Music Man Stingray Fretless help

[nofretz]

If you've ever owned one, please help:

As a long-time Pino fan, I always wanted a SR fretless. I finally bought a 2010s model recently. I was very disappointed because virtually the ENTIRE G string was a dead spot. I tried clamps, Fat fingers (2!), and even really heavy strings. Nothing helped. I ended up selling it

Has anyone ever had (or heard of) such an issue with one of those basses? I never hear those dead spots in the old Pino videos/records. Are newer MMs that much inferior in quality compared to the old pre Ernie Ball models?

Would I be better off to try one of the Ray34 fretless models?

Lots of questions here haha.

 

[Matt R.]

Stingrays in general have a G string that's a lot quieter than the D, A, and E. There's a lot of debate on this, but after owning a bunch of them over the years and hearing them played by others, I can't be convinced that this isn't an inherent quirk in these basses.

 

[nofretz]

Hmmm

Also, I tried lowering the bass side of the pickup. That helped a little, but still, on stage anytime I played a note on the G string you literally couldn't hear it.

 

[TMARK]

Stingrays in general have a G string that's a lot quieter than the D, A, and E. There's a lot of debate on this, but after owning a bunch of them over the years and hearing them played by others, I can't be convinced that this isn't an inherent quirk in these basses.

I think it's the pre, the 3 Band in particular. It might be something else, but I've found every 2 band and every HH or HS I've handled didn't exhibit the missing G string problem. My Old Smoothie doesn't have the problem. The Classics don't have the problem. The problem is, however, real.

I had a fretless Ray and I sold it because it had a dead spot in the usual place, C on the G string. It drove me nuts. I can usually deal with a dead spot but on a fretless it's so noticeable as the mwah just dies. I recorded a track for a producer, and the C major sections of the track required playing on the C dead spot. I didn't want to play the C on the A or D. I ended up playing while pressing the headstock against the amp. It sounded glorious. I traded it in at Sam Ash the next week.

 

[TMARK]

Hmmm

Also, I tried lowering the bass side of the pickup. That helped a little, but still, on stage anytime I played a note on the G string you literally couldn't hear it.

I think it's the baked in EQ of the three band. Maybe. I've heard people say that a pickup and Pre swap brought back the G.

 

[Dave W]

I have owned two band Stingrays that have a non existent G string too so I don't think it's tied directly to the preamp unless it's settings dependent.

 

[nofretz]

Yeah my fretless in question was a 2 band.

 

[TMARK]

I have owned two band Stingrays that have a non existent G string too so I don't think it's tied directly to the preamp unless it's settings dependent.

Perhaps it is settings, then. To me it's too big of an issue to deal with. It's a strange problem, as it seems random.

 

[nofretz]

Maybe I just had a lemon and need to try again. I may try a Sterling Ray34CAFL this time. I've see a lot of good reviews one those (none mentioning dead spots--let along entire strings). I'll post the results here if I do get one.

Glad to know it wasn't just me, though!

 

[lfmn16]

I've owned a handful of Stingrays over the years, including a fretless. Definitely a try before you buy bass.

 

[nofretz]

I've owned a handful of Stingrays over the years, including a fretless. Definitely a try before you buy bass.

I think this is my answer. Thanks to everyone.

 

[lfmn16]

I think this is my answer. Thanks to everyone.

Sorry the one you have didn't work out. I walked into Chuck Levin's in DC about 10 years ago to buy an amp and just picked up a lined Fretless Stingray for the hell of it. I didn't even play fretless. I wound up buying it and it was my main instrument for a couple of years. Easy to play, zero adjustment from fretted and no dead spots or strings. I wish I'd never sold it.

 

[nofretz]

Well I wish I'd bought it

 

[Dave W]

Perhaps it is settings, then. To me it's too big of an issue to deal with. It's a strange problem, as it seems random.

Indeed. My 3 band SR5's don't have the issue at any setting.

Maybe I just had a lemon and need to try again. I may try a Sterling Ray34CAFL this time. I've see a lot of good reviews one those (none mentioning dead spots--let along entire strings). I'll post the results here if I do get one.

Glad to know it wasn't just me, though!

I kinda doubt the Sterling is going to be any better. The US made stuff is all top notch.

The G string "issue" frequently comes up. EBMM and die hard players deny it and others can't seem to agree whether it's a problem or not, let alone the cause and solution.

 

[nofretz]

I'm sure the Sterling would be inferior to the EBMM overall, but I'd take a Sterling without the dead string issue if I found one. After all, it wouldn't be my main bass.

 

[onosson]

Not exactly the same thing, but I have an early 2000s US-made fretless SUB with passive controls - bass and treble cut only, I believe. No problems with string resonance at all.

 

[johnson79]

I find that the G on my RAY34 is weak. I have been playing with the EQ, but need to adjust the pickup and maybe some different strings. I've read that flats may help, not sure what you're using.

 

[nofretz]

I didn't try flats, but I tried 55s!

 

[SLO Surfer]

I've got a late 90's fretless stingray with 3- band preamp. No dead spots on mine, luckily. Sounds great up and down the entire neck on each string.

Wonder if a set up tweak might help? Maybe try that before moving on?

 

[bobunit]

I owned a 1994 fretless Stingray for several years. While I didn't have the output issue you've experienced, it did have a dead spot on the G string (D). Drove me nuts.