Newbie with questions

[coastie72]

I don't currently own a EBMM bass, but one hopefully is in the very near future.
I don't have the luxury of holding or playing many because of the lack of dealers with any stock to speak of in my area. I have played a Stingray 5 HS at a local store, and although the neck is a little thicker than my current fiver, a Ibanez SRX655, it felt pretty good to me. I have been looking, reading spending hours trying to do research and I have 99.0% decided I am buying a EBMM. My first thoughts was a Stingray 5 and still probably is, however I would appreciate your knowledge. What are the differences in feel, thickness, spacing ET. between the Bongo 5, Sterling 5 , Stingray 5 and now the new Anniversary 5HH or HSS has my attention. I also prefer that the instrument I buy be made in the USA. Thanks for any help!

 

[five7]

Buy one or two of each!

 

[Manfloozy]

The best way to know this is to go play them if possible... but here are some of the high points.

Stingray - A Classic, Bigger Body, Thicker Neck (extremely comfortable to me), I believe the Magnets are all Alnico now. 5-way selector switch.

Sterling - Like a Stingray, but smaller body, thinner neck, ceramic magnets and an "edgyer" tone. 5-way selector switch.

Bongo - 18v Preamp... MASSIVE sound. Pan knob for pickups (this gives it endless tone possibilities), Piezo available. 24-fret FINISHED neck (others are not). Neodynium Magnets.

25th - Amazing! I am falling more in love with mine every day. Same Preamp as the Bongo, Mahogany Tone Block (super punchy), Pickup selector switches, series vs. parallel, and Active/Passive. The HSS is a machine! Same neck profile as the Bongo, but non-painted and pearloid inlays. Neodynium mags except for the Bridge Humbucker on the HSS which is Ceramic.

Check them all out. Everyone has different preferences, but they are all amazing.

 

[laneline]

You can compare all the specs here if you haven't. Go on you tube and check out Ed Friedland's MM demo's Ernie Ball Music Man Instruments
They are the best done reviews out there. I bought my first MM after watching
Ed's demo on the 20th SR5, and have never looked back.

 

[MrMusashi]

I bought my first MM after watching
Ed's demo on the 20th SR5, and have never looked back.

+1

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97ULm6_Y-fU"]YouTube - Bass Guitar Magazine -Sneak Preview SR5 20th Anniversary[/ame]

MrM

 

[coastie72]

The best way to know this is to go play them if possible... but here are some of the high points.

Stingray - A Classic, Bigger Body, Thicker Neck (extremely comfortable to me), I believe the Magnets are all Alnico now. 5-way selector switch.

Sterling - Like a Stingray, but smaller body, thinner neck, ceramic magnets and an "edgyer" tone. 5-way selector switch.

Bongo - 18v Preamp... MASSIVE sound. Pan knob for pickups (this gives it endless tone possibilities), Piezo available. 24-fret FINISHED neck (others are not). Neodynium Magnets.

25th - Amazing! I am falling more in love with mine every day. Same Preamp as the Bongo, Mahogany Tone Block (super punchy), Pickup selector switches, series vs. parallel, and Active/Passive. The HSS is a machine! Same neck profile as the Bongo, but non-painted and pearloid inlays. Neodynium mags except for the Bridge Humbucker on the HSS which is Ceramic.

Check them all out. Everyone has different preferences, but they are all amazing.

What are the main differences in the necks? The only one I have had a hand on is SR5 HS. Is the 25th Anniversary neck the same as a Stingray, Bongo, Sterling? Sorry for being so ignorant but I just don't have any where near to go to FEEL the differences.

 

[Manfloozy]

I am pretty sure that the 25th has the same profile as a Bongo. I am very comfortable on a Stingray and the 25th for what it's worth... They don't feel THAT different to me. I for one am not a fan of the Sterling neck, it's too skinny/thin for my taste, so it is not right for ME, but you may have a different taste/fit. Hope this helps, but please keep in mind this is a very personal thing so you do really need to feel it for yourself.

 

[Caca de Kick]

What are the differences in feel, thickness, spacing ET. between the Bongo 5, Sterling 5 , Stingray 5 and now the new Anniversary 5HH or HSS

Guys, he's talking strickly about 5 string basses there.
All the necks are going to be similar, and have same string spacing. The only thing different is some basses are going to have a neck finish, while others will have the oil/wax finish.

Coastie, if it says Ernie Ball Musicman on the headstock, then it's USA made. They only have a factory in San Luis Obispo.

 

[coastie72]

Buy one or two of each!

I would do just that if I had the luxury, but I don't!

 

[coastie72]

Guys, he's talking strickly about 5 string basses there.
All the necks are going to be similar, and have same string spacing. The only thing different is some basses are going to have a neck finish, while others will have the oil/wax finish.

Coastie, if it says Ernie Ball Musicman on the headstock, then it's USA made. They only have a factory in San Luis Obispo.

I was under the impression that some were made in Indonesia and assembled in the USA? I can't remember where I heard that?

 

[Aussie Mark]

I was under the impression that some were made in Indonesia and assembled in the USA? I can't remember where I heard that?

The new "Sterling by Musicman" brand is manufactured and assembled in Indonesia.

All other Ernie Ball Musicman basses, including the Sterling bass, are manufactured in the USA.

 

[coastie72]

The new "Sterling by Musicman" brand is manufactured and assembled in Indonesia.

All other Ernie Ball Musicman basses, including the Sterling bass, are manufactured in the USA.

Thanks for clearing that up for me