Waitning for that truck

[Chuck M]

Scott (Armybass) and I traded basses again. We have been selling and trading with each other for years.

My very pretty and pristine Sterling 4 Honeyburst/maple is going to Scott in Virginia and his pristine SR5 transparent gold/rosewood is coming to Texas. I am looking forward to this one as Scott says it is a special sounding bass.

We both shipped FedEx. I shipped Tuesday night at a FedEx Office store and Scott shipped Wednesday at FedEx. He paid less than $60 shipping and I paid $116! Seems like it costs a lot more to ship at FedEx Office than at FedEx. Both boxes weigh about the same, however, the box I had on hand was a bit oversize so that may be partially responsible for the increased shipping cost.

Another strange thing is that the bass coming to me is scheduled for delivery tomorrow but the bass I shipped is scheduled for Monday delivery. Who can understand how these things work. Fortunately, I believe Scott has another MM bass or so to play this weekend. LOL

Chuck

 

[bovinehost]

You were meant to own a Stingray 5, Chuck.

 

[Chuck M]

Waiting for the truck

I think often of the one I got from Bass Central that weighed about 12 pounds. I remember you about begged me not to send it back because it sounded so good. But, I am a little fella, you know?

Oh, and since I am mostly playing 6 string basses these days....well perhaps a Bongo 6 might come my way. Yeah, I would actually consider one now, Bongo Boy.

 

[bovinehost]

YES! My evil plan, although it has taken nearly 2 decades, may yet come to fruition!

 

[armybass]

Chuck that SR5 is truly sweet. I swear every time I play it I get compliments.... But alas I have a Natural SR5 on order along with a Natural Sterling 5 and a Natural Classic 5.... all I need now is a natural SR5 fretless neck through....

Thanks for the brother in law hook up on the Sterling.... I only have two of those.

As far as FedEx... I think my lady screwed up on my pricing or she was trying to flirt with me... I should have paid more but I was not gonna make a scene you know. And if you use a FedEx store it usually adds a day to the time... I go straight to my hub. And I think the hub is cheaper...

Chuck you got my madness started again with that lovely Sabre Classic. That bass gives me goose bumps.

Enjoy dancing with my girl. I am glad you got her.

 

[Chuck M]

Thanks, Scott. I'm sure the SR5 will be a better fit for me than the Sterling 4. I actually use that B string!

Tracking shows that the SR5 arrived at Schertz, TX which is about 4 miles from my house. It arrived at 5:25 AM and is scheduled for delivery today but the last time this happened they did not unload the truck until I called and it was Wednesday before delivery was made. I'm hoping that does not happen again today.

It still is remarkable to me how different two examples of the same guitar can sound. One can be really nice sounding and the next one is just killer. I mentioned earlier an SR5 that I ordered from Bass Central and it sounded fantastic and played like butter.....but it weighed about 12 pounds and my small (and elderly) back could not tolerate the weight. I had a fantastic sounding Roscoe 6 a while back that weighed 11 pounds and sold it just because of the weight. The Roscoe had a mahogany body and, of course, the SR5 was ash.

The Sabre is a killer bass. If it had been a 5 string I would have kept it.

Chuck......still waiting for that truck!

 

[Chuck M]

The SR5 arrived a few minutes ago and Scott was right. It is a very nice sounding Stingray. It is aggressive sounding but it is possible to get a warm and round tone with the EQ.

Too bad my next gig is on upright bass. I may have to sneak over to the local biker bar Sunday night. Jack and I spent a lot of time there in the old days before he moved to Dallas.

By the way, I have two great sounding tube preamps in my rack that I have in my practice room. They are the Demeter VTBP201S and an Alembic F-2B. The power amp is a Crown K2(no fan to listen to) and the cab is an Aguilar 212 that I no longer wish to move around. I prefer the warmer sounding Alembic with the Stingray. I believe there is an old made in England Mullard in the Alembic channel I was using.

Another observation is that the B string is fantastic. Clear sounding as you play up the neck and it speaks with authority. I have some Roscoe and G.Gould basses which are 35" scale and this Stingray stands up to comparison very well indeed. The bass has D'Adarrio XL's on it which is my string of choice so I am comparing basses with the same brand of strings.

The bass weighs a very manageable 9 pounds 14.5 ounces.

I am a happy man. Thanks Scott!

 

[armybass]

Give her a kiss good night for me Chuck.

 

[bdgotoh]

When MadDog Tom was up visiting some years back we went by BassNW and he handed me a Bongo 6 string. I had never played a 6er before but wow - that bass felt and sounded really great! I didn't end up buying it but I could really see the appeal of a 6 string Bongo after that.

 

[bovinehost]

The 5ers are just as sweet.

 

[Chuck M]

I have been hired to play a Christmas Cantata in New Braunfels this year. They have already sent me the music and a CD of the music. I wrote out the bass parts (some charts were 8 pages and I got it down to 2) and had been planning to use my G.Gould ggi6 but I played through the charts with the Stingray and have decided to use it instead. What a great playing and sounding bass this is.

I think I have owned about 4 SR5's and this one is the best of the ones I have had. I think perhaps the electronics have been changed some through the years (back to Alnico PU magnet is one change) as it strikes me as much more musical than the other SR5's I have had. Yes, it has that aggressive Stingray growl but there is a sweetness to the tone of this bass.

By the way, I was playing it today through an Aguilar AG700 into an Aguilar GS212. The tone is big, punchy and very musical. The bass has D'Adarrio XL's on it.

I am very surprised you let this one go, Scott.

 

[armybass]

LOL well I could say the same for you Chuck. Just spent and hour on the Sterling. Hot damn that is my kinda bass. I have always been more drawn to the Sterling even though I am a Stingray fanatic.

This little honey reminded me why. Now just have to wait for my new Sterling 5 yo arrive.


Chuck I let it go to you because I know trading with you or Jack means I have a good chance of getting it back!

 

[Chuck M]

"Chuck I let it go to you because I know trading with you or Jack means I have a good chance of getting it back!"

I suggest you do not hold your breath. LOL

 

[armybass]

LOL! I know. Kinda like thinking I’ll let that Sabre go. Well enjoy that beauty my friend. I’m glad you have it!

 

[Chuck M]

I've noticed that the tone of my Stingray really changes dramatically with changes of placement of the right (plucking) hand. Small movements result in big changes in tone. Makes it possible to play very expressively if used with sensitivity to the tune being played.

I'm really in love with this bass. I have a rehearsal tonight with a band that does mostly original jazzy rock and the SR5 is going with me. This will be great fun.

I'm really happy Scott loves the Sterling I traded him for this SR5. If he didn't...I would feel guilty...well...perhaps not THAT guilty. I might even make faces at him but that could get ugly for me quickly since I am much smaller and way older than Scott. Hah. He is in Virginia and I am in Texas so I guess I am safe.

 

[armybass]

Chuck I am just glad that you got it and it went to someone who can appreciate how great that bass is. I have too many basses and I never play any of them enough but every time I played that bass I was like "Dayum" this is a beast. I actually had band members and folks in the audience tell me how great it sounded too.

I love it and I have another almost like it on order. Got a Natural/Maple SR5 coming by the end of the year I think. And as much as I love the new ones... I really love the old ceramic pup SR5's even more. So my eye is on the lookout for a minty late 90's early 2000's SR5 too.

BTW... the Sterling is LOVELY. I was gonna bring the Caprice and Old Smoothie to my Saturday gig but one of them might need to stay home until my Sunday gig so I can play the Sterling.

 

[Chuck M]

Of course it is a good bass. I think somebody named Sterling had something to do with it.

 

[Chuck M]

Just home from rehearsal with a very interesting band I am working with. Many original tunes and lots of challenging reading and playing.

I used the SR5 part of the night and played it through my Aguilar AG700 into one Aguilar GS112. Goodness folks, this is one killer bass. Playability is wonderful and the tone is just fantastic. This Stingray sounds huge but sits just right in the mix. This bass is one that really brings out the best in a bassist.

 

[armybass]

It’s cool when someone hears and feels what you do. Done folks would just view that as just another bass but a players player knows how to spot the exceptional ones. When your lead singer looks at you in the middle of a set and says “damn that bass sounds good”. You got something good.