Introducing Project DIY Darkray

[LowEndLobster]

Hey all! I wanted to share my latest exciting Stingray mod project! This is Project DIY Darkray. I was intrigued by the concept of the new Music Man Darkray with the Darkglass Alpha/Omega circuit and two band preamp, and I started doing some digging to see if it was possible to at least emulate this functionality in some way. My goal was to build something that would function similarly to the real thing, but be constructed using off the shelf parts so anyone could do it. I think the project was ultimately a success! Featuring the Artec QDD2 OD circuit ft. 4 different drive modes and a clean mode, and that is going into the Darkglass Tone Capsule 3 band preamp. So theoretically, we have more flexibility than the real Darkray but with only 50% of the Darkglass mojo. Anyhow, hope you all like it!

Here is the list of parts used:

SBMM Ray34 Ash Black:[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Artec QDD2: https://www.amazon.com/QDD2-Quadra-Distortion-Driver-Effects/dp/B007XIW07S

Artec Gain Pot: B10k

Darkglass Tone Capsule: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Noble Stacked B50k Pot: Noble - EQ Pot - 50K Stacked - Best Bass Gear

Volume Pot: 250k

Control plate is off of a Stingray Piezo. Can be sourced through music man, and I'll try and get a scan together for easy CNC. I will not be producing any replicas of the control plate.

(I'll be doing a more in depth follow up vid looking at all the different control combos.)

 

[turcmic]

You Sir are a crazy man!

In a good way

Good job!

 

[LowEndLobster]

Thank you!

 

[skycruiser]

Cool mod project. I like the sounds up to the first distortion but personally wouldn't find use for the higher levels of distortion. Really cool though to see all those options built into the bass. Nice technician skills too - I like the way you make your wiring compact and look nice. Nobody likes to see a rat's nest inside the control cavity.

 

[ronknor]

I like yours better than the official Darkray! And admire your bravery of just cutting wires and redoing everything without even knowing if it would work.

 

[LowEndLobster]

I like yours better than the official Darkray! And admire your bravery of just cutting wires and redoing everything without even knowing if it would work.

As the kids say "yeeeet" or yolo or something ;P

 

[Drzejzi]

And now I'm checking if it's possible to buy this Artec overdrive shipped within Europe to install in my ATK. Thanks Lobster!

Edit: Ok, I found one in UK, but I'm wondering about the connection. ATK's pickup uses multiple wires for it's coils and the PCB controls which coils are used, so probably it won't be possible to connect the overdrive before the preamp. Will this be a problem, @LowEndLobster?

 

[Ricky Rioli]

As the kids say "yeeeet" or yolo or something ;P

Was the repeated use of a scooped setting a way of telling people with the real thing what they're missing out on by having only a 2 band EQ?

 

[LowEndLobster]

Was the repeated use of a scooped setting a way of telling people with the real thing what they're missing out on by having only a 2 band EQ?

Subconscious dig... I think it was! LOL

 

[LowEndLobster]

And now I'm checking if it's possible to buy this Artec overdrive shipped within Europe to install in my ATK. Thanks Lobster!

Edit: Ok, I found one in UK, but I'm wondering about the connection. ATK's pickup uses multiple wires for it's coils and the PCB controls which coils are used, so probably it won't be possible to connect the overdrive before the preamp. Will this be a problem, @LowEndLobster?

You can attach a multi coil pickup to the unit. Your pickup will have multiple hots and grounds, just place them accordingly

 

[wvbass]

I appreciate the effort. I just don't like that Artec's sound. Everything else is an A+.

 

[steveinohio]

Awesome idea! Great video as always. One of my favorite YouTube channels.

 

[A9X]

Crustacean, I enjoyed watching the video as usual with yours, but I don't see why people would want onboard distortion. But I'm not most people.
Having been involved with electronics most of my life, I did cringe as you cut away the trimpot, as 'that's just not the done thing' as my Nan would have said. You would have laughed, like I am now, if you could have seen my reaction.

 

[Gustopher]

Great stuff, did the artec need it’s own battery in addition to the preamp battery? This is such a fun idea and I think you did a smooth ass job on it!

 

[droo46]

Crustacean, I enjoyed watching the video as usual with yours, but I don't see why people would want onboard distortion. But I'm not most people.
Having been involved with electronics most of my life, I did cringe as you cut away the trimpot, as 'that's just not the done thing' as my Nan would have said. You would have laughed, like I am now, if you could have seen my reaction.

The novelty of it is certainly entertaining. If you're the sort to just go straight from the bass into a tube amp, but want more overdrive/fuzz, then this would be for you. I don't think it's super practical, especially if you use pedals much, but I don't think practicality was the goal here.

 

[A9X]

The novelty of it is certainly entertaining.

but I don't think practicality was the goal here.

For sure, on both counts.

 

[73_Blazer]

Are these going to be a new model and not limited run? I see Sweetwater has them for preorder now

 

[Ricky Rioli]

I see Sweetwater has them for preorder now

Blimey, @LowEndLobster is going to be busy!

 

[Taustin Powers]

Can you put an envelope filter in it?

 

[Katoosie]

Can you put an envelope filter in it?

I'm sure you could put whatever effect you want, assuming it has the right controls and connectors and so on. Why not?

Good job Lobster