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So, I found something interesting with my Ray4 today. I bought this bass in December 2021, and I have a new pickup for it on the way. Today, in preparation for the pickup installation, I took the control plate off to look at the wiring to help determine what size heat shrink I needed. However, what I found was not expected. I expected it to look like what Lobster has shown in his photos and videos. Nope...
The pickup connection to the preamp looks like the Ray24. It looks to be wired in series, and not parallel.
The pickup connection to the preamp looks like the Ray24. It looks to be wired in series, and not parallel.
They have always been wired in series . At some point I think they switched to a different pickup. my old SUB RAY4 from 2016 had a two wire pickup.
There are examples in this thread of them being wired in parallel. So, have they gone back and forth over the years?
With the pickup wired in parallel, my SUB Ray4 sounds better with the stock preamp, there's no need for pickup & preamp upgrade.
I replaced mine. I wanted an Alnico pickup, but I did wire it in parallel.
I have a newer SUB as well that I haven't torn down yet. Curious to see if it has a four conductor pickup. I've had over a dozen SUBs in the past two years and all of them were two conductor.
For reference, this is the pickup I took out out of my SUB and replaced. BTW, I really enjoy your videos! I probably wouldn't have done the pickup swap if I hadn't seen the mods you've done on SUBs.
Attachments
My Sub 4 came with a two conductor pickup as well. I replaced the pickup and the preamp together. It sounds great, but now I'm a little curious what it would sound like with the replacement pickup into the oem preamp. Just not really curious enough to to open it up again right now. Haha.
Hi Everyone,
I just bought a Sterling Ray24CA. I love the thin jazz bass type neck and plays great. I have been reading and watching videos and am very confused what this bass needs. Some ppl say just change the pick top and others say the pickup is fine, just change the preamp.
1 Keep it stock and adjust pickup heights
2 Keep pickup and preamp - wire it in parallel
3 Change pickup bc it's too hot
4 Change preamp
5 Change preamp and pickup
6 Return it and buy a Ray34 instead
I was hoping to not spend what I spent on the bass to make it better. If that is the case, I'll just return not and look for a Ray34. The Ray34 has a thicker neck, like the precision, which I don't prefer, but perhaps that is option.
Lobster, thanks for all the info in your videos. But I remain confused and need guidance.
I just bought a Sterling Ray24CA. I love the thin jazz bass type neck and plays great. I have been reading and watching videos and am very confused what this bass needs. Some ppl say just change the pick top and others say the pickup is fine, just change the preamp.
1 Keep it stock and adjust pickup heights
2 Keep pickup and preamp - wire it in parallel
3 Change pickup bc it's too hot
4 Change preamp
5 Change preamp and pickup
6 Return it and buy a Ray34 instead
I was hoping to not spend what I spent on the bass to make it better. If that is the case, I'll just return not and look for a Ray34. The Ray34 has a thicker neck, like the precision, which I don't prefer, but perhaps that is option.
Lobster, thanks for all the info in your videos. But I remain confused and need guidance.
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One post said that the wiring order should be changed to pickup>preamp>pot>output
How can a one pickup bass guitar, like the Ray24 be wired in series or parallel? I always thought that it would take 2 pickups to be able to do that. Confusing AF.
dual coil pickup it hasHow can a one pickup bass guitar, like the Ray24 be wired in series or parallel? I always thought that it would take 2 pickups to be able to do that. Confusing AF.
I have a newer Ray4 with the same pre of Ray24ca and a 4 wire plus shield pickup.
the wire are white, black, red and green
Do you knows the hot and the cold wires?
thanks
How can a one pickup bass guitar, like the Ray24 be wired in series or parallel? I always thought that it would take 2 pickups to be able to do that. Confusing AF.
The pickup has 2 coil and if it has 4 wires two of them are from one coil, others from the other coil
if you has a pickup with 4 wire you can cabling it in series or parallel
Look at this video
The appeal of the Ray4 and 24's to me is the slim neck and 2 band EQ. Once you get to the 34 you may as well just try to find a used US Stingray or Sterling.
