"clanky" Stingray

[Michael Jewels]

Here's another example of a non-clanky Stingray tone.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GX0oFijxgY

You can hear that the treble is rolled back pretty far.

Mmmm, so yummy.

And it sits so well in the mix.

Mike

 

[mikeswals]

I do have to say it's kinda not fair bringing up Pino, Paul Denman, and for that matter Tony Levin's tones from Peter Gabriels popular work in the early days.
These guys were using 2-band eq StingRays, or a Sabre in the case of some of Tony's famous work. Here I go, bringing it up again...but it's true, the 2eq's sound warmer and less noisy.

 

[bovinehost]

I just saw Tony Levin a few months back, playing a Bongo.

Guess what he sounded like.

But I'll try to be more "fair" in the future and not bring up guys who are identified, apparently, with the 2 band EQ.

Because yes, no doubt about it, the difference between the 2 band and 3 band, especially when you add in drums, guitars, horn sections, keyboards, singers, a marimba or two, well, the difference is just HUGE.

This thread is very educational.

 

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Im glad to know the 2-band EQ wouldnt sound any different to the 3-band i use with my stingray.

Keep everything flat.

Why **** with perfection

 

[Chad Michael]

Michael Jewels -

Long -time fan of Sade, and Paul Denman. Just listened to Diamond Life cd yesterday .

 

[mikeswals]

Well Jack, to me a Bongo sounds more tame than a 3eq StingRay...well alot more like a 2eq model. But Tony's sound has always pretty much been dripping with effects.

 

[king_biscuit]

I've played the two band models in the past, but recently had the chance to really test drive an ealy 90s SR 2 band. No doubt it is more mellow (less sizzly) than my three band models. It still has an active sound, though, which sounds great. btw, some people sure get awful defensive when anything but blind admiration is showered upon any EB product...

 

[flipper_gv]

flat is the way to go

 

[bovinehost]

Everyone has their own tastes and opinions and I try to not get involved in the "Stingray or Jazz" kind of threads. Who cares what I think? The popularity of those types of threads is mystifying, but okay, fine, go nuts.

And if an Ernie Ball bass doesn't float your boat, I hardly ever lose sleep wondering what more I could have done, so let's not go overboard here with my "blind" loyalty.

But this issue is just WEIRD to me. I wouldn't play a clanky bass. The Stingray is no more inherently clanky than any other well-made bass. Now if it just comes down to a few people saying they are and a few people saying they aren't, let's just call it a thread because no one's opinion is going to be changed.

I played my decidely UN-clanky Stingray for four hours last night. Not a clank in sight. Must be just me.

 

[king_biscuit]

And if an Ernie Ball bass doesn't float your boat, I hardly ever lose sleep wondering what more I could have done, so let's not go overboard here with my "blind" loyalty.

I love EB basses and have for years. That doesn't mean they are themselves perfect, or perfect for everyone.

 

[mikeswals]

Well, I love them all really. And having several vintage and new SR4's with 3eq and 2eq, couple HH's and a Sabre, I sure love the different sounds available to me. Variety is the spice of life.

 

[Ostinato]

I do have to say it's kinda not fair bringing up Pino, Paul Denman, and for that matter Tony Levin's tones from Peter Gabriels popular work in the early days.
These guys were using 2-band eq StingRays, or a Sabre in the case of some of Tony's famous work. Here I go, bringing it up again...but it's true, the 2eq's sound warmer and less noisy.

..and you can bet that those frets have been lowered by a few recrowns through the years. People tend to overlook that the frets on new EB basses are mutha friggin JUMBO frets..that'll contribute somewhat to the purported clank.

 

[Fender32]

..and you can bet that those frets have been lowered by a few recrowns through the years. People tend to overlook that the frets on new EB basses are mutha friggin JUMBO frets..that'll contribute somewhat to the purported clank.

Couldn't agree more, Ostinato!

I'm sure that the main reason that my pre-EB sounds "woody and warm", compared to my EBMM 'Ray, is that the strings are always in contact with the fretboard when fretted (thanks to the well-worn, narrow, "vintage" frets ). On the newer bass, the strings are just "floating" in between two metal ridges - it has to have some impact on the amplified sound, as the acoustic tone is vastly different between the two .

Here's a picture of them, just to liven things up a little ...

 

[Ostinato]

Couldn't agree more, Ostinato!

I'm sure that the main reason that my pre-EB sounds "woody and warm", compared to my EBMM 'Ray, is that the strings are always in contact with the fretboard when fretted (thanks to the well-worn, narrow, "vintage" frets ). On the newer bass, the strings are just "floating" in between two metal ridges - it has to have some impact on the amplified sound, as the acoustic tone is vastly different between the two .

Here's a picture of them, just to liven things up a little ...

I believe I just soiled the front of my pantaloons.

...Yeah that fingerboard on the left looks very teh comfy.

 

[bgavin]

I have a new SR5/HH that I ordered last May, and have been playing since Labor Day.

Mine was expertly set up by Bass Northwest, but after lots of playing I was also annoyed by the clank. In my case, the BNW setup is so close to the board, that I am getting fret clank.

My solution was adding just a nudge of neck relief with the truss rod adjust wheel. Just a smidge of a turn gave sufficient relief to get rid of the clank. Strings are the stock EB Slinky nickels. I find SS too harsh/clanky, but this isn't fret clank.

My SR5/HH is quite brilliant, but easily tamed by dialing down the Treble tone control. I also find the tone is strongly influenced by different amps and speakers.

 

[BadB]

bobalu,

The fret clank, (sort of Steve Harris clank?), isn't going to disappear with EQ unless you make very radical changes. The 'Ray, while a very durable and tough bass, tends to be rather sensitive to touch. I play way too hard to get a clean sound on my Sterling. I find that I have either play lightly (for me) off of the bridge p'up or I get too much fret clank. I ended up putting a little relief in the neck (1/8-1/4 turn) so that I can play a little harder and play off of the neck p'up, too. The concession was a little less playability in the upper registers, but well worth it for the tone. Give it a shot. That bass is way too nice to let go.

 

[bobalu]

Everyone has their own tastes and opinions and I try to not get involved in the "Stingray or Jazz" kind of threads. Who cares what I think? The popularity of those types of threads is mystifying, but okay, fine, go nuts.

And if an Ernie Ball bass doesn't float your boat, I hardly ever lose sleep wondering what more I could have done, so let's not go overboard here with my "blind" loyalty.

But this issue is just WEIRD to me. I wouldn't play a clanky bass. The Stingray is no more inherently clanky than any other well-made bass. Now if it just comes down to a few people saying they are and a few people saying they aren't, let's just call it a thread because no one's opinion is going to be changed.

I played my decidely UN-clanky Stingray for four hours last night. Not a clank in sight. Must be just me.

Then why are you even participating in this thread?? Read my original post. Jeez. Take a pill dude and maybe head back over to your EB forum. People (most people) here are just responding to my "clanky" Stingray issue and trying to offer some help. And ya, it sure does clank! So I'm happy for you and your perfect Stingray. Congrats!!!! Now grow up.................

 

[FaithNoMan]

Does Tony Levin, on any given recording, sound clanky?

No, it's more "clicky" like Fieldy's tone:



Nothing like John Wetton's tone.

Although I love this lineup, I felt Trey Gunn had a much better "Red" era tone with his Warr guitar.

 

[mikopita]

Technique and tonal setup are in my opinion the two things that can create what is known as the clacky (or clanky) SR tone. I think it's possible to make all of the EB stuff sound quite varied. It takes some serious tweaking and woodshedding to take advantage of those variations.

I sold my SR5 mostly because I prefer 19"mm spacing, but still use my Sterling a lot. I didn't care for the preamp on the SR as much as the Sterling, but it still could get some great tones.

 

[bovinehost]

Then why are you even participating in this thread?? Read my original post. Jeez. Take a pill dude and maybe head back over to your EB forum. People (most people) here are just responding to my "clanky" Stingray issue and trying to offer some help. And ya, it sure does clank! So I'm happy for you and your perfect Stingray. Congrats!!!! Now grow up.................

Okay, my real answer is that if your Stingray (or any other quality bass without inherent design problems) is clanky, then I suggest the following:

1. Learn to adjust your truss rod.

2. Modify your technique.

3. Use different strings.

4. Properly adjust your signal chain, first and foremost the onboard preamp on the Stingray. Subtract rather than add if at all possible; many passive bass aficionados crank active preamps . Not the best idea.

5. Buy a less responsive instrument.