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Music Man Stingray advice
- Thread starter rmcfee
- Start date
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
This.
Short answer:
If it's a 3 band, get a legit 2 MMSR 2 band or accurate copy of one.
Proceed with caution - the preamp is part of the secret sauce. If you must, check out John East.
I used the John East MM pre and was very satisfied. Used the 3 band with the sweepable mids, very versatile.
Another vote here for the John East MM pre with the sweepable mids! Very musical!
1. Have you tried different strings? This will have the potential to change your tone more thsn any thing else?
2. Have you really experimented with the current preamp? Sometimes you have to try unobvious things with a preamp to discover what tones are available?
2. Have you really experimented with the current preamp? Sometimes you have to try unobvious things with a preamp to discover what tones are available?
I changed the stock 3 band in my 2007 to a John East 2 band. It turned out that the original three band tone was just not for me. I couldn't be more satisfied. The 2 band John East is based on the original Music Man preamp and is much warmer sounding. As a note, the John East preamp is absolutely stellar quality in terms of build and parts (as was the OEM preamp).
What is it that you don't like about the sound? Jumping right to a different preamp might not be the solution. As Slade said above, strings (and string gauge) can certainly have a significant effect. Also, back when I first got my Stingray 5 (3 band) I was not crazy about the sounds I was getting out of it, and I found I had to lower the pickup (I have a heavier touch technique wise) and this completely opened up the instrument and released that sweet Stingray tone.
So before going replacing electronics, try some other basics first, you may be surprised at the results.
So before going replacing electronics, try some other basics first, you may be surprised at the results.
Although I haven’t tried the John East MusicMan preamps, I do have one of the 3-band Jazz preamps with sweepable mids. Killer sound and extremely versatile. I would recommend them from a quality standpoint. If you’re interested in a preamp swap, I’d recommend checking out this video to see if it gets you closer to where you want to be. It’s very informative in describing how the different preamps behave.
The Stingray preamp is pretty much perfect for the bass as is. What don’t you like about the sound?
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
It's going to depend on what 'better' means. A StingRay is a StingRay. It has a baked in sound that you either love or hate. 2 band vs 3 will allow you to perhaps get a different 'color' of that sound, but it will not in any significant way change the fact that it's a 'Ray.
No, the 3 band was originally coupled with the regular AlNiCo pickup on the StingRay, and later the same year on the StingRay 5.
I can't remember the exact dates, but about 8 years later the StingRay 5 switched to Ceramic magnets (like the Sterling) for about a decade, before switching back to AlNiCo.
The regular 4 string StingRay always used AlNiCo, it was only the 5-string that switched for a period.
I didn't really bond with my 1998 Stingray 4H. Not because of the preamp, but because it lacked a second humbucker. Fast forward--- sold it, got a Special 4HH. Problem solved.
Yes, something like that.
The East MM preamp is also great. If you put the mid control at the center detent, the preamp emulates a 2EQ.
Always a pity when the OP seems to have fallen off the face of the earth 
Always a pity when the OP seems to have fallen off the face of the earth
No kidding. @rmcfee any feedback here based on the responses to your question?
So sorry folks! I had an unexpected bunch of stuff hit me. I really appreciate all the responses!
I think the bass sounds great as it is and only got to wondering about other preamps because a friend said he put in a Seymour Duncan preamp and thought it was much better.
It's a 2 band preamp and I don't feel I need a mid control. The Stingray is truly a thing of beauty!
I think the bass sounds great as it is and only got to wondering about other preamps because a friend said he put in a Seymour Duncan preamp and thought it was much better.
It's a 2 band preamp and I don't feel I need a mid control. The Stingray is truly a thing of beauty!
