StingRay pickup question

[jallenbass]

Other than the MM pickups, which aftermarket replacement sounds the most like a StingRay? I know there is some variation in sound among the MM line but I'm not that knowledgeable about them. This will be for a project so no "buy a SR" advice please. Also, which preamp would match up well with your recommendation?

[Jim C]

I have no direct experience but have read that the Nordy pup and the John East preamps are your best store bought alternatives

[73jbass]

I had good results with the Basslines alnico in a few Sterlings several years ago.

[topcat2069]

Originally Posted by Jim C

I have no direct experience but have read that the Nordy pup and the John East preamps are your best store bought alternatives

I do have direct experience.......

It's what I'm using (Nordy MM5.2 & JE MMSR 2Band EQ) it sounds exactly like my old 1976 String Ray.

(of course there is that thing about the Rosewood fingerboard and that pesky B string)

[depalm]

I use Nordstrand pickups. Amazing vintage MM sound, solid construction, great costumers service. No experience with this specific East preamp but Mr East is very nice. Worth drop him a line.

[basswave]

The Nordstrand sound killer...
To my ears its core late 70's Stingray tone but a touch smoother.

[MikeyB]

FWIW, my main bass is a Sterling and I wanted to cop that tone in my Stingray SLO.
I tried Basslines (too smooth), G&L MFD (interesting/different), and Nordstrand.
Nordstrand was the closest of the aftermarket pups, but I found an old MM Sterling pickup and put that in and obviously it's the closest I'm gonna get.

The modded SLO still sounds a fair bit different than my Sterling though.

[jallenbass]

I'm realizing that my project will be a short scale and narrow string spacing (17mm?). I probably need to look at bar magnet pickups. Delano, EMG, SGD or Bartolini most likely.