You're damned if you do. It has been acknowledged that it is a "voicing issue". If they change it to fix it, then people are upset that they "don't sound like the old ones". The internet amplifies this issue. It's a MAD WORLD...(cue the emo). 
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Ernie Ball Musicman Owners
- Thread starter TGLbass
- Start date
Well there is nothing worse than jamming away and you're getting into the groove and you're sounding good and then you go for the octive and " " (the sound of no G string).
I tried adjusting etc.. I don't have time to mess with an expensive guitar that I shouldn't have to mess with. I don't want to spend 300 on a new preamp or whatever. The guitar I'm sad to say is gone. It's too bad because MM's are pretty good as a rule. This G thing is not just a MM problem. I've had the same thing with Fender basses.
I tried adjusting etc.. I don't have time to mess with an expensive guitar that I shouldn't have to mess with. I don't want to spend 300 on a new preamp or whatever. The guitar I'm sad to say is gone. It's too bad because MM's are pretty good as a rule. This G thing is not just a MM problem. I've had the same thing with Fender basses.
Let me ask a different question:
I have an 83 Ray; the neck width, profile, thickness, etc fits my hand better than any other bass I've owned (including 50's, 60's and 70's real deal Fenders).
This neck has a ski jump and some worn frets; don't care; play around the issue; it's all good.
The weak G (and by that I mean less bass response not volume) can be tamed by hand position and amp EQ. Am going to re-set up the bass today as per EB specs but don't think pup height or string height are off by much.
Now for the big questions:
Would a new 2-band SR still potentialy have a weak G?
Can I get the same SR neck shape and sound on a different EB model?
BTW, this thing was sitting in my closet for years while I played my 60P or variety of 70's P or J's; picked it up some months ago and I've become possesed as this thing works best for my current band situation. It kills in the mix with drums, 2 guitars, keys, & 3 singists.
I have an 83 Ray; the neck width, profile, thickness, etc fits my hand better than any other bass I've owned (including 50's, 60's and 70's real deal Fenders).
This neck has a ski jump and some worn frets; don't care; play around the issue; it's all good.
The weak G (and by that I mean less bass response not volume) can be tamed by hand position and amp EQ. Am going to re-set up the bass today as per EB specs but don't think pup height or string height are off by much.
Now for the big questions:
Would a new 2-band SR still potentialy have a weak G?
Can I get the same SR neck shape and sound on a different EB model?
BTW, this thing was sitting in my closet for years while I played my 60P or variety of 70's P or J's; picked it up some months ago and I've become possesed as this thing works best for my current band situation. It kills in the mix with drums, 2 guitars, keys, & 3 singists.
Ok, yeah! Let's call your invention a Lakland. Or Sadowsky. And people will praise your new design.
I owned a MM 4 string and found that it lacked the low end I was looking for. It has a great midrange and scooped sound, but the bottom end just wasn't there compared to a J or P Bass. I tried a 5 string but it didn't sound as good as the 4. It may have just been those particular ones, but the 4 string had more life to it. I ended up trading it for a Fender Jazz and have not regretted it since.
But I will say the MM played amazing. The neck was smooth and allowed for fast playing easily. Not to mention it is probably the phattest looking bass out there.
But I will say the MM played amazing. The neck was smooth and allowed for fast playing easily. Not to mention it is probably the phattest looking bass out there.
I picked up an '85 Stingray a couple of months ago, and used it on my last 2 gigs.
I too have experienced the weak G-string, but if anything this will encourage me to use the higher frets on the E and A more often...
The feel and live tone on these instruments is very easy to get used to, and I found myself grinning most of the time on last night's gig, because it's so damn easy to dial in a decent sound.
My main player for the last several years has been my parts Jazz Bass, and on most gigs I found myself fighting and fiddling for a decent tone, relying heavily on the amp itself.
With the Stingray, I can set the amp pretty much flat and work the 2 band EQ as needed.
I too have experienced the weak G-string, but if anything this will encourage me to use the higher frets on the E and A more often...
The feel and live tone on these instruments is very easy to get used to, and I found myself grinning most of the time on last night's gig, because it's so damn easy to dial in a decent sound.
My main player for the last several years has been my parts Jazz Bass, and on most gigs I found myself fighting and fiddling for a decent tone, relying heavily on the amp itself.
With the Stingray, I can set the amp pretty much flat and work the 2 band EQ as needed.
- Dec 28, 2009
- 2,053
- 1,380
- Disclosures
- Endorsed by K.B. Guitars, Nordstrand Audio Pickups, Von York Strings and Gallien-Krueger Amps.
Oh okay. All of my EBMM's were bought new this year except for 1. I also got it this year but it is a 2005 Sterling 4H and it was in mint condition when I got it.
Exactly. As much as I love those instruments I call them a Sadowsky Jazz bass or a Lakland P bass, etc.
I have 2 MM Sterlings, a new 2 band 'Classic Series" and an 07" MIA Sterling. The G String cuts thru incredibly on both of my Sterlings. I am wondering if this issue might be an EQ or amp issue, or if I am just lucky? For those players that have trouble with the g strings on you MM basses, what kind of heads are you playing through, and what is your EQ shaping like on your head, and the active controls on your basses? If enough people chime in, maybe a pattern will be revealed? I play a Genz Benz Shuttlemax thru a Genz Benz NeoX 2x12T. I start with all EQ flat on both the bass and the head. I walk out about 15 or 20 feet in front of my cab (because it sounds WAY different out there than it does on stage) and EQ to the room, whatever that requires. In most rooms, I end up boosting the low end and the high mid frequencies. This combo provides a full bottom presense and articulation of the notes without the 'clankiness' that comes from a high frequency boost. Also, the 3 screws on the pickup allow you to balance the pup in an optimum way. The pup on my 'Classic Series' sits higher, ie, closer to the strings than on my regular Sterling.On both basses, the G String side of the pup is closer to the string than is the E string side. It is important to experiment with pup height placements as every bass is a little bit different. Maybe this is a different thread, but it would be great if those experiencing G string issues would chime in. Maybe we can get you MM's working for you as well as mine do?
I currently have two MM basses, a SB14 (Sterling) and a SUB Stingray. They sound great, and play great. I have no issues with either.
I previously owned a Ray34 (bought it new) and it exhibited the the weak G string issue when I played in a band context. It sounded fine alone. It was the weirdest thing, and I ended up selling that particular bass.
FWIW, I have used the same rig for about five years now: either my Sunn 1200s or Acoustic Image Clarus II into my two Bergantino HT112's. I don't use amp EQ at all, usually, maybe a slight bump in the bass frequencies.
I previously owned a Ray34 (bought it new) and it exhibited the the weak G string issue when I played in a band context. It sounded fine alone. It was the weirdest thing, and I ended up selling that particular bass.
FWIW, I have used the same rig for about five years now: either my Sunn 1200s or Acoustic Image Clarus II into my two Bergantino HT112's. I don't use amp EQ at all, usually, maybe a slight bump in the bass frequencies.
The sometimes weak G has been discussed to death just about everywhere over the years so I've discovered. You'll find plenty of info about it both here and on the EBMM forum.
My Sterling does not have a problem-- The Stingray did.
Like the one guy said --in a band situation it was most noticable. At home once the problem happened and I was more aware of it I could tell it there (home) also. I adjusted the pickup and messed with the amp-- I turned up the bass on the EQ-- then "BOOM" a guy wanted to trade me a Stingray H 5 for it so I went for it .
I want a Stingray that kicks my ass. That's all. It's simple. Kicks my butt. Spell it out loud or something.
I paid 700 (that's it) for a brand new Fender Mexican P bass Roadworn SB. I can stand 20 feet away from my amp at my normal settings and hold down a note and the thing just takes off towards ringing and sustaining into feedback. I can hold a note and it sustains till it feeds. What is up with that? We're talking a Mex P bass! I don't care really what's up with it. I have to laugh it's so good.
I want my MM to at least make me smile.
I also have to say that I have a bass called a "Garside" that has superbass attributes too. It's only an inch thick! It puts a big smile on my face.
Like the one guy said --in a band situation it was most noticable. At home once the problem happened and I was more aware of it I could tell it there (home) also. I adjusted the pickup and messed with the amp-- I turned up the bass on the EQ-- then "BOOM" a guy wanted to trade me a Stingray H 5 for it so I went for it .
I want a Stingray that kicks my ass. That's all. It's simple. Kicks my butt. Spell it out loud or something.
I paid 700 (that's it) for a brand new Fender Mexican P bass Roadworn SB. I can stand 20 feet away from my amp at my normal settings and hold down a note and the thing just takes off towards ringing and sustaining into feedback. I can hold a note and it sustains till it feeds. What is up with that? We're talking a Mex P bass! I don't care really what's up with it. I have to laugh it's so good.
I want my MM to at least make me smile.
I also have to say that I have a bass called a "Garside" that has superbass attributes too. It's only an inch thick! It puts a big smile on my face.
