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SBMM SUBs..yes, it's about to become even more confusing

#81
georgestrings said:
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree, then - my SUB5 pretty much sounds just like my SR5 HH, using just the bridge pup - and plays EXACTLY like it,


- georgestrings
Click to expand...

And it should. Because if I'm not mistaken an SR5HH is wired in series and so is your Sub 5. The Single H SR5's are wired in parralel and although it's close, that is the true Stingray tone. I had a Single H Ray 5, a Sub 5, and an SR5 HH. The SR5 H had a different voicing. It was subtle and it'd be hard to tell them apart easily, but it is there.
 
#82
madbassplaya said:
And it should. Because if I'm not mistaken an SR5HH is wired in series and so is your Sub 5. The Single H SR5's are wired in parralel and although it's close, that is the true Stingray tone. I had a Single H Ray 5, a Sub 5, and an SR5 HH. The SR5 H had a different voicing. It was subtle and it'd be hard to tell them apart easily, but it is there.
Click to expand...


Actually, I'm thinking about installing a series/parallel switch in both my SUBs, just for added tonal options...


- georgestrings
 
#83
madbassplaya said:
And it should. Because if I'm not mistaken an SR5HH is wired in series and so is your Sub 5. The Single H SR5's are wired in parralel and although it's close, that is the true Stingray tone. I had a Single H Ray 5, a Sub 5, and an SR5 HH. The SR5 H had a different voicing. It was subtle and it'd be hard to tell them apart easily, but it is there.
Click to expand...

My SUB5 is wired in parallel... talk about confusing...
Not sure if all SUB5 are parallel, or only some.
4string SUBs seem to be series.

SR5s are parallel (well, switchable anyway). But depending on the year, they can be alnico or ceramic. Stingrays are alnico, and so are SUBs.
Perhaps that SR5H had a ceramic pickup? As far as I know they only reverted to alnico on SR5s recently, three years ago or so, I don't remember exactly.

MusicMan do their best to keep us confused :-)
 
#84
georgestrings said:
Actually, I'm thinking about installing a series/parallel switch in both my SUBs, just for added tonal options...


- georgestrings
Click to expand...

That would be a pretty killer addition.

mcnach said:
My SUB5 is wired in parallel... talk about confusing...
Not sure if all SUB5 are parallel, or only some.
4string SUBs seem to be series.

SR5s are parallel (well, switchable anyway). But depending on the year, they can be alnico or ceramic. Stingrays are alnico, and so are SUBs.
Perhaps that SR5H had a ceramic pickup? As far as I know they only reverted to alnico on SR5s recently, three years ago or so, I don't remember exactly.

MusicMan do their best to keep us confused :-)
Click to expand...

Yes, it can be confusing. They were using Ceramics on SR5's but recently switched back to Alnico.
 
#88
fenderhutz said:
As I posted before. Sounds and plays just like my limited edition 2005 Buttercream Stingray I had. They made the SBMM Ray's right.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the quality of the Ray 34s influenced the decision to use the SLO necks on the Ray 34CAs...just out of concern that they would be too darn close (minus the mutes)....up here I don't think the Classic Series sold as well as expected...at least according to guys at L+M
 
#89
mcnach said:
My SUB5 is wired in parallel... talk about confusing...
Not sure if all SUB5 are parallel, or only some.
4string SUBs seem to be series.

SR5s are parallel (well, switchable anyway). But depending on the year, they can be alnico or ceramic. Stingrays are alnico, and so are SUBs.
Perhaps that SR5H had a ceramic pickup? As far as I know they only reverted to alnico on SR5s recently, three years ago or so, I don't remember exactly.

MusicMan do their best to keep us confused :-)
Click to expand...


To those who may be interested - I opened up my SUB Sterling yesterday, and the pups were wired parallel from the factory... I ran wiring from the pups to the control cavity so that a series/parallel switch can be installed, and tried both configurations... In series, there was definitely much more midrange present - I only played it for a little while that way, but I'd say that in series I can cop a pretty good P Bass tone, while I can simulate a Jazz while in parallel - besides a whole lot more...

As soon as I get a couple of DPDT mini toggle switches in, I'll be setting both my SUBs up for series/parallel operation...


- georgestrings
 
#94
Down_Low said:
If playability is good on these I might be tempted to get one as a backup 'ray, even if it means putting new pickup and pre in it. There's got to be a reason why these are cheaper than the ray34 though.
Click to expand...

Pat Park of Praxis commented over on the EBMM forum that the reduced price is a result of body woods and hardware but that the pickup and pre will be the same as used on the SBMM basses

the Walnut ray looks pretty cool imho
 
#95
mcnach said:
My SUB5 is wired in parallel... talk about confusing...
Not sure if all SUB5 are parallel, or only some.
4string SUBs seem to be series.

SR5s are parallel (well, switchable anyway). But depending on the year, they can be alnico or ceramic. Stingrays are alnico, and so are SUBs.
Perhaps that SR5H had a ceramic pickup? As far as I know they only reverted to alnico on SR5s recently, three years ago or so, I don't remember exactly.

MusicMan do their best to keep us confused :-)
Click to expand...

I opened up my SUB5 the other day, to run wiring for a future series/parallel switch - like I did on my SUB Sterling - and discovered that my SUB5's pups were wired in parallel from the factory - just like mcnach's...

I'll be installing the series/parallel switches in both these basses as soon as I get them - it'll really open up alot of different tonal options...


- georgestrings
 
#96
georgestrings said:
I opened up my SUB5 the other day, to run wiring for a future series/parallel switch - like I did on my SUB Sterling - and discovered that my SUB5's pups were wired in parallel from the factory - just like mcnach's...

I'll be installing the series/parallel switches in both these basses as soon as I get them - it'll really open up alot of different tonal options...


- georgestrings
Click to expand...

I want to do that to on my SUB5. Although I like the "stingrayness" it has right now, in parallel, I love the punch of that pickup in series (as on my 4string SUB).
I just haven't decided where to put that switch... right now leaning towards adding a miniswitch to the control plate in between the volume and treble knobs.
Where are you putting yours?
I don't want to use a push/pull pot because they are mounted on the PCB of the preamp.
 
#97
Yea, I agree with some of the other Guys here. These things appear to be a re-run of the old OLP line. From what I recall from the two OLP's that I owned and others that I picked up in stores were that the OLP's were either "Dyno-mite or Doodoo". QC and set-up was hit or miss, either they played pretty good or would've been better suited for use in an archery class.
The pickup and electronics in the OLP left a lot to bet desired as well. IMO- they sounded nothing like what they were trying to copy. These however, could be better with the same pickup and preamp package as the standard SBMM line.
 

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