Why they want the old one? It is part of their guarantee policy?
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MM Stingray Electronics Question
- Thread starter BassNugget
- Start date
No, the reasoning for requiring the return of the old failed part is that “we are not a parts house”. This policy has loosened somewhat in the last couple of years, but I imagine you still can’t outright buy a preamp, a pickup, or a neck.
@BassNugget it may be worth looking into John East Preamps for it. I'd definitly compare before shelling out money. East pre's are supposed to be on point.
If they're going to charge you $100 you'd be much better off buying a Mojotone replacement, imo. Those things sound incredibly good.
The John East is a good replacement, but at double the cost (over $200.00) right now. The sweepable mid thing does interest me though, so I will see if the tech can get it cheaper. The Monotone is $95.00, so not much savings there. And, I like the Stingray sound. I have been playing this bass since '99 as my main instrument.
Does anyone have experience with other preamps modules, but keeping the MM pickup? I read about one dude who had a passive/active switch put in. Passive went straight to the jack.
Although I like the sound of the Caprice and Cutlass bass passive, not sure I would like the Stingray as only passive. That EQ has saved my butt many many times.
But open to suggestions.
Although I like the sound of the Caprice and Cutlass bass passive, not sure I would like the Stingray as only passive. That EQ has saved my butt many many times.
But open to suggestions.
A good inexpensive pre is from Seymour Duncan. If you want to go top shelf and splurge you can look in to the Bartolini or Noll offerings. But they are spendy.
It's a '99, the caps in the preamp are probably about shot. If you wanted to and If you have a friend with any experience with electronics (or a local tech) you could replace the electrolytic caps (the cylinder looking ones) and try that first. Make sure all the wires are secure.
This is literally $0.75 worth of parts. I can provide more details if this is something you would want to hear more about.
I had a '96 in Natural. Man, I miss it.
This is literally $0.75 worth of parts. I can provide more details if this is something you would want to hear more about.
I had a '96 in Natural. Man, I miss it.
That is exactly my hope...that the tech can figure it out. If not, I'm not too bummed. They changed the circuit design in 2006 and I feel that the newer version is a bit better and more robust. That is the one EBMM would build and send.
But the cheaper option would be great! If you have any schematic or troubleshooting criterion, please PM me with it!
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OK. So, the Stingray is back up and running! I took it to the electronic wizards at HATCH Guitar Works in Modesto, CA. Turns out that the battery change had blown the op amp on the PCB. Luckily, the PCB is the older, hole through kind. Quincy Hatch just unsoldered the op amp, put a little plug in module onto the board and added in an updated op amp. He also added some kind of diode (I think that's what he said) to protect from spikes. The evaluation and repair were significantly less than purchasing even just a new board. The bass sounds great again.
If you are in the Central Valley and need an amazing tech, check out HATCH Guitar Works and effects. They make some killer pedals as well. One allegedly can even mimic the sound of a Dumble amp. I have never hear a Dumble, so I have no idea.
Very happy to have the Stingray back in rotation. These guys were first-class all the way. Hooah!
If you are in the Central Valley and need an amazing tech, check out HATCH Guitar Works and effects. They make some killer pedals as well. One allegedly can even mimic the sound of a Dumble amp. I have never hear a Dumble, so I have no idea.
Very happy to have the Stingray back in rotation. These guys were first-class all the way. Hooah!
Glad it worked out. Those preamps are something special!
also the people suggesting aftermarket that cost more or the same as a real musicman preamp
NO
Cut it out lol
The preamp hasn't changed. The op amp changed. That is a small chip from Texas Instruments. It was a like for like switch of a component in the PCB board. Nothing has changed in the preamp circuitry.
I agree, the preamp is proprietary and special. While I wouldn't mind a different pickup and preamp on the instrument, it would no longer be a "Stingray" in soul, only in body.
I got a bunch of those chips if you ever need one! While they don’t make them anymore they’re not that expensive, 5 dollars for a set of ten, which is expensive for a little chip but in the grand scheme of things not too bad. Musicman stopped using them recently cause they stopped making em
