Stingray differences?

[smeet]

Someday I hope to own a stingray or two... But there seem to be quite a few variations, and I don't know the differences. I understand the 2-band eq sounds warmer than the 3-band. Other than that I'm not sure.

What differences are there between the H and HH models other than the obvious extra pickup? Can the H get any tones that the HH cannot? Why would anybody get the instead of the HH (other than ergonomics related to slapping)?

Do the 5-strings have a different tone/preamp than the 4-strings, or is it really just a stingray with a low B?

There are some anniversary editions with different woods (tone block, etc), do these sound significantly different?

If I find an ad for a stingray 5HH, what do I need to ask to know how it sounds, or are they all basically the same?

[T. Alan Smith]

Honestly, you need to have one in your hands for a bit. None of us can tell you how it will feel to you. I own 3 EBMMs, so obviously they are what works for me. However, there are just as many who prefer Fender J's, Fender P's, Ricks or Gibsons.
If they were all the same, there wouldn't be different models or different options. Yes, Stingrays share an inherent tone. Only your ears can tell if it's your tone. Do you like Bernard Edwards' tone? ...Fleas live sound? The 5 has a slightly different pre from the 4 and has different pickup material as well.

[smeet]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

Honestly, you need to have one in your hands for a bit. None of us can tell you how it will feel to you. I own 3 EBMMs, so obviously they are what works for me. However, there are just as many who prefer Fender J's, Fender P's, Ricks or Gibsons.
If they were all the same, there wouldn't be different models or different options. Yes, Stingrays share an inherent tone. Only your ears can tell if it's your tone. Do you like Bernard Edwards' tone? ...Fleas live sound?

Yeah, I understand that. I'm obviously not asking which is best or which I should get, or which is best for metal. I want to know what the objective differences are, so when I see a for-sale ad I can evaluate what I would be likely to get if I bought it.

I've tried out a few Stingrays of various types, but I don't have a handle on what causes the differences between individual basses. Differing wiring, pickups, coil-splitting, series/parallel, different pickup locations, these are the kinds of differences I want to be aware of on the different models.

For instance, on the Bongo HH the bridge pickup is in a different location than on the Bongo H. I know that isn't true of the Stingray, but are there other non-obvious differences like that between the various Stingrays?

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

The 5 has a slightly different pre from the 4 and has different pickup material as well.

Is this consistent for all 5's vs all 4's? And subjectively, does this make a big difference to you in the way the EADG strings sound and feel, or is is fairly subtle?

[T. Alan Smith]

Not sure how consistent it is. The string spacing is different from the 4 to the 5(tighter), so that will affect feel. However, IMHO, the difference in sound is pretty subtle as Stingrays have a pretty distinct character.
Personally, I wouldn't sweat the pup configs. What kind of player are you? For my fretless 4 and fretted 5, I went single humbucker because I wanted a more traditional feel(and look). For my fretless Bongo 6, I went with the HS config based on people I know and trust what claimed that that config would better suit my style. I'd ask yourself if a more traditional instrument is a priority. If not, how much slapping do you do. As others have said, the HS ain't bad, but the HH would take some adaptation. Any config will prove an excellent tool to work with. Simply grab what inspires you then focus on the music.

[FunkMetalBass]

IIRC, the bridge pickup on the two-pickup bass (HH and HS) is moved back a bit from the single H models. That would create a slightly different tone.

I almost never use a neck pickup, so it'd be more ergonomic for me to get the single H version instead of spending extra for the HH or the HS.

[73jbass]

Originally Posted by FunkMetalBass

IIRC, the bridge pickup on the two-pickup bass (HH and HS) is moved back a bit from the single H models. That would create a slightly different tone.

I almost never use a neck pickup, so it'd be more ergonomic for me to get the single H version instead of spending extra for the HH or the HS.

The bridge pickup on the Bongo is moved back from the single H versions. The Sterling and Stingray variations have the rear pickup in the same spot as the single pickup version.

[smeet]

Originally Posted by T. Alan Smith

What kind of player are you?

I want the most versatile, playable, best-sounding instrument I can get, I don't care about tradition. I don't slap a lot, but when I do I can work around any pickup configuration I've ever seen. Also string spacing doesn't really bother me, as long as it's not too wide. So ergonomics are not really an issue for me, all the Stingrays I've tried feel good. I'm more interested in tonal variation.

Originally Posted by 73jbass

The bridge pickup on the Bongo is moved back from the single H versions. The Sterling and Stingray variations have the rear pickup in the same spot as the single pickup version.

That's what I had heard. So can the HH get all the same tones as the H, plus more? Or are there H-specific tones not available with the HH or HS models?

Really, I had pretty much decided that a 5HH was what I wanted, but then I wondered if there might be some Stingray sounds I couldn't get out of that configuration.

[bighead4G&L]

HH and HS Stingrays can get the same sound as an H only plus more...

[eyeballkid]

I have the H and the HH. The HH can do everything the H can do. In fact if you put the switch in position 1 you are only running the bridge pickup, so effectively you are playing a single H. The other 4 positions on the switch change which coils youre playing. It goes from both coils on the rear pickup (rear solo), to the outer coils on both pickups, to all coils on all pickups (which doesnt sound like youd expect...its actually my least favorite position!), to inner coils of both pickups, to both coils of the front pickup (neck solo).

I find that on my HH i use positions 1,2, and 4 only, with 4 being my fave. It is definately a more versatile bass than the single H, but its a little heavier.

[smeet]

Thanks!

[Caca de Kick]

Originally Posted by eyeballkid

I have the H and the HH. The HH can do everything the H can do.

Correction; the HH can do what the 3-band H can do. Which still isn't what a 2-band H is.

[xjeremiahx]

Originally Posted by bighead4G&L

HH and HS Stingrays can get the same sound as an H only plus more...

I've found that the HS, sounds a bit more full when using both pups than the HH config. I currently own a single H model, and will be ordering an HS config over the next few months.

I really like how gritty & dirty the single coil can be, and running it the position down 1...you get a HUGE sounding j-bass sound, which I've fallen in love with.

[LowB-ing]

IIRC this is only true of the HS. The HH cannot get the single H parallel tone (the classic stingray sound) as the pickups are wired in series. I seem to remember that this was not the case when the HH was first introduced, but the change came shortly after introduction.

Originally Posted by bighead4G&L

HH and HS Stingrays can get the same sound as an H only plus more...

[smeet]

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

Correction; the HH can do what the 3-band H can do. Which still isn't what a 2-band H is.

I've never played a 2-band Stingray. Does that only come on 4H models?

Originally Posted by xjeremiahx

I really like how gritty & dirty the single coil can be, and running it the position down 1...you get a HUGE sounding j-bass sound, which I've fallen in love with.

That sounds interesting... Are there samples of these settings anywhere?

Originally Posted by LowB-ing

IIRC this is only true of the HS. The HH cannot get the single H parallel tone (the classic stingray sound) as the pickups are wired in series. I seem to remember that this was not the case when the HH was first introduced, but the change came shortly after introduction.

That's a biggie for me. I have tried an HH and really liked it, but it was a few years ago, maybe that was wired in parallel... How can I tell for sure which way an instrument is wired?

[Devo-lution]

2eq has an other EQ

Treble knob is boost and cut with the middle point not exactly being in the middle and the bass knob is boost only.

[syciprider]

Visit the EBMM website and go through the instrument manuals. They will explain the different wiring setups.

Can't go wrong with an HH or HS though.