Solid body string instruments are not rocket sciences, Stingray was first introduced in 1976, and throughout the years they’ve made their name in the music history and had their particular printed onto countless modern music.  

Throughout the years, instrument design evolves, but mostly a little at a time Often manufactures would put their 1 or 2 signature product in all kinds of variations possible and try to squeeze out as much value as they possibly can and calling them the new innovative thing while they still keep in mind to ‘not mess around with the core product’ . However, in 2018 , EBMM had announced a new line of bass based on their best selling electric basses and they’re pretty darn serious.

Background
When I first saw it, I was like …. Who the hell with the right mind will be revamping , messing around with their signature product by this far .. but they did it, and did a brilliant job ..

main changes are:

• Stainless steel frets (22 frets on the 5-string models, 21 frets on the 4-string models)
• Roasted maple neck
• Neodymium pickups for punchier tone and extended sonic range
• 18-volt preamp offers greater headroom for greater dynamic range, as well as extended EQ range
• Lighter than ever — redesigned tuners and hardware provide almost a pound of weight relief
• 5-bolt heel contour that’s been reshaped for even better access to higher frets
• Refined body shape for increased comfort and balance

 Specs

• Ash body
• Roasted maple neck
• HH pickups, 5 way toggle switch
• 3 band EQ, cut and boost
• 34” Scale length
• 19mm string spacing
• 8lbs

Playbility
Very slick roasted maple neck, their oil/wax finish seemed even more durable now . Stainless steel frets add that little sparkles on the highs to my ear (both amplified and unplug) . Build quality is dead on, fretwork is top notch. Neck profile is similar to the older rays that I remember, but overall has a very solid / reliable feel. Entire fingerboard is easy to reach, the changes in contour and cuts does make obvious improvements.

Sound
It’s clean , yet powerful . I can easily hear the Stingray fundamental then plus more. The 3 band EQ are very precise and practical. And the way these 3 bands interacts is a bit different than the older preamp. 18volts preamp and the neodymium pickups definitely gives this bass more headroom and wider range for tweaking. Things sounded musical even at some extreme setting .

Thoughts
They surely didn’t go half ass when they decide to mess around with their signature product. This bass is totally a joy to play. It covers all your Stingray needs plus more . 5 way switch is flexible and will be suitable for people with 1 bass, as my basses grow, I’d prefer each of them just to do that 1 thing well. Previous gen Stingrays are totally fun and fine instruments to play with, but these guys are working their butt off building world class instruments. IMO, all their offering in the past 10 years are boutique class. And again, unlike Fender or Gibson, nobody build Musicman style basses better than EBMM .

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