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From: BassGuitarMag
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  • Got one of these babies 2 weeks ago; great bass!

  • Man! I want this bass now!!!

  • Sometimes you're look like Jordan Rudess from Dream Theater  :D

  • hi, does the single humbucker have the tone block? thanks

  • You looked like Bob Geldof !

  • I love the Sting Ray 5... amazing sound!!! Greetings to all Bass fans!!!

  • I know this is an old video, but Ed, does this bass really sound that much better than some of the other basses you've demoed? I can't believe the sound from this and wonder if the recording is different, or the amp, or some other factor. Frankly this bass as it sounds on this video blows every other bass I've ever heard away for tone. Perhaps you could explain it?

  • @ArielsSmartyPants - This was recorded using the iSight cam and built in mic on my old Mac. Very primitive, but what it does do is compress the audio nicely. It's a good sounding bass, but not necessarily better than any of the other Music Mans I've reviewed since - 25th anniversary, Sterling 5, Big Al 4, &5, Classic Stingrays... You may just be hearing a very compressed sound that you like. Now I use a great mic and close mic the amp into Protools, it's a much more real sound.

  • Hey man great vids! I REALLY wanna buy a stingray 5 string bass but i haven't seen a single humbucker demo video cos i really wanna know the difference between the 3 way switch on the single humbucker and the 5 way switch on the double humbucker! Thanks

  • What an AWESOME instrument... I gotta get me some!!

  • circuit Seymour duncan STC 3M4? STC 3M3?

  • I LOVE the T-Shirt!!!

  • They always sound like a 10'000 dollar bass, and the quality is consistantly great. Damn.

  • Wow love it

  • you're cooler, dude, without hear. you rock! and this bass is great!

  • Yeah, he is cooler know that he lost his hearing. Can't figure out how he hears the music he plays along with, though.

  • HA,HA! yeh! sorry! I was talking about hair.

  • for an anniversary bass they should have pimped it up more with nice oval neck inlays and stuff. this looks like a basic bass to me.

  • Great demo!

    4 coils: Heavy man!

    2 inside coils: Great bite!

    Rear pickup sounds a bit heavy for fingerstyle on my monitors.

    2 outside coils great mix of bite and front pickup style. The front coil has quite some bite for a front pickup

  • love the slap tone on that baby!

  • that tone block is beastly!!! i'm not a bass player but i like what i hear. i watch your bass reviews and think you are very talented. i've heard other music man basses but this one in tone outdoes everything else.

  • lol thats fair enough, ill cop that. It was meant to be a compliment, but yes now that i rethink that statement i suppose i like your style a bit more

  • just wanted to give both you and ed big props for dealing with an all-too-common internet social reality. he called you on something that was perhaps less than the best statement, and was responsive to your compliment, and you in turn weighed what he said and responded in the perfect manner. thanks to both of you for being human on the internet. it's hard.

  • ESPECIALLY on Youtube! LOL!

    I realize that most people aren't dickheads, but there is certainly a mode of communication online that seems to make dickheadedness somehow acceptable. I think being "human" is the best antidote for that.

    So now what? World Peace? Let's give it a shot eh?

  • i think it's a mix of anonymity and concision. people get used to only having 500 characters and no face-to-face 'consequences' for their words.

    i've been working towards what i believe will lead to world peace since i was 11. community organizing, union advocacy, more accurate history classes in schools, interdisciplinary cooperation, sustainability, there are lots of areas to tackle. and of course, sensitivity in internet forums. gotta be what you speak, not speak on what you be. :D

  • I'll do my best. Thanks.

  • @intrepgun circuit Seymour duncan STC 3M4? STC 3M3?

  • fuck yeah man, Ed friedland is the best bassist i have seen, he's not as showy and vain as wooten thumbs up Ed

  • Uh, thanks for the thought - but Victor is undoubtedly the best electric bassist on the planet. Showy? Well, when you've got that much happening, it's hard not to come off as showy, but from what I know about him, I wouldn't call him vain. He seems pretty down to earth. I think you've developed an opinion based on your own impression, not on any experience dealing with the man.

  • I think that teehee45 was saying that Ed has a lot of bass prowess which he doesn't use all of for the purposes of making the reviews informative as possible instead of a platform to show off. I think he picked Wooten as a comparative as he shows very high levels technical prowess in almost all Youtube videos... that I have seen anyway...

  • @BassGuitarMag I disagree whilst I believe victor certainly has talent but his playing seems to lack taste I just don't like his style.

  • ed what bass/es do you play and own?

  • I dont really like 5 string basses, but listen to 1:20 HOLY CRAP

  • That bass is perfect, I love the sound of it, be it fingerstyle, slapping or pickstyle.

    Did you keep that beast Ed?

  • No, sent it back. But I have a 25th Anniversary coming in that promises to be very tempting!

  • If only they made them in lefties.

  • Hey Ed :)

    Have you played a fretless version of one of these? I am looking at one in a part ex for my pedulla pentabuzz (Which i just cant get on with Bartolinis are far too dark for my taste)

    Do you think this bass would transfer well in a fretless 5 HH version?

    Cheers.

  • I have not played a 20th fretless.... though I've played several regular SR5 fretless models. I'm sure it would be fine. However, my personal policy with fretless bass is to play it first, not just a sample, but the exact one I want to buy. They are all different and my experience has taught me to check out the instrument in person before I buy.

  • i like music man way better than fender

  • Great video, Ed!

    Hey... a question that may seem silly... ¿Doesn't the front humbucker ever get in the way for popping? It does look very close of the neck.

  • Well, it's close, but I personally don't need that much room. I managed to adjust to it.

  • I think music man and the warwick basses are some of the best basses for slap style I have ever played.that bass is killer

  • CALLING ALL BASS PLAYERS!!!!

    i play guitar and wana play bass what are good choices for beginner basses

    please message me and list the price of the bass you are recomending

  • i JUST cant do the dual humbucker stingrays...it is blasphemy to me! like when Fender added a jazz pickup the P-bass and still called it a p-bass * shiver *

  • how come???

  • the pick style on the bottom humbucker sounds like Duff mckagan

  • "Like the Thunder of the Gods!"

    Haha you're awesome Ed!

  • is using a pick bad for a bass player coz i use a pick?

  • No, using a pick is a totally legitimate way to play bass. It's a great sound for many situations. However, I think you should learn how to play with your fingers too, you need to be versatile enough to do both.

  • & Picks are often frowned upon.

  • don't know why, It's just so that players can keep up with fast music, often used in punk, and metal.

  • Is it just me, or is the middle position (all 4 coils) significantly quieter than the other options? Sounds nice, but I can see problems if you're switching between coils in songs...

  • sounds pretty freakin' sweet,

    but what would you recommend, a dubble Humbucker stingray or a single one?

    And in what is the Stingray 4 different from the Stingray 5, except the B-snare?

  • Who among you, as the title says, when the image appears?

  • Like the Thunder of the Gods... oh Ed, you crack me up so much.

  • what kind of drum machine are you using?

  • ...i love stingrays....check out my ole school lick on my Stingray 5.....

  • Talentless, no way, but using your ears to figure out different tunes is an invaluable skill and will definitely boost your credibility as a musician. I wouldn't say it makes or breaks a musician, but I certainly look more favorably upon those who can use their ears as well as read music.

  • THE STRIPE, do you see it??!!!

  • Why put so much effort in a tone block - the Stingrays are already known for thunder lows as they are? Why not work on weak G string sound as most Fender type necks are notorious for dead spots and tone around fifth fret on 1st string.

  • That bass sounds downright vicious! Nice, thorough overview, Ed!

  • by the way that bass sounds fat

  • What do you think of OLP?

  • dont get one.. squire and fender.. bif difference

  • wow!

    send me tabs of the riff when you were playing with a pick!

    but minus the B string, that was so grovvy!!!

  • Sorry dude, I don't have tabs of that. But, the good news is... you can easily figure it out on your own! Just use your ears, eyes, and brain (just a little...). Go for it!

  • Are the electronics in the SR5 HH 20th anniversary the same as in the SR5 HH model? If not what is different? They should spend some effort improving the G string - dead spots and reasonance issues on 4-6th frets. Does the tone block help with the G string?

    Shane

  • Well, I can't say about the preamp... ask over at the EBMM forum. I found the G string to be fine. The dead spot problem has more to do with the headstock, it's a common situation on bolt-on Fender-ish instruments. It doesn't bug me, it's part of the character.

  • Oh wow Ed. All 4 coils with the slap is just amazing.

    You are a god among bassists sir.

  • I appreciate the sentiment, but "god" might be overstating the facts just a little. But thanks!

  • you are damn good man.

    I own a couple of your books.

  • my god... i love the tone of this bass... random question how are your amp settings in this vid and how different would the tone be if this had a maple fret board cause i think that would be my next buy-a 4 string maple fretboard stingray HH...one last question whats the difference between sterling and stingray?

  • I typically leave the amp flat, there may have been a small boost to the lows and highs. I don't remember for sure. Maple fingerboards tend to be a little brighter and snappier sounding. A Sterling has a thinner neck, ceramic magnets instead of alnico, and the preamp is voiced slightly different. Research that question at the EBMM forum.

  • I recently bought an EBMM Stingray5. Not the 20th Anniversary model, and not the double humbucker model. So far I love it. I can play stuff on it that are supposed to be played on a 4 string as if it is a 4 string. Great sound too. It is a very heavy bass though!:)

  • what is that song playing on back when you show that picture taken 20 years ago ? =D

  • Excitable - Def Leppard

  • wow I love the sound of that musicman. What do you think its better: music man, warwick or fender?

  • They are all uniquely different sounds, and different types of construction. It's not really a matter of "better". However, I own 5 Fenders, and no Warwicks or MM, so that gives you an idea of my personal preference.

  • Musicman for 5 stringers, and Fender for 4 stringers. my opinion of course. Warwicks seem a little thin on top tonewise for me.

  • this sound is awesome i love the Musicman

    do you buy all these basses or you just test them??

    u play good

  • I do occasionally buy an instrument if it's available and I can't live without it.

  • Wow, this is groove!

  • I love Ed!

    He is the perfect combination of genius and retard.

    I love that bass too.

    I would want one with maple fingerboard however.

  • I guess I'm going to have to take that as a compliment!

    De-de-dee=E=Mc2

  • AHAHAHAHA this made my day!!

  • Just to let you all know, the Bongo 6 review is now out in the July issue of Guitar World. The video will be posted up here in a few weeks.

  • Of all the sounds here I just didn't like at all the "all 4" position, slap or pickstyle...

  • do all the Stingrays have that growl or are you running some compression or other device, I'll be going into town soon and will give one a try!!!

  • No compression was used, just the amp. Guess it's the bass!

  • sorry i mean 20

  • just got the 30th anniversary. rocks hard

  • im just loving this video....just wondering did ernie ball put the mahagony tone block in all the new upcoming basses or just the 20th anniversary?

  • I'm not completely sure, I'd go and ask this at the EBMM forum if I were you. I believe they have put the tone block in some other basses.

  • thanks....thats a great idea!

  • I believe those are the stock Ernie Ball strings that came on the bass.

  • Ahhh I like it more every time I see this video! Now I'm torn between this or a Bongo 6 for my next bass

  • Well, I can't tell you which to buy, but I did just review the Bongo 6. It will be in an upcoming issue of Guitar World magazine, and shortly after it's hits the street, I'll post it on Youtube.

    It's a cool bass, and it has an amazing B string!

  • That's cool! I'd have a hard time finding that magazine but I'll look forward to your video review. I'm already subscribed to your videos, you make some amazing reviews! Will you do some shredding for us on the Bongo 6? :P

  • Hello Ed! I have one small question: what's your rig on this video? Thanks! :)

  • I seem to be blind. Sorry! :)

  • Ed;

    Just one question-what are the differences between this bass and the regular 5 string?

    My apologies if you've already answered this.

  • It has a flamed maple top, a mahogany tone block, and the finish is specific to that model.

  • thanks very much, man.

    Great review, by the way. much better than Bassplayer's.

  • Lololol "Now for the money shot."

  • truly a mean machine !

  • Nice review! Ed, you are a great player.

  • Ed, how do you think the SR5 dual humbucker compares to the G&L L2500?

  • Well, I haven't played an L2500, just the 2000. It would be hard to compare them though, a G&L sounds like a G&L, a Ray sounds like a Ray. They were designed by the same guy, but they have very signatures. It's like comparing two kinds of apple.

  • Oh yes D-tuner on all of the axes and bass ramps. I plan to blow everyone socks off at Talkbass whenever I can place them down somewhere. I might also add that I plan to become a local bass guitar modifier here in the Metroplex.

  • I also purchased the new "SQUIER?" Jazz V Bass active. It sounded boss from the package but I found the pickups to be very noisey. So I slam some NORDSTRANDS on it and man the original Fender Jazz cannot touch this. Last we have a Galveston 6 string with active, I placed a J under the neck and had the electronics rewired for parellel and series. Nothing but Alembic here.

  • What makes the MM SR5 special is the white pickup cover and purple transient body color. Man, it really stand out in the Gospel train. I can't wait until I complete it. If you noticed my username, I have became fanatic on modifying already good quality basses. I also own a Warwick 5 string with a D-tuner on and a pickguard which is converted from my homemade Gary Will ramp. Now that was fun and I found it to help even out string tones and accuracy.

    Stay tuned for videos in a few weeks.

  • Hello Ed

    I'm talkin here in Ft.Worth. I just purchase a rare 1999 SR5 with single white hum and about to convert into a dual. What do you think?

  • Well, these days I'm a believer in letting it be what it is. If you want a dual H Ray, get one. If you think it's rare, even more reason to leave it as is. They've spent a lot of time optimizing the preamp for two pickups, I think adding a second one to the existing preamp might work, but... these guys have spent time with it. I think the new preamp is better for a dual H setup. Try one.

  • Sorry, I already checked with them. The only change is reliving those bright ceramic magnets with the almico on the pickups.

    Sorry, but I have to save my doe.... ;)

  • Sure thing!

  • Wow! Great video!!!

    My first ever stingray that I've heard, I love it!!!

    i want one so badly! :D

    I might get one this summer as my second bass, but as a four string

    take out a finance to get my dream bass, sure! :)

    Please, make a review on the 4string hh model please!

    thank you very much, a bass magazine is such a good idea :)

  • Keep in mind this was recorded with the built in mic on my Mac, kind of hard to get the best tone with that setup. I thought the lows were just fine, the mic compresses the hell out the bass, so before you make up your mind, I suggest playing one yourself.

  • The mic on your mac!!? Man that thing must be LOOOOOOW cause it sounds fat through my speakers. I hope I can get one in the next few months. Is this a LTD edition?

  • yeah dude. The lows are there, they're just not really coming through the mic.

  • I want to thank you for doing this, I'm getting some major GAS for an HH Stingray now, moreso than before! I really hear why people are praising them so much.

  • That was a pleasure to listen to, even on my old speakers. Ed, did you hear that Ernie Ball made a six string BONGO for John Myung? If that goes public please pick one up!!! : D

  • Yes! I tried a Bongo 6 at NAMM, and I'm on the list to get one to review. They were nice, I'm lloking forward to it. Might be one I won't want to send back! Just don't expect me to play any Dream Theatre licks....

  • Hah! No I'm not. ; D

  • Everyone hear how good this bass sounds?

    It sounds even better in the mix. :)

  • jesus christ way to go man now you got me in a state of indecision between the EBMM bongo and this

  • same, add a rickenbacker also

  • lol, i love his sarcasm, he's fun to watch

  • I agree - he is the shiz

  • i want it! such a nice bass. i went to a guitaqr shop and got a mm stingray 4 string signle humbucker with high/low eq. wish id waited and got 5 string cos i curently put it in B E A D tuning rather than e a d g and it still sounds great :D. but obviously much better sounding in e a d g. its got such a raw tone to it yet so fat awell lol. :D

  • cool guy

  • looks really good without the pickgard which I think ruins the look of the SR5

  • same thing here,i wish it looked exactly like the sr4

  • weird, i like the SR5 pickguard better...wish they had it in 4 string :(

  • o yea?

  • yeah, i think each would look better with the others pickguard. but oh well :/

  • the music in the "hair" part is a short clip from "Excitable" off the Hysteria album by Def Leppard. Excellent choice! :)

  • wow, whats that song in the "hair" part?

    nice MM by the way

  • I almost bought the 30th anniversery model.Listening to this I wish I had.Sweet Bass playing.

  • THUNDER OF THE GODS! 01:32

  • sounds fucking great.

  • Nice giutar playing.

    But it really sounds like seinfield...

  • I'd ask over at the Ernie Ball forum, I assume they are still available.

  • well it's from the way resonator guitars sound way better after a little while, because the parts all get used to vibrating, just applied the theory to bass

  • The guys at Timbre Tech have been doing this for years - you can read about it here: acousticguitar(dot)com/gear/ad­vice/vibration.shtml

  • i hate 5 strings, but i want one!

  • hey i ve watched this video many times and i really want to buy a stingray 4HH but im just wondering what are the actions and how do i configure them and what kind of strings would you recomend?

  • Your question is a little confusing, but I believe you're asking about the action (string height)? You can set the action anyway you want. There is an adjustable bridge and truss rod, just like every other bass in the world. Strings? Personal preference. They come with Ernie Ball strings, and lots of people like those.

  • Heh heh... he said nut, like, ten times.

  • hey dude...what an amazing bass...

    i was wondering if you checked out the new OLP MM basses... they look extremely sweet... hey dude...what an amazing bass...

    i was wondering if you checked out the new OLP MM basses... they look extremely sweet... olpguitars dot (com) ... got anything to say bout them? ... got anything to say bout them?

  • I have played an OLP MM, maybe not the newest ones, it was a few years ago. I did think they were pretty damn good for the money.

  • those new ones look great... i cant try one where i live (portugal) we barely have access to those kinda basses here... mostly yamahas and fenders...blah =(

  • They are trying to reacht at G&L level with this bass but, they still have a long way ahed!

  • I don't think EBMM is trying to decrease the quality of their basses. :p

  • I even think they to the best to still improve them, as well on the features and options side, as one the QC side.

  • Actually, G&L & EBMM used to be pretty well match quality-wise, but about 3-5 years ago MM fell the ef off! Bodies & electronics seem to be about the same but the necks are made out of some seriously "inferior" woods! It almost has no visable grain! Reminisant of balsa wood! I have a early 90's EBMM & a 78 MM... None of the new MM's can touch the early 90's MM! G&L however maintains their hi level of quality. Get rid of those pencil pushers who tricked you into using crap necks!

  • First of all, you should direct any comments regarding your concerns to the manufacturers. Go to the EBMM forum and tell them what you think, I just did a demo for review purposes. I can't say that I agree with your assessment, but that's your opinion. I don't own any MM basses to draw a comparison, but I don't necessarily think lack of visible grain constitutes bad material for a neck.

  • Thanks Ed.. My critisisms of the EBMM wasnt directed @ you. I was responding to the G&L MM quality issue. You're right I should let MM know what I think. I & other bassist have noted the same thing. The feel of the neck has drop'd off drastically since the wood seems to have changed! I attributed to to this. I may be wrong about the grain, but I noticed the necks suck now since that changed that is a visable indication.

  • Hey, no offense taken. I don't make them. I just can't let people's criticism about an instrument be mistaken as my opinion. As I said, I don't own one, but I've played many of them and I never noticed a problem with the necks. You should bring it up at the EBMM forum, but I might suggest a more tactful approach. Ask if the neck wood has changed in the last few years, ask if anyone has noticed a shift in the neck stability, etc... Making statements like "this sucks" tends to get you no where.

  • The necks haven't changed at all. I thought the same thing when I ordered a new EBMM but the reason your early 90s has a better neck is because it's broken in. I have 5 StingRay 5s and i'm still trying to break the neck in of my newest one but my main player does have the best neck. Nothing beats a broken in neck. :)

  • it's all about the wood adapting to the vibrations. quick tip if you want to break it in quick - put your bass on top of a subwoofer and put the volume up! or stick it on top of your bass amp while you play with another bass

  • damn that sounds incredible

  • wow, that bass is really nice. are they going to make a 4 string 20th model as well? But that bass sounds good. I agree that the block adds a lot more deeper tone.

  • the compensating nut is a good idea. Dunno about that 'mahogany tone block' though. Since when did pickups get affected by the wood they were screwed into? Stingray 5's have always had a massive B string - thats why Tony Levin uses them.

  • Well, wood has a huge effect on tone. It's not all just magnets, acoustic resonance plays a very big part in the sound of a bass. Don't believe me? Do some research.

  • WOW Stingrays sound like 10'000 dollar basses, just unique. Constant perfect quality and sound on all intruments. My main bass since 20 years.

  • Awesome demo.  Very cool.

  • Gotta love the HH models! Love my SR4 HH's (a matching pair, fretted and fretless, gorgeous!)

  • That is really nice, I've always disliked SR5s for that huge pickguard.

  • do they make this left-handed?

  • that's so badass....screw paying for a warwick, i'm getting my hands on a stingray