What is all the fuss about 30th Anni's?

[bigvissch]

Well..... Now I know. I was just down at the local EBMM dealer picking up some tix to see Nathan East next Tuesday (yeah I know it'll be a motorbike marketing drive - but he could make a stick with a rubber band sound good and I am a HUGE fan) but anyways... I just thought I'd give the 30th that has been sitting there for quite a while a try. Ohhh Myyyy Goodnesss!!!

I plugged into the LMKII with the MB 2*10. Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh. It was smiles all around.

Now I tend not to be inclined to try 4 bangers because I am well and truly tied to 5. But....

BP was not kidding. It has to be the sweetest sounding bass I have ever heard.

Now I had no intention of going down the path of a 4 string but given what I have just experienced, my whole paradigm has been shifted. It looks like some sweet talking to my better half is required here!! I'm not saying it is a foregone conclusion but oh I want one. I can only imagine that the fretless sounds equally nice.

I'm judging by the apparently deleted post that Ritchie must have sold sold his?? (unless my eyesight is getting really bad)

 

[bovinehost]

PM Mister EBMM7181 aka Billy.

I've heard he's trying to finance a new Sterling....just talk to him. That's all I'm saying.

the i'm just sayin'

Jack

 

[bigvissch]

Thanks Jack. Will do.

 

[oli@bass]

I can only imagine that the fretless sounds equally nice.

Let's put it this way: I don't regret having purchased one without ever hearing a 30th or a fretless SR before... that said, it's my first fretless, so I can't compare, but it surely is nice enough that I have a hard time putting it down...

 

[Aussie Mark]

Rob, Allans Music are blowing them out at around two-thirds original price (according to an email they sent out yesterday).

That's still a whole lot more than what you'd pay used on this forum or eBay (even after taking into account shipping and GST) with the downunder dollar at US$0.94, but if you're after a brand spanking new one, Allans might be worth a visit.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I know BP has mentioned that the 30th is the best sounding StingRay they have ever made, which makes me wonder why not incorporate elements of it into current production models? What is the major difference? Seems to me, it's the mahogany body.

 

[RocketRalf]

bigvissch have you tried the 20th SR5? It seems to very similar specs, I'm also wondering about all this fuzz because I haven't got a chance to try either and I'd like to know if I'm missing anything from the 30th SR by trying the 20th SR5...

 

[bigvissch]

Let's put it this way: I don't regret having purchased one without ever hearing a 30th or a fretless SR before... that said, it's my first fretless, so I can't compare, but it surely is nice enough that I have a hard time putting it down...

Congrats Oli. I'm sure it's great.

Rob, Allans Music are blowing them out at around two-thirds original price (according to an email they sent out yesterday).

That's still a whole lot more than what you'd pay used on this forum or eBay (even after taking into account shipping and GST) with the downunder dollar at US$0.94, but if you're after a brand spanking new one, Allans might be worth a visit.

Thanks Mark. Yes it was Allans that I tried it out. They have two. Maybe I'll try haggling a bit. I'm also looking at other more dollar friendly avenues. I certainly want to take advantage of the current exchange rate if possible!!

I know BP has mentioned that the 30th is the best sounding StingRay they have ever made, which makes me wonder why not incorporate elements of it into current production models? What is the major difference? Seems to me, it's the mahogany body.

I'd say you're probably right Smallmouth, and you know it when you pick it up. It's not light! And therein lies the possible challenge for BP and the team. A bass that heavy is not everyone's cup of tea (Hence Bongo). Not to mention the cost and possibly the availability of Mahogany. Nice idea though.

bigvissch have you tried the 20th SR5? It seems to very similar specs, I'm also wondering about all this fuzz because I haven't got a chance to try either and I'd like to know if I'm missing anything from the 30th SR by trying the 20th SR5...

Hi Raphael, no I haven't as they are not easy to come by down in these parts. I will do my best to find one though and give it a try as well.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Thanks Mark. Yes it was Allans that I tried it out. They have two. Maybe I'll try haggling a bit. I'm also looking at other more dollar friendly avenues. I certainly want to take advantage of the current exchange rate if possible!!

There's an "as new" 30th on eBay at the moment for US$1899 Buy It Now (from memory), which with shipping and GST means you'd end up paying around AUD$2500. Allans' advertised sale price is AUD$2999. I've seen used 30ths sell in this forum and on eBay for US$1500 and less, so keep an eye out and be patient.

 

[bovinehost]

bigvissch have you tried the 20th SR5? It seems to very similar specs, I'm also wondering about all this fuzz because I haven't got a chance to try either and I'd like to know if I'm missing anything from the 30th SR by trying the 20th SR5...

Son animales muy distintos pero tambien tendriamos que decir que son de la misma familia.

I have a 30th SR4 and a 20th SR5. (I am a very fortunate man.) They do share some tonal characteristics.

With the 30th, I had been through a boatload of Stingrays, trying to find something that could make me as happy on stage as my Bongos. Generally, the answer was, "Close but no cigar." And I really wanted a Stingray.

When I got the 30th, I took it to a gig and played the Bongo for the first two sets. I was so happy with my sound that I was tempted to not use the 30th, but that's why I had it with me, you know? So I forced myself to switch and I was amazed. It had all the punch and all the beef that I was used to with my Bongos! We toss around the "best Stingray ever made" comment, but it's true. I've had pre-EBs, I've had Stingrays from the 80s through the 90s and New Millenium Stingrays. But this is The One. And if you haven't seen one in person, they're much more beautiful than you think. I've yet to see a photo that does justice to that instrument. (I need to work harder on my photo skills!)

That said, I find I don't play it much, simply because it's a four string. (All my four strings have separation anxiety.) I've been working on this for the last couple of months, trying to get back into four-bangers, but when it really counts, I always go for a fiver. I'M TRYING, THOUGH!

The 20th SR5 is to SR5s what the 30th SR4 is to SR4s - The Best One Ever Built.

(I'm forced to leave the BFRs out of this equation due to poverty.)

The 20th is big, thick, creamy, rich. More than once, I've considered eating mine.

Again, I feel like I give up nothing when I go from my beloved Bongos to the 20th SR5, and that's really saying something - I loves my Bongos, obviously. I assume you've seen the photos of the 20th SR5s around the forum; hard to argue with how beautiful they are.

So, to me, if you have a 30th and a 20th, you have the premiere examples of two great basses.

What's the availability like in Caracas? I lived in Lima for years, and I remember asking a studio owner, "Where do you go when you need new gear?"

He said, "Miami."

Jack

 

[bovinehost]

I forgot to add - you'll still need a Bongo, of course!

 

[RobertB]

And if you haven't seen one in person, they're much more beautiful than you think. I've yet to see a photo that does justice to that instrument.

So true. I haven't seen a photo yet, including any of my own, that really captures the beauty of the Mahogany, it's grain, the way it plays with light, and how this translucent crimson looks on it & adds to it. Same goes for the figured necks with this finish on 'em.

The 20th is big, thick, creamy, rich. More than once, I've considered eating mine.

I've had to overcome that urge with my 30th a few times, too ... when I'd be playing & look down at it and have a Homer Simpson moment .... "mmmmmmm, cherry lifesavers".

 

[oli@bass]

I'd say you're probably right Smallmouth, and you know it when you pick it up. It's not light! And therein lies the possible challenge for BP and the team. A bass that heavy is not everyone's cup of tea (Hence Bongo). Not to mention the cost and possibly the availability of Mahogany.

Two things: First, mine's not heavier than some other 'Rays I have, especially a 100th NAMM. Second, I see a good deal of cheap (comapred to EBMM) prodction basses with mahogany bodies, e.g. B.C. Rich.

My Most Wanted Wishlist for a "EBMM Custom Shop" would be:
- String through body option (with double load bridge!)
- Bridge with mutes
- Mahogany body option
- Status Graphite neck option (with matching headstock)


I could only dream how a mahogany body would sound with a graphite neck... maybe too much punch!!!

 

[RobertB]

I could only dream how a mahogany body would sound with a graphite neck... maybe too much punch!!!

You've got everything you need to find out, don't you? =)

 

[strummer]

You've got everything you need to find out, don't you? =)

Yeah, except maybe the guts

You aren't chicken, are you, Oli?

 

[oli@bass]

You've got everything you need to find out, don't you? =)

I won't go there! (I'd need a couple more backups before I try something like that...)

Yeah, except maybe the guts

You aren't chicken, are you, Oli?

I just know my limitations. And I'm not a luthier. But I've worked on basses enough to know that screws in wood don't like to be screwed in and out just for fun. They wear out, pretty fast. (which, BTW, makes me wonder how those who often swap pickguards deal with the problem)

 

[timmy5strings]

Pickguards are a little easier and you can snap off a toothpick in the hole if you need to tighten it up a bit. I'm not sure I'd try that with a neck

 

[MrMusashi]

if you hit the threads the screw originally made in the wood it will last surprisingly long

MrM

 

[timmy5strings]

I'd say you're probably right Smallmouth, and you know it when you pick it up. It's not light! And therein lies the possible challenge for BP and the team. A bass that heavy is not everyone's cup of tea (Hence Bongo). Not to mention the cost and possibly the availability of Mahogany. Nice idea though.

The mahogany is not that heavy suprisingly, according to my trusty Normark digital scale, my 30th comes in 9lbs 15 oz and my Bongo 5 Stealth comes in at 9 lbs 2 oz. Much better than my 11 lbs 2 oz Sterling that I had

 

[bigvissch]

Two things: First, mine's not heavier than some other 'Rays I have, especially a 100th NAMM. Second, I see a good deal of cheap (comapred to EBMM) prodction basses with mahogany bodies, e.g. B.C. Rich.

The mahogany is not that heavy suprisingly, according to my trusty Normark digital scale, my 30th comes in 9lbs 15 oz and my Bongo 5 Stealth comes in at 9 lbs 2 oz. Much better than my 11 lbs 2 oz Sterling that I had

Ok. I stand corrected. It just seemed that the one I tried yesterday was a fair bit heavier than my Stingray 5. Maybe it was because I hadn't had my weeties that morning.

I'd be interested to know from one of the EBMM team if there is a significant difference in the relative price/availability of Mahogany, Basswood, Alder and Ash (and Maple, Rosewood, Pao Ferro and of course not to forget Redwood). I imagine it is also relative to the region. For example, in Australia, I imagine Ash would be considerably less expensive and highly available compared to Mahogany which needs to be imported. And whilst we're on the subject have EBMM considered using some of the more exotic woods such as Ebony, Bubinga or Zebra wood on a limited edition or BFR release?