SR5 sounds different than 4 string Rays?

[king_biscuit]

I really like the ceramic SR5s.

[Stone Soup]

I don't have a problem getting (really) close to the classic 4 string Ray sound out of the parallel position of my ceramic Ray 5. It sounds almost identical to the Chili Peppers Higher Ground cover. I've been told by a few players that I "got a good one". It's a really great sounding bass.

I think string choice is really important with Stingrays. Some strings that sound great on a Jazz (for instance) don't sound as good on the Ray.

[DeliriumTremens]

Originally Posted by Stone Soup

I don't have a problem getting (really) close to the classic 4 string Ray sound out of the parallel position of my ceramic Ray 5. It sounds almost identical to the Chili Peppers Higher Ground cover. I've been told by a few players that I "got a good one". It's a really great sounding bass.

I think string choice is really important with Stingrays. Some strings that sound great on a Jazz (for instance) don't sound as good on the Ray.

I think Higher Ground was a Spector...

[Freddels]

I like the tone Ron is getting here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT1LANso6hE

[Stone Soup]

Originally Posted by DeliriumTremens

I think Higher Ground was a Spector...

okay...

this video from '89 shows him playing a Stingray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQVKfnkrmzw

[DeliriumTremens]

Originally Posted by Stone Soup

okay...

just HG doesn't sound much like a Stingray, it has a twangier sound

[Bert Slide]

I have a 2000 SR5 and a 2011 classic 4 with roasted neck so from what I gather here they both have ceramic pickups. I think the tones are pretty similar barring the differences between a 3 vs. 2-band EQ. One thing I notice on the classic 4 that I don't on the 5 is the lack of volume on the G string that is a common complaint of Stingray owners.

[Tupac]

Originally Posted by Clef_de_fa

Let's not forget that in the case of BSSM ... it has a lot of studio magic thrown in it

As for the bass ... well to me it is kind of obvious ... the shape of the SR5 and SR4 is different also it didn,t have the same magnet for a very long time. So I think those two things is why the sound is different.

From watching Funky Monks, it looks like Flea mic'd it from an Ampeg with Marshall heads or something.



That's a screenshot from Funky Monks with his SR5. It's not seen too often in it. (sorry for turning this thread in another Flea thread!)

[DeliriumTremens]

I'd bet a million bucks those are Frusciante's amps

[Stone Soup]

Originally Posted by DeliriumTremens

just HG doesn't sound much like a Stingray, it has a twangier sound

It sounds just like my Stingray 5 H in parallel.

[Freddels]

Originally Posted by Bert Slide

I have a 2000 SR5 and a 2011 classic 4 with roasted neck so from what I gather here they both have ceramic pickups. I think the tones are pretty similar barring the differences between a 3 vs. 2-band EQ. One thing I notice on the classic 4 that I don't on the 5 is the lack of volume on the G string that is a common complaint of Stingray owners.

The Classic series Stingrays have alnico humbuckers.

[Jason Brown]

Originally Posted by Smallmouth_Bass

I thought Blood Sugar Sex Magic was recorded on a Wal.

It was, except for the two songs with low B, Funky Monks and The Righteous & The Wicked.

[bigsnack]

Originally Posted by Stone Soup

It sounds just like my Stingray 5 H in parallel.

Flea recorded Mother's Milk with a Spector.

Edit: To keep this post on topic, I still have my SR5. I ended up putting a Nordstrand 5.2 in it, and I completely removed the 3-way switch and installed a John East MM preamp. I enjoy playing the bass a LOT more now, because it truly sounds a lot closer to an actual SR4. After all, that was one of the main reasons that I wanted it in the first place!

[Clef_de_fa]

Originally Posted by Tupac

From watching Funky Monks, it looks like Flea mic'd it from an Ampeg with Marshall heads or something.



That's a screenshot from Funky Monks with his SR5. It's not seen too often in it. (sorry for turning this thread in another Flea thread!)

The thing is, with studio recording they can mix things up, apply a lot of EQ, effect and whatnot ... so the sound isn't straight foward at all.

Also I think it is Fruschiante's amp you see not what Flea used. Even then ... as a said, he may as well use 6 differents amp on every song and a direct signal, lots of EQ etc.

So to me tryin to acheive the sound of a recording in a live situation or in your bedroom because you like it ... it is kind of like a dog chaise his own tail.

[bassgod0dmw]

Originally Posted by Stone Soup

okay...

this video from '89 shows him playing a Stingray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQVKfnkrmzw

That's live.

In the studio, I'm fairly certain that both Uplift and Mother's Milk were done with a Spector.

[bigsnack]

I did some digging, and there may actually be some truth to the Marshalls being a part of the bass sound on BSSM! Here's a quote:

"His favorite studio setup—copped from Chris Squire producer Eddie Offord—splits his signal between a ’67 50-watt Marshall Plexi guitar head/’69 Marshall keyboard 8x10 and a ’59 Bassman with a custom 1x15. “That bass tone stands the test of time. I crank it up—there’s a lot of guitar to cut through, and the Marshall gives me midrange. It’s that nasal, honking sound."

"He cites the big, wide sound of “Pruno” as an example of his favorite Marshall/Bassman tone." (off the album "No. 4")

This is regarding Brendan O'Brien and his recording techniques, not necessarily Flea's tone specifically.

[Tupac]

Bomp.

[Fuzzbass]

Depends on how particular you want to be. To my ears, the SR5 has plenty of MM magic.

The original SR4s (Leo era) had a different preamp that was more colored (extra sizzle), and they sound different than all of the EB SR basses, regardless of the # of strings.