Is this StingRay preamp stock?

[Senator]

Just wondering if this preamp circuit board is stock or aftermarket.

 

[ex-tension]

It's not an aftermarket but doesn't look stock anymore. It's a damaged, modified preamp.

An original one looks like this:

 

[Senator]

Thank you.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Those are clearly two different revisions of the preamp. Look at the cutout on the second picture. That also looks like it says "I-89" while the first one says "I-90".

I think the first preamp might be stock, but it also looks like someone was scraping on the circuit board, perhaps to clear some shorts?

 

[Rano Bass]

It looks to be stock but modded for some reason.

 

[Cory]

My vote is modded on a stock board as well. I don't ever remember seeing any the the 3 EQ pre's with parts on both sides. None of mine look like that one.......

I'm wondering if someone tried to change the EQ freqs or centers on the pre??

 

[SGD Lutherie]

I'm wondering if someone tried to change the EQ freqs or centers on the pre??

That would't be the way to do it. You would have to change 3 caps, not add resistors.

Looking at the photos here: Link Removed

makes me think its not a standard preamp. I've seen some odd stuff in Musicman basses over the years, such as a prototype Stingray with a closed pickup cover that had double small rod magnets like on a Jazz bass.

 

[mikeswals]

Looks to me that someone converted a 3eq board to be a 2eq board. They cut off the end held the 'bass' pot.

 

[SGD Lutherie]

Looks to me that someone converted a 3eq board to be a 2eq board. They cut off the end held the 'bass' pot.

I think you are correct! That would explain the resistors.

 

[Senator]

Right on! Thanks for all of the replies, everyone!

 

[mikeswals]

The big question is; is it in your bass? If so, how does it sound?

 

[Senator]

I bought it detached while the bass was wired passive. The previous owner said it didn't work well. I don't remember if he said he got it modded or if the owner before him did. It has 3 push-pull knobs and an on-off-on switch. I don't recall any comments on how it sounded.

I just called customer service and they said I could get a 3-band EQ replacement.

The mod is intriguing, though. Can people actually convert 3-band EQs to 2-band EQs successfully?

 

[SGD Lutherie]

The mod is intriguing, though. Can people actually convert 3-band EQs to 2-band EQs successfully?

You can remove the midrange control and hard wire it for a flat setting, or even a boost or cut. But you can't make the 3 band exactly like the 2 band because they are very different circuit designs. It will be 2 band, but won't sound like the real 2-band preamp.

 

[Senator]

You can remove the midrange control and hard wire it for a flat setting, or even a boost or cut. But you can't make the 3 band exactly like the 2 band because they are very different circuit designs. It will be 2 band, but won't sound like the real 2-band preamp.

Got it.

If I like the 3-band preamp and the Stingray sound overall, I'll look into the 2-band preamp that you sell.