Almost a Stingray Build

[andymcclure]

A while back, I acquired this Stingray SUB body, along with a few other bits, from frequent TB-er @waynobass . My goal was to build a vintage-style fretless Stingray, as I didn't have $3200 for the custom option from Ernie Ball (or $8K for the 1979 on Reverb at the moment). I watched Reverb closely, but didn't find much. I like this color, and the price was right, so I bought it with no real plan.

I got a neck made by Neil at G&B in the UK, Hipshot tuners, and a vintage-style pre from Bud's Quality Fun Stuff / @TriumphRider99 . (I have since seen several good options on Reverb, but I already bought darn near everything, so here we go.)

I haven't made a final decision on the pickup. I currently have two pickups: the original SUB (which is probably not awesome) and a Seymour Duncan SMB-4A (which is probably great but less vintage-y.) There's a local guy (Ted Vig @ Vig Guitars) who makes fantastic pickups, and I may see about having him make a vintage-y pickup for this. I'm also considering the Guitar Fetish GFS MM Pro Plus, which is theoretically made to original MM specs.

Anyway, Waynobass suggested that I create a thread when I started assembly, so here is that thread. I finally have enough parts to start work. Next step will be to desolder the current electronics, clean up the cavities, and add shielding paint as needed. Expect this to be a long, slow build, as my free time is quite limited.

(If there is a better sub for this thread, please let me know, and I'll move it.)

 

[Brian Patterson]

I'm listening...LOL
Seriously, this looks very intersting...

 

[TriumphRider99]

Excellent choice on that preamp. I have used the GFS pickup and it's great, especially since it only costs $40! The only drawback is that it is wired in series. Not sure why they did that. You can't change the wiring either. Still, it does sound great.

My favorite pickup to use for the vintage sound, coupled with that preamp, is the Nordstrand MM4.2. The Aguilar M series pickup is also excellent, but more expensive. You can often find the Nordstrand for around $100, sometimes less. Using any other pickup, especially one with a ceramic magnet, will not yield that vintage Stingray tone.

Nice project. Will look forward to seeing how it goes.

 

[ThaCoast]

I just today installed a Duncan SMB4-A in a bold logo SUB ray4 bass, had wired it in parallel with the stock preamp, & it reminded me of very old school stingray tone. Albeit the preamp isn't the best quality overall, but gets the job done, i may opt to upgrade to another 2 band preamp (probably nordstrand). The duncan pickup wired in series sounds full, but still very articulate compared to the stock ceramic pickup it came with.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with it, my two cents!

 

[TriumphRider99]

I just today installed a Duncan SMB4-A in a bold logo SUB ray4 bass, had wired it in parallel with the stock preamp, & it reminded me of very old school stingray tone. Albeit the preamp isn't the best quality overall, but gets the job done, i may opt to upgrade to another 2 band preamp (probably nordstrand). The duncan pickup wired in series sounds full, but still very articulate compared to the stock ceramic pickup it came with.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with it, my two cents!

I am somewhat reticent to blow my own horn, but the preamp I build is an EXACT duplicate of the original pre-EB Stingray preamp, down to a clone of the original op-amp which contributes to give that vintage tone. There is certainly nothing wrong with the Nordstrand preamp, but mine is just as high quality, is guaranteed longer (one year, parts and labor) and costs a LOT less ($99 plus free shipping). Available on the usual platforms.

 

[ThaCoast]

I am somewhat reticent to blow my own horn, but the preamp I build is an EXACT duplicate of the original pre-EB Stingray preamp, down to a clone of the original op-amp which contributes to give that vintage tone. There is certainly nothing wrong with the Nordstrand preamp, but mine is just as high quality, is guaranteed longer (one year, parts and labor) and costs a LOT less ($99 plus free shipping). Available on the usual platforms.

Thanks for the suggestion, & by all means, flaut your work! its not a for now thing, but will keep this in mind when the time comes. & not to sound/come off as defensive, i'll have a better idea of what i'd opt for preamp wise, given the context of band mix (pop punk kinda blink 182/mxpx). I mentioned nordstrand because i've got their 2b-3a preamp in one of my home built basses & i love the way it enhances the tone rather than having its own baked in sound , if that makes sense.

 

[TriumphRider99]

Thanks for the suggestion, & by all means, flaut your work! its not a for now thing, but will keep this in mind when the time comes. & not to sound/come off as defensive, i'll have a better idea of what i'd opt for preamp wise, given the context of band mix (pop punk kinda blink 182/mxpx). I mentioned nordstrand because i've got their 2b-3a preamp in one of my home built basses & i love the way it enhances the tone rather than having its own baked in sound , if that makes sense.

Yep, that makes total sense. It all depends on what tone you are going for. When people buy my preamp (and I also put this info in the ad) I make sure they understand that if they want to re-create that vintage Stingray tone, that it is the combination of preamp and pickup that does the job. One or the other will not do it. So long as my customers understand that, they are of course free to install them in whatever they choose. I am currently working on putting that very same preamp in a pedal housing so that my customers will be able to use them with any bass they like without having to do surgery. The pedal version shouldn't cost too much more than the onboard one.