MM Stingray PUP replacement

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by HoofHearted94

Can't go wrong with Bartolini's

If he likes the stock tone, many might disagree.

[ronaldpdbrandt]

I vote carrots. I'd take the bass to a good luthier to check everything out and give it a professional setup. Dollars to donuts that'll fix the problem.

[mdogs]

Originally Posted by SGD Lutherie

It's doubtful that it's the pickup, since if it was defective all the strings would sound bad.

The only thing that differentiates ones string from another on that pickup is the magnets. And each string has two.

The first thing I would do is to take a steel object, like a paper clip or screw driver, and see if the magnets under the E string feel as strong as the rest.

It could be the bridge saddle.

Ya, this is pretty much what I thought, but I kind of feel like I have eliminated everything else. I will give it a thorough once over again and see if I can find anything. Thanks!

[JJR58]

Don't mind something a little different, looking to replace my pup with a Delano, any thoughts?

[4848277]

mdogs - Presuming your Stingray is a 4 string, the Nordstrand MM4.2 is an excellent replacement. The windings and pole pieces are supposedly made as close as possible to the same specs as the original, pre-Ernie Ball MM SR4 pickups.

I put one in mine with the windings connected in series and I'm loving it!

My only criticism is that Nordstrand no longer offers the pole piece grounding on these, so I had to add it myself.
Like this...


(This is a pic from the web. - It's not "my" pickup.)

...Which wasn't difficult for me. If you don't apply this mod, you'll get hum when (and if) any of your fingers touch a pole piece while playing. Other than that, the pickup fits in your original EBMM pickup cover so you can keep things looking original.

I hope this helps.
Good luck!

[JJR58]

How would you compare this to the SGD Lutherie?

[4848277]

Originally Posted by JJR58

How would you compare this to the SGD Lutherie?

JJR58 - I've never tried SGD Lutherie's pickups so I can't speak on any comparison. My previous post was directed at the original poster, mdogs. Sorry about the confusion.

Your question might be better directed to Carey, but for what it's worth, the Nordstrand MM4.2 should sound just like the original pre-Ernie Ball Music Man Stingray pickup. However, mine sounds louder, and deeper with more low end because I've wired it in series. (All stock SR4s come wired in parallel.) I believe SGD Lutherie said in an earlier post that his replacement Stingray pickups sound different than the stock Stingray pickups.

Cheers!

[DiabolusInMusic]

If you like the EBMM sound, stick with it. Just get in touch with a dealer and they'll hook it up, I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to the right person at EB though.

Also, it doesn't sound like your pickup isn't working, as mentioned earlier, it wouldn't just affect one string.

If you want a comical response, go to EBMM forums and ask about replacement parts, they are all raging fan boys over there and act like your a murderer of children for asking such a question. Wasn't much help when I looked for replacement P/U's...

[JJR58]

Gonna go for the Nordstrand and wire in series as you, sounds just like what i'm looking for, can't stand the zingy sound from the stock pup on my 97', thanks again.

[4848277]

You're welcome Jeff.

Zingy huh? Some people like it zingy. You might want to try it in parallel first anyway, just in case you like the vintage tone.

Don't forget that the pole pieces won't be grounded, so if you don't want any interference during play, you'll have to apply the mod I mentioned earlier. (Maybe you'll get lucky and receive "old" stock with this mod already applied...?)

Cheers!

[Crabby]

Originally Posted by DiabolusInMusic

If you like the EBMM sound, stick with it. Just get in touch with a dealer and they'll hook it up, I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to the right person at EB though.

Also, it doesn't sound like your pickup isn't working, as mentioned earlier, it wouldn't just affect one string.

If you want a comical response, go to EBMM forums and ask about replacement parts, they are all raging fan boys over there and act like your a murderer of children for asking such a question. Wasn't much help when I looked for replacement P/U's...

You cant expect much help looking for aftermarket parts advice on a web site exclusively hosted and paid for by Ernie Ball. EB Customer Service are great on the phone and would certainly help the OP with his pickup issue. EB basses do tend to lose a lot of resale value when aftermarket parts are installed although a pickup is usually not a big deal if the original is held onto. I would want the original repaired rather then go aftermarket on an EB bass. But hey, I'm just a "raging fan boy"

[topcat2069]

I used a Nordy 5.2 and a John East MMSR 2 Band pre and it sounded exactly like my '76 String Ray with an added low B string ....

[JJR58]

Yeah Tom, wanna get rid of some of the zing, doesn't need to be quite the vintage tone, more the characteristics if you know what i mean, that's why i thought with the Nord MM.2 wired in series would work well for me. as always, thanks, J

[SGD Lutherie]

Originally Posted by 4848277

I believe SGD Lutherie said in an earlier post that his replacement Stingray pickups sound different than the stock Stingray pickups.

This is correct. My MM pickups are the same as my other pickups, but in an MM shell.

So, if you wanted something less zingy the ND3 Neo pickup would do it. It can get zingy, but it has a smoother top end and a fuller tone.

[JJR58]

Thanks David, good to know, heard nothing but good things about your ND3.