Sting Ray and weak G string, is it the pre-amp?

[polokojo]

adjust the polepieces on pickup

Is this safe to attempt?:

forums.ernieball.com

"This is what Sterling Ball said back in 2005: This trait has been around since the first day of the stingray. Its is NOT a byproduct of wood. It is due to the active preamp used on the bass. The output isnt actually lower the response is thinner sounding or not as fat. IT is one of the things you get used to with a Sting Ray or not. Believe it or not it was a complaint of mine in the beginning when I worked with Leo. The emerging slap and the old school country click players loved it. That thin snappin G sound helped the Sr take off. You can try flats and it will help, but chances are that you will get used to it by playing ..."

It does help a lot using flats! I installed a very old set of Fender flats L (that had been on at least 3 different basses) and the G string is really singing even with the bass boosted. And the bass itself sounds awesome. So maybe this preamp likes flats...

 

[Joebone]

Have only skimmed this, but must report that I tried several 5-string SRs in the early 2010s, and 3 of 4 had weak G strings. The fourth did not, but that's when I realized my issues were more profound, inclulding the narrow bridge spacing and the G string being too close to the fretboard edge for my tastes. A shame, as that 5HH with an ebony board sounded great, but I couldn't get past the other stuff.

 

[mikeswals]

I've owned 30 MM's now and currently have 4 in the stable, never had a weak G!
I've also brokered deals for about 20 more for people, never experienced a weak G when tested.
I also have never had a G string rolling off issue with my SR5's.

I will still say it's how folks eq their amps... they probably set them flat. I set alot of mids and a bit of highs on my amps. Its not set any differnt for my Jazz Basses, Ric, or Wals.... all of them have strong G's in any of my amps.

And to whoever says it's pickup placement, its not. The last two Wals I had built with a single pickup in the StingRay position, and they too have loud and proud G strings.

 

[Bevan777]

I solved this on my 2010 model by pushing the A and D pole pieces down so that they were level with the E and G ones.