One thing also to keep in mind is your Ray34 is wired in Series. The Special is wired in parallel. I have a 3 band EB stingray 5H (Pre special). I can switch between parallel and series and series is more punchy and thicker sounding than parallel.
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When I first got my Stingray Special HH I thought "I like this a lot, but it's a lot of money and I'm not sure the tone is that much better than my Ray34's". Then after playing the Special exclusively for some time I picked up one of my Ray34 HH's again and immediately thought " Wow this bass is more aggressive sounding than my smooth and refined Special".I completely agree with your assessment about the stingray specials being as well crafted as many other boutiques you’ve listed and I’ve come across. The neck on my special 4hh is among the best I’ve ever seen. It was a really nice shock at how perfect it was constructed and shaped. I am finding tones on it that I really like, but it does seem more amp and eq dependent than I am used to with the classic stingray tone. My ears will adjust and I’m sure I’ll come to really appreciate the special’s tone.
Agreed if I had played one years ago maybe my stance would be different. But I was blown away by the build quality of the 4HH & 5H. I stopped playing for a very long time and started back playing after 25 plus years everything I knew about basses and amps had drastically change. So, I just sought out what felt good in my hands then worried about the tone afterwards with no preconceived notions about anything. I quickly discovered what I liked and did not thanks to knowing a bunch of pro players like yourself who let me try out some of their unused basses and going to NAMM. I was rather lucky in that respect. The 1st bass I bought when I started back was an Ibanez SR500. So, I've come a long way on my current bass journey.I completely agree with your assessment about the stingray specials being as well crafted as many other boutiques you’ve listed and I’ve come across. The neck on my special 4hh is among the best I’ve ever seen. It was a really nice shock at how perfect it was constructed and shaped. I am finding tones on it that I really like, but it does seem more amp and eq dependent than I am used to with the classic stingray tone. My ears will adjust and I’m sure I’ll come to really appreciate the special’s tone.
One thing also to keep in mind is your Ray34 is wired in Series. The Special is wired in parallel. I have a 3 band EB stingray 5H (Pre special). I can switch between parallel and series and series is more punchy and thicker sounding than parallel.
It’s definitely easy enough to try. And reversable if it doesn’t work out for you.Interesting! Guess I’ll have to try this too!
That is a beautiful bass. I wouldn't change the pickguard on it at all. It matches the outside of the body, fret markers and nut. I think aged or cream pearloid would detract from it.Thinking about putting an aged or cream pearloid pickguard on this guy… anyone good at photoshop and want to show me what it would look like
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That is a beautiful bass. I wouldn't change the pickguard on it at all. It matches the outside of the body, fret markers and nut. I think aged or cream pearloid would detract from it.
Agreed! I definitely like it best with some compression and an HPF.To me the Stingray Special sounds best with both of these turned on.
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It’s so nice as is. I would not change a thingThinking about putting an aged or cream pearloid pickguard on this guy… anyone good at photoshop and want to show me what it would look like
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Yep they stay always on for me.Agreed! I definitely like it best with some compression and an HPF.
if I would change it I'd go clear.Thinking about putting an aged or cream pearloid pickguard on this guy… anyone good at photoshop and want to show me what it would look like
View attachment 5225543
Thinking about putting an aged or cream pearloid pickguard on this guy… anyone good at photoshop and want to show me what it would look like
View attachment 5225543
I prefer pearl on most basses but I think your bass is perfect as is.The guy I bought my Vintage Tobacco burst 5HH from gave me three pickguards with it. I don't have any of the ones you asked about but I can get you close with one of them - a never used parchment. I can place it over the bass to give you an idea.Thinking about putting an aged or cream pearloid pickguard on this guy… anyone good at photoshop and want to show me what it would look like
View attachment 5225543
The guy I bought my Vintage Tobacco burst 5HH from gave me three pickguards with it. I don't have any of the ones you asked about but I can get you close with one of them - a never used parchment. I can place it over the bass to give you an idea.
If you want, I can also include a picture with the tort that's currently on it and the original white (not my picture, but it's from the original for sale thread).