Stingray BFR Redwood vs. 25th Anniversary

[Manfloozy]

Hello All,
New to the forums and new to MM as well. I am on the verge of my first purchase and am looking for a little guidance.

I fell in love with Stingrays about a year ago, and have been waiting eagerly to own one. Recently I stumbled upon the 25th Anniversary Bass which I now covet. But here is my dilemma. The 25th Anniversary promises amazing versatility, and unmatched tonal variety, but the BFR Redwoods are absolutely beautiful and one of a kind..... I know I can't go wrong with either.... but any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I also would enjoy hearing any feedback on using flatwounds on either.

My primary styles are Jazz, Blues and Funk.

Thanks in advance!

 

[phatduckk]

i doubt many people have played both... the redwood's are very rare and the only folks who have played a 25th are the few folks that got to go to NAMM. Im sure that theyre totally different animals... so its not apples to apples anyways

but I guess due to the rarity of the redwood's I might lean towards the BFR even tho the 25th's are looking mighty awesome

 

[Big Poppa]

Welcome and thanks for considering us.

We only made a few rosewood and those are fine basses...the 25th isnt shipping just yet but they actually got it production ready today so you will see them start to flow..

They are so totally different and I really cannot ive you advice without you playing all of them first. The sting ray is pretty much what you see......the 25th is reall three different basses from the single h which is most like a stingray but with really upgraded preamp...the two h is a big a$$ed monster and the hss give you a lot of choices that have yet to been heard on a music man

now Ive really confused you!

 

[Manfloozy]

Thank you both very much for your replies.

I was considering the HSS for the absolute "coolness" and innovative electronics package... if that was slapped on to a BFR Redwood body I think I would have died and gone to bass heaven.... as I felt I did both when I saw the BFR for the first time, and when I saw/read about the 25th Anniversary. Really it is a very tough choice for me, as the BFRs are just stunning, and the 25th promises to be unmatched in its tonal variety and electronics (maybe threatened slightly by the Bongo ) while also being a beautiful instrument.

I unfortunately don't think I will have the opportunity to play either before making my decision, but I trust I will be elated with either in the long run.

 

[Big Poppa]

where do you live?

 

[Colin]

I'd love a redwood for my vault. the 25th will be very special

 

[Manfloozy]

where do you live?

I live in a small town about 45 minutes south of Knoxville, TN. There is a GC in Knxoville but I don't think they have any BFRs on hand. I'll probably go play with a HH 'Ray again though to try and feel out tone. As for the 25th, would an HS Bongo or Sterling even be worth using for comparison?

Thanks again.

 

[mynan]

I think I would go for the redwood BFR...just because you said you were considering the 25th for its versatility. The 25th is going to be offered as a production model next year. You might not be able to get the fancy red top or the mahogany tone block, but the pickup/preamp package will still be available, whereas a redwood BFR may not.

 

[MrMusashi]

for collecting, id choose both..
for versatility the hss 25th in 5 string..

i have a bongo 4 hh and the electronics are killer on it. now put that in a bass with a gorgeous top, resonating body, light weight, single coil pickups never used before on a musicman, possibility to use it in passive mode and you got an unbeatable combo!
not to mention an anniversary model always gets a lil higher collection value

go get both!

MrM
MrM

 

[Manfloozy]

for collecting, id choose both..
for versatility the hss 25th in 5 string..

i have a bongo 4 hh and the electronics are killer on it. now put that in a bass with a gorgeous top, resonating body, light weight, single coil pickups never used before on a musicman, possibility to use it in passive mode and you got an unbeatable combo!
not to mention an anniversary model always gets a lil higher collection value

go get both!

MrM
MrM

Only if I could buy both... but then I'd be divorced .

I think I'm feeling the 25th. The Redwood is beautiful, and a HH 'Ray, plus it is BFR.... but I think I was too heavily motivated by the "collection" aspect of this, that and the 1000 year old top. No doubt the 25th is beautiful in its own right, and many who I have surveyed actually prefer its looks and I think it will give me more of what I am looking for. That and maybe in a couple years BC will still have a great BFR hanging out that can come live with me .

Can anyone describe the sound of the 25th HSS? Is there any video of it at NAMM being played? I really am hoping for a very natural, deep, smooth, woody sound, almost acoustic/electric out of it... maybe I'm totally off base but this is just one of the many tones I am hoping comes out of it .

 

[MrMusashi]

i have the h redwood and it is a NICE bass!
too nice for me, so it mainly sits in the case waiting for me to work up some guts to play it
you know, i get an almost religious experience every time i pick it up.. just the thought of what that wood has seen.. it was there loooooong before any of us, it was around when kennedy was shot, my mom died, when armstrong walked on the moon, during the civil war, when gutenberg invented printpress.. i prolly could go on for a while here.. hehe

that said, the bass has a smoother sound than the regular sr4. i think the mahogany neck accounts for some, the rest is probably in my mind.. hehe

no matter which one you pick you will have an awesome bass!

MrM

 

[syciprider]

Man I love those BFR Rays. But I also feel the 25ths. Hard choice. Actually, no, it's easy when yer broke like me

 

[silverburst]

I played the 25th, and it is a really versatile bass. I don't think you would go wrong with it.

The redwoods are beautiful and collectable, but if you are looking for something to play (not to put away as a collector piece), I would put the money towards the 25th.

 

[Manfloozy]

Well, thanks to everyone for your help, I think I've come to a decision.

I will be calling BC to put my name on a 25th 4HSS Quilt Rosewood!... now you all don't want to do a one-off with a Piezo too do you? I guess that will have to be EBMM #2... Bongo perhaps

And so the addiction begins!

 

[bovinehost]

I guess that will have to be EBMM #2... Bongo perhaps

Look how little time has gone by and you're already one of us.

Yeah!

Jack

 

[Manfloozy]

Look how little time has gone by and you're already one of us.

Yeah!

Jack

I'm loving it, and the more I learn about the company, Sterling and the crew the more I gain respect for EBMM and can't wait to own/be a part of it.

Now if someone says they have a Dargie Delight Bongo 4 HH +Piezo for sale... I will be divorced... 'cuz I don't think I could say no.

 

[midopa]

when are the anniv models & big als slated to ship? i wanna try them

 

[bovinehost]

I'm loving it, and the more I learn about the company, Sterling and the crew the more I gain respect for EBMM and can't wait to own/be a part of it.

Now if someone says they have a Dargie Delight Bongo 4 HH +Piezo for sale... I will be divorced... 'cuz I don't think I could say no.

I'm a company man, but you know what? I'm still proud to be associated with Sterling and the entire crew. That will never stop.

Now, about this Dargie Bongo.......a 4HH piezo? Whew! That might well be worth the legal difficulties. IF you could find one. In any case, welcome, my friend.

Jack

 

[Psycho Ward]

This company and the instruments are a cut above the rest, even it you prefer something different you can't deny the quality of these instruments.

<the soon to have 11 EBMM basses>

 

[Manfloozy]

I did it!

Well folks, thanks to your help, and a large amount of soul searching there is now a 25th Anniversary 4-String HSS with Quilt Top and Rosewood board reserved for me at Bass Central, expected to be in sometime early June!

Make her with T.L.C.! (I have no doubt that she will be!)

Oh, and it will have the evil little bars.... .

Now I just have to face the reality that one of the Dargie's may have to go buh-bye. But thats a different thread.... and something I am going to put off as long as my wife will allow.