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I agree - I need my neck pickup to be further from the bridge - no point in having a bass that lacks....bass.That modern pickup placement is not my thing.
I have a Stingray Special 4H and it certainly doesn't lack Bass nor have I heard a Sadowsky Modern that seems to lack Bass plus both have Bass knob shelved at 40hzI agree - I need my neck pickup to be further from the bridge - no point in having a bass that lacks....bass.
My Peavey has pickups in the Modern position and it is not lacking in bottom. Neither did the Peavey Cirrus basses and Ken Smith I owned lack bottom end. That position offers clarity and definition.I have a Stingray Special 4H and it certainly doesn't lack Bass nor have I heard a Sadowsky Modern that seems to lack Bass plus both have Bass knob shelved at 40hz
Saying that we may differ in what's enough Bass![]()
Those are active basses that have bass boost on tap - both of those, if you set the knobs at half rotation, you have a substantial amount of bass boost. Electronic eq doesn't really compensate perfectly for having the pickup a bit further out; the eq necessary to compensate perfectly is different on each string. The reason that 'Rays are considered weak on the G string is because of this "not quite right" compensation.I have a Stingray Special 4H and it certainly doesn't lack Bass nor have I heard a Sadowsky Modern that seems to lack Bass plus both have Bass knob shelved at 40hz
Saying that we may differ in what's enough Bass![]()
I have 5 StingRay Specials and have owned 2 others. A weak G string has never been my experience.Those are active basses that have bass boost on tap - both of those, if you set the knobs at half rotation, you have a substantial amount of bass boost. Electronic eq doesn't really compensate perfectly for having the pickup a bit further out; the eq necessary to compensate perfectly is different on each string. The reason that 'Rays are considered weak on the G string is because of this "not quite right" compensation.
I learned this the hard way. Years ago I bought a gorgeous Masterbuiltd Sadowsky 24 fret but it was modern pickup configuration. It sounded exactly like a Ken Smith. Some would love that. I can’t stand that burpy bass tone. Thankfully the guy from Fret Nation worked well with me on the return. It’s a shame, because it felt great.I agree - I need my neck pickup to be further from the bridge - no point in having a bass that lacks....bass.
I learned this the hard way. Years ago I bought a gorgeous Masterbuiltd Sadowsky 24 fret but it was modern pickup configuration. It sounded exactly like a Ken Smith. Some would love that. I can’t stand that burpy bass tone. Thankfully the guy from Fret Nation worked well with me on the return. It’s a shame, because it felt great.
I had two pre-Specials with weak Gs. I had to do some acrobatics with the pickup height to make them even reasonably audible and even. As with several other issues, Ernie Ball seems to have corrected that problem with the StingRay Special. Like you, I've never had a weak G with a Special.I have 5 StingRay Specials and have owned 2 others. A weak G string has never been my experience.
forums.ernieball.com
forums.ernieball.com
forums.ernieball.com
Sorry if I'm misreading this, but Sterling's reaction seems to be, "Yeah, I know lots of players don't like this aspect of my product, but tough luck. Just get used to it." Seems kind of uncharacteristic of him.Here is what Big Poppa [Sterling Ball] had to say about weak G back in 2005; to bad last post wasn't heeded
Links are direct to Sterlings post NOT what is in description not sure why but need to click link
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Weak G-string output
Hey, everyone. My stock stingray 4 p/u has weak output on the G and to a lesser extent the D. I have played with eq and pickup height, as well as setup, but to no avail. I have been playing bass for 17 years, and have owned and played many basses. This is by far my favorite, and will never...forums.ernieball.com
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Weak G-string output
Anyway, I still firmly hold my opinion on the subject :) Which is good to know. I mean why shouldnt you know more than the guy that runs the EBMM show. :rolleyes:forums.ernieball.com
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Weak G-string output
Hmm... man this thread has got me worried now. I have a 1990 SR4 which has problems with a weak G. It also has a couple of dead spots (6th to 8th fret). Actually it gets progressively weaker as you go from the 1st fret to the 7th. Posted a thread about it here...forums.ernieball.com
Sort ofSorry if I'm misreading this, but Sterling's reaction seems to be, "Yeah, I know lots of players don't like this aspect of my product, but tough luck. Just get used to it." Seems kind of uncharacteristic of him.