Buying a bass from Sweetwater...Stingray

[Birddogcof]

Hello all,

Not to sure if this belongs here and my apologies if it doesn't. Sweetwater is doing up to 48 months for guitar month. So I am looking at getting a Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray in the firemist probably.

Anyone have one of these in the firemist? How does the finish hold up? Also, whats your opinion on the H vs. HH models. One last thing, I play 4 strings but feel that if paying that much I should get the 5 string as I might regret it down the road. Thoughts please?

Birddogcof

 

[Geri O]

A couple of thoughts...

Sweetwater has a return policy that's pretty decent (ask to be really sure), so you can get the 5-string and try it to see if it suits you. Don't base your need of a 5-string on the deal you can get on it (psst, don't tell anyone, but I kinda agree with your thoughts. I just like to appear responsible part of the time...)

I've never heard of a Stingray ever having a bad finish.

I prefer the H single-pup models, that noted Stingray Louis Johnson/Bernard Edwards/Tony Levin is the only tone I want out of a Stingray. I have a Jazz (Mike Lull) for something else. Again, you should be able to check out both with the return policy.

And on a personal note, I wouldn't advise a finance plan more that 24 months, if any at all. You know your own wallet better than anyone, of course.

Good luck, by all means report back if you get something!

 

[FugaziBomb]

EBMM fit and finish on all of their basses is remarkable. I've only ever seen one dud in the last 10 years. I wouldn't jump into a 5 string on a buy like this. You might find that it's not for you after dropping a grand and a half on it. Having spent time using both H and HH models (I own an HH but have used H models at the request from producer/engineer/client/etc). The HH has a 5 way switch that can get pretty close to a Jazz Bass tone and what is sort of a P Bass tone (not as close as the J sound). The only con I can think of with the HH is that they do not offer a 2 band EQ with it, and a lot of Tb'ers are hot for that 2 band.

 

[guy n. cognito]

Hello all,

Not to sure if this belongs here and my apologies if it doesn't. Sweetwater is doing up to 48 months for guitar month. So I am looking at getting a Ernie Ball MusicMan Stingray in the firemist probably.

Anyone have one of these in the firemist? How does the finish hold up? Also, whats your opinion on the H vs. HH models. One last thing, I play 4 strings but feel that if paying that much I should get the 5 string as I might regret it down the road. Thoughts please?

Birddogcof

In before Joe Nerve catches the Sweetwater reference.

Modern EBMM finishes are usually quite durable.

Personally, I prefer the HH. If you're a slapper, you may prefer the H.

I can't possibly tell you whether the 4 or 5 is better for you.

 

[HauntedDave]

If 90% of the greatest and most influential bassists played four stringers, then that's my benchmark. Once I can get as good as them, I'll earn a fifth string.

 

[FugaziBomb]

If 90% of the greatest and most influential bassists played four stringers, then that's my benchmark. Once I can get as good as them, I'll earn a fifth string.

If you do theater work you need a 5'er as the bass charts are typically written for 5 string. I don't own a 5 string, just cuz of preference - I'm just not into it. In the event that I need one, I rent one for the night, week, whatever.

 

[40Hz]

If 90% of the greatest and most influential bassists played four stringers, then that's my benchmark. Once I can get as good as them, I'll earn a fifth string.

A 5-string isn't a step up from a 4-string - or something you have to earn by proving yourself on a 4-string first. It's its own thing. Not a 4-string with an extra string. Good 5-string players know that and approach things differently than a 4-string player will.

You want a fiver? Then get a fiver. You want a 4-string? Then get that.

I've got both. I generally prefer to play a traditional 4-string. But a fiver definitely has its uses, even for me.

Never be in awe of a piece of gear. The instrument alone is not the "The Bass." It's the instrument + the player.

Or so I think anyway.

 

[Geri O]

If 90% of the greatest and most influential bassists played four stringers, then that's my benchmark. Once I can get as good as them, I'll earn a fifth string.

Where does that 90% figure come from?

(I guess it was inevitable for this post to devolve into the 4vs5 thing. It's in the water...)

 

[Thummel]

Hey Birddog, I don't think you'll regret throwing down on a Stingray. For whatever it's worth I really like the HS config and I have owned the H, HH and HS. Also I had the 5 and the 4 and my vote would be as has been suggested-- if you're not already a 5 string player I would get the 4 banger. You will really dig the quality and sexiness of a MusicMan. Good luck my friend.

 

[GreyBeard]

Sweetwater is a 1st class etailer. I now own two 5 string EBBM stingrays H's of which one is fretless. I did own a gorgeous trans red HH model of which I did not like for 2 reasons. The neck pup got in my way when I did my slap and pop thing and, it did not have a pup setting of BRIDGE SERIES ONLY which is my goto sound. (imho) EBMM basses are as good as anything on the market today, you can buy with confidence.

 

[Gbonus Uralias]

I think 40Hz nailed it.

For me, my band was constantly down tuning for some tunes and back up for others.
A guest singer comes up for song but wants it a half step down.
What ever the situation...With a 5 string I can be so much more flexible.
It took a little while to get used to the extra string, but I never looked backnow.

To each his own. There is no wrong with music or the tool you choose to make it.

 

[silky smoove]

The lack of 2-band EQ models without the Smoothie pickup on Sweetwater right now is a bummer. Seafoam with a maple board and might have grabbed one on impulse.

 

[klejst]

Never bought a bass from them however have ordered a lot of strings and other accessories from them without any issue or incidents. One thing is once you order from them they will probably start sending their ads and catalogs to you in the mail, at least they did to me.

 

[Kukulkan61]

A couple of thoughts...

Sweetwater has a return policy that's pretty decent (ask to be really sure), so you can get the 5-string and try it to see if it suits you. Don't base your need of a 5-string on the deal you can get on it (psst, don't tell anyone, but I kinda agree with your thoughts. I just like to appear responsible part of the time...)

I've never heard of a Stingray ever having a bad finish.

I prefer the H single-pup models, that noted Stingray Louis Johnson/Bernard Edwards/Tony Levin is the only tone I want out of a Stingray. I have a Jazz (Mike Lull) for something else. Again, you should be able to check out both with the return policy.

And on a personal note, I wouldn't advise a finance plan more that 24 months, if any at all. You know your own wallet better than anyone, of course.

Good luck, by all means report back if you get something!

The 48 month finance plan is interest free so why advice against it, pretty good deal if you ask me, I'm thinking about getting something too!!

 

[andruca]

Ithink the Stingray5 (non Classic) is a great option for any mostly 4 string player. It's got a skinny neck and 17.5mm string spacing at the bridge.

If you want the best of both worlds the HS is the best choice IME, you get 2 of the 3 sounds you can get from an H plus 3 new ones (sme P-ish, some Jazz-ish). If you switch between the 3 positions on a single H SR5 there's no significant volume nor EQ mismatches, just the timbre changing. The HS is a little worse on that matter, most of all at position 2 (humbucker in single coil mode, sounds way thinner than the single/filtered series -depending on era- of a SR5 H). Now, on every HH I've tried there's huge mismatches and particularly the center position (all coils on) sounded unusable to me, annoyingly scooped and nasal; besides, the P and J (sorta') sounds it can make aren't as convincing as in the HS. I'm really into Musicman 5ers, I do own H (Stingray5, old 3 coil ceramic) and HS (Sterling5), but never found an HH I could bond with. I much prefer my old ceramic 3 coil H SR5s to any modern ones (either ceramic -as my Sterlings5- or alnico -modern Stingray5s-), sounds both thicker and more in-your-face than any of them.

Doesn't Sweetwater sell the 30th Anniversary Stingray5? That's more faithful to the original Stingray5 specs and would be a great purchase with that no interest finance deal.

EDIT: Yes, they do... Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5 H - Trans Buttercream, Maple Fingerboard

 

[Son of Wobble]

The 48 month finance plan is interest free so why advice against it, pretty good deal if you ask me, I'm thinking about getting something too!!

I too was looking at this offer, so I'm going to bump your question in hopes that some more people who have bought on time thru Sweetwater chime in. My reservations go not to Sweetwater, who I have done business with and had the same exemplary service as pretty much everyone else on TB seems to report -- but rather to the bank that issues their credit cards. I checked them out and they had a low public rating and numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers who reported that the bank bumped their interest after a (wrongly credited) late payment. In such instances, the zero interest goes out the window and the purchaser becomes liable not only for interest but for RETROACTIVE interest. Under such circumstances, it is essential that the lender be forthright and ethical. My research into them was, as I said, less than encouraging.

Anyone?

 

[TrustRod]

I checked them out and they had a low public rating and numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers who reported that the bank bumped their interest after a (wrongly credited) late payment.

Yeah, that's the no interest scam. Any issues and you are hit with 4 years of high interest. They get it often enough it's worth it for them. It always happens to people who didn't think it would happen to them. If someone needs 4 years to pay off a bass I'd recommend the SBMM line instead.

I'd suggest finding a used SBMM 5 string and play it a few months. At that point you'll know if you want a 5 and can sell it with little to no loss. Or even make a few bucks if you're lucky.

Wow just checked and the interest is 30% without the promo. On a 4 year loan that could be huge. They will be trying their best to make you trip up.

 

[Geri O]

The 48 month finance plan is interest free so why advice against it, pretty good deal if you ask me, I'm thinking about getting something too!!

Oooh, didn't know that and maybe I shouldn't have found out!!...

48-months interest-free? Dang. Well, that interest is getting paid somewhere by someone, you can bet that. But you are right, that doesn't make it a bad deal.

I was taught very early about using credit and financing as sparingly as possible. Only for property and vehicles.

And Alembics....

EDIT: Just saw the posts from Trustrod and Son of Wobble. That's discouraging and just what I was afraid of...

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

The interest bump is a lender thing.
When you do a payment plan, anywhere, not just Sweetwater, you are buying from the bank, not the retailer.
The retailer gets paid up front by the lender.

You will enter into a loan agreement that spells out the terms and explains what happens in the case of missed or late payments. It's all in there. If you don't read it or don't understand it that's on you. Once you miss a payment, that deal you thought you got isn't much of a deal anymore.

There are on line calculators that you can use. Find out the "missed/late" interest rate, compounded, you start paying and plug that in along with the term of the loan and see the total interest that you might have to pay. Don't forget to add in any stated penalties or fees that get tacked on.

Maybe you should save up for 48 months and buy the bass outright, or shop for something used/less expensive.

 

[johnson79]

I'd personally buy the Sweetwater exclusive Arctic Dream finish.
Talk about sexy. drooldrooldrooldrooldrool