stingray pre amp question.

shirtforbrains · #1 08-26-2011, 08:52 PM

Wondering if over the years anything has changed with their pre amps in the stingray. I have a late 80's model that sounds great with all the knobs maxed out.

nivagues · #2 08-27-2011, 07:02 AM

The 2EQ pre-amp (Vol Treble & Bass) is exactly the same as it was in the Pre-EB days.

shirtforbrains · #3 08-27-2011, 09:39 AM

ok i have the 3 band eq.

Red Planet · #4 08-27-2011, 11:14 AM

I'm no expert but I did do some digging the other day regarding the different preamps. I think none of them have changed except the way they are built/size of the circuit board and how it mounts.

Perhaps someone with more info will come along.

delta7fred · #5 08-27-2011, 12:28 PM

IIRC the current 2 band has very minor changes from the pre EB preamp, not enough to make any differences to the sound. It's been a few years since I looked at them so my memory may be playing tricks on me.

The 3 band has not changed since it was introduced apart from construction technique (as far as I know).

The SR5 3 band that has a phantom coil for SC mode and has a lot more electronics in there

nivagues · #6 08-27-2011, 10:11 PM

THe 3EQ which was introduced in 1987 was the same as for both the SR4 and SR5. In c.1991 the 3EQ circuit changed for the SR5 (mainly to accomadate the phantom coil) and there's been several changes since then.

The 3EQ on the SR4 single H has remained the same electrically since 1987 but physical layout has changed several times. I'm pretty sure it's also remains the same for the SR4 HH and HH. If there is any difference there then it would be minor.

In short, the 3EQ for the SR5 is the one that's undergone electrical change.

delta7fred · #7 08-28-2011, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nivagues

In short, the 3EQ for the SR5 is the one that's undergone electrical change.

Thanks for the info. I had forgotten that the SR5 was originally available without the Series/SC/Parallel switch. I don't see many close up round these parts, only mine.

JTE · #8 08-28-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nivagues

The 2EQ pre-amp (Vol Treble & Bass) is exactly the same as it was in the Pre-EB days.

But which one? Leo made constant changes on the early preamps, sometimes daily. The potted ones especially vary tremendously with large differences. My first StingRay, ca 1979 had the bass control centered at a noticeably higher ( and much more useful) frequency than the ca '78 I had later.

It's likely the EB 2-band is identical to the final iteration of the PRE-EB pre, but it's a disservice to imply that an EB pre WILL be the same as any pre-EB pre.

John

trunkshope6 · #9 08-28-2011, 01:19 PM

i beleive its just the way they potted them in wax,to constructing them with chipboard

Caca de Kick · #10 08-28-2011, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

But which one?

It's likely the EB 2-band is identical to the final iteration of the PRE-EB pre, but it's a disservice to imply that an EB pre WILL be the same as any pre-EB pre.

Correct, it's supposed to be based on the 79 and later preamp which was stabilized in design by then. The pickup also stabilized in design as well. My 78 Ray with black epoxy pre is a different animal (and still better than anything else I've tried). I had an 81 and a new Classic at the same time and both were electronically similar as could be.

JTE · #11 08-28-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

i beleive its just the way they potted them in wax,to constructing them with chipboard

They were constructed on regular PC board, not chipboard (chipboard is that cardboard that's used in packing things like fan belts, bicycle inner tubes, and guitar strings). And they were dipped in epoxy, primarily to keep the components concealed until the patent process was completed.

John

Red Planet · #12 08-28-2011, 06:25 PM

What are the differences between the Treble and Bass on the 2Q and 3Q units precisely?

nivagues · #13 08-28-2011, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

But which one? Leo made constant changes on the early preamps, sometimes daily. The potted ones especially vary tremendously with large differences. My first StingRay, ca 1979 had the bass control centered at a noticeably higher ( and much more useful) frequency than the ca '78 I had later.

It's likely the EB 2-band is identical to the final iteration of the PRE-EB pre, but it's a disservice to imply that an EB pre WILL be the same as any pre-EB pre.

John

IMO it's based on the 1978 Pre-EB epoxy coated pre-amp which I believe is the same as the 1979 uncoated version. I haven't stripped the epoxy from a 1978 but the placement of parts on the board and leadout wire colouring is the same. To my ears its the same also. The 1977 epoxy has a different parts placement layout. The 1976 is different again with the addition of an outboard capacitor. (I am only aware of three versions of the epoxy pre-amps: 1976-78 inclusive).

When I say the 2EQ Ernie Ball is the same as the Pre-EB I'm refering to the 1978 (or 1979) onwards version which remained the same and used up to the end of the Pre-EB period for some six or seven years. The 1976 and 1977 version were only used for approx one year each.

Before the end of the Pre-EB period Electro capacitors were used but the circuit was the same. Ernie Ball has changed the board dimensions and parts layout over the years but the circuit remains the same except for the inclusion of a protection resistor and more recently, a protection diode in case of incorrect battery connection.

dslapster64 · #14 09-13-2011, 01:57 PM

I would like to jump in here. I recently bought a 1977 stingray with the epoxied preamp. Love it, but I am getting hissing when the treble is turned up. Actually, it gets a little glassy and loses the MM tone and warmth. Is it the preamp, pots, pickup, or all three? I'm skeptical about replacing such iconic components, but I will if I have to. Any thoughts?

Red Planet · #15 09-13-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dslapster64

I would like to jump in here. I recently bought a 1977 stingray with the epoxied preamp. Love it, but I am getting hissing when the treble is turned up. Actually, it gets a little glassy and loses the MM tone and warmth. Is it the preamp, pots, pickup, or all three? I'm skeptical about replacing such iconic components, but I will if I have to. Any thoughts?

I would just set it around half way and leave it. The thing will hiss if you crank it.

Red Planet · #16 09-13-2011, 02:48 PM

PRE-AMPS AND PUPS - Musicmanbass.org, Music Man, Musicman, Music Man Bass, Musicman Bass, Music Man Guitar

There is some good info on this site.

http://www.musicmanbass.org/default.htm

dslapster64 · #17 09-14-2011, 10:43 AM

Thanks for the advice. I had the tech take out the old epoxied preamp (77) & I may replace it. Should I go with a Classic SR pre or look elsewhere? Or should I just put it back in?

slick_tu · #18 09-14-2011, 11:45 AM

I've never owned an MM, but I guess, from what I've read here, that the 2-band and 3-band have different sounds? And that the current "Classic" 2-band sounds most like the pre-EB which had 2 bands?

Red Planet · #19 09-14-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dslapster64

Thanks for the advice. I had the tech take out the old epoxied preamp (77) & I may replace it. Should I go with a Classic SR pre or look elsewhere? Or should I just put it back in?

If there is nothing worng with it I would put it back in. It might need some love like new or cleaning the pots, jacl replacement, and other tweeks but if it works do not mess with it.

slick_tu · #20 09-14-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dslapster64

Thanks for the advice. I had the tech take out the old epoxied preamp (77) & I may replace it. Should I go with a Classic SR pre or look elsewhere? Or should I just put it back in?

With old Fenders, they maintain more value when they have original pots, etc. even down to original pickguards. Maybe something to keep in mind.