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SBMM pickup replacement

#6
I know there are a few people here who feel replacing pickups on a SBMM is a necessity, but I'll tell you this. I don't know a whole lot about swapping what's already there out for an Aquilar, but I have a Short Scale MM Stingray, and Short Scale SBMM Stingray, and the basses sound identical. If you're a fan of the Stingray sound and money is tight for you, ya might just want to think a bit more on this (if you haven't already). I've swapped pickups on other basses in the past and felt like just tossed money out the window.
 
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#7
Joe Nerve said:
I know there are a few people here who feel replacing pickups on a SBMM is a necessity, but I'll tell you this. I don't know a whole lot about swapping what's already there out for an Aquilar, but I have a Short Scale MM Stingray, and Short Scale SBMM Stingray, and the basses sound identical. If you're a fan of the Stingray sound and money is tight for you, ya might just want to think a bit more on this (if you haven't already). I've swapped pickups on other basses in the past and felt like just tossed money out the window.
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#9
Joe Nerve said:
I know there are a few people here who feel replacing pickups on a SBMM is a necessity, but I'll tell you this. I don't know a whole lot about swapping what's already there out for an Aquilar, but I have a Short Scale MM Stingray, and Short Scale SBMM Stingray, and the basses sound identical. If you're a fan of the Stingray sound and money is tight for you, ya might just want to think a bit more on this (if you haven't already). I've swapped pickups on other basses in the past and felt like just tossed money out the window.[/QUOTE
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I think only the Ray 4 really needs a new pickup.
The short scale doesn’t .it sounds great
Even the 24CA sounds great and doesn’t require anything.
The basic model Ray4 however....
 
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#10
Toyoman said:
I have a EBMM Stingray USA and the SBMM Ray 4 pickup does not sound no where near as good as the EBMM.
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Lesfunk said:
I think only the Ray 4 really needs a new pickup.
The short scale doesn’t .it sounds great
Even the 24CA sounds great and doesn’t require anything.
The basic model Ray4 however....
Click to expand...

My bad on this then.

My only experience is the with 2 short scales. I don't know what they put into the Ray 4. I did have a MM Stingray HS, but that was an entirely different animal.
 
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#11
I am really liking my Herrick Mutant (Invalid Link Removed) running passive/VVT in my Stingray. They have a great range of options and cool cover colors.
IMG_2173.jpg
 
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#13
Lesfunk said:
That’ll be a good one.
I have a Seymour Duncan in mine that I’m going to be parting out for sale soon.
Any of the name brands will be an improvement over the stock pickup
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I have a Sub Ray that I swapped out the stock pup with a Nordstrand 4.2 MM pup. Definitely an improvement over stock pup. Switched out the pre as well, John East MM 3 band, awesome, huge improvement over the stock pre.
 
#16
I just put a Delano in my Ray4 and it is stunningly better. Gone are the boomy inarticulate sounds that happen when turning up the preamp... now it is full, clear and very nice. I wired it in parallel to the stock preamp and couldn't be happier with it. I was going to replace the preamp as well but now I don't think I will, it really made that much of a difference over the stock.
0F7D47E7-5839-46DA-9611-4F6897DA0BBF.jpeg
 
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#17
I build a "Stingray" to replace my Ray 4. As a result I was able to compare the Ray 4 head-to-head with the replacement and they definitely sound different. The Ray 4 was lacking in highs with a strong emphasis on the mids. The new bass was a smoother sound.

The only MM bass I've ever played i the Ray 4 so I have no idea if my new build is closer to the real thing or the Ray 4 is.

NBD: Stingray something; Can you guess?
 
#18
Joe Nerve said:
I know there are a few people here who feel replacing pickups on a SBMM is a necessity, but I'll tell you this. I don't know a whole lot about swapping what's already there out for an Aquilar, but I have a Short Scale MM Stingray, and Short Scale SBMM Stingray, and the basses sound identical. If you're a fan of the Stingray sound and money is tight for you, ya might just want to think a bit more on this (if you haven't already). I've swapped pickups on other basses in the past and felt like just tossed money out the window.
Click to expand...
That might be your experience but not mine.
The Nordstrand replacement is excellent with more range and string to string balance.
 
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#20
Toyoman said:
I want to replace the stock pickup in my Sterling by Musicman Ray 4.
I don't have the money at this moment to replace the preamp will this Aquilar pickup wire up and work with my existing preamp?
Aguilar AG 4M 4-string Music Man Style Pickup
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There are plenty of post about this here, just do a search all of it will come up.

I just got a Sterling SUB Ray4 and put a Aguilar pickup in. Way better sounding now. The preamp is pretty good so no need to mess with it.
 
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