Stingray, weak G?

almightycrunch · #1 07-18-2011, 07:34 PM

I've seen this posted a bit, if this is the case, has anyone pinpointed the issue?? Is it polepiece position? is it the bridge?

stflbn · #2 07-18-2011, 07:40 PM

IMHO... perception and people looking for it.

Raise the treble side of the pickup or lower the bass side of the pickup, and it will likely take care of what you're hearing.

JTE · #3 07-18-2011, 07:58 PM

My '78 had a real problem that wasn't resolved by pickup nor EQ adjustment. But finding the right strings did. For me that was Ken Smith Rockmasters 45-105. Never had a problem with my '79.

John

almightycrunch · #4 07-18-2011, 10:00 PM

Just was kinda curious, I dont exactly have the problem, I dont have a Stingray, just a copy of one. But it struck me kind of odd, that something like that could be inherently problematic with them. And if there was a problem, it would seem that it would have to be limited to polepiece positioning, or the bridge, or the nut or break angle, or something you'd be able to remedy somehow.

Down_Low · #5 07-19-2011, 12:03 AM

Never noticed it on mine.

Of course a lot of people just keep repeating what they read on the Internet without having any actual experience, so I'd dare say there's a lot less weak g strings out there than what you think.

pjmuck · #6 07-19-2011, 12:27 AM

I own/have owned several Pre-EB and EB basses. To answer your question: Yes, the "problem" exists on the Stingray, though it's debatable whether or not it's a problem (which is why I've got "problem" in quotes). I have to believe the 3-1 tuning head setup might come into play.

It's not that the G string has a weaker output, it's the voicing of the string in relation to the rest of the strings, which can make it sound imbalanced. There's an inherent thinness to the tone, depending on your string gauge, type, and pre-amp. Not so noticeable when playing fingerstyle, but slapping, it's definitely there. The 2 band Pre-EB 'Rays exhibit a less noticeable discrepancy. I own a '80 Stingray and had a '97 3 band 'Ray as well. The '97 definitely was more noticeable, though adjusting the PUP's height and switching to a .50 string gauge helped (and practically disappeared when I switched to flats). But the general tone of that G string regardless can be considered a key element of the Stingray signature sound, IMO.

onosson · #7 07-19-2011, 12:43 AM

I have a 5-String EBMM Sub bass, and had noticed the same thing with the top string (which has been G and is currently high C). Simply raising the pickup on that side and lowering it slightly on the other was all the compensation needed to balance things out.

number11 · #8 07-19-2011, 01:51 AM

hwat you'll find is that people can be defensive / in denial about it - but it certainly does exist, and raising and lowering the pickup doesn't sort it.

I put a steel washer on the polepiece and that helped a little.
Its a design flaw with the pickup itself, and if you look at the way the string crosses the polepiece, compared to the others, its a little off-centre,

I reckon thats a lot to dow ith it

Epitaph04 · #9 07-19-2011, 02:32 AM

Do Bongos share the same problem?

Caca de Kick · #10 07-19-2011, 02:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by number11

and if you look at the way the string crosses the polepiece, compared to the others, its a little off-centre,

The G no more off-center than the E string.

mongo2 · #11 07-19-2011, 03:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caca de Kick

The G no more off-center than the E string.

The E string is more massive than the G string. Maybe that has something to do with it.

arsie · #12 07-19-2011, 04:17 AM

Some people suggest that it has to do with the pre-amp, and I am inclined to believe it.

funkstag · #13 07-19-2011, 04:26 AM

I'm not sure if we are talking about Stingrays in general, but my '10 (lol) Stingray doesn't have this problem

dave64o · #14 07-19-2011, 06:13 AM

I've seen this topic pop up here quite a few times, but I've never noticed the output of the G on my SR5 being low. For that matter, I've never really noticed ANYTHING about my SR5 being anything less than up front and in your face!

GBassNorth · #15 07-19-2011, 06:41 AM

I have a preEB stingray - no problem. A newer Stingray 5 - no problem. A SUB5 - no problem. A 5 string Jazz bass that I dropped a Delano Stingray pickup into the bridge location - no problem. Two 5 string P basses one with a Bart Stingray pickup (no visible poles) and one with an EB Stingray pickup (poles) both located in vintage Stingray positions - no problem. Played scores of Stingrays in stores and studios - no problem. Installed preEB copycat preamps in Jazz and humbucker basses - no problem. Used EB Flats, DR Black Beauties, Rotosound Tapewound, LaBella Tapewound, Optima Golds, EB Super Slinkys, and Chromes - no problems. The tuning key layouts on my EB and modded basses with Stingray pickups and/or preamps include inline 5, 4+1, 3+2, 3+1 and inline 4 - no problems.
Either I'm one lucky schmuck or I have a hearing problem or there's very little to this issue other than a good set up.

Rick Blanc · #16 07-19-2011, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBassNorth

I have a preEB stingray - no problem. A newer Stingray 5 - no problem. A SUB5 - no problem. A 5 string Jazz bass that I dropped a Delano Stingray pickup into the bridge location - no problem. Two 5 string P basses one with a Bart Stingray pickup (no visible poles) and one with an EB Stingray pickup (poles) both located in vintage Stingray positions - no problem. Played scores of Stingrays in stores and studios - no problem. Installed preEB copycat preamps in Jazz and humbucker basses - no problem. Used EB Flats, DR Black Beauties, Rotosound Tapewound, LaBella Tapewound, Optima Golds, EB Super Slinkys, and Chromes - no problems. The tuning key layouts on my EB and modded basses with Stingray pickups and/or preamps include inline 5, 4+1, 3+2, 3+1 and inline 4 - no problems.
Either I'm one lucky schmuck or I have a hearing problem or there's very little to this issue other than a good set up.

Clearly, you're in denial.

reverendrally · #17 07-19-2011, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onosson

I have a 5-String EBMM Sub bass, and had noticed the same thing with the top string (which has been G and is currently high C). Simply raising the pickup on that side and lowering it slightly on the other was all the compensation needed to balance things out.

+1

it does exist. not hard to fix though.

Lindsay · #18 07-19-2011, 07:44 AM

The G, and the D to a lesser extent, of my 79 Stingray get lost in the mix. Tilting the pickup towards the treble helped a bit.

My 79 Sabre doesn't have the problem and neither do any of my EB era basses.

I find I can EQ the weakness out using certain heads, in particular my MB F1.

bovinehost · #19 07-19-2011, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

Do Bongos share the same problem?

Bongos use very different materials. The easy answer is "no".

johnk_10 · #20 07-19-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pjmuck

It's not that the G string has a weaker output, it's the voicing of the string in relation to the rest of the strings, which can make it sound imbalanced. There's an inherent thinness to the tone.......................

+1. IMO. this describes the issue exactly.

BTW, when i worked with Leo, he even said that it was a problem, so IMO, anyone that doesn't want to admit it, is in denial.

that said, i still love my single pickup 2 band ray regardless.