Same here. I don't own a ray, but fiddling with them in stores I find the H and HH to be different animals. I couldn't make the HH do the same thing as the signature ray tone of the single pickup model.
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Music Man Stingray 5 H or HH ?
- Thread starter Uchoa
- Start date
Same here. I don't own a ray, but fiddling with them in stores I find the H and HH to be different animals. I couldn't make the HH do the same thing as the signature ray tone of the single pickup model.
It messes with the aesthetics of Stingray to me. Since I don't have a use for the neck H (plus, the 5 string Stingray has a different use for the switch on a single H model), why would I want it to "ruin" the looks of it? So your analogy doesn't fit me. If a bass isn't appealing to me looks wise, I don't want to play it. I'm not saying HH Stingrays are ugly, but I prefer the single H look (and the extra space for slapping). I also prefer P look to PJ, and have little use for the J in the bridge. I would like to give PH a try though.
I wouldn't turn down an HH Stingray though. I'd love to try one of the new ones.
I don't think it's quite like that... The single pickup model sounds different from the HH in my experience.
If you use both pickups. I you only use the bridge pickup on a HH, I guess it should sound like an H.
You would think so, right? I know I did but couldn't actually get that to happen on the HH I was playing.
Maybe it was operator error
I voted Stingray 5H. I never get tired of its single pickup tone. Between the your right hand position and the potent, well voiced preamp you can't go wrong. The Stingray 5H has been my favorite bass since about 2005.
I hear this. It's kind of stupid, but I really dislike the look of the SR5. I know it is top shelf but I just don't line the appearance.
I found that I prefer the H to the HH. Out of all the StingRays I have tried, the ones I liked best were mostly Hs.
I'm not sure how useful our opinions are on this since it really seems like a personal preference thing. For myself though, I don't think I have ever played a bass - any bass - and thought "Nah, this doesn't really need a neck pickup". If anything I'd give up a bridge pickup before a neck pickup. So yeah, I'd go with the HH but I think you should try both if you can and see which sounds and feels right for you.
I think it would be helpful if those who say they tried the HH and couldn't get it to sound like an H would point out if they are referencing the new Specials or prior models . It does make a difference.
Also OP, are you considering the Special or prior models of the Stingray? Again , it makes a difference.
Also OP, are you considering the Special or prior models of the Stingray? Again , it makes a difference.
I vote HH. It is more versatile. It may not be able to get "the stingray tone" with how it is wired, but nothing in the OP said that's what was desired. There are more tonal options available with the HH and the neck pickup does add more beef to most of those options.
You would think so, right? I know I did but couldn't actually get that to happen on the HH I was playing.
Maybe it was operator error
Well you guys seem to agree the HH doesn't sound like an H. I should try an H just to chock that out.
You should definitely check out the H and HH models in both the old style and new Special. I have not played the new Special. It's 18v preamp may make a huge difference on the HH models. Or it may not.
To throw out some more info, the 30th Anniversary Stingray 5 H sounds a little different from the standard H models and NeckThrough models have a little different tone as well. There is also the Classic model, which only comes in H and has a 2-band EQ with no switch.
Lots of options. Lots of great options.
And don't forget about the formidable Sterling. They are unique animals in their own right and also come in H, HS and HH configurations.
Damn. It's great to have that many options.
When I had my G&L I always used both pickups, never soloed them. Now I have a Ray H but I always wonder what an HH would add to the great MM tone. The neck pickup definitely added some balls on the G&L, I imagine it would do the same on a Ray.
I have a Stingray 5 HH. I have been nothing but pleased with it and have put in hundreds of hours on it in the 6 months that I've had it. It's a workhorse, and I love it. For rock and metal, you can't go wrong with any of the positions, but the 4th and 2nd from the neck pickup can give a killing vintage P and British metal tone. Add some distortion and you're set!
5H looks better, though I'd go for the 5HH mainly to use the neck pickup as a thumbrest
It's not as much about adding balls but it gives you different tonal options. You get some Fenderish sounds that you can't get out of the single H. It's a great recording tool.
