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Question about stingrays

G

Greenman72

May 16, 2023
514
860
#1
I’m debating getting a stingray, but I have a question for the masses. What’s the difference between the single pickup and the two-pickup model?

if you have two pickups, but you only tuen on the bridge pickup, is it basically sound the same as the one-pickup model? Or is it noticeably different?

and if you have two pickups, are there notable differences in sound? And can you get the same sound out of the single-pickup model, albeit by changing the EQ?

finally, I know they have a fully passive model, their Pete Wentz model. It only has volume and tone. Has anybody played it? Does it sound like a stingray?

(The closest guitar center is 350 miles away, so please don’t say “just go try one out on your lunch break”.)
 
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#3
My experience with the single and double pup model has been with 2 different SR5's. The single pup model SR5 has a 3 position switch that puts the double coil pup into parallel (modern scoopy tone), Single coil with a dummy coil on the bottom. (kinda vintage tone) and Series (punchy aggressive growl that sits nice in mix) with a 3 band EQ. The dual pup model has 5 different coil combinations that do not overlap with the single pup model. A lot of folks think that the 2 pup model will sound like the single plus 2 other options. Not the case, they are 2 different instruments with their own unique tone. I prefer the single pup model and ended up selling the double because I couldn't make it sound like the single.
li5d2nQh.jpg

I bought this bass back in 1995 from Sam Ash for $800 and have played it ever since but, as of late I have had to switch to my Ultra Jazz V because it is a couple of pounds lighter. The SR5 has a poplar body and feels like a cinder block on the strap. Getting old Sucks.
8hU1f7rh.jpg
 
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#4
I think the general consensus in the aforementioned thread (and based on what I heard in the YouTube video) is that the 1-pickup model sounds virtually identical to the 2-pickup model when the bridge pickup is isolated.

It also seems that most people say that the neck pickup doesn't really add a lot, and is mostly there just to get in the way.

Anybody agree or disagree? (Still looking for feedback on the Wentz model.)
 
#5
Greenman72 said:
I think the general consensus in the aforementioned thread (and based on what I heard in the YouTube video) is that the 1-pickup model sounds virtually identical to the 2-pickup model when the bridge pickup is isolated.

It also seems that most people say that the neck pickup doesn't really add a lot, and is mostly there just to get in the way.

Anybody agree or disagree? (Still looking for feedback on the Wentz model.)
Click to expand...
I think I'd have to agree with @Ampslut about the single pickup 'Ray. I've noodled around with both the 2- and 3-band models, but never bought one. Mainly because I had no need for the tones that bass is best known for, and the other tones it can make? I already have basses that make them. However...
Being a lefty, I had to wait 'till 2020 to get a 4HH - and it's a Stingray Special. For me? That neck pickup does make for a lot of tones that I can (and do) use. The only time I put the selector switch in a single pickup mode is position #5 - neck pickup only. It does a pretty decent P-Bass tone, and I like it because my '78 P-Bass is set up as a very One Trick Pony; sounding - and looking - like it came from the factory in the late '60s. The 4HH is my "today's P-Bass" substitute. But, there are other selector positions I use - a lot.
So, I guess it just depends what you want from the bass...:cool:
 
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#6
GIBrat51 said:
I think I'd have to agree with @Ampslut about the single pickup 'Ray. I've noodled around with both the 2- and 3-band models, but never bought one. Mainly because I had no need for the tones that bass is best known for, and the other tones it can make? I already have basses that make them. However...
Being a lefty, I had to wait 'till 2020 to get a 4HH - and it's a Stingray Special. For me? That neck pickup does make for a lot of tones that I can (and do) use. The only time I put the selector switch in a single pickup mode is position #5 - neck pickup only. It does a pretty decent P-Bass tone, and I like it because my '78 P-Bass is set up as a very One Trick Pony; sounding - and looking - like it came from the factory in the late '60s. The 4HH is my "today's P-Bass" substitute. But, there are other selector positions I use - a lot.
So, I guess it just depends what you want from the bass...:cool:
Click to expand...
I love my StingRay Special HH. I've had a 3 or 4 StingRay single pickup basses over the years but never could totally bond with them. But I fell in love with the HH immediately.

Unlike you (@GIBrat51) though, position 5 (neck pickup only) is the only one I hardly ever use! (I love P-Basses, but don't feel like position 5 sounds anywhere near as good as my actual P-Basses.

I use position 1 (traditional StingRay H sound) fairly often, but I really love positions 2, 3, and 4. So for ME, I prefer the HH model.
 
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#7
Greenman72 said:
I’m debating getting a stingray, but I have a question for the masses. What’s the difference between the single pickup and the two-pickup model?

if you have two pickups, but you only tuen on the bridge pickup, is it basically sound the same as the one-pickup model? Or is it noticeably different?

and if you have two pickups, are there notable differences in sound? And can you get the same sound out of the single-pickup model, albeit by changing the EQ?

finally, I know they have a fully passive model, their Pete Wentz model. It only has volume and tone. Has anybody played it? Does it sound like a stingray?

(The closest guitar center is 350 miles away, so please don’t say “just go try one out on your lunch break”.)
Click to expand...
I've heard many people say the Sterling Ray 34 doesn't really sound like a Stingray, so I'm going to have to say the Pete Wentz model definitely doesn't.
(Almost bought the orange one a few weeks ago for a great price, hardshell case included, but I found something much better.)
Still, if I find one on my front porch tomorrow, I'll definitely play the hell out of it.
Other than that...
 
#8
Jeff K said:
I love my StingRay Special HH. I've had a 3 or 4 StingRay single pickup basses over the years but never could totally bond with them. But I fell in love with the HH immediately.

Unlike you (@GIBrat51) though, position 5 (neck pickup only) is the only one I hardly ever use! (I love P-Basses, but don't feel like position 5 sounds anywhere near as good as my actual P-Basses.

I use position 1 (traditional StingRay H sound) fairly often, but I really love positions 2, 3, and 4. So for ME, I prefer the HH model.
Click to expand...
I hear you - and I can't disagree. But, I'm not taking the bridge mute and everything else off my P-Bass, just to sound like everybody else's P-Bass. With the flats it's wearing, position 5 on my 4HH sounds sorta like a P-Bass; enough to make me... well, not exactly happy, but... satisfied... with it. But, I use positions 2 and 3 a lot more. TBH, the neck only position - and running in passive mode - on my G&L Tom Hamilton Signature ASAT bass - with it's flats - sounds more like a P-Bass than the 4HH does. My G&L Kiloton might, as well - but it's fretless. And, my 30" scale Warmoth Mini-Precision sounds a whole lot like a P-Bass...:cool:
 
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#9
Greenman72 said:
I think the general consensus in the aforementioned thread (and based on what I heard in the YouTube video) is that the 1-pickup model sounds virtually identical to the 2-pickup model when the bridge pickup is isolated.

It also seems that most people say that the neck pickup doesn't really add a lot, and is mostly there just to get in the way.

Anybody agree or disagree? (Still looking for feedback on the Wentz model.)
Click to expand...

It's all personal preference really. I personally don't like the HH models. I don't like the tone of the neck pickup on a Stingray, or any combinations with the bridge pickup. I prefer single H models aesthetically, and the neck pickup isn't in the way for slapping either (yes, you can get used to it and it's not an issue for a lot of people).

I'm just not a fan of super scooped combo of two humbuckers. I had a similar issue with G&L L2000, to me that is a scooped tone and I'm a mids guy. At least the L2000 had the neck pup in a P like position that I did like, but I digress. The position of the neck pickup on an HH Ray just sounds meh to me. When I play a Stingray, I want it to sound like a Stingray. But that's me, plenty of other people love them and that's perfectly fine.

You should check out as many videos of the HH models as you can and kind of try to decide if the added pickup does anything to your liking. It's not the same thing as trying it yourself, but it's something.
 
#10
Greenman72 said:
I think the general consensus in the aforementioned thread (and based on what I heard in the YouTube video) is that the 1-pickup model sounds virtually identical to the 2-pickup model when the bridge pickup is isolated.

It also seems that most people say that the neck pickup doesn't really add a lot, and is mostly there just to get in the way.

Anybody agree or disagree? (Still looking for feedback on the Wentz model.)
Click to expand...
I can’t give direct feedback on the Wentz model but I do play a passive short scale Stingray. A couple of observations…
The biggest piece to the sound of a Stingray is the pickup and its location. Of course the pre-amp makes a difference but if you set it flat, the bass does not cease to be a Stingray. Plus there are a couple of different iterations of the preamp… they are all still Stingrays. I’m happy with the passive version although I do think about adding a two band to my backup SBMM short scale. As for my EBMM model, I love it as it is. Does it sound like a Stingray? I think so but it does not have the flexibility of one with a preamp.
As to the HH, I expect different models may have slightly different pickup placement which would impact the possibility of sounding exactly the same as a single pup model. Plus, the second pup would increase string pull FWIW.
 
#11
GIBrat51 said:
TBH, the neck only position - and running in passive mode - on my G&L Tom Hamilton Signature ASAT bass - with it's flats - sounds more like a P-Bass than the 4HH does.
Click to expand...
As it should! The G&L neck pickup position is far more in a P position. The StingRay neck pickup is much closer to the neck, more in a Gibby position. Was never a fave sound *to me*
The MM Sabre also had the neck pickup back and what Leo used to nearly copy for the layout of the G&L's.
 
#12
I've had lots and lots of Musicmans. I still have three: two single H SR4, and a single H SR5.
I bought many of the HH pickup ones in both SR4 and SR5, but the all-coils on (switch position 3) just makes a StingRay so scooped and nothing like a classic single H tone. To me, that neck pickup being in a Gibby position just makes it too tubby. Years ago I never would have thought I wouldn't like a dual pickup Ray, but in the end the single H is very ballsy with tons of low end and retains that classic character and I found I was only using the rear H mode, eventually selling any HH's I had and going back to single H ones.

To me the Sabre was the best EBMM dual pickup bass because I felt the pickup positions were placed better, and it offered H, HH, HS and S operation all on one bass. It retained the character ballsy mids and never going scooped.
 
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#16
Greenman72 said:
I think the general consensus in the aforementioned thread (and based on what I heard in the YouTube video) is that the 1-pickup model sounds virtually identical to the 2-pickup model when the bridge pickup is isolated.

It also seems that most people say that the neck pickup doesn't really add a lot, and is mostly there just to get in the way.

Anybody agree or disagree? (Still looking for feedback on the Wentz model.)
Click to expand...
I would say that the 2 basses share one sound and that is with the bridge pup soloed of the HH and the H model in parallel with the 3 way switch at the bridge position. I personally use the series and single pup settings ( toggle in middle and at the neck position ) and the HH model does not have these tones. The biggest gripe I had about the HH model is the position of the bridge pup. It was in my way when I went to POP the strings back in my "slap happy" days. I don't do much of that these days working in a Motown cover band. All I really need as far as tone variation is the series and single coil. It's all in the hands anyway.
 

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