Low Stingray G string output.

[Flabby1]

got a new stingray which has the common issue of the G string not being as loud as the other strings.
I lowered the pickup on the E string side and raised it on the G string side, still not even tho.

Would using a thicker gauge G string help much?
or lighter A and E strings?

[snaverb]

I don't understand how this G string low output thing can be a '' common issue ''

If it was really a defect in the pickup or whatever, wouldnt Ernie Ball do something to correct the problem?

[scottbass]

Well, EBMM7181, it is an issue that is commonly discussed.

I find it to be more of a perception, caused by the incredible low end of the StingRay. Compared to that monster low end, the G string can SEEM to be thin-sounding and, well, lower in volume.

I have always found that a combination of pickup adjustment and EQ brings the G string up to where I think it should be.

Flabby1:

Do you adjust the onboard EQ to sound best in each venue, or is it always set the same?

Do you have the EQ on your amp set in the too-common "rock-n-roll smile" - boosted lows, cut mids, boosted highs?

Are you playing through a cabinet (or combo amp) with a single 15" driver, and/or maybe no tweeter?

All of this stuff (and a lot more) combines to cut the projection right out of the G string.

And, of course, most StingRays I've seen have the pickup adjusted level with the string bottoms. Get some feeler gauges. I've found the G string side needs to be 3/64" or a little more CLOSER to the G than to the E.

And finally, what are you doing playing the G string in the first place? Everyone knows you earn your money AND your reputation on the "money string"!

[Flabby1]

i eq a lot of the bass out because it is just a 15" speaker in a combo amp.
the amp is more than likely a lot of the problem.

I boost the mids. the highs and treble i keep pretty flat.

[73jbass]

I owned 3 SR5's and 2 Sterlings that had that exact same issue. It wasn't percieved lower output,it was without question. I put an aftermarket basslines pickup in,and the problem disappeared. Now,funny thing is,the 3 Music Man basses I own now,don't have that issue. This issue was addressed at the EB forum before,and Sterling himself addresed it.So,you may want to call EB customer service,and see what they say.

[maconbass]

I agree, it is a real problem. One of the two SR's that I have owned had that issue in a bad way.

[Nakedfish]

I've owned 3 stingrays - a four and 2 five's. They all had that issue to varying degrees. There didn't seem to be any way of curing it.

[epoxo57]

Yep, got rid of a beautiful Stingray years ago from being confused about this same thing--nothing seemed to work. My Sterling, although it has a Nordy MM4.3 in it now, never had that problem with the stock pu in either series or parallel. I agree I would think EB would correct the issue considering the frequent posts about this. I have played a few Stingrays here and there since then and have heard the same problem. They are killer basses but losing that G string in the mix is quite perplexing--never had that problem with my Jazz or Warwick but maybe the neck pu really makes the difference. Dunno......

[boglej2]

i recently bought a sr, cudn't wait for it, i loved the tone they gave on ne recordin or live songs i heard with em. I did notice the g string problem tho, i've a gk combo which has a tweeter in it, so by boosting that it kinda helped the problem not entirely tho. I then decided to bring it in to a music shop in dublin and get it setup, told them about this problem and asked what could they do? Got the bass back a few days later and was absolutely shocked at what they had done to it. They raised the e-string miles off the neck which made it sound crap. This kinda helped with the ratio of volume between it and the g-string bt obv the others stayed the same!!!!!!!

Tried a heavier gauge g-string ith mediums on the other 3 strings, still not much joy.

I've since left it in2 a different shop that have a betr rep for setting up gtrs, fingers crossed...

Ne suggestions, greatly appreciated too

[Balkan]

I'm not sure this can be repaired - it's just the nature of the beast. I bought a Stingray in 92 and it's always been like this.