EBMM StingRay Special Club

[drTSTingray]

This thread needs some more action today. So i have a question for those of us with HH models. Which of the switching options are you finding yourself using the most and for what type of sound?

Im using position for 1 Classic Stingray tone ( bridge only)
position 2 for jazz bass like tone ( 2 outer coils)
and postion 4 for Pbass tones ( 2 inner coils)

For me, in this order by frequency of use:- 3, 1, 2, 4, 5

It really is mostly 3. As has been said by others, this setting requires the mid boosted and the bass and treble kept at detent to avoid an over scooped sound.

I've had an HH Stingray since 2007 and for some years that was the only bass I played, and generally on setting 3. When I first had it I didn't like the sound on position 3 until I discovered using the mid control more.

Position 2 is great for getting active Jazz type Marcus Miller sounds. Again, using the mid to increase or decrease the level of scoop.

Position 1 on the Stingray Special is also excellent - the voicing sounds far closer to a 2 band than the previous 3 band 4 string Stingray does (you can get a good approximation even with those - cut the mid significantly - boost the bass and treble a little).

They all fit very well in a band setting.

 

[eyeballkid]

Ok.. how do you guys like position 3?!! I just cant find a way to even make it "usable" let alone like it. I'm baffled.

 

[drTSTingray]

You need to experiment with it - depends what band style you're playing in - but the basic sound has more low end (from the neck H). The slap sound is fabulous also.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Ok.. how do you guys like position 3?!! I just cant find a way to even make it "usable" let alone like it. I'm baffled.

I guess I am equally baffled that you're having so much trouble. It's a pretty standard sound. To me its kind of just a modern sound with a mid scoop. Good with a pick or slap. You can obviously modify that with the EQ. I am really not trying to invalidate your opinion at all.

 

[twc1313]

Ok.. how do you guys like position 3?!! I just cant find a way to even make it "usable" let alone like it. I'm baffled.

I'm the same way, but I attribute that to my tastes, not the bass. I don't really care for the tone of any double humbucker bass...lacks something that double singles provide.

 

[Chiliwailer]

I get tempted to go buy another bass but then I play this one and think nah, I’m good.

I totally get what you’re saying.
My wife and I bought her a new car today, it’s got me thinking again about selling my 66 P Bass and Old Smoothie as I may need to replace my car soon too, and it seems silly to finance when I have very expensive basses that in reality I don’t need. The Special does so much, and I agree that it’d feel silly to then buy basses again when you know how versatile a HH Special is!

 

[Stranger Danger]

I totally get what you’re saying.
My wife and I bought her a new car today, it’s got me thinking again about selling my 66 P Bass and Old Smoothie as I may need to replace my car soon too, and it seems silly to finance when I have very expensive basses that in reality I don’t need. The Special does so much, and I agree that it’d feel silly to then buy basses again when you know how versatile a HH Special is!

Yeah the way I resist that temptation to buy another one is just go to a shop and play 3-4 basses and compare them to what I already have. They all pale in comparison. I am done. Seriously. And I am good on my amp too. I have a Markbass stack and I am super happy with that. Now I am just spending all my money on strings and pedals.

 

[Uchoa]

My contribution with the 3th position in that song !

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[Stranger Danger]

My contribution with the 3th position in that song !

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Nice!

 

[Stevorebob]

All this disrespect for position 3!

Now I’m speaking from a pre-Special perspective, but I would order my preferences as position 1, then 4, and then 3. Yep, that full-on tone with a nasty mid-scoop has its applications for me. But, I have not found much use for positions 2 and 5.

That said, 90-plus percent of my time is position 1, so as I said previously, I just eliminated the extra hardware when I acquired my Special.

 

[megaboogie]

So far I've been using position 1 mostly, 2 for more single coil vibe, and 3 for scooped modern rock/metal tone.
Will need to venture into 4&5 more. I was just having too much fun from position 1,2&3.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Has anyone had an issue pushing in the magnet on their pickups? I've seen three specials in stores that have had the pickups pole pieces pushed into the pickup.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Has anyone had an issue pushing in the magnet on their pickups? I've seen three specials in stores that have had the pickups pole pieces pushed into the pickup.

That’s weird. No. I don’t push on them though.

 

[eyeballkid]

All this disrespect for position 3!

Now I’m speaking from a pre-Special perspective, but I would order my preferences as position 1, then 4, and then 3. Yep, that full-on tone with a nasty mid-scoop has its applications for me. But, I have not found much use for positions 2 and 5.

That said, 90-plus percent of my time is position 1, so as I said previously, I just eliminated the extra hardware when I acquired my Special.

From the "pre special days" I never liked position 5 at all, but with a little added mids its awesome on the special.

 

[Stranger Danger]

From the "pre special days" I never liked position 5 at all, but with a little added mids its awesome on the special.

It's also helpful for tracking on signal detection effects like synths and filters. If you're into that sort of thing.

 

[Pietzsa]

Played around with position 3 today and definitely agree that boosting the mids and leaving the bass at detent makes it way more useful. The bass knob is powerful that it makes the mid scoop pronounced with the bass boosted.

On another note, when I was trying these out I first played one at Guitar Center that the neck H had the pole pieces pushed in. Had to show the salesman and tell them that is not normal for them to take it off the floor. Might be something to the pole pieces comment from above.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Played around with position 3 today and definitely agree that boosting the mids and leaving the bass at detent makes it way more useful. The bass knob is powerful that it makes the mid scoop pronounced with the bass boosted.

On another note, when I was trying these out I first played one at Guitar Center that the neck H had the pole pieces pushed in. Had to show the salesman and tell them that is not normal for them to take it off the floor. Might be something to the pole pieces comment from above.

My guess is they didn't take it off the floor.

 

[Pietzsa]

They did while I was there but my money is it went back out shortly after I left.

 

[BassGuyFL]

Nice action shot from last night. Small crowd of 4500!

 

[MascisMan]

4500? Oh is that all?

I had to double take. That tuner or sustainer or whatever on your headstock makes it look like a six string!

Beautiful bass!