Worried about Buy A Stingray 5H

[Belowest]

I want to buy a Stingray 5 H, but I've been reading a few posts that the D and G string are lower in volume then the B, E and A.

And someone just posted earlier that his Sterling is more aggressive than his Stingray 5.

Are Ernie Ball Basses like Fender Basses. You have to try each and every one out to make sure everything is top notch?

I wanted to buy a Stingray 5 from Musicians Friend Because You have 45 days to return the item, but when I buy a bass, that's the bass I want.

Is this just some selective mishaps or has there been some quality control issues with EB?

Posted by a potential buyer

 

[tkarter]

Worrying about anything built by EB is like worrying about if the Sun comes up tomorrow.

I don't know where you are hearing it but it may be time to move onto the real world.


tk

 

[eadg98005]

I want to buy a Stingray 5 H, but I've been reading a few posts that the D and G string are lower in volume then the B, E and A.

And someone just posted earlier that his Sterling is more aggressive than his Stingray 5.

Are Ernie Ball Basses like Fender Basses. You have to try each and every one out to make sure everything is top notch?

I wanted to buy a Stingray 5 from Musicians Friend Because You have 45 days to return the item, but when I buy a bass, that's the bass I want.

Is this just some selective mishaps or has there been some quality control issues with EB?

Posted by a potential buyer

Relax. I don't know the details of what individual situations like this may entail, but I know enough about my (multiple) experiences with EBMM's to tell you (emphatically) there are no QC issues.

As a matter of fact, I have owned a half dozen MM's over about a twenty year period, 5 of which are/were EB's and 1 from the "transitional" period (pre-EB, post CLF), and with the exception of the "transitional" and one other (a 1999 SR4), I have purchased every one of them without trying them out first. No issues ever!

Specifically, I have now owned my only SR5-H for about 2 years (1 piece natural ash/RW) and it is incredibly consistent with all strings. It's the best recording bass I have ever owned (I only play 4's on stage).

I so strongly believe in EBMM's consistent build quality that I am currently waiting on my first (purchased) fretless bass (30th Anniversary fretless!) to be delivered; again, I purchased it without the benefit of "trying it out" (via internet).

You mentioned Fender's inconsistency in your post. I have experienced that with Fender, as well (although I currently have 1 that I maintain to record with). You won't find that with EBMM's, at least not from my experiences

On a personal note, while my comments have been sincere and an honest opinion based on personal experiences, did you actually expect to hear otherwise on a forum dedicated to the brand you're questioning?


Relax. Your money will be well spent on a SR5.

 

[bass addict]

Relax.
On a personal note, while my comments have been sincere and an honest opinion based on personal experiences, did you actually expect to hear otherwise on a forum dedicated to the brand you're questioning?


Relax. Your money will be well spent on a SR5.

I agree that the Sr5 will give no issues whatsoever. Its a great machine and the great people at EBMM put their best work into each and every instrument they sell. However, I do think i woudl expect the truth to be told, even on a brand specific forum, if there was a problem with a certain time frame of basses. However, we all know this isnt the case from EBMM basses. I wouldnt expect nor want to see a group covering up a problem period, you know

For the love of god, buy that SR5 and rock the crap outta it! It will take everything you throw at, including monkeys that know karate!

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've bought 3 EMBB basses sight unseen and they've arrived in tune after travelling half way across the planet. EBMM has no misses, only hits.

 

[shastaband]

I've bought 4 SR5s over the internet and obviously I didn't get to play them ahead of time. Every one of them was top-notch in consistency and build-quality. The only issue I had was that one of my SR5s was an HH model, and I found after playing it for awhile that I really prefer the sound of the single H over the HH. But that's a matter of personal taste, not at all a reflection of the outstanding quality of EBMM basses.

I DID have an issue with the SR5 I bought from Musician's Friend. What a lousy packing job! A box that was way too big for the bass case in all dimensions, and NO INTERNAL PACKING IN THE BOX AT ALL, allowing the bass in the case to rattle around in there during shipping. The case ended up with a quite visible dent in one end. Thank god for EB's sturdy cases--the bass was fine. No thanks to the jerk in the shipping department at Musician's Friend.

Might I recommend you check with Beaver Felton at Bass Central? I've bought 3 EBMM basses from him so far. He's a good guy, and the packing was head and shoulders above Musician's Friend.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I have 5 StingRay 5s.

3 of them I bought without playing them.

Based on all of my interactions with Ernie Ball basses, if I was to buy a used one from someone, it having any sort of flaws is the LEAST of my worries.

You can't beat EBMM.

And where did you hear about the D and G on SR5s to have lower output? Not ONE of mine have weak output on any of its strings. What you've heard is certainly a myth.

 

[phatduckk]

i have 15 music man instruments now and have had a total of 17 (sold 2). All but 2 of the 17 were purchased site unseen.

Actually I think I ordered my HS sterling before anyone had seen one.

EBMM QC is amazing. also - if something does happen rest assured that music man's custoiemr service department is awesome and they will take care of you

 

[fly]

.dude..........buy the bass............


since i've aquired mine..........i'll never buy another stringed instrument that doesn't have EBMM on it.


have i mentioned the Sterling?

 

[bgavin]

There seems to be a legit question about tone differences between SR5/H and SR5/HH. This might be a show stopper for the OP.

QC is definitely not a problem.

 

[Big Poppa]

There is just so much more to the two pickup basses....its kind of like the difference between a slr camera and a point n shoot one. the single h is just way easier to get a tone...the 2H has a much wider variety and sometimes too many choices end up in confusion

 

[Freddels]

I think the biggest problem with buying an EBMM bass is deciding which color.

 

[Dr Stankface]

I think the biggest problem with buying an EBMM bass is deciding which color.

That IS a tough one.

 

[PzoLover]

suspicions & rumours

I want to buy a Stingray 5 H, but I've been reading a few posts that the D and G string are lower in volume then the B, E and A.

And someone just posted earlier that his Sterling is more aggressive than his Stingray 5.

Are Ernie Ball Basses like Fender Basses. You have to try each and every one out to make sure everything is top notch?

I wanted to buy a Stingray 5 from Musicians Friend Because You have 45 days to return the item, but when I buy a bass, that's the bass I want.

Is this just some selective mishaps or has there been some quality control issues with EB?

Posted by a potential buyer

Figure out yer fave colour and p/up package and get an SR5; I've special ordered 3 in a row and would not hesitate to do it again, anything negative about EBMM basses is just hogwash

if a store's return policy is your main criteria I think you're missing the mainpoints of a Music Man bass whiuch are design and build uality, fit, feel, playability and tone.ultimately even a reatailer with an open return policy bases it on the reliability of the manufacturer and EBMM is the BEST

good luck , good hunting and enjoy your new SR5, especially if it's a 20th in CCalifornia Sunset
/PL

 

[MrMusashi]

i have 2 basses on order.. not seen our touched em..

the bongo i ordered last came first and it is one sweet machine!!

im not the least worried about "pre" ordering. i sincerely do believe that the other 2 will be the same (if not better) quality than the one i got already!

MrM