sorry, just to clarify. when was the new preamp that fixed the issue put in? does it effect SR5s or on SRs?
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Music Man Stingray w/ weak G string
- Thread starter bcam810
- Start date
Part of the problem is that there is no consensus. Some people say it is a problem on the 'Rays that they've owned, but others say it's not a problem on they 'Rays that they've owned.
Of the people who say that there is a problem, some say that it's an EQ issue, but others say that it's a setup issue, but others say it's because the strings aren't exactly centered on the pole pieces. Some say that the problem is isolated to the 'Ray, but others say that it's also a problem with all EBMMs. Some say that the problem is only with 4-string EBMMs, but not 5ers. Some say that it's only a problem with older 'Rays, but not the newer ones. Some say that it's not a problem with the 2-pickup EBMMs.
Is it a problem?...probably on a percentage of 4-string 'Rays, but how does EBMM attack the problem? I have no idea how many 'Rays they sell in a year and no idea what percentage of those 'Rays have this problem, but it's probably not most of them. So is it a design problem if it's only a percentage of instruments that are affected?...and considering that the 'Ray was designed by the late, great, Leo Fender, how far can they go to try to correct the problem without stepping on his legacy?...and is it even possible to correct without losing what makes a 'Ray sound like a 'Ray?
If you ask the people who think the neck is the problem, then the answer might be yes.
The man just may have a few things on his mind in any given day ya know? Is he abrupt? Perhaps, but show me another owner of a company the size of his that rolls his sleeves up and puts himself out in the public as much as has has done over the years. Now it's a matter of public record that he and I had our less than civil discourse all over the net with Mr. Bovine here stuck smack between a rock and a hard place (Hiya Jacko!) but he gave me a chance of a lifetime, on a silver platter and I matter of factly blew it and that's a fact that any and all who witnessed my demise will attest to.
With that said I shall return to my stool in the corner and put my pointy hat back on.
With that said I shall return to my stool in the corner and put my pointy hat back on.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
And people read these threads and tend to think it's an across-the-board issue with ALL Music Man basses. Internet Truth reigns supreme. Some - not all, nor even a large percentage, if my small sample is any indication, and it may not be - Stingray 4s have G strings that are less than optimal. I don't really know how many EBMM SR4s I've had; maybe fifteen or twenty. Of all those, I noticed a sub-optimal G string on one. *shrugs* The problem I had seemed to be solved with a bigger G string and a pickup height adjustment.
There may be something to my approach to EQ, as well. I'm a subtractive EQ person. Or that might not have anything to do with it at all - just a thought.
Until very recently (which is to say, this thread), I've never heard of a Sterling or a dual pickup SR being mentioned. I'm not going to sit here, which is nowhere near those particular basses mentioned, and tell you it ain't true - only that I've never heard of it. Make of that what you will.
I've had numerous Sterlings and a Sterling 5. Bongos, woo, don't even ask, I got zee Bongos in spades and I also have a couple of Big Als. I can entertain the G string issue on Stingray 4s, but Stingray 5s? The other models? News to me.
I try to stay out of the fray with these broad, sweeping, internet truths. You know, vintage Fenders are superior in every way to modern Fenders, Gibsons all neck-dive, Rics are unwieldy, Ibanez is best for metal, etc etc, but to the people who are saying, "Gosh, I was thinking about a Music Man bass but this thread has put me off it" - try playing the instruments instead of reading opinions.
Even MINE. Because you know what opinions are like.
I still believe it's an amp eq'ing issue that is fault of the player and not the bass. Having owned 25 Rays and never experienced a weak G, and I've owned every model: 2eq, 3eq, SR4's and SR5's, single and dual pickups.
Last week I got curious after reading posts on this subject yet again, so I started screwing around with my amp at practice to see why the heck this comes up. And while yeah I can force a slightly scooped sound and make the G strings' frequencies drop out in a band setting, but I also didn't like the way any of my other basses sounded with that amp setting. I eq my amp with a bump in the mids and have never had this issue...I also don't change the amp eq settings for my other instruments, so I know it's not the StingRay.
Last week I got curious after reading posts on this subject yet again, so I started screwing around with my amp at practice to see why the heck this comes up. And while yeah I can force a slightly scooped sound and make the G strings' frequencies drop out in a band setting, but I also didn't like the way any of my other basses sounded with that amp setting. I eq my amp with a bump in the mids and have never had this issue...I also don't change the amp eq settings for my other instruments, so I know it's not the StingRay.
I just did a setup on my buddy's SR 5 HS, and I didn't notice any issues with the G. For pickup height and even output across the strings, I use the LED array on my ART Pro Channel to read the Input Gain. Seems to do the trick for every bass I've setup since I've had the ART.
That was either me or someone posting the same question. I couldn't get any actual info out of anybody once it came time to compare the brands, or talking about putting EBMM strings on a non-EBMM bass.
I am a Ric player and habit the RIC corporate forum so I sometimes feel people are too hard on us from the outside, with what I feel is (99% of the time) a very good, open forum full of information about all instruments. So I'm naturally sympathetic to passionate EBMM fans as they get similar labels tossed at them. On the other hand I've tried to get into the EBMM forum three or four times and just can't for the reasons you mention.
I find the opposite.
I run my basses in to my PC via its line in at home and i can see on the input meter that the level drops when i played the G string. No EQ on the input/output, bass EQ flat and not even relying on my ears (although of course i can hear it drop).
No issues with any other bass, and certainly not to the same extent as with a Sub or SBMM Ray34.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,633
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
+1. i've owned about 10 of them (mostly vintage pre 1980's), and every single one of them had a weak g string, and it had nothing to do with the amps, or eq i was using. my new swamp ash bodied one has a stronger G string now than it had with the heavier original ash body, and fewer dead spots, so it was a win/win to make it an 8lb ray.
If he's that lacking in tact, doesn't it stand to reason he would hire someone with some tact to moderate the forums for him?The man just may have a few things on his mind in any given day ya know? Is he abrupt? Perhaps, but show me another owner of a company the size of his that rolls his sleeves up and puts himself out in the public as much as has has done over the years. Now it's a matter of public record that he and I had our less than civil discourse all over the net with Mr. Bovine here stuck smack between a rock and a hard place (Hiya Jacko!) but he gave me a chance of a lifetime, on a silver platter and I matter of factly blew it and that's a fact that any and all who witnessed my demise will attest to.
With that said I shall return to my stool in the corner and put my pointy hat back on.
Seriously, after reading three threads on those forums, not only will I never buy an EB or MM product, I'll do everything I can to dissuade others from buying one, for fear they may need to someday interact with that group of stuffed-shirt swaggering-peacocks.
I don't know about you guys, but I have no intention of buying a product from a company when one of the owners insults his customers and treats them the way Sterling does.
If I were in charge of a company and knew I was a less-than-tactful person, I would surely avoid customer interaction and delegate that responsibility out to someone more suited to the task.
- Feb 16, 2008
- 21,240
- 23,633
- Disclosures
- John K Custom Basses
back in the day, when i brought up the weak G string problem on a stingray to Leo, he was completely aware of it, so it's not our 'imagination'.
- Dec 5, 2002
- 4,165
- 2,254
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Ernie Ball Music Man/Sterling By Music Man
That's me! I'm that guy! Only I can't even control myself sometimes! I bet I get fired soon.
My shirt is not stuffed. Those are REAL moobs, baby.
Srsly, I suppose many people think Sterling should be this laid-back, politically correct, corporate-speaking executive with layers of Dilberts protecting him from his customers, but he's a really funny dude with a big heart and a wicked sense of humor.
But if you don't get that, no big whoop here.
My shirt is not stuffed. Those are REAL moobs, baby.
Srsly, I suppose many people think Sterling should be this laid-back, politically correct, corporate-speaking executive with layers of Dilberts protecting him from his customers, but he's a really funny dude with a big heart and a wicked sense of humor.
But if you don't get that, no big whoop here.
That T-Bird is beautiful!
I understand what you're saying about him being himself and not being some fake corporate idea of what a business owner should be like, but the man is insulting and condescending to his customers. Fact is, if you represent a company, you have a responsibility to that company to behave in a certain manner, ESPECIALLY towards existing customers just trying to get as much information as they can about a new feature/option on your product. If you can't do that, then your responsibility to the company shifts, and part of your job becomes to stay out of the public eye.
Like I said, I read *three* threads on those forums and it put such a foul taste in my mouth - between Sterling and the people who seem to leap to his guard - that I've written off EBMM altogether.
This is not the very first I've heard about the "weak G" syndrome on those basses. Someone new will post this question every few months it seems, so it must be a reality in some way for an unacceptably high number of owners.
Although they've felt pretty good in my hands, I've not played one in a band situation. And after everything I've read over the years about their quirks, I probably never will.
You can have 'em, plain or roasted.
Although they've felt pretty good in my hands, I've not played one in a band situation. And after everything I've read over the years about their quirks, I probably never will.
You can have 'em, plain or roasted.
Sorry Jack,... I didn't find Sterling's direct comments to me on his forum to be that humorous....I have a feeling he enjoyed watching me being literally stoned by his ever loyal minions...he certainly opened the door for them to do so.
I've read quite a few posts where you've defended his "demeanor"
Almost as many as there are concerning weak g strings...makes ya wonder if there's any ( internet ) truth to the fact that he may not be the jolly old elf that you paint him to be.
My 'Ray had a weak g string and the pole was so misplaced that if I bent the string ( yea I know, bassists shouldn't do that ) it would completely disappear....as well as a dead spot that would rival any on a Fender
.
But, if that's the tone you're looking for...I say try an ATK ... I did...problem for me....solved
I've read quite a few posts where you've defended his "demeanor"
Almost as many as there are concerning weak g strings...makes ya wonder if there's any ( internet ) truth to the fact that he may not be the jolly old elf that you paint him to be.
My 'Ray had a weak g string and the pole was so misplaced that if I bent the string ( yea I know, bassists shouldn't do that ) it would completely disappear....as well as a dead spot that would rival any on a Fender
.But, if that's the tone you're looking for...I say try an ATK ... I did...problem for me....solved
