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Musicman Preamp&pickup upgrade?

M

Mahavishnubass

Oct 6, 2007
5
0
#1
Hi guys,

I own a Musicman Stingray 4 strings made in 2003.

I would like to change the preamp and the pickup because the volume is not the same on the E-A strings and on the D-G strings. Also, i found that the output on the G string was significantly weaker than the other strings and also a lack of clarity. I want more bass and mid but less high.

Here are some suggestions but i don't know which one to choose.

-Bartolini MMC pickup & NTMB 3 band preamp
-Seymour Duncan(Basslines) SMB-4a pickup & STC-3M4 preamp

-Nordstrand MM4.2 pickup & John East BTB MMSR preamp

-Aguilar OBP3 preamp?

Please help me for my quest! Thank you very much!
 
#4
That's sound advice, however if you live a little more than spitting distance from San Louis Obispo (Tasmania for example), it can be a little difficult. With my SR4 I did have the chance to play 1st, and I played it stock for about 7 years, after finally tracking one down in Tasmania, however my Streamer, Thumb & SR5 I had to buy without seeing. Same goes for my SVT610-AV, HBP-1, SA450, NL-210 and other previous gear. That's why we seek the advice of others on here - saves an overnight ferry ride. Actually, the 610 & Demeter I imported from the USA.
 
#5
Mahavishnubass said:
Hi guys,

I own a Musicman Stingray 4 strings made in 2003.

I would like to change the preamp and the pickup because the volume is not the same on the E-A strings and on the D-G strings. Also, i found that the output on the G string was significantly weaker than the other strings and also a lack of clarity. I want more bass and mid but less high.

Here are some suggestions but i don't know which one to choose.

-Bartolini MMC pickup & NTMB 3 band preamp
-Seymour Duncan(Basslines) SMB-4a pickup & STC-3M4 preamp

-Nordstrand MM4.2 pickup & John East BTB MMSR preamp

-Aguilar OBP3 preamp?

Please help me for my quest! Thank you very much!
Click to expand...

Have you messed with the PUP height at all?

The MM preamp and PUPs are pretty sweet stuff. Anything you mentioned above will not sound like a MM.

IMO and YMMV...
 
#7
Raising the treble side of the pickup is certainly the place to start. However, this is a very common problem with the StingRay's. Out of the two I've owned, one had a very weak G string output.

My opinion is favorable on the Basslines or Norstrand/East setups. The Bart MM's that I have heard don't sound like a StingRay at all.
 
#8
man the nordstrand and the east pre is a killer combination it´s so powerfull you will be extremely happy with that bartilini CB MM are good but nordstrand 4.2 has more precense really great pickups and east pre make even better NORDSTRAND-EAST thats the combo bro
 
#9
I'm in the same spot as the OP with my SR4, so I thought I'd give this thread a bump. I am considering the Nordstrand / East combo based on the experiences I've had with East J-Retro products. Any other experiences with this combo or a different pickup with the East MM pre? DeLano? All advice welcomed and appreciated.
 
#10
Sterling Ball has said on the EBMM Forum many times that the reason for the weaker G-string output is NOT the pickup, but the pre-amp. He will not redesign the pre-amp as it is part of the Stingrays Signature sound. My 2008 HH does not have this problem.
 

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