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EBMM Stingray Classic or HH?

Cygnus X-1

Cygnus X-1

May 8, 2008
248
22
Bethlehem, PA
#1
Hey guys, need a little help here. I may have to part with one of my Ernie Balls and can't decide? I have a beautiful SR HH in black cherry burst which is a beast of a bass. Recently I picked up the new Classic SR (white w/tort). I just need to know if there is a redundancy by having both classic and HH or is the 2-band eq really that different?
 
#3
I own a pre-EB Stingray and have owned a single H 2 band EBMM Stingray and frankly they sounded different enough to justify owning both.
I ended up selling the EBMM one as I played the old pre-EB most of the time so based on my experience I'd say keep the Classic (similar spec and tone to the pre-EB rays) if you have to sell one but that's my own personal preference toward the 2 band tone and straightforward design.
 
#5
zackthompson said:
The 2 band is really that different. It's amazing. You're getting 2 different sounds.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick response. It really pains me because I just traded a 75 jazz vintage reissue MIA (and some other stuff :smug:) for it and find that the classic is better suited for me. I'm just real new to EB and am not as in tune with the sound as I am with Fender. For the last few months I've grabbed the HH over my trusty Fenders. I just am a sucker for the classic, the neck is buttery smooth and the rosewood is gorgeous.
 
#6
You'll probably find strong feelings on both sides of the fence on this one. I own both 2 band and 3 band Stingrays and 4 string and 5 string versions and have played a number of H, HH and HS Stingrays. Here's my opinions FWIW:
If you want the old school preEB sound there's only one way to go - single H with 2 band preamp. You can get that in a used SUB bass with 4 or 5 srings for less money than a new or used Stingray will put you out.
If you want a more modern sound that is in the Stingray ballpark but has more flexibility and tone options - go with the HS 3 band.
If you want a Swiss Army knife of basses - go with a Big Al 5 sring or for less money pick up a used Bongo HH 5 string.

There is a huge difference between the MM 2 band and 3 band preamps in my opinion. My personal preference is the single H 2 band 5 string configuration (I just like 5's from a comfort standpoint, the 4 string sounds just as good). I find I can VERY quickly zero in on a specific tone with the 2 band preamp - usually I keep the bass knob on about 75% and the treb on about 25% and then bump the treb up or down as needed for room acoustics or song changes. With the 3 band preamps I find myself constantly hunting for the right tone and rarely finding it quickly. With the 2 band it's literally a 1 or 2 second fiddle with the tone knob, no problem with mid song or solo adjustments. With the 3 band, I wont touch the knobs unless I'm between sets and then it can take a minute or two to really zero in on a setting that will be perfect for the mix.
Oddly I do find the 3 band to be more mid focused than the 2 band. My 2 band Stingray preamps can go both lower and higher than my Stingray 3 band preamps. That's not the norm for my other basses (i.e. Fender, Warwick, Pedulla, etc.) on those basses 3 bands means broader spectrum, I just don't get that with my 3 band Stingrays.
 
#8
BIGEJ2 said:
If you have both, compare them.

I had an HH model and classic. Sold the HH.
Click to expand...

+1
I sold my HH Stingray and kept the Classic.
Even with the two Humbuckers, 3eq and 5-way switch I could not dial in the signature 2eq tone that I love.
Also I found all the sound/tone options not very usefull playing with a band.
Nice mix of sounds, but most are not cutting through the mix (if that is your thing).
 
#10
Go with the Classic. I love Music Man basses but on the HH configuration, I prefer them in either the Bongo or Reflex. With the Stingray, Stingray Classics and Sterlings, I prefer the more traditional Single H pickup configuration.
 
#11
GBassNorth said:
You'll probably find strong feelings on both sides of the fence on this one. I own both 2 band and 3 band Stingrays and 4 string and 5 string versions and have played a number of H, HH and HS Stingrays. Here's my opinions FWIW:
If you want the old school preEB sound there's only one way to go - single H with 2 band preamp. You can get that in a used SUB bass with 4 or 5 srings for less money than a new or used Stingray will put you out.
If you want a more modern sound that is in the Stingray ballpark but has more flexibility and tone options - go with the HS 3 band.
If you want a Swiss Army knife of basses - go with a Big Al 5 sring or for less money pick up a used Bongo HH 5 string.

There is a huge difference between the MM 2 band and 3 band preamps in my opinion. My personal preference is the single H 2 band 5 string configuration (I just like 5's from a comfort standpoint, the 4 string sounds just as good). I find I can VERY quickly zero in on a specific tone with the 2 band preamp - usually I keep the bass knob on about 75% and the treb on about 25% and then bump the treb up or down as needed for room acoustics or song changes. With the 3 band preamps I find myself constantly hunting for the right tone and rarely finding it quickly. With the 2 band it's literally a 1 or 2 second fiddle with the tone knob, no problem with mid song or solo adjustments. With the 3 band, I wont touch the knobs unless I'm between sets and then it can take a minute or two to really zero in on a setting that will be perfect for the mix.
Oddly I do find the 3 band to be more mid focused than the 2 band. My 2 band Stingray preamps can go both lower and higher than my Stingray 3 band preamps. That's not the norm for my other basses (i.e. Fender, Warwick, Pedulla, etc.) on those basses 3 bands means broader spectrum, I just don't get that with my 3 band Stingrays.
Click to expand...

You have no idea how much this post is going to help me in my current search for my first Ray. Props.
 
#14
Hey guys, since you took the time to give me some good advice. I thought I should at least give an update. I kept both, let go of a fender J bass 24 and 75 J American vintage ( hard choice since I really loved the AM-Vin, but I'm ok with it). The HH is a beast and the sound I've been looking for, for a long time. I never found an active J to satisfy the sounfd in my head. The Classic is just buttery smooth.

BethlehemCity-20111213-00042_2.gif

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#17
eyeballkid said:
I agree MOSTLY with the above....but I should point out that I can still get the same tone I like out of each to a very large degree.
Click to expand...

Totally agree. A 'Ray is a 'Ray. Yes, obviously different pickups alter the voice a little, but the joy of an active preamp is that you can sculpt away.

A common thought amongst the 'Rayders is that the 3 band can sound hrsh through the midrange (which I enjoy). String some flats or half rounds on there.

I currently own a HH reflex 5, but owned a ray for quite a few years, and I have to say that even these two quite different looking beasts still share a lot of the same sonic DNA.
 

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