drTStingray

Thanks! Just been playing it acoustically - I really must change the strings!!!

Thanks - it sounds great (and the 18 v EQ is very powerful).

No problem - from 96 to 2018 the non Classic series have a shortened version of that bridge omitting the mutes but still the same substantial steel casting and holding bolts. The cheaper copies (incl SBMM Sub)have a version of the large area bridge but in thinner material and held down at the sides by a couple of screws rather than the bolts. That version can be bought very cheaply on EBay - as you probably know EBMM only do the more major parts for a Stingray on an exchange basis. I shall be interested to see/hear the result 👍

Yeah - Ive had it just over 18 months - now needs new strings - weighs around 8 lbs. Got a bit of banter from some band mates when I first got it asking if I was starting a glam rock band!!

You're right thebpick up position is an important element. Strings through is only on pre EB to around 1980 and on the more recent Classic range. In all cases (except the Special - introduced 2018) the bridge is a thick piece of steel with two holding down bolts going deep into the body - the Specials have the same shaped bridge but in aluminium to reduce weight and omit the deep holding down bolts. They all have significant area attached to the body

Congratulations. Yep I have one - it's extremely versatile with five coil combination settings as well as the powerful 18 volt powered 3 band EQ. That colour you will find even more stunning in person, and it should be light as well. I use mine almost always when I want to use a five string. The roasted maple neck with oil and wax finish produces one of the most playable and superb feeling necks you'll come across.

No problem @Maude you're welcome. I would try and get a cheap high mass bridge - one of those cheap copy Ray bridges they sell on EBay would do (similar to the SBMM Sub) - Juliaplaysgroove on You Tube uses an SBMM Sub Ray and it sounds pretty much like a Stingray to me. I think you may need something better than the BBOT type to get the string snap. Sounds an interesting project! Btw I have to pinch myself every so often as my brain is now rewired to metric, but as you may well know, everything's measured in imperial on a Ray (and Fender) - hence showing inches - American!! 😏

This is true but fiesta red is notorious for looking different dependent on the lighting conditions. Same bass - different ambient lighting - it looks even lighter pink in some lights, almost light orange in others. You can see why people called it flamenco pink or salmon pink - also compounded by the fact the original Cliff Richard Strat import for Hank Marvin was not even called fiesta red at that time (Fullerton red officially, but just red as far as CR/HBM were concerned). You can see where and how the confusion developed.

And if you want a glam rock bass, there are plenty of colours to choose from.

Here you go @Maude - however as stated previously, the sum of the construction of a Stingray, including the bridge, create the sound - for example the potential snappiness of the strings and other characteristics are audible acoustically. Pick up position is the same throughout, 1976 to date.

I think the main reason there are fewer Sterlings is many people want the Stingray as it has the much longer history and is thus more iconic - rather like the Fender Jaguar compared with Precision or Jazz. @ead that SB14 looks great with the matt black pickguard - very early 90s (the first Sterlings had matt pick guards in 93/94 ish).

A passive Stingray is quite feasible - some of the US Subs were passive, the short scale Stingray is passive with parallel, single coil and series switch, and both have treble/bass controls as well. The Joe Dart bass (based more on the US MM Sterling bass) is also passive but just with a volume knob. All have the pick up in the Stingray sweet spot.

Nah - pure form, function, elegance and graceful, natural shape - apart from the tort, which I accept is an abomination. No silly pointy bits top and bottom. The problem with the Precision is the design classic is the Strat - the Precision 57 is basically a re-design to more match the Strat shape. The pickguard is an abomination to cover up unnecessarily removed routs and to mount the controls on like the Strat - so it's a cobble together basically - an engineer's solution with little styling - it's only because we're used to it that many don't appreciate it's bonkers, stylistically and functionally. It doesn't even extend to areas between the pick up and bridge you might pluck the strings (especially with the pick up and bridge cover on), yet it covers the extremities of the lower horn which only contortionist pickers might trouble. The Rickenbacker at least reflects its Art Deco shape and styling. The Precision pg is an engineer's solution to cover up unnecessary and expensive routing.

I was wondering whether this could be considered possibly the most appalling piece of unintegrated design - an afterthought with questionable functionality, and a bit of a marmite (or red wine puke) colour 😩 😬

Is that barelo purple flip colour? Even rarer as Fretless.

I find it's ok if you move your other leg over a little. I love mine - has the piezo as well which has another tonal flavour. They do a fuschia sparkle colour on these currently which is so outrageous it complements the shape really well - this is mine - lava pearl 😀

Compact and shiny compact and very shiny Compact and matt finish Compact and Old Smoothie!

Definitely - lovely on this as well with a bit of thumb muted playing at the end. I really like some of these modern pop songs. http://youtu.be/XdBR-SrP6uU And for @Lozz196 AWB doing a very funky number - Alan Gorrie on 2 band Stingray. Notice the drumming - Steve Ferrone is one of the world's best IMO. Hmmm Acoustic 370 and Stingray - I wonder where I got the idea for that set up from!! https://youtu.be/QoAtqfQoaUo

This is a nice bass sound on an SBMM Sub - and some great playing - this girl can groove! http://youtu.be/C-vLEFm8tNg When I eventually decided on a Stingray 5 for my 5 string about 20 yrs back, I did have a dalliance with an FNA Jazzman - nice bass but still didn't do the Stingray sound in my view. If you want the flexibility of a two pick up bass with the Stongray sound, either an SBMM or Stingray HH will give you that. My MM Sabre Classic does Stingray, Sabre and Lakland sounds very well (it has a bridge H + neck single coil setting). It does a good Precision impression with the neck single coil soloed also.

I think the modification referred to above is only applicable to the earliest versions of the SBMM Sub to overcome too hotter signal. If I had one of the more recent ones I might think of upgrading the tuners to Hipshots as per the US Sub Stingray model - more sturdy and less chance of begging bent if whacked. The sound in that video (and others by that You Tuber suggests the sound is pretty good from the SBMM Sub.

I'd say they do reflect the 2 band sound - the full fat MM can be smoother and probably has more versatility, dependent on how you play. There is some good technique there (including muting and note length) but it does sound good IMO. However a 3 band Stingray, although more versatile, can get very close to the 2 band sound with the treble and bass boosted a touch and the mid cut say 50% from centre detent - the major difference is the lack of the high pass filter on the 2 band - removes boomy frequencies from the 3 band. Go and try a Stingray Special if you want to hear major bass boost - much more in the realms of a Bongo in that context.

I like the Vintage - played several and they do a nice 5 string as well. If you want an affordable Stingray-type bass, the SBMM Sub does it very well indeed. This young lady seems to manage well with one. Bear in mind the newer ones are even better - I read somewhere that the Ray 24 and Sub have an EQ based more around the Okd Smoothie version. http://youtu.be/iK1LEt7wr5g

First question - I've never got usable sound out of one when the battery's failed. That said I've only had that happen two or three times in about 40 yrs and always during setting up, not in the gig. Two were 2 band, one 4 band (Bongo). Second question - all Musicman basses from 1996 or so have flip out battery boxes - EXCEPT Classic collection basses, including Sabres and Old Smoothies which have the chrome cover with two screws holding them on, as pre 1996 basses. The Stingray Specials have twin flip out battery boxes. Battery life is quite extensive - I've had my two Specials for around 18 months and they're still on their original batteries and fine.

Nice bass! Cool mute as well 👍 Are those holes in the scratch plate below the G?

Generally, I have my thumb at a similar angle to my plucking fingers as if I was slapping the string - but just resting on the top of the B, if I'm playing on the E string. I just move my thumb back the same distance as the plucking fingers move to play on the B - so I'm resting it against the body of the bass and similarly as I go across the strings, leaning the thumb against the strings below the one I'm plucking. To be honest, I've developed this over time and have had to actually look at what I'm doing to answer this!! The main point is to mute the lower strings so as long as that's achieved, and I can play the passages I want to with the timbre etc I want, then I'm quite happy! You can usually hear the drone of the B if you forget to mute it!!