School me on Stingrays

[jmattbassplaya]

I've owned a couple of Sterling Stingrays over the years. But they just don't sound as deep and clear as the P pickup on my Spector (EMG & Tonepump Jr).

Not by a long shot.

My current Ray 4 is no exception. Is this a pickup/electronic issue, or is this just how Sterling Ray 4's sound? I don't mind upgrading the pickup and electronics if it results in a noticeable upgrade in the sound......but I also don't want to throw good money after bad.

Thoughts?

I don’t think a Ray4 is a great example of the breed. To be honest, outside of the first several years of Sterling by MusicMan, I haven’t been impressed by any of the import StingRays. Upgrading the electronics might be helpful, but to get the full experience I might recommend finding a used US Ray (pre or post special) and seeing how it works for you.

As someone who has about ~20 years of experience playing StingRays, I can confidently say they won’t do the same thing as a Spector, but the Spector won’t do the same thing as a StingRay, either. StingRays have more going on in their mids (and even more still when they’re wired in series) and they play more similarly to the rest of Leo’s family of instruments.

 

[Baker69]

I’ve heavily modded my Sterling SUB Ray5, I considered the investment really worthwhile as it has a superb neck and brilliant to play, plus being a lefty EBMM SR5’s are like hens teeth and mega bucks and in addition I’ve previously owned an SR5 and prefer the SUB Ray 5.

To get it where it is now it has a Nordstrand MM5.2 pickup and a John East MM 3 band system to which I’ve added a 3 position switch (Series/SC/Parallel) plus I’ve replaced the bridge as well (mostly due to cosmetics but also on the stock one a couple of strings the bridge screws kept dropping).

The bass sound brilliant but without the EBMM electrics it does not have the exact Stingray tone but is close, and near enough!

Incidentally I find that the Ray 4’s sound different to the Ray 5’s for some reason.

But on to your question, no you will never get a Ray to sound like a P Bass, however in Single Coil mode with a lot of EQ’ing you may find it useful. That split P Bass pickup and its position, well Leo got it right.

 

[-Stingray]

Then something is up. Maybe something isn't right with the wiring, or something is out of phase?

I get the sense that the Ray 4's electronics and pickup are definitely a few notches below even the Ray 34 electronics.

^^^^^^^
I have a feeling this probably what's going on. This is the reason I posed the question to begin with. I think I'll probably drop an EMG pickup and two band into it....... because I otherwise like the bass (and it won't cost much) Again, not trying to get it to sound like my Spector. I just don't want it to sound utterly lifeless with no depth or sparkle.

 

[BadMonk]

My Sterling sounds pretty but even better when warmed to the perfect temp by my Eden Glowplug.

 

[JazznFunk]

2nd, Their value models don't even remotely sound like the real thing. You can buy a Squier P, and it will still sound like a P, it just won't have the fit and finish (maybe, you never know, Fender QA), of an American Fender P. When it comes to the value model 'rays, they don't sound like the real thing.

The multiple A/B reviews on YouTube, especially the ones by LowEndLobster, prove otherwise. I own a natural/roasted maple Ray 34 and though it's supposedly wired in series vs. parallel like a 'real 'Ray', I personally don't hear enough of a difference to say 'they don't even remotely sound like the real thing'. Now, that's a 3-band Ray34 compared with a 3-band USA 'Ray, as opposed to a bottom-barrel Ray4 2-band. I've never played one of those. But I can say confidently that you really wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a 3-band USA 'Ray and a Ray34 (with the right EQ adjustments to compensate), in a mix. At least not enough to say 'they don't sound ANYTHING alike.'

 

[tvbop]

Played an original 1977 Ray from 1980 to 2001. It was a dog but I didnt know any better back then andf they were kinda the fashion. Picked up a P bass in late 2000's and never looked back. For me Rays lack that final ounce of low mid slam that you get so easily from P bass....

 

[mrjim123]

I replaced the stock pickup on my SUB Ray4 with an Aguilar AG 4M pickup. It was a noticeable improvement.

 

[Stranger Danger]

I guess that leads into my next question. Will a "real" Stingray thump like my Spector? That bass sounds so deep and clear. The Sterling Stingrays I've own all sound way WAY dull in comparison (even with the bass and treble controls maxed). Is this just the "Stingray sound"?

I'd love to get a real Ray, but I'd prefer to just get decent electronics in my current Sterling, because otherwise it plays fine (and it's lightweight).

The pickups and preamp of a real EBMM stingray are proprietary and no after market replacement will sound better. If you want a Stingray, get a real one.

But they won’t sound like your Spector. And those two basses really shouldn’t sound like eachother at all

 

[DJ Bebop]

a Tonepump or two (don't get me started on my loathing for a Tonepump)

 

[DJ Bebop]

I don't know what to say..... your comparing a US made Stingray to a Sterling?

What are the things that make a difference? Wood, body weight, electronic package, hardware?

 

[DJ Bebop]

I've owned a few stingrays over the years and they got pretty deep. In fact they usually hung out at the bottom of the aquarium, which is as deep as they could get.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

@LowEndLobster did some great upgrades to her Sterling Ray.
See Youtube links

eg

On one of my SR5ver H, I changed the pickup to Nordstrand MM5.2 and Nordy MM preamp.
I added one coil of another 5.2 to turn the Bass into an HS with a 3 way Blade switch
Then added an EMG Vari mid
It sounds phenomenal and still a Stingray...and a Precision-ish with the S pickup
Great reults
I buried the rear coil of the S pickup under the Pickguard
Ernie Ball sold me the pickup covers I wanted

Also @TriumphRider99 has upgraded his Sterling Ray's making the 2 band preamp and Nordstrand 4.2 pickup and sells the preamps

His.

 

[the_Ryan]

His.

Hers, she came out as trans semi-recently (within the past few months, I think).

 

[Super Bass]

What are the things that make a difference? Wood, body weight, electronic package, hardware?

Well my US Stingrays sound amazing, and are very well made. The electronics are way better than the Sterling version. I do have a Sterling and it is a fine bass but the pick up definitely needed to be changed, those ceramic pick ups are awful...

 

[bassman28]

Get an early USA Musicman Stingray 2 band, turn it up loud and enjoy. Nothing like it and then we can stop all this nonsense of which is better. There I said it and don't feel a bit bad about it.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

I tried them all. Sterlings, old USA Stingrays, SUBS. Just finance a Special and stop thinking about it. Preferably a 4HH.

 

[Element Zero]

Try playing around with the pickup height, it can make a big difference...

Getting the pickup to factory distance from the strings is IDEAL. It really makes a huge difference.

 

[bste9]

Get a real Stingray. Calling @LadyLoveStingRay5 !

i'll counter with get a real Spector

 

[bste9]

I guess that leads into my next question. Will a "real" Stingray thump like my Spector? That bass sounds so deep and clear. The Sterling Stingrays I've own all sound way WAY dull in comparison (even with the bass and treble controls maxed). Is this just the "Stingray sound"?

I'd love to get a real Ray, but I'd prefer to just get decent electronics in my current Sterling, because otherwise it plays fine (and it's lightweight).

The funny thing is, you have a Spector with the Tonepump jr. Which most Spector enthusiasts do not regard highly. The reason being, its waaaay too hot. Even the real Tonepump which has a internal trimpot, needs to be toned done. I guess my point its wait til you try the Tonepump Sr or one of the various HAZ clones.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

i'll counter with get a real Spector

I love Spector’s too. The great thing about Spector’s is that real Spector’s come several different price points.