Awesome!! I loved how smooth the tone of the Stingray was, I'm used to the abrasiveness of a Precision, and it just felt so balanced. I'm hoping that the Stingray will bring that feeling to the GK as well, while still meshing with the onboard drive.
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EBMM StingRay Special Club
- Thread starter MultiScaleMale
- Start date
Both the 2 EQ and 3 EQ treble are centered at about 5k. Boosted they are similar, but the 3 EQ falls off more above 5k. The difference is that the 3 EQ has a spike at 5k even when flat or cut, but the 2 EQ does not. When the treble is cut, the 3 EQ still bumps 5k compared to the higher and lower frequencies. The preamp treble frequencies are the same, but the 3 EQ always emphasizes 5k and the 2 EQ acts more “normally.”
edit: Yes, the 3 EQ does have an HPF and 2 EQ not.
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I suppose it depends on how you play and your choice of strings and tone settings, but I don't think of a Precision as being abrasive. I do think of the pre-Special StingRay as being abrasive.
I play with fingers and a lot of attack with rounds! So my highs gets pretty aggressive, and I almost always need to dial them back. I describe it as abrasive because of its combination with the punchy mids of the GK, once you add some drive in there the bass is all but screaming!
It cuts through a mix like butter! But since I've played that Stingray I've begun to crave something smoother, though still aggressive.
I get what you are saying. The GK is contributing to that sound. The Special will smooth it out some . Just eq to taste .
Thank you, that's exactly what I was hoping for! I'm sure the GK is a huge contributor, and I wondered if I should start shopping SVTs and their alternatives. But the high mid content of the GK is so pleasant to my ear, and the combo is so easy to move around that I don't think I could give it up.
I was referencing this and other visualizations: https://www.talkbass.com/threads/eq...n-seymour-duncan-warwick-56k-warning.1093106/
Is that not correct?
I once owned an older GK combo that was super great, and played a stingray on it for a long time. It took me a while to figure out to turn down the horn knob as well as the treble so that the high end didn't demolish me.
But you're on a newer combo, I'm guessing. If a Precision has harshness to it, try switching the horn switch on the back to "low" and see if that feels nicer. (I don't mean to presume, I'm just trying to be helpful. And your mention of GK combos has me wistful.)
Definitely buy that Stingray, though.
It took around a month but I finally found a flaw on my bass! Haha. The tuning keys have some marring on them from what I presume was a string winder either at the store I got it from (likely) or the factory (which I doubt). I don't use one so it wasn't me.
On the plus side, I finally weighed my 4H, and it came out to 8.2lbs. Not bad!
On the plus side, I finally weighed my 4H, and it came out to 8.2lbs. Not bad!
That's awesome to hear! Glad to hear that the GK and Stingray pairing is tried and true.
I'm on one of the Legacy 800 212 combos and it is everything I've ever wanted for gigging! When I first got it, I experienced exactly what you are talking about! Disabling the horn helped a lot, especially with an unpleasant chirp when my fingers would initially strike the string. I think the remaining harshness is the two epic midranges of a P bass and GK's coming together! It sounds harsh on its own, but in a mix it makes the bass stand out rather than falling behind the guitars.
I'm hoping to give that Stingray a new home soon! It left me in awe with just how great it felt and sounded.
The following illustrates my experience with the 2 EQ and 3 EQ StingRays (pre-Special):
Both have treble EQ centered at about 4-5k, with the 3 EQ having a persisting spike there even when the treble is cut. This is what I hear with StingRays. No where near 10k — that’s 4 EQ Bongo territory for the treble, from which one can achieve quite a bright ping. StingRay Specials are similar to the 3 EQ pre-Specials in my experience, but the pickup and preamp are not nearly as aggressive — seems to me to have similar EQ points with less gain and a wider Q in the treble.
I know it's not always possible but this is why I love A/Bing gear myself. All this talk (as well as some nice paying side gigs) have actually caused me to order a used pre special Alnico SR 5H to try. I have A/Bed a Alnico 5HS and Classic 5 with my Special, but am curious to hear the single H.
Honestly I didn't find the differences to be that huge, I just found the Special to be more comfortable and have more headroom. Flat the Special is more mild but they all sounded like Stingrays
In my experience I have heard a couple dozen 'Local type Club Bands' where Bass Players used pre-special Stingrays and all of them sounded excellent in mix no harshness but good presence [plenty of video's also] Never owned pre special so maybe played solo in bedroom facing Cab may be noticeably bright were some would claim harsh but that is irrelevant to Active Musician; I prefer now at least a Beat Buddy since I do listen at home presently but when gigging almost never
That graph looks like one from that dubious and ridiculous you tube video where guy used 2 tin cans and built his own supposed version of 2band and 3band preamps played through them with modified Squire
I am with primitiveman on this subject
post from EBMM Forum
*Edit just read the other thread..
There is only so much capacity with Covid that we had to reduce certain offerings. To put it in perspective I would guess it's 40-1 for Special vs Classic sales.
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#39
....WE make each and every instrument to order either the dealers spec or a customers....I have said this a zillion times. so all of the deep thinking is malarkey....Guess what we have the two band always available and pushed it heavily and the three band is the pre amp of choice....
That graph looks like one from that dubious and ridiculous you tube video where guy used 2 tin cans and built his own supposed version of 2band and 3band preamps played through them with modified Squire
I am with primitiveman on this subject
post from EBMM Forum
- Dargin [Sales/ Customer Service at EBMM
*Edit just read the other thread..
There is only so much capacity with Covid that we had to reduce certain offerings. To put it in perspective I would guess it's 40-1 for Special vs Classic sales.
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#39
....WE make each and every instrument to order either the dealers spec or a customers....I have said this a zillion times. so all of the deep thinking is malarkey....Guess what we have the two band always available and pushed it heavily and the three band is the pre amp of choice....
Well, a "harsh" sounding Stingray still sounds better than 85% of basses. The difference only really comes out when you compare iterations, and is indistinguishable to the non-player.
For me, the Classic 2 EQ does a thing the others can’t. And the pre-Special does a thing the others can’t. And the Special does a thing the others can’t. And a Bongo, and a Jazz, and a P…
That's what I tell myself too in order to justify the collection
So many variations of StingRays to play and enjoy . Take your pick!
Anyone here have a 60-cycle type hum when you aren't touching the strings? Started up a couple days ago for me. Tried four cables and two amps (SGT and my Orange OB1) and it's the same.
And together, they all do a number on my wallet.
