Nopers, it's series. But it does have the two extra wires available taped off and ready if one wanted to wire it in parallel. I thought about giving it a shot myself, but the solder points are pretty small.
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Music Man sound and pickups
- Thread starter TonyP-
- Start date
Nopers, it's series. But it does have the two extra wires available taped off and ready if one wanted to wire it in parallel. I thought about giving it a shot myself, but the solder points are pretty small.
The king of mods for that axe is the [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]. Check out @LowEndLobster's YouTube video on it.
Game changing and with that Aguilar AG4M should be an amazing match. Be sure to get the right model (3 or 4 knob).
I’ve actually watched @LowEndLobster ‘s video about the AG4M mod with stock preamp multiple time and that’s what I aim for: new pickup for aforementioned reasons, and stock preamp (for now).
A question for @LowEndLobster....hypothetical *if*.
If one was going to replace either the pickup OR the preamp in the Ray34CA, which would you replace first? Sorry if you answered this in the video, if so it went over my head
Hey! Great question. I've never answered that one as I've never played a 34CA (really want to snag one). Maybe the pickup? I believe the 2 band in that is more closely modeled after the classic preamp, though I am only going off of what I've read. Hoping to snag one
Hey! Great question. I've never answered that one as I've never played a 34CA (really want to snag one). Maybe the pickup? I believe the 2 band in that is more closely modeled after the classic preamp, though I am only going off of what I've read. Hoping to snag one
Ope! I fat fingered...I'm talking about the Ray24CA.
Ah! That's something I can answer. The pickup in the 24CA is much better than the SUB pickup while maintaining the basic though not terrible preamp. I thought the John East preamp paired with the stock pickup was a nice combo, and I'm actually going to be replacing the stock pickup with a Bartolini when I find the time
. So to answer your question, I'd go with the preamp first with the 24CA (but pickup first with SUB).
Why do you want to replace either? What is your need?A question for @LowEndLobster....hypothetical *if*.
If one was going to replace either the pickup OR the preamp in the Ray34CA, which would you replace first? Sorry if you answered this in the video, if so it went over my head
I’ve had a Ray 35CA, and I thought the pick pup and preamp were excellent. I would replace neither.
I had a SUB4 and have a CA24 and the preamp in the SUB4 was a mess (crazy hot vs. a nice growler in the CA24). There are other notable differences... the slab body, the bridge and I think (@LowEndLobster can prob best verify) that one has alinco vs ceramic pickups.
Still thinking of getting a SUB4 HH tho because with the Mojotone pre the SUB4 is awesome and I love the diversity of the HH.
Preamps in SUB and CA24 are the same. @LowEndLobster confirms it in a video. What you describe as “crazy hot” on the SUB is actually the ceramic pickup. Not the preamp. In Lobster’s video where he puts in an Aguilar AG4M in a SUB and keeps the stock preamp, you can hear/see that even when the bass knob is cranked, it doesn’t distort with the Aguilar pickup. It does distort with the original pickup coz again, it’s way too hot.
this is the video that convinced me to order an Aguilar pickup for my SUB. Really good bass for the price.
this is the video that convinced me to order an Aguilar pickup for my SUB. Really good bass for the price.
That's another option, for sure. I may just re-wire it parallel and call it good.
Upon further thought, maybe it’s a bit of FOMO? I’m all about Bernard Edwards and Louis Johnson. Obviously, no preamp or pickup is going to give me their talent, and there are dozens of other variables to their sound. But still, if “classic” is what I have in mind, I don’t mind spending a few bucks to chase the dragon.
That being said, I recorded a bit tonight and it sure sounds like a Stingray (or at least my idea of one) already.
The 34CA is what it is, and it’s a great Classic StingRay-type bass. You may get a little closer to an “authentic” StingRay tone by replacing the pickup and preamp, but unless it’s an EBMM pickup and preamp you drop in, you’re not going to get much closer IMO. If you must have that absolute “authentic” Classic StingRay tone, I suggest you simply get an EBMM Classic StingRay. On the other hand, if you just want something different, and enjoy a project, a Nordstrand pickup and East preamp seem like a lot of fun.
I'm really looking forward to the day when someone who knows more than I, hears my SUB Ray4/Nordstrand MM 4.2/East MMSR 3Knob 3Band and can tell me what it sounds like compared to true MM sound! Until then, I'll just keep loving the beautiful sound it makes...
I can say with almost 100% certainty you will be getting classic vintage Stingray tones. I am aiming for the same thing with my mods.
Much of the tone of Stingrays is in the pickup and the placement. An alnico pickup in parallel in that spot gets you most of the way to the tone. The preamp adds a bit of spice to that and completes the recipe. I think the Stingray bass is one of the designs least dependent on body woods, though I do think the neck has a small influence - maple adds just a touch more snap and high end than rosewood.
All IMO of course, but @LowEndLobster’s SUB Ray4 mod videos demonstrate very well how the pickup can take you most of the way for the classic Stingray sound...
Thx for the info. Curious what strings are typically recommended with this type of setup? Lots of info on MM sounding pre amps and pups but haven't found to much on strings. I'm using Super Slinkys right now, very bright and crisp for lack of a better description.
The Stingray is super sensitive to string type. I like D’Addario XL nickels myself. I’m sure others will chip in.
Thank you! I agree with the "Stingray is one of the designs least dependent on body woods" and that's exactly why I did that series like I did.
Thanks for the shout out!
I too often wonder about that... I'm gassing to get one of those new Sterling short scales, but truthfully I don't hear much difference at all between the 3 options (parallel, single, series) available with it's rotary PU switch! Maybe it's just the poor sound coming from my PC; maybe it's my admittedly 'tin ears', but I also wonder if maybe it's just us bassists being anal about tones as usual...? Would anyone in an audience, or for that matter anyone else in the band, even notice when one switched between those options?
Greywoulf
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