That weak G would be a huge deal breaker for me, particularly if there was even the slightest deadspot on that string.
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MM Stingray weak G
- Thread starter u84six
- Start date
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Wonder why it's not an issue with the 5 string. Same bass otherwise.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Aha - internet myth #11 is raised again!!
The problem is almost certainly with users and their EQ settings (including on their amps). And I can also replicate it on my Stingray 5 which has flat poles and indeed my SR4 HH.
The other question I have is whether users with the problem ever recorded their basses and played it back to check if the audience would hear the problem or are they reporting the G getting lost in a band mix from their band position standing in front if an amp?
I replicated this only this morning in a rehearsal using a 3 band Stingray 4 string. Rectified the issue by turning up the mid range EQ a little. IMO it really is a simple matter of people scooping the sound of an already naturally slightly scooped sounding instrument - if you don't like it then buy something else - however there are lots of basses out there which you can scoop the sound of too much and create this issue (Fender Jazz springs to mind).
Another potential problem is hearing variation. Another is playing technique - how many people whack the E and A string too hard? Remember they may be over twice the guage of the G.
The problem is almost certainly with users and their EQ settings (including on their amps). And I can also replicate it on my Stingray 5 which has flat poles and indeed my SR4 HH.
The other question I have is whether users with the problem ever recorded their basses and played it back to check if the audience would hear the problem or are they reporting the G getting lost in a band mix from their band position standing in front if an amp?
I replicated this only this morning in a rehearsal using a 3 band Stingray 4 string. Rectified the issue by turning up the mid range EQ a little. IMO it really is a simple matter of people scooping the sound of an already naturally slightly scooped sounding instrument - if you don't like it then buy something else - however there are lots of basses out there which you can scoop the sound of too much and create this issue (Fender Jazz springs to mind).
Another potential problem is hearing variation. Another is playing technique - how many people whack the E and A string too hard? Remember they may be over twice the guage of the G.
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90hz or so upwards to 200hz or so would cover the fundamental for much of the fretted G string, not sure though but I'd assume it's actually the b Octave and higher harmonics that are too quiet if you eq down the mids (IMHO stingray eq scoop settings are the cause of this phenomenon, not the bass itself, since many of us never encounter it). So in reality maybe double that to a couple hundred Hz to 400 or so
The only correct thing in this post is your last sentence.
I suppose there will always be people arrogant enough to speak to what truths people accept or deny.
I've taken my Ray to gigs, sessions, jams, big concerts, etc. My Ray doesn't have a weak G string problem. Another fellow at church has the same model Ray as mine, except it has the piezo pickup. I've played his. It is like mine, the G string is just fine.
I'm not arrogant enough to tell other Ray owners whether they have a problem or not. Do you have this problem with your Ray?
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I guess I should mention that I have a 98 5-string H Ray.
I'm certain that people hear differently, just as one soundguy mixes drum-heavy and another one mixes guitar-heavy or bass-heavy or whatever.
To my ears, the G string on my Ray sounds balanced with the rest of the bass. I have the 3-band EQ controls set to flat (on the center detent, which I believe isn't available on the 2-band). It sounds balanced to 2 recording engineers, our FOH guy, bandmates in 2 bands, and the FOH guys and 2 musical directors at my church where I play. Are we all wrong? Please...
So based on what I'm seeing here is that between how people hear their basses and the variations, for whatever reasons, between basses, this issue is really all over the place. For anyone to claim that all of MMs have this problem and people like me are simply denying the problem is utterly ridiculous. Oh, I'm a piano tuner and I regulate the voicing of pianos as well. So, based on the calls I get, I have a good bit of confidence in my hearing.
What I am interested in is the process of raising or lowering the pole pieces of the Music Man pickup. I'd like to raise the pole piece under the B string slightly for a little more output from the B string. I have yet to see ANYONE mention that. And I'm not about to start telling a community full of posters that the B string on their Music Man basses is weak and needs t be rectified and they are denying the issue if they disagree.
I'm certain that people hear differently, just as one soundguy mixes drum-heavy and another one mixes guitar-heavy or bass-heavy or whatever.
To my ears, the G string on my Ray sounds balanced with the rest of the bass. I have the 3-band EQ controls set to flat (on the center detent, which I believe isn't available on the 2-band). It sounds balanced to 2 recording engineers, our FOH guy, bandmates in 2 bands, and the FOH guys and 2 musical directors at my church where I play. Are we all wrong? Please...
So based on what I'm seeing here is that between how people hear their basses and the variations, for whatever reasons, between basses, this issue is really all over the place. For anyone to claim that all of MMs have this problem and people like me are simply denying the problem is utterly ridiculous. Oh, I'm a piano tuner and I regulate the voicing of pianos as well. So, based on the calls I get, I have a good bit of confidence in my hearing.
What I am interested in is the process of raising or lowering the pole pieces of the Music Man pickup. I'd like to raise the pole piece under the B string slightly for a little more output from the B string. I have yet to see ANYONE mention that. And I'm not about to start telling a community full of posters that the B string on their Music Man basses is weak and needs t be rectified and they are denying the issue if they disagree.
I saw the thread title and I became green and really big exploding all my clothes, went outside and flipped a few cars upside down in my way...I hated that on my Stingray. Realizing that changing the strings, the pickup height did not improve the issue I sold my Stingray.
It is somewhat part of the Stingray sound but indeed Pre-EB and Classic are much better on that aspect.
My advice is an expensive one. Replace the preamp and pickups by Nordstrands.
It is somewhat part of the Stingray sound but indeed Pre-EB and Classic are much better on that aspect.
My advice is an expensive one. Replace the preamp and pickups by Nordstrands.
after four rehearsals with my band new SR4, I realize I have a weak G string and not just a dead spot-
then I find out that this is quite common in these basses.
unacceptable for 1600+ dollars.
I am not even going to try to rectify it with a string change or whatever.
it is going back and am looking for a replacement and not an EBMM.
I think EBMM needs to admit there is a problem and create a fix for it-
much in the way Sheldon Dingwall listened to his customers and came out with the B booster for one of his basses. I respect that about him and it hasn't slowed his sales. its like a recall from an auto manufacturer; taking responsibility for a known issue.
if EBMM really is that consistent in build quality, then why so much discrepancy among SR4's?
much in the way Sheldon Dingwall listened to his customers and came out with the B booster for one of his basses. I respect that about him and it hasn't slowed his sales. its like a recall from an auto manufacturer; taking responsibility for a known issue.
if EBMM really is that consistent in build quality, then why so much discrepancy among SR4's?
Sorry to hear this. My only experience with EBMM is my SR5, bought it new last year and the G string pounds like all the others. Stories like yours suggest it's a hit or miss thing with these basses. Wonder why. Anyway hope your next one is a "hit"!
Meh. The Nordy pickups sound so wimpy to my ears.
They're certainly not for everybody, but to say there is a problem across to board that they need to admit and rectify is a little silly. I've had multiple Stingrays (currently 4 of em') and none of them have exhibited this "issue"
There are plenty of professional musicians out there using Stingrays that don;t seem to have this issue either. As mentioned above, I think a lot of it has to do with EQ. Just like any bass, when you are used to one bass and switch to another you may need to adjust things a little differently.
Putting it in series mode boosts the mids, less scooped than parallel mode. That may be help those who are experiencing that issue.
One of the members on this forum said "The Stingray is the best 3 string bass I have ever owned".
I bought a PBass after and never looked back.
I also discovered the problem is exacerbated if you scoop the eq.
I bought a PBass after and never looked back.
I also discovered the problem is exacerbated if you scoop the eq.
Oddly enough, all of my P basses have a weak G from the dead spot on the neck.
