grayn Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I returned today, to one of my old, favoured bass places, Promenade Music in Morecambe. Used to go there every few weeks but hadn't been for 2 years. Anyway, Gary's still working there and is a great bloke for loads of friendly, knowledgable chat and a cup of tea. Had a hankering for another 4-stringer and after some discussion, we more or less narrowed it down to 3 basses. A Marleaux Consat Custom 4 (used), a Fender Flea Signature Active Jazz Bass, in Satin Inca Silver and a Musicman Stingray Special, in Chopper Blue. The Marleaux is a superb bass, with a classy, hand made feel and quality woods. The only part that didn't impress me was the pre amp, it just didn't seem to deliver, to my ears. I was a bit dubious about the Flea Jazz but I have to say, I think it is a great bass. I reckon Flea told Fender to take a JB and make as much like a Stingray as they could. And they've done a bloody good job, IMO. Very solid and resonant, really well built and a rather good pickup. The only changes I'd make would be a 3 band EQ, instead of 2 and a slightly wider string spacing at the bridge end. I would have been very happy to bring it home with me but as the title suggests, the winner was the Stingray Special. Now I already have a standard 2014, EBMM Stingray, with a single HB and 3 EQ, that I reckon is great. So why get this as well, other than the usual excuse of permanent GAS? To me, there enough differences between the 2 Stingrays to give enough of a different playing experience. The Special has a slightly different pickup, with Neodymium magnets and an 18 volt pre amp, to deliver even more bassy goodness. The gorgeous, roasted maple neck feels a tad narrower, with slightly more rounding off, of the rosewood fingerboard's edges and lovely stainless steel frets. The tuners are definitely nicer, with a more 3D ergonomic, comfy feel to them and the body is rounded at the neck heel to improve one's upper fret playing experience. Also, overall the bass is a little lighter. So does all this make the Special better than my old Stingray? Probably yes but I do so enjoy my older model, it's not going to be left on it's stand. I really like the Chopper Blue coloured body, with the pearloid white pickguard, black pickup and chrome hardware. This is a pretty bass and definitely feels like it's got all the iconic, classic aspects you have to have in a Stingray. Yet it's subtle improvements feel like a natural evolution, with no revolution needed, thankyou. I'd test driven this beauty through a rig very similar to my own and so am looking forward to the next band rehearsal. Specifications: Model: StingRay Special Size: 13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 44-7/8" long (34.3 cm wide, 4.1 cm thick, 114.0 cm long) Body Wood: Select Hardwoods Body Finish: High gloss polyester Bridge: Vintage Music Man® top loaded chrome plated, steel bridge plate with vintage nickel plated steel saddles Scale Length: 34" (86.4 cm) Neck Radius: 11" (27.9 cm) Headstock Size: Only 8-3/4" (22.2 cm) long Frets: 22 - High profile, wide, Stainless Steel Neck Width: 1-5/8" (41.3 mm) at nut 2-1/2" (63.5 mm) at last fret Neck Wood: Select roasted maple neck Fingerboard: Fretted - Rosewood Neck Finish: Gunstock oil and hand-rubbed special wax blend Neck Colors: Standard – Natural with finished headstock Tuning Machines: Custom Music Man, lightweight with tapered string posts and ergonomic clover design Truss Rod: Adjustable wheel - no component or string removal Neck Attachment: 5 bolts - perfect alignment with no shifting; Sculpted neck joint allows smooth access to higher frets Electronic Shielding: black plated aluminum control cover Controls: 3-band active preamp with 18 volts of headroom; vol, treble, mid, bass Pickups: Standard - Single Humbucking with Neodymium magnets. 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 1 hour ago, grayn said: This is a pretty bass and definitely feels like it's got all the iconic, classic aspects you have to have in a Stingray. Yet it's subtle improvements feel like a natural evolution, with no revolution needed, thankyou. I completely agree. Great Basses and the Chopper Blue is a stunning colour. Congratulations on your purchase. Regarding the nut width, if you'd have asked me a few weeks back I would have said that the nut on my Special was the narrowest of any of my basses. However, after finally purchasing some verniers I thought I'd give it a measure and it actually has the widest nut of any of them at 43.5mm, 2mm wider than the listed specs. Either way it feels lovely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pineweasel Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 I’d be interested to hear about the tonal differences between the old Stingray and the Special. I’ve read that the Special is a bit mellower, overall, with a little less of that Stingray snarl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 I love the look and sound of these, but baulk at the specified nut width. Would someone be able to explain the significance of why the actual measurement differs from the published specs? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 12 hours ago, pineweasel said: I’d be interested to hear about the tonal differences between the old Stingray and the Special. I’ve read that the Special is a bit mellower, overall, with a little less of that Stingray snarl. I can understand that opinion but the Special still has that edgy growl, IMO. Until I use it with the band I can't compare totally but think the Special has a similar tone but perhaps with a little more clarity. But the differences are subtle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted September 15, 2019 Author Share Posted September 15, 2019 19 minutes ago, songofthewind said: I love the look and sound of these, but baulk at the specified nut width. Would someone be able to explain the significance of why the actual measurement differs from the published specs? Thank you. No idea about discrepancies in measurements but I can recommend you get your hands on a Special, I think you'll love that neck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 5 hours ago, songofthewind said: I love the look and sound of these, but baulk at the specified nut width. Not sure why the nut width on mine differs to the listed specs but please don't let that put you off these basses. As mentioned, these necks certainly don't feel at all wide or chunky and how they feel is what matters, not what the tape measure says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Hmm. Can you measure the neck thickness at fret 1? Ta. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 5 hours ago, songofthewind said: Hmm. Can you measure the neck thickness at fret 1? I make it 20.6mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 Is chopper blue metallic or flat? still not 100% on these new ones, but damn this looks good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankdave Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 How's the neck-dive or lack of with the new lighter tuners? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny-79 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 That’s stunning. Love that blue. Nice score! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 (edited) 3 hours ago, Tankdave said: How's the neck-dive or lack of with the new lighter tuners? Not sure about the OP but I’ve never experienced neck dive with any of the previous (older) EBMM Stingray models I’ve owned. I believe the lightweight tuners on the Specials were to reduce overall weight, not to eliminate any inherent neck dive issues. Edited September 15, 2019 by Deedee Added to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 4 hours ago, Deedee said: I make it 20.6mm Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 13 hours ago, AndyTravis said: Is chopper blue metallic or flat? still not 100% on these new ones, but damn this looks good It's a flat blue, with gloss finish. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 13 hours ago, Tankdave said: How's the neck-dive or lack of with the new lighter tuners? As already said, I've had a lot of EBMMs over the years and never experienced neck dive and the balance on this Special is perfect, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyTravis Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Ok. I’m going to have to have a try of one of these... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 (edited) Congratulations - nice colour. I've had mine over 12 months and still loving it. You'll find the bass has less natural compression and a completely different mid range from the previous 3 band model. They really are great basses in all respects. They will still do aggressive Ray if you want though - and quite usable with the mid fully boosted. The amount of boost available in the pre amp (if you want it) is similar to a Bongo. Edited September 16, 2019 by drTStingray 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grayn Posted September 16, 2019 Author Share Posted September 16, 2019 1 hour ago, drTStingray said: Congratulations - nice colour. I've had mine over 12 months and still loving it. You'll find the bass has less natural compression and a completely different mid range from the previous 3 band model. They really are great basses in all respects. They will still do aggressive Ray if you want though - and quite usable with the mid fully boosted. The amount of boost available in the pre amp (if you want it) is similar to a Bongo. Thanks for that. I was wondering how to describe the difference in tone, although less natural compression wasn't something that seemed apparent to me. Have to listen out a bit more at the next band rehearsal. Never had a Bongo., although great they are just too ugly to my eyes. Always fancied a Big Al though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay-syncro Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 If only there was one of these for sale at a bargain price on here.. If only.. 🤠 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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