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Musicman Stingray 5 low B issues

M

mikoman

Jan 21, 2009
8
0
#1
I bought a used Stingray 5, built in 2001. Body: ash, neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, matching headstock, 1 pickup.

The sound of the bass is just the way I expect a Stingray to sound like. However, the low B lacks clarity and definition. I get a lot of overtones and no precisely defined tones. I don't have that problem with the other 4 strings. I wonder why this is. I'm using Elites strings, the low B is an untapered string, 130mm. Does anyone have an idea what to do about this? Could this be a problem that can't be resolved as it's due to the wood of the bass itself? Or should I use different strings? I set it up with low action and the low B is quite close to the pickup (5-7mm). Has anyone had the same problems and found a solution? Or did I simply buy a lemon? Thanks for your help.
 
#2
"A lot of overtones and no precisely defined tones" sounds like the kind of "warbling" I associate with too much magnetic interference from the pickup. Try lowering the pickup on the B string side--a whole lot, if necessary--and see if it helps.

Mike
 
#6
B strings are notoriously difficult to make in such a way that they don't suffer from weird overtones. I changed from DRs to LaBella for just this reason.

Also, some basses are simply not built to withstand 31Hz (it's not the builder's fault; some basses just don't "got it"). Has this been an ongoing issue or is it recent?
 
#7
I just bought it, so I assume it's an ongoing issue. I do have enough bass but not enough punch, clarity or definition (high frequencies), but only in the low B. I haven't yet experimented with different strings. I tried a tapered low B but that was even worse.
 
#8
fretlessman71 said:
B strings are notoriously difficult to make in such a way that they don't suffer from weird overtones. I changed from DRs to LaBella for just this reason.

Also, some basses are simply not built to withstand 31Hz (it's not the builder's fault; some basses just don't "got it"). Has this been an ongoing issue or is it recent?
Click to expand...

Fretlessman, I'm not sure if I should laugh or be insulted by your avatar!:p

I guess Texas is the "Johnson" of the nation. Oh well, I'm born and raised in Maryland so what do I care.
 
#14
You can try experimenting with different string brands and gauges, but after owning about five SR5s in the past, I have to say, it's the nature of the best.

All the SR5s I had had poor low B string, full of overtones and lacking definition.
 
#16
fretlessman71 said:
The cheap fix is to change the string and see what happens. At least it's a good starting point.

Perfekt, you're not the first one to comment on the avatar... but so far NO ONE knows where I got it from! Fifty points to the first person to figure it out... ;)
Click to expand...

My guess is either Colbert Report or Daily Show. I did a goggle search for "united states wearing underwear" and came up with some interesting pictures but no winner.

I'll echo what everyone else has said and suggest you replace the strings. Factory strings aren't always the best. I don't know if this would cause the problem but perhaps the nut isn't cut properly on the B string. If the strings don't work take it to a good tech and see if they can diagnose the problem.
 
#18
lefty007, so you're experience has been that SR5 do have generally a poor low B? A lot of people say SR5s are renowned for having a solid B. I'm not used to SR5's so I just don't know whether I'm expecting too much based on my experience with my warwick thumb 6 string which delivers an excellent low B.
 
#19
fretlessman71 said:
The cheap fix is to change the string and see what happens. At least it's a good starting point.

Perfekt, you're not the first one to comment on the avatar... but so far NO ONE knows where I got it from! Fifty points to the first person to figure it out... ;)
Click to expand...

I think it's Canada's response to this...

canada-americas-hat-tshirt-1.jpg
 
#20
mikoman said:
lefty007, so you're experience has been that SR5 do have generally a poor low B? A lot of people say SR5s are renowned for having a solid B. I'm not used to SR5's so I just don't know whether I'm expecting too much based on my experience with my warwick thumb 6 string which delivers an excellent low B.
Click to expand...

That's been my experience. I know that many players regard the low B on SR5s as excellent, and even Bass Player magazine gave it high marks in a famous 5-string Shootout many year ago.

But to my ears, SR5s do not have good low Bs, and I tried several strings, from DRs to TI flats and everything in between. And this is my conclusion after owning five SR5s, no exaggeration. I really like the necks on SR5s, and time after time I would sell one to then buy another one, but I gave up at the end.

I have had Warwicks, and the low B on a Thumb bolt-on I had was excellent, very clear. And my other points of reference are MTD 535s, Yamaha TRBs and Sadowskys, which all have great low Bs.
 

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