Noticed a change in their G-string's output? I know this subject has been beaten into the ground numerous times, but I just received a beautiful SR4 from Ebay and I love everything about it EXCEPT that thin/weaker sounding G-string.
To echo the title of this thread, has anyone replaced the stock MM pickup with something else? I REALLY don't want to sell this bass due to its construction/overall sound. I have tried adjusting the pickup height, different strings, EQing the amplifier and the bass - everything else that has been mentioned, I tried. Would replacing the stock pickup with a SD or something of that nature alter the sound dramatically?
This thread is NOT meant to argue or debate this topic in any way. I have seen some people deny, defend, and insult those who disagree with this notion.
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I did exactly that and have improved the response of the G to a more normal level.
I bought a new Sterling in '94 and the weak G string gradually drove me nuts! I saw that it was a result of the string not being centered exactly over the pole piece.
I replaced the pickup with a Duncan Custom Shop MM with Alnico magnets. This was the very first aftermarket MM that copied the original Stingrays. It was special order and not cheap. Great pickup, but the round poles did not correct the problem - the G was still slightly off center and sounded as before. I knew I had to get a blade type.
I bought a Lane Poor (from Lane) that not only solved the problem but sounded great. This is the setup I have now, along witn an OBP-3.
If your G is weak, is centered exactly over the pole piece and still sounds weak you may have other issues. This is not an uncommon problem with MM's though, and I was able to correct it with a blade type MM pickup.
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Yam BB Club #3; Lane Poor Club #5;
Haggy Bass Club #7; Warmoth Club #18;
Tele Bass Club #24; MM Sterling Club #25;
B.C. Rich Club #52; U.S Peavey Club #306; Sunn Ownwers Club #82
Thank you so very much for this extremely valuable information. I think that is what I need to do as well. I was at a rehearsal the other day with my Stingray and EQed my GK 1001RBII to produce a very low, thunderous, bass heavy sound, and the d and strings sounded like they were not even "on." It was/is driving me insane and prompted me to return to my Fenders. I LOVE MM basses, their craftsmanship, color selections, its beefy, cutting tone.. but this one issue is the only thing that is just not perfect.
Will have to look into a pickup like the one you got. Is it for sale online? Or do you have to contact Lane directly?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bassclef112
I did exactly that and have improved the response of the G to a more normal level.
I bought a new Sterling in '94 and the weak G string gradually drove me nuts! I saw that it was a result of the string not being centered exactly over the pole piece.
I replaced the pickup with a Duncan Custom Shop MM with Alnico magnets. This was the very first aftermarket MM that copied the original Stingrays. It was special order and not cheap. Great pickup, but the round poles did not correct the problem - the G was still slightly off center and sounded as before. I knew I had to get a blade type.
I bought a Lane Poor (from Lane) that not only solved the problem but sounded great. This is the setup I have now, along witn an OBP-3.
If your G is weak, is centered exactly over the pole piece and still sounds weak you may have other issues. This is not an uncommon problem with MM's though, and I was able to correct it with a blade type MM pickup.
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Hi Axl! Hi Axl! Hi Axl! Where's Axl? Hi Axl! Hi Axl!
1) Classic 5, I have not noticed any problem with the G string.
2) Parts 5 stringer with Nord MM pickup... No G issue, I believe this was one of the intentions of Nordstrand.
3) Fretless Ray 4, tilted pickup without messing with pole heights and, Voila! Problem solved.
Thank you so very much for this extremely valuable information. I think that is what I need to do as well. I was at a rehearsal the other day with my Stingray and EQed my GK 1001RBII to produce a very low, thunderous, bass heavy sound, and the d and strings sounded like they were not even "on." It was/is driving me insane and prompted me to return to my Fenders. I LOVE MM basses, their craftsmanship, color selections, its beefy, cutting tone.. but this one issue is the only thing that is just not perfect.
Will have to look into a pickup like the one you got. Is it for sale online? Or do you have to contact Lane directly?
My issue was due to the G string not centered over the pole. Is this the issue for you? Have you tried lowering the bass side and raising the treble side (tilting)? Remember - if you EQ your amp to boost the lows and low mids, that's what you'll hear the loudest regardless of whether the D & G are weak or not. Those boosted frequencies will not affect them.
Lane went out of business years ago, but one of his former employees has restarted the line. http://www.lanepoor.com/
There are numerous excellent pickups out there for replacing the MM's. Just get a blade type. This could fix your problem, but may alter the signature MM sound. It may be a tradeoff you're not willing to make. Also check TB's own SGD Lutherie - I understand Dave's work is excellent as well. Speak to him about your concerns. http://www.sgd-lutherie.com/
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Yam BB Club #3; Lane Poor Club #5;
Haggy Bass Club #7; Warmoth Club #18;
Tele Bass Club #24; MM Sterling Club #25;
B.C. Rich Club #52; U.S Peavey Club #306; Sunn Ownwers Club #82
Also check TB's own SGD Lutherie - I understand Dave's work is excellent as well. Speak to him about your concerns. http://www.sgd-lutherie.com/
I make several pickups in MM shells. They all use blades, so you don't have weak G strings.
My ND3 humbuckers have a fuller tone than a stock MM when wired in series, while still having a bright crisp top end, but in parallel can sound very similar to the stock pickup. But the high strings are never thin sounding.
The SW4 Sidewinders are based on a Lane Poor design with improvements by me. They are fully shielded so there are no noise issues, a bit louder and fuller, while still having the open extended top end.
Another thing that might help a MM pickup is to stick a steel plate under the pickup between the two G string magnets. That should beef up the tone a bit. You wont be able to have the spring under it, but I would remove the springs and go with foam anyway.
__________________ SGD Lutherie Hand crafted pickups and electronics.
...Another thing that might help a MM pickup is to stick a steel plate under the pickup between the two G string magnets. That should beef up the tone a bit...
Beef up the tone, or the perceived volume? Those mean two different things to me.
Just trying to make sure I understand - I know guitarists play with baseplates to changes the magnetics of, say, Tele pickups... usually the report back is that it changes the tonal character (usually in the mids.)
