What pu/pre come closest to Ernie Ball MM?

maconbass · #1 09-22-2007, 04:46 PM

What aftermarket pickup and preamp combination come the closest to the sound of a stock Ernie Ball StingRay 5? I am really wanting to have the sound of a stock SR5 with the feel and playability of a more modern bass if it's even possible (MTD Kingston, Tobias Growler, etc.).

Dave Muscato · #2 09-22-2007, 06:27 PM

I am interested in this, too (looking to replace the pup/pre in my MTD Kingston Artist 5 with something higher-end).

bassman74 · #3 09-22-2007, 07:24 PM

I tried both SD ceramic and Nordstrand MM4.2. They were both wired to an aguilar OBP-3. THey both sounds great but they also sound different. The SD miss a little something which is hard to describe but very close to the original MM. The Nordstrand sounded more like a modulus fleabass with sweeter highs. Very detailed but you needed EQ to get a MM tone. in a few weeks i'll play my new bass with ash body, >Nordstrand MM4.2 and kent armstrong 3 band preamp. I'll keep you updated.

Dave Muscato · #4 09-23-2007, 02:00 AM

Thanks! Looking forward to the update.

maconbass · #5 09-23-2007, 10:19 AM

Me too! I'm really leaning toward picking up a Kingston Artist 5 in my "StingRay sound with modern feel" quest.

nickbear · #6 09-23-2007, 10:52 AM

i would like to know this as well, i want to replace the stock pickup in my stingray as the poles are quite rusted and no amount of elbow grease can remove it. i dont want to change the tone though.. i dont suppose musicman would sort me out with another?

xbradx · #7 09-23-2007, 05:19 PM

i'd recommend the Nordie with one of John East's custom 2 or 3 band MM pre's. Probably the closest you'll come to the classic, vintage MM sound without the real thing.

Crabby · #8 09-23-2007, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbear

i would like to know this as well, i want to replace the stock pickup in my stingray as the poles are quite rusted and no amount of elbow grease can remove it. i dont want to change the tone though.. i dont suppose musicman would sort me out with another?

Contact Ernie Ball customer service. I am quite certain they wioll sell you a replacement if you forward the old one to them first. They keep a tight lid on anyone using their parts in other bases or bastardizing their basses so they have some protocols in place.

It may sound snobbish but i think its pretty classy that EMBB are more interested in the integrity of their instruments then in making lots of money selling parts to would be custom guitar makers.

If you're willing to provide model, serial number for your instrument and can send the old pup to them, it should not be an issue to obtain a replacement.

Dave Muscato · #9 09-23-2007, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xbradx

i'd recommend the Nordie with one of John East's custom 2 or 3 band MM pre's. Probably the closest you'll come to the classic, vintage MM sound without the real thing.

Thanks for the tip. I'll check it out.

For anyone else who's interested, the MTD Artist 5s are terrific basses, if you're looking for a modern feel with a MM tone. My Artist is quickly becoming my favorite bass.

spideyjg · #10 09-23-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickbear

i would like to know this as well, i want to replace the stock pickup in my stingray as the poles are quite rusted and no amount of elbow grease can remove it. i dont want to change the tone though.. i dont suppose musicman would sort me out with another?

Unless you are gonna get tetanus leave it alone. Changing the pickup is the greatest risk of altering your tone.

Look at my Sabre pickups. This was after scrubbing with a fiberglass pen to remove the rust. Unless it goes bad leave it alone.

maconbass · #11 09-25-2007, 03:30 PM

Spidey,
I can't tell from the pic's, but are the pole pieces concave now? Maybe its an illusion.

spideyjg · #12 09-25-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maconbass

Spidey,
I can't tell from the pic's, but are the pole pieces concave now? Maybe its an illusion.

Nah, the E and G are flush but the A and D do stick up a bit. They are so dark you can't tell in the pic.

I hear talk of weak D and G response on Stingrays but this one if anything E and A are the weaker.

Jim

needmoney · #13 09-26-2007, 03:53 AM

The bass in my avatar has a Nordstrand MM5.2 and an Aguilar OBP-1 2 Band preamp. With the Ash/Maple it sounds ridiculously cloes to an EB Stingray, nails the tone.

LOL It's you again maconbass. I just told you what you already know from the other thread!

needmoney · #14 09-26-2007, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maconbass

Me too! I'm really leaning toward picking up a Kingston Artist 5 in my "StingRay sound with modern feel" quest.

They are great basses! The necks feel wonderful, although I personally don't mesh well with the 35" scale when playing standing. The tone is somewhat different to your average EB Stingray, while it's in the same ballpark, I just feel it lacks in the midrange (probably due to the basswood body), and the top-end is a bit clanky. Nice and punchy though for sure! The Nordstrand MM pickups have mids in buckets, so they could be a great add-on for the Artist 5's!

P.S. Not sure if I mentioned it in the other thread, but if you ever notice one of these for sale in the TB classifieds, or anywhere else, don't pass it up! Killer Stingray vibe with an amazing neck profile (thin and wide), 34" scale and 19mm spacing. Amazing instruments for the price! Preamps are a bit shotty, but the stock pickup sounds great in passive (I ripped the preamp out of my old one).

TBC AP-500M!

Rick_no7 · #15 09-26-2007, 04:15 AM

They were selling a few of those TBC's on their website a few days ago if anyone's interested. Looks like they got their USA factory up and running.

There's one in their Ebay shop right now.

maconbass · #16 09-26-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by needmoney

The bass in my avatar has a Nordstrand MM5.2 and an Aguilar OBP-1 2 Band preamp. With the Ash/Maple it sounds ridiculously cloes to an EB Stingray, nails the tone.

LOL It's you again maconbass. I just told you what you already know from the other thread!

You've got me talked into the Nord/OBP-1 combo. I actually already have the OBP-1 laying around doing nothing. I bought it from a music store going out of business a couple years ago for $40. I'll finally get to use it. I'm looking for a Kingston 5 to try it out. I currently have a MTD535 and used to have a Grendel. I love the feel of MTD's.

Dave Muscato · #17 09-27-2007, 01:35 AM

Macon, you might check out the Heir model, also. It's the same as the Artist, except that it also has a neck Jazz pickup.... not much of a price difference, but a lot more versatile tonally.

maconbass · #18 09-27-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Muscato

Macon, you might check out the Heir model, also. It's the same as the Artist, except that it also has a neck Jazz pickup.... not much of a price difference, but a lot more versatile tonally.

Actually I want to stick with the single MM pickup because of the position. I LOVE the sound of the single pu StingRays. I have a MTD 535 that will remain my main bass for versatility. If I can just get one good MM tone, Ill be happy.