for all the replies guys!!!
I just placed an order for one of the last ones on Reverb.
For many years I owned a EB Stingray 5. I loved everything about that bass...except that it had 5 strings, and was a long-scale. I just have never been able to make the transition from 4 to 5 strings, and then back again smoothly...so I traded it for a 4 string. Over the past 5 years I've been converting to Short Scale basses too due to my aging joints. I'm also more of a passive fan. Looks like these came along at just the right time for my old hands.
Now for another question...
Has anyone found an aftermarket custom pick guard cutter with a reliable template for these basses? I can't seem to find the SS listed at any of the most popular ones. They show the long-scale, but I don't think that has the same cutout for the neck and truss-rod adjuster. I'm still sold on the idea of putting a clear PG on it to show more of the sparkle. It's not like there's anything ugly underneath it...no routing or anything as far as I know.
Thanks!
Dave O.
I just placed an order for one of the last ones on Reverb.
For many years I owned a EB Stingray 5. I loved everything about that bass...except that it had 5 strings, and was a long-scale. I just have never been able to make the transition from 4 to 5 strings, and then back again smoothly...so I traded it for a 4 string. Over the past 5 years I've been converting to Short Scale basses too due to my aging joints. I'm also more of a passive fan. Looks like these came along at just the right time for my old hands.
Now for another question...
Has anyone found an aftermarket custom pick guard cutter with a reliable template for these basses? I can't seem to find the SS listed at any of the most popular ones. They show the long-scale, but I don't think that has the same cutout for the neck and truss-rod adjuster. I'm still sold on the idea of putting a clear PG on it to show more of the sparkle. It's not like there's anything ugly underneath it...no routing or anything as far as I know.
Thanks!
Dave O.
As far as I know pickguard planet and WD both have short scale templates for the EBMM. I sent my pick guard to Precision Guitars in AZ he also cut and has the template for the control panel since Ernie Ball doesn’t yet make a black short scale control plate. He did a great job on the guards he cut for me but there was a long delay where there was no communication which was strange but then he nailed out two for me at lightning speed!
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Hey AJ...
I don't suppose that Music Man has all that great looking hardware assembled in a "blackout kit" do they?
(but they probably should!) I'm really inspired by what you did there.
Just wondering how much all that cool stuff set you back?
Would you mind sharing a parts list with us?
Are the tuners still the light-weight ones?
Dave O.
I don't suppose that Music Man has all that great looking hardware assembled in a "blackout kit" do they?
(but they probably should!) I'm really inspired by what you did there.
Just wondering how much all that cool stuff set you back?
Would you mind sharing a parts list with us?
Are the tuners still the light-weight ones?
Dave O.
Yup still the lightweight tuners! Basically I hit up customer service and they compiled all the parts I’d need swapped. The only part they didn’t have was a short scale control panel in black as it’s smaller than the full sized Basses. Now the tricky part is I had to send them my neck plate and bridge BEFORE I could order the new parts. The rest I was welcome to order at any time. This was made more difficult by covid as not only have they been operating at reduced hours but they quarantine the parts they receive for 72 hours before opening them. Once they’ve been quarantined a recorded as received customer service called to order the bridge and neck plate.
you do end up with a new serial number but I was told everything is kept track through Ernie Ball. I don’t know exactly how much it set me back as I ordered due to me ordering additional parts for my Sterling Short Scale at the same time but if I had to guess it’d set someone back about $300. The tuners are the most expensive part. The bridge was surprisingly cheap. I think maybe $65 or something.
they were really stoked I was doing it and happy to help. So I’m sure they could handle it even easier this time. I’m hoping I inspired them to do something with black hardware on next years model’s so I can have a legit stock EBMM black control panel haha.
that and I’m hoping they do a flamed/figured maple roasted neck next year.
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
If I like the EBSS as much as I think I will, I may go for one of the Sterling imports as well...for travel, and to take to those gigs where you aren't so sure you will leave with everything you came in with.
Nice that they were so helpful! Rare to find that kind of product support these days.
Dave O.
Nice that they were so helpful! Rare to find that kind of product support these days.
Dave O.
Hi Dave, looks like it's tidy underneath, would look ace with a clear pickguard, I'm pondering myself!!
daveobieone
Providing the "musical foundation" since 1966
Mine arrived today. What a GREAT bass!!!
I put some GHS Pressure Wound strings on it right away. They sound really nice on this bass. Kind of a step between rounds and flats. MUCH more comfortable than the rounds it came with...still nice and bright though. Perfect fit too. The fat part of the string starts just beyond the tuning peg on the E. Their 32 inch scale is just the right length.
I've come to the conclusion that there is no way to photograph this bass that does it justice. The finish is just too complex...which is a good thing actually. Mine looks even better than I thought it would from seeing the pics posted. It's fun to just move side to side looking at all the sparkles changing as you move.
Sure is small. My short-scale mid-60's Eko looks positively huge next to it.
I put some GHS Pressure Wound strings on it right away. They sound really nice on this bass. Kind of a step between rounds and flats. MUCH more comfortable than the rounds it came with...still nice and bright though. Perfect fit too. The fat part of the string starts just beyond the tuning peg on the E. Their 32 inch scale is just the right length.
I've come to the conclusion that there is no way to photograph this bass that does it justice. The finish is just too complex...which is a good thing actually. Mine looks even better than I thought it would from seeing the pics posted. It's fun to just move side to side looking at all the sparkles changing as you move.
Sure is small. My short-scale mid-60's Eko looks positively huge next to it.
