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NBD: Butterscotch SBMM Stingray Classic Ray25

I have this exact bass as a #2. However, it's loaded with Aguilar MM and SD preamp 3 band. Previous owner had it modified to have the 4 controls. I'll probably swap an Aguilar Obp3 as the sd isn't cutting it for me. Love the neck and playability . Enjoy.
 
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I have this exact bass as a #2. However, it's loaded with Aguilar MM and SD preamp 3 band. Previous owner had it modified to have the 4 controls. I'll probably swap an Aguilar Obp3 as the sd isn't cutting it for me. Love the neck and playability . Enjoy.

Thanks for chiming in. Was the Aggie pup a direct fit? Do the pole pieces line up well? I have always dug Aggies approach to tone and hear nothing but positives about that pickup if you're into the vintage Ray tone. Do you have a DC measurement by chance?
 
I had a sub and there is a difference between thise and the sterling line. In between the sub and real deal. Ive had the real deal too and wish I had it back, but my Lakland filled the void. Here are the photos I mentioned.
20180715_135330.jpg
20180715_135407.jpg
 
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The SUB's are Chinese junk. Please don't hate me.

Junk maybe a bit harsh for the price point of the Subs. Think I have seen them for 279 new. Dont get me wrong, SUBs are no EBMM. These SBMMs are closer like Stewy mentions.

I had a sub and there is a difference between thise and the sterling line. In between the sub and real deal. Ive had the real deal too and wish I had it back, but my Lakland filled the void. Here are the photos I mentioned.

Thanks for the pics Stewy. Laklands are great. Always was a bit disappointed with the MM solo tone of my 4402 and 5502, however the variety is amazing.

Not sure if it is the angle, but are the pole pieces misaligned as much as they appear? Any noticable output issues? I think I have read that the magnetic field extends much further and it is more a visual issue than a performance one.
 
The photo was snapped directly above, so no angle voodoo. Output is crazy strong, too strong imho. I have to back down the level on my pre when swapping from my 5501, which is loaded with aggie super doubles and obp3.
 
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So I am contemplating a preamp and or pickup swap. Decided to do a quick sloppy recording of the before so I can compare. I did it DI into my computer to capture the 'sound" no amp sim, etc.

Just used a RATM lick to fool around on. First riff is slapped, second one is finger styled. Sorry to pick!

First go through is pre set flat.
Second starting at :33 is full treble and full bass
Third starting at 1:05 is about 50% of both, my sweet spot on a Ray.

At 1:33 I turn on a SVT sim and just dink off outro. There is a volume jump so be careful! I keep the same third EQ setting for the amp sim.

Let me know what you think! This pickup is in parallel, as opposed to series that it came from stock as. I am tuned EADGC so sorry no low B.
 

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Idk. With some tweaking it may be alright the way it is? Preference obviously, but is the juice worth the squeeze?

You're right. As is, plays and sounds pretty good. Especially after parallel mod. Even when the bass and treble are maxed out, still musical. Cheap pres tend to sound like blah when you push them IMO. Keep going back and forth on the Aggie pickup. Hate that the G string pole is misaligned. I know its visual, sounds like it isn't a problem.

My friends and I use that quote all the time. I feel like with gear and tone I am a middle of the road guy. Can make most things work yet have my preferences. If I have 90-95% of what I want, not sure if it is worth spending to get more...in this case I am not sure if the juice is worth it.
 
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1B5C586D-1C21-4ADC-A011-20D24294370B.jpeg


Regarding Aguilar’s pickup, they are great pickups but what I don’t like about them is that they do not offer different string spacings like some other manufacturers. They offer an inbetween, like with their 5 string jazz pups, hence the magnets do not exactly line up with the strings. It’s even mentioned on their website.
 
String spacing is 17.5mm.

Can anyone confirm if this is the same preamp/pickup of the Ray 34/5?

View attachment 3080244 View attachment 3080245

Have you measured the string spacing because I was told that the ray35 were 16.5mm, which is a real bummer for me.

I will open up my ray34ca today and compare with the electronics from your picture. We’ll see if they are the same.

I am surprised to learned that it was wired in series, i’ll probably wire mine in parallel too! Series sounds great dough!

Like you, I wish I still had my stingray classic.
 
So I am contemplating a preamp and or pickup swap. Decided to do a quick sloppy recording of the before so I can compare. I did it DI into my computer to capture the 'sound" no amp sim, etc.

Just used a RATM lick to fool around on. First riff is slapped, second one is finger styled. Sorry to pick!

First go through is pre set flat.
Second starting at :33 is full treble and full bass
Third starting at 1:05 is about 50% of both, my sweet spot on a Ray.

At 1:33 I turn on a SVT sim and just dink off outro. There is a volume jump so be careful! I keep the same third EQ setting for the amp sim.

Let me know what you think! This pickup is in parallel, as opposed to series that it came from stock as. I am tuned EADGC so sorry no low B.

Liking the SVT sim way more than I thought I would. Would you consider selling?