Q: Can you please tell me what type of strings are put on Music

Man basses when they ship new from the factory?

A: The 4-string basses are all equipped with Ernie Ball Super Slinky
Bass strings, item number 284, when they lea!e the "a#t$ry% The
gauges are 4&-'&-8(-)((%
The Sting*ay & and B$ng$ & use the same with an added )(% This
set is $ur *egular Slinky Bass &+s, item ,28'%
Q: Could you tell me Music Man's StingRay factory settings for
relief, string height, and pickup height?
A: -irtually all the ad.ustments t$ string height #an be made with the
truss r$d% Turn #l$#kwise t$ raise the "inger b$ard, #$unter #l$#kwise
t$ l$wer% The ideal string height "$r $ur basses is /20 $r 2%4mm
between the b$tt$m $" the string t$ the t$p $" the "ret $n b$th the E
and 1 strings at the )2th "ret% The 1 string #an be slightly l$wer due
t$ the "a#t that it is the smallest string% This a""e#ts the b$w $" the
ne#k%
The "a#t$ry spe#i"i#ati$ns "$r the pi#kup height is '/20 $r 4%2'mm
"r$m the t$p $" the plasti# between the pi#kup #$!ers t$ the b$tt$m $"
the 1 string% The angle $" the pi#kup is set "airly le!el, s$ the larger
strings are naturally a bit #l$ser% 3" y$u ha!en+t already ad.usted the
pi#kup $r #hanged t$ a !ery hea!y gauge string set, y$u sh$uldn+t
ha!e t$ d$ any ad.ustments $n the pi#kup%
4n the new 2-pi#kup basses, the measurements are !irtually the
same $n the bridge pi#kup and the ne#k pi#kup is "urther away, ab$ut
8/20 $r '%&mm "r$m the string t$ the pi#kup%
Q: ow do ! maintain the neck on my new Music Man bass?
A: 5$r e!eryday #leaning, use a small d$se $" high-grade lem$n $il%
5$r the "retb$ard, use Ernie Ball 6$nder 6ipes 5retb$ard
7$nditi$ner% 3" the ne#k is !ery dirty, gi!e us a #all $r email us at
musi#man8#ust$merser!i#e9ernieball%#$m%
Sin#e the ne#k is "inished $nly with gunst$#k $il and wa: blend, it is
m$re sus#eptible t$ humidity #hanges% An $##asi$nal truss r$d
ad.ustment will halp keep y$ur bass playing "a#t$ry-new% 3" y$u are
getting "ret bu;; <plugged in $nly, $" #$urse= raise the a#ti$n by
turning the trussr$d wheel #$unter-#l$#kwise, t$ l$wer the a#ti$n turn
it #l$#kwise%
An in"requent d$se $" gunst$#k $il will help t$ keep the ne#k
maintained> we re#$mmend and use Bir#hw$$d-7asey Tru-4il, but
any g$$d quality gunst$#k $il will w$rk% 7lean ne#k "irst% ?se a small
am$unt $" Tru-$il, lea!e it $n "$r & minutes, then wipe it $"" with a
paper t$wel% Then apply Bir#hw$$d-7asey 1unst$#k 6a:% Be sure t$
d$use the paper t$wel with water be"$re disp$sing $" it@ *ead the wa:
and $il manu"a#turer+s instru#ti$ns regarding disp$sal $" these used
paper t$wels%
Bir#hw$$d-7asey pr$du#ts are a!ailable at m$st sp$rting g$$ds $r
gun st$res, $r dire#t% Their web address is
http://www%bir#hw$$d#asey%#$m%
*$sew$$d "ingerb$ards sh$uld n$t be treated with gunst$#k $il>
instead they sh$uld be treated with a high grade $" lem$n $il%
5$r #leaning, try using the same high grade $" lem$n $il t$ #lean the
entire ne#k, b$th maple and r$sew$$d "retb$ards% Aeep in mind that i"
the dirt $r grease has been w$rked int$ the w$$d, it #ann$t be
rem$!ed e:#ept by sanding it d$wn, whi#h we d$ n$t re#$mmend
unless e:er#ised with e:tremely "ine sandpaper <)2((-)'(( grit=, and
e!en then !ery sparingly% 3t is better t$ keep it #lean in the "irst pla#e%
6ashing y$ur hands "irst helps@
S$me dis#$l$rati$n a"ter many h$urs $" playing is n$rmal $n
un"inished ne#ks% Be sure t$ "$ll$w all $" the manu"a#turers
re#$mmended sa"ety pre#auti$ns when using any $" these $ils $r
wa:es%
Q: ow does the pie"o bridge function on the basses?
A: The Busi# Ban basses with the new pie;$ bridge $pti$n is in
additi$n t$ the $riginal pi#kups and ele#tr$ni#s% The pie;$ may be
used in #$n.un#ti$n with, $r #$mpletely separate "r$m, the standard
#$n"igurati$n%
The pie;$/magneti# blend is #$ntr$lled by a kn$b that has a #enter dC
tente p$siti$n% Turn the kn$b all the way #l$#kwise and there is
magneti# signal $nly% Turn the kn$b all the way #$unter-#l$#kwise t$
$btain pie;$ signal $nly% 6ith the kn$b in the #enter detente p$siti$n,
there is an e:a#t &(/&( blend $" pie;$ and magneti# signal, and any
$ther setting will be blended a##$rding t$ where the kn$b is set%
The pie;$ bridges are n$t a!ailable as a retr$"it "$r earlier Busi# Ban
basses%
Q: ! ha#e a Music Man fretless bass$ %hat kind of strings should
! use?
A: D$u may use any kind y$u like% 3t is true that stainless steel
r$undw$unds are the hardest $n the "ingerb$ard, "$ll$wed by
ni#kelw$und% 5latw$und strings are the m$st "$rgi!ing%
Q: ! &ust bought a new Music Man bass, what is the
recommended string height on the neck and o#er the
pickup?
A: 3" y$ur truss r$d is ad.usted pr$perly, the string height ab$!e the
)2th "ret sh$uld be /2 "r$m the b$tt$m $" the string t$ the t$p $" the
"ret% '/20 $r 4%8mm "r$m the b$tt$m $" the string t$ the t$p $" the
p$le pie#e $n y$ur pi#kup%
Q: !f my fretless fingerboard became groo#ed and worn out can
it be replaned or should it be replaced?
A: 3t #an be resur"a#ed by sanding, and #$uld be repla#ed by a
pr$"essi$nal luthier% *esur"a#ing the b$ard sh$uld $nly be d$ne when
the wear is su""i#ient t$ #ause the s$und $r playability $" the
instrument t$ su""er% *esur"a#ing t$$ "requently will greatly redu#e the
useable li"e $" the "ingerb$ard% ?sually, repla#ement is $nly
ne#essary a"ter se!eral resur"a#ings and years $" hea!y use%
Q: !'m planning to buy a black Music Man Stingray, but !'m
unsure which fingerboard to choose$ !'m concerned about
the difference in sound$ Could you e'plain the difference?
A: The general #$nsensus regarding this questi$n is that maple gi!es
y$u a snappier, slightly brighter t$ne with m$re atta#k while a
r$sew$$d b$ard gi!es y$u a darker, sm$$ther t$ne with m$re
warmth% 4"ten the di""eren#e is sub.e#ti!e and sub.e#t t$ pers$nal
$pini$n% There are als$ $ther "a#t$rs t$ #$nsider su#h as playing
style, what type $" strings y$u use, t$ne settings, and ampli"iers t$
#$nsider% Try b$th maple and r$sew$$d t$ "$rm y$ur $wn $pini$n%
Q: !s there any coating that can be applied to protect the wood
such as polyurethane, and how would this affect the sound?
Supposedly (aco )astorious used boat epo'y on his
fretless bass$
A: -ari$us ep$:y and 7yan$a#rylate <super glue= "inishes ha!e been
used $n "retless "ingerb$ards% This tends t$ yield a brighter t$ne and
may wear l$nger than bare w$$d, depending $n the material used%
S$me su#h "inishes d$ n$t adhere well t$ $ily w$$ds su#h as
r$sew$$d $r pau "err$% Ea!e an e:perien#ed guitar te#h d$ the w$rk@
Q: *he Silhouette +ass: !s this bass a true , string bass or is it a
+aritone guitar?
A: The Silh$uette bass is pr$bably best des#ribed as a hybrid bass
and guitar%
3t has a 2F &/80 s#ale whi#h is alm$st hal"way between a guitar and
bass s#ale length% 3t is tuned E-E a "ull $#ta!e l$wer than a guitar and
uses all w$und strings "r$m %2( t$ %F( gauge% 3n s$me appli#ati$ns, it
#$uld n$t be used the same way as a l$ng s#ale '-string bass, but
with the )( di""erent swit#hing #$n"igurati$ns it d$es ha!e a !ery wide
range $" t$nal #hara#teristi#s "r$m a ni#e bass t$ne t$ a great higher-
pit#hed t$ne su#h as l$wer n$tes $n a guitar% 3t is e!en suitable "$r
playing s$me #h$rds% 3t is tuned like a guitar, $nly an $#ta!e l$wer% 3t
is als$ a!ailable strung as a barit$ne guitar, tuned "r$m A-A%
Q: %hat are the differences between the StingRay and the
Sterling?
A: The Sting*ay is m$re $" a traditi$nal bass with a#ti!e ele#tr$ni#s
that gi!es players a great all-ar$und "eel and s$und% 3t is great "$r any
style $" musi#%
The Sterling is a sleeker, lighter bass than the Sting*ay% 3t has a
thinner ne#k and smaller b$dy% The -way swit#h $""ers m$re t$nal
!arieties, and the phant$m #$il $""ers a single-#$il s$und with$ut
n$ise%
G$w b$th are a!ailable in dual-pi#kup !ersi$ns% 4n th$se m$dels, the
&-way swit#h "un#ti$ns are the same, but the main pr$perties $" ea#h
bass, in#luding the ele#tr$ni#s, remain di""erent "r$m ea#h $ther%
Q: %hat are the pros and cons of using flatwound strings on a
fretless bass? -o roundwounds wear the fretboard more?
.re roundwounds used more e#en on fretless basses?
A: 5latw$und strings will n$t wear the "ingerb$ard like r$undw$und,
but the r$undw$und strings are mu#h brighter and pre"erred by m$st
players%
Q: %hat type of wood is used on the fingerboard of your fretless
basses?
A: Hau "err$, a !ery dense e:$ti# w$$d%
Q: %hat is used in our cases during shipping to control
humidity?
A: Iesi##ant% Hla#ed in a small bag it is used as a stati# dehumidi"ier%
Q: %hat si"e .llen wrench does the Silhouette bass re/uire for
bridge ad&ustment?
A: 3t requires a )/)'0 si;e Allen wren#h, the same as "$r all $ur
basses%
Q: %ill fretboard conditioner help any on a fretless bass to
preser#e the wood and protect the fingerboard?
A: 3t is g$$d "$r preser!ing the w$$d, but it will n$t signi"i#antly
#hange the wear t$ the "ingerb$ard%
Q: Can ! use rechargeable 01#olt batteries for my Music Man
bass?
A: 6e d$ n$t re#$mmend re#hargeable batteries "$r repla#ement in
Busi# Ban instruments "$r 2 reas$ns:
)% They d$ n$t put $ut en$ugh !$ltage <at least 8%4 !$lts= t$ pr$perly
run the instruments% Gi7ad and GiBh 0F-!$lt0 batteries, e!en when
"ully #harged, put $ut a ma:imum $" 2%2 !$lts%
2% E!en i" they did w$rk, re#hargeable batteries $nly h$ld a #harge "$r
)- m$nths% Alkaline batteries, when "resh, #an g$ ' m$nths $r
l$nger% 6e re#$mmend Iura#ell "$r a g$$d "it%
Q: ow long does the battery last, and how do you know when it
needs to be replaced?
A: A!erage battery li"e is ' m$nths% 6e re#$mmend Iura#ell batteries
as repla#ements m$stly due t$ si;e in#$nsisten#ies between battery
manu"a#turers% I$ n$t lea!e y$ur bass plugged in when y$u ha!e
"inished playing, as this will drain y$ur battery "aster% Battery li"e $"
#$urse depends $n h$w $"ten and h$w l$ng y$u play% 6hen the
s$und $" y$ur bass be#$mes dist$rted, it+s ready "$r a new battery%
Q: -o ! need a truss rod tool for my bass?
A: The truss r$d wheel design was designed s$ any musi#ian #an
easily make min$r ad.ustments t$ the ne#k% Any t$$l su#h as an allen
wren#h, nail, small s#rew dri!er, et#% that will "it int$ the wheel h$le
will w$rk% Turn the wheel a quarter turn at a time then #he#k by
playing y$ur bass% 7l$#kwise will raise the "ingerb$ard%
Q: %hat is the fre/uency range of the 2 band 3Q?
A: 4ur band basses use a standard ba:andall #ir#uit #entered
app:% &((h;% 5requen#y sl$pe is ' db per $#ta!e% 6ith bass #$ntr$l in
ma: p$siti$n, ma: $utput will $##ur at 4(h; and dr$p at 'db per
$#ta!e ab$!e 4(h;% Ba:imum treble resp$nse dr$ps at ' db per
$#ta!e at "requen#ies bel$w app:%)2 kh;% Bid range is #entered
app:%&(( h;% 7$ntr$l settings are intera#ti!e, there"$re ' db per
$#ta!e sl$pe $nly $##urs when $ne #$ntr$l is in ma:imum p$siti$n
and the tw$ remaining #$ntr$ls are set t$ minimum%
Q: %hat woods does Music Man use for the body of a Stingray?
A: 3n the past we used equal am$unts $" p$plar $r ash, and a small
am$unt alder, we are using alm$st all ash n$w% 6e always use ash
$n translu#ent "inishes%
Q: %hat is the string spacing on the Music Man basses?
A: All distan#es are measured "r$m string #enter t$ the ne:t string
#enter%
Stingray 4, B$ng$ 4, S?B 4 - /40
Sterling, Sting*ay &, B$ng$ &, S?B Sterling - ))/)'0
Q: Can ! add a pie"o bridge to my Music Man bass?
A: G$, we are n$t able t$ add a pie;$ sytem t$ an e:isting Busi# Ban
instruement%
Q: %hat si"e he' 4.llen1type5 wrench will fit into my truss rod
wheel?
A: 3t d$esn+t ha!e t$ be any parti#ular t$$l - in "a#t we purp$se"ully
made it t$ where y$u #an use alm$st anything t$ ad.ust it, su#h as a
small s#rewdri!er, he: wren#h, $r e!en a nail% At the "a#t$ry, we
typi#ally use mm si;e he: wren#hes%
Q: 6n fretless basses without lines, are there markers on the
side of the neck?
A: 4n a Busi# Ban unlined "retless ne#k, there are d$ts $n e!ery
$ther "ret, where the "rets w$uld n$rmally be%
Q: 7our specifications tell us that you use selected hardwoods
for your bass bodies$ %hat woods do you use?
A: 6e used e!en am$unts $" p$plar and ash and s$metimes alder,
we are #urrently using ash these days% 6e always use ash $n
translu#ent "inishes%
Q: %hat does the 2 way switch do on the Stingray 8 and the
Sterling?
A: 6ith the swit#h in the +#l$sest t$ ne#k+ p$siti$n, the pi#kup+s "l$w $"
!$ltage "$ll$ws a snake like pattern ar$und the p$les, this is #alled
the Series p$siti$n, #reating an $ut $" phase slightly brighter
humbu#ker t$ne% The se#$nd p$siti$n is the Single 7$il p$siti$n, $nly
the #$il #l$sest t$ the bridge is used #reating a thin, bright s$und "$r
s$l$ing, a phant$m #$il is added t$ redu#e single #$il n$ise% The last
p$siti$n is the Harallel p$siti$n, use this "$r the traditi$nal thi#k b$tt$m
end bass s$und made "am$us by the Stingray 4%
Q: do ! need to loosen all of the strings before making a neck
relief ad&ustment?
A: D$u sh$uld make all ad.ustments with the strings where y$u w$uld
n$rmally play them% I$ n$t l$$sen the strings t$ ad.ust the truss r$d%
Q: ! ha#e rust on the pole pieces of my StingRay$ %hat to do?
A: Alth$ugh it is n$t #$mm$n, we d$ see #ases where s$me players+
sweat will #ause the ni#kel #$ntent $n the p$le pie#es t$ rust% T$ get
rid $" the rust already $n the p$le pie#e, try using a s#rub pad% I$ n$t
s#rub m$re than ne#essary t$ rem$!e the rust% T$ keep it "r$m
#$ming ba#k, use <belie!e it $r n$t= nail p$lish #lear#$at% 3t will n$t
a""e#t the t$ne $" the bass%
Q: ow do ! set up my Music Man bass?
A: 5irst #he#k relie" in the ne#k by h$lding the l$west string d$wn $n
the 2nd "ret with y$ur "retting <le"t= hand% Then, h$ld the same string
d$wn $n the )2th "ret with y$ur plu#king thumb and tap $n the string
in the middle t$ see h$w straight the ne#k is% There sh$uld be n$
m$re than the thi#kness $" a business #ard between the string and
the "rets% 3" there is n$ relie" in the ne#k, a little pressure in the middle
$" the ne#k <a"ter ad.usting the trussr$d wheel= sh$uld help%
The standard string gauge is %4&-%)(( with a %)( $n the l$w 0B0 "$r
the & string at 44( tuning% 3" y$u de#ide t$ tune d$wn, typi#ally y$u
w$uld in#rease the gauge "$r e!ery )/2 step d$wnward that y$u tune%
This will keep m$st $" the measurements #l$se by ha!ing m$re
tensi$n $n the ne#k%
5a#t$ry String heights are: Bass side /2 t$ 2/'4 Treble side: &/'40
t$ 2/'40 "r$m the t$p $" the )2th "ret t$ the b$tt$m $" the string% The
rest $" the strings sh$uld ha!e the radius $" the "retb$ard when
l$$king at the t$p $" the string, <with the A string hidden "r$m !iew by
the E string, et#%=, r$tating the bass at the same time% The 0right0
string height is, $" #$urse, ultimately determined by y$ur playing style%
The pi#kup sh$uld be 4/20 t$ &/20 $n the bass side and slightly
#l$ser <4/20 t$ &/20 $n the treble side% This is determined by tuning
and !$lume $" strings measured by the t$p $" the p$le pie#e t$ the
b$tt$m $" the strings% 3" the 1 string needs m$re !$lume, ad.ust it
slightly m$re t$ward the pi#kup% Again, i" y$u tune d$wn, m$re
distan#e is needed here, as well> but in any #ase, n$ l$wer than
4/20%
3" "ret bu;; $##urs "r$m the $pen t$ the "i"th "ret, the ne#k needs m$re
relie"% 3" it bu;;es between the &th "ret and the )2th "ret, the ne#k
needs t$ be straighter <turn the wheel slightly #l$#kwise=% 3" it $##urs
all $!er the ne#k, the string height need t$ in#rease <by turning the
trussr$d wheel slightly #$unter-#l$#kwise=%
5$r int$nati$n: 7he#k the harm$ni#s t$ the "retted n$te $n the )2th
n$te $n the twel"th "ret i" y$u d$n+t play mu#h ab$!e that "ret% 3" y$u
d$, als$ #he#k the harm$ni#s at the )Fth "ret a"ter the )2th "ret is set%
3" the "retted n$te is sharp, y$u need t$ make the string l$nger by
turning the saddle s#rew #$unter#l$#kwise, and !i#e !ersa% Bake
sure that the string are #$ming $"" $" the saddle straight and n$t in an
ar#h% All measurements must be re#he#ked a"ter ea#h ad.ustment%
Q: %hat is the factory setting for the neck relief gap for
Musicman basses?
A: /20 between the b$tt$m $" the string and the t$p $" the )2th "ret%
Q: ow does the 21+and 3Q function on your basses?
A: 3t+s pretty #$mpli#ated, but here g$es %%
The -Band Bass EJ uses a standard banda:al #ir#uit #entered
appr$:imately &(( E;% The "requen#y sl$pe is ' db per $#ta!e%
6ith the bass #$ntr$l in ma: p$siti$n, the ma:imum $utput will $##ur
at 4( E; and dr$p at ' db per $#ta!e ab$!e 4( h;% Ba:imum treble
resp$nse dr$ps at ' db per $#ta!e at "requen#ies bel$w
appr$:imately )2 kE;% Bidrange is #entered appr$:imately &(( E;%
7$ntr$l settings are intera#ti!e, there"$re ' db per $#ta!e $nly $##urs
when $ne #$ntr$l is in the ma:imum p$siti$n and the tw$ remaining
#$ntr$ls are set t$ minimum%
5$r a sl$pe diagram, #li#k here
Q: Should e'cessi#e heat be a#oided?
A: 3t+s n$t a g$$d idea t$ all$w y$ur instrument t$ get h$t "$r a l$t $"
reas$ns% 3t #an #ause stru#tural and #$smeti# pr$blems, s$ take
e!ery pre#auti$n t$ a!$id it% 6e g$ t$ great lengths t$ build a !ery
S4K3I instrument, but w$$d is w$$d, it warps under heat and
tensi$n, and heat is !ery bad "$r glue .$ints% The h$tter it gets, and
the l$nger it stays that way, the m$re likely y$u will ha!e pr$blems%
Q: %hat happens if my instrument gets too hot, like if ! forget to
take it out of the car on a hot day?
A: 1et the instrument int$ a n$rmal temperature en!ir$nment, and
all$w it t$ #$$l $""% I$n+t put it in "r$nt $" an air #$nditi$ner, $r
anywhere that will #ause a drasti# temperature $r humidity #hange%
I4 G4T make any radi#al ad.ustments t$ the instrument until it #$$ls
d$wn@
4n#e it has n$rmali;ed, #he#k it $!er% 3" there is n$ apparent damage,
y$u+re pr$bably "ine, and there is n$ need t$ w$rry% Lust d$n+t let it
happen again%
3" there are pr$blems - perhaps it w$uld be a g$$d idea t$ #$nta#t us%
Q: ! see that your basses ha#e been shipping out with a different
kind of nut$ %hat is it and what is its purpose?
A: The new nut is #alled a 7$mpensated Gut% 6e ha!e a patent $n
this design%
The purp$se $" this new nut design is t$ impr$!e n$te a##ura#y all
$!er the "retb$ard% This is m$st apparent at the l$wer "rets%
There is n$ spe#ial tuner, setup, $r int$nati$n required%
This nut is standard $n all Busi# Ban guitars and basses - e!en
S?Bs%
The 7$mpensated Gut has been engineered t$ impr$!e y$ur Busi#
Ban instrument+s p$tential t$ play per"e#tly in tune up an d$wn the
"retb$ard% Ea#h string has an indi!idual int$nati$n p$#ket that slightly
#hanges the e""e#ti!e string length, #ausing n$tes that traditi$nally
play sharp t$ be m$re in tune%
The design has been $ptimi;ed "$r standard string gauges and
tunings, but will be $" bene"it when used with alternate tunings, string
gauges, and playing styles%
Q: %hat si"e he' wrench do ! need to ad&ust the height screws
on the saddles on my bass?
A: All $" the bridge height s#rews require a )/)'0 he: wren#h%
7$pyright M )FF&-2((8 Ernie Ball 3n#%, San Kuis 4bisp$, 7ali"$rnia, ?%S%A% All *ights *eser!ed
Hri!a#y H$li#y