Preamp Replacement (Ray 5 Sub H by Sterling)

[CHILLIBass]

Hi, I'm doing research on replacing the preamp on my Ray 5 Sub (single humbucker) since I've noticed the headroom on the stock preamp isn't doing me any favors since I like the high output of the stock pickup (I run the pickup in series for that low end punch and dark sound.) I was just wondering if there were any preamps that could help me get a unique sort of grunt/growl/bark out of my bass, I love wal basses but I feel like those filter preamps are just kinda not my thing (I already own a GK RB 1001 and ideally wouldn't wanna be too similar to Justin Chancellor's tone (even though I do love that tone a LOT))

Suggestions more than anything are best, I do tend to go in the opposite direction of what I'm suggested but who knows maybe I'll actually listen to ppl lol.

 

[CHILLIBass]

going passive is also an option I wouldn't mind too much

 

[Docduval]

Then go passive. Easy and cheap.

 

[CHILLIBass]

Then go passive. Easy and cheap.

Would a SBK-30 preamp be a good option as well? They're like $50 and I do enjoy that active punch a lot.

 

[Docduval]

I would say yes, but you said you would do the opposite, so… maybe?

 

[CHILLIBass]

I would say yes, but you said you would do the opposite, so… maybe?

honestly I was mostly joking with that, I just tend to listen to advice and then right at the end go with something either completely unrelated or completely opposite of what I said... Honestly just depends on what Im feeling that day lol

 

[CHILLIBass]

Would a SBK-30 preamp be a good option as well? They're like $50 and I do enjoy that active punch a lot.

also would I lose anything by going passive tonally? (also my preamp just decided to die on me (I play quite agressively) and now it genuinely just sounds like a dying cat)

 

[GTHintz]

If you want something different try a mec preamp off a Warwick. There was a YouTube video where someone tried it and it sounded pretty cool. You can also look up a sting ray video by low end lobster where they literally compared and demoed 5 different preamps and passive too. That video could probably help you a lot. YouTube low end lobster sting ray preamp.

 

[CHILLIBass]

If you want something different try a mec preamp off a Warwick. There was a YouTube video where someone tried it and it sounded pretty cool. You can also look up a sting ray video by low end lobster where they literally compared and demoed 5 different preamps and passive too. That video could probably help you a lot. YouTube low end lobster sting ray preamp.

ooooo Im curious about that warwick idea

 

[GTHintz]

 

[GTHintz]

ooooo Im curious about that warwick idea

The majority of Warwick preamps go with active pickups however if you set a preamp from a passive dual humbucker or passive soap bar setup they are passive compatible. I think a humbucker and pre from a corvette would be badass in a sting ray.

 

[CHILLIBass]

The majority of Warwick preamps go with active pickups however if you set a preamp from a passive dual humbucker or passive soap bar setup they are passive compatible. I think a humbucker and pre from a corvette would be badass in a sting ray.

My pickup is passive but its also INSANELY hot in terms of signal (being a giant ceramic magnet humbucker wired in series)

 

[GTHintz]

My pickup is passive but its also INSANELY hot in terms of signal (being a giant ceramic magnet humbucker wired in series)

Well there's quite a few options for passive. I'd probably go 2 band to keep the traditional sting ray sound but a 3 band would be killer too.

 

[CHILLIBass]

Well there's quite a few options for passive. I'd probably go 2 band to keep the traditional sting ray sound but a 3 band would be killer too.

I honestly want a really unique sound and I think a 5 string ray with a WARWICK (MEC) Preamp of all things would be hillarious honestly

 

[CHILLIBass]

Well there's quite a few options for passive. I'd probably go 2 band to keep the traditional sting ray sound but a 3 band would be killer too.

How can I find one without a blend knob though?

 

[GTHintz]

How can I find one without a blend knob though?

There have been a couple basses that don't have 2 pickups which would get you something without it. The easiest thing would be to eliminate the blend on one of them. If you snip the wires for the blend it'll all be going just to the one pickup. If you find something with 2 volume knobs it's even easier to cut out the other volume. Something else to think about that's probably easier yet also really cool is to get the pickup and wiring harness to a Warwick corvette double buck that's passive like the rock bass version I had. It had volume volume tone but the 2 volume knobs were push pull to trigger single coil and full on humbucker mode. You could have passive wiring but switching from single to dual would give you some fun stuff. Or hell, just rout in the other pickup and you'll have a double buck sting ray. It would probably fit right in the pickup guard for a 2 humbucker ray which would screw right in. If you have to actually rout out some body to drop the other pickup in the guard covers everything so it doesn't have to be perfect.

 

[CHILLIBass]

nah I would perfer that classic single pickup but I only have 3 knobs so for a full EQ I can't really afford to have 2 volumes

 

[CHILLIBass]

any way to bypass a volume knob entirely? (e.g. 100% volume constantly)

 

[CHILLIBass]

So aside from the MEC preamps what could also be cool for some metal growl

 

[Sid the Kid]

For growl I'd consider the LHZ-04. It's a clone of the HAZ preamps of Spector basses from the 80's. There's a long thread about them in this forum. I have one in an Ibanez with EMG pickups and it is a great preamp if you want something with some flavor.

LHZ-04 Two-Band Preamp (Standard EQ Pots)

The LHZ-04 Bass Guitar Preamp is a faithful re-creation of the circuit used in late 80's and early 90's HazLabs bass preamps to create that classic and elusive Spector tone. If you have a 20-year-old Spector NS2A, Euro, or ReBop, all you need are a set of active EMG PJ pickups and this preamp!

lhzpreampshop.com