Stingray/Sterling question.

[Mike M.]

Back in the late 70's I had a Stingray bass. Loved it except for one thing: the G string always sounded rather thin to me compared to the others. Tried adjusting that pickup every imaginable way, tried differant string brands but I just couldn't get that string to have the same "umph factor" as the other strings, where as my Jazz bass had plenty of meat to the sound of the G string. Differant animals yeah, but it was a bit annoying.

Any such issues at all with the current 5 string, single pickups Stingray's or Sterling's?

Thanks for your time. Have a good weekend.

[WarriorJoe7]

Ive heard before that this was rather common with old stingrays, not so with newer ones

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by WarriorJoe7

Ive heard before that this was rather common with old stingrays, not so with newer ones

That's encouraging to hear. Seems like either bass is very well liked on this forum so I can only assume that issue was taken care of.

While I tried a Sterling 5 and seem to like it, I cannot find a single pickup 5 string Stingray anywhere. Sure would like to find one so I can compare for myself. Never hurt to ask in the meantime. Thanks for responding.

Anybody else?

[sundaybender]

Mike -

I too had an old "B00" Stingray ('79 in Rootbeer brown with maple board) and the G string was definitely weaker sounding that the other three strings. I actually ended up selling the bass for that very reason.

I have since had a few modern 'Rays, and currently play a Stingray 5 HH, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that the problem has been solved. The output volume sounds dead even across the strings.

Also, my 5HH, in bridge pickup only position, sounds so much like my old single pickup Stingray 5 that I could never justify the single pickup model ever again. The HH nails that classic stingray tone, and then is about 3 billon times more versatile thanks to the second pickup blending options, allowing me to finally use the Stingray on every tune at a gig, rather than only the "super punchy" ones.

YMMV of course!

[Mike M.]

Originally Posted by sundaybender

Mike -

I too had an old "B00" Stingray ('79 in Rootbeer brown with maple board) and the G string was definitely weaker sounding that the other three strings. I actually ended up selling the bass for that very reason.

I have since had a few modern 'Rays, and currently play a Stingray 5 HH, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that the problem has been solved. The output volume sounds dead even across the strings.

Also, my 5HH, in bridge pickup only position, sounds so much like my old single pickup Stingray 5 that I could never justify the single pickup model ever again. The HH nails that classic stingray tone, and then is about 3 billon times more versatile thanks to the second pickup blending options, allowing me to finally use the Stingray on every tune at a gig, rather than only the "super punchy" ones.

YMMV of course!

Well, well....this is even better to hear! The thing I DID like about my old Stingray (other than the G string) was how easily I was able to get a great sound using either my fingers or a pick, due to the basses controls. Better than any other bass I've owned.

This is indeed encouraging to hear! I did see a few of the HH models at a Guitar Center but for some reason I didn't bother. But based on what you've said I'm going to be more open minded and am going to check them out.

Thanks for your time. Much appreciated!