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Stingray 4 H or HH?
- Thread starter Jimmy3711
- Start date
some people like the versatility that the HH offers, and yet some people like the simplicity that the H offers. so it's really up to your own preferences.
personally I'll go for the H, because i like the H only sound, and I don't like 5-way switches because of bad experience with other brand's guitars where the switch becomes noisy over time when switching positions, due to the switch contacts getting rusty.
i had to open the back and sandpaper the contacts.
personally I'll go for the H, because i like the H only sound, and I don't like 5-way switches because of bad experience with other brand's guitars where the switch becomes noisy over time when switching positions, due to the switch contacts getting rusty.
i had to open the back and sandpaper the contacts.
This is a no-brainer....go with the HH.
Since you're asking the question to begin with, it seems that you're open to different possibilities with tone and the HH is plentiful with the dual pickups and selector switch.
It will give you the classic single pickup tone as well as many others. I own both and the HH is definitely more versatile if that's what you want.
Since you're asking the question to begin with, it seems that you're open to different possibilities with tone and the HH is plentiful with the dual pickups and selector switch.
It will give you the classic single pickup tone as well as many others. I own both and the HH is definitely more versatile if that's what you want.
well, I have an HS sterling so I may not at all be competent to answer, yet I will!
In any case, I didn't find the adaptation to slap with the exta pup much of an issue at all, although the possibility exists!
what I was going for was the MM sound and I got it.
and thats mostly all I need and use. but for the odd occasion where I may want a different sound, it's awesome to have that option without having to switch basses!
so I dont see anything wrong with getting the HH, just more good old versatility without losing any of the original simplicity 98% of the time!
In any case, I didn't find the adaptation to slap with the exta pup much of an issue at all, although the possibility exists!
what I was going for was the MM sound and I got it.
and thats mostly all I need and use. but for the odd occasion where I may want a different sound, it's awesome to have that option without having to switch basses!
so I dont see anything wrong with getting the HH, just more good old versatility without losing any of the original simplicity 98% of the time!
Well, in the interest of helping AND further confusing you at the same time...let me offer this 
I've owned all 3 configurations of the Stingray, and my favorite by far is the HS version.
The H is what it is. If you like that one basic tone and don't need anything more you've got it.
The HH has a lot more tonal variety available, but to me all the tones are "fat" and some of the coil combinations seem a little boomy and muddy. I couldn't get anything like a real Jazz bass single coil sort of tone from mine. Also, it felt crowded to pluck or slap in between the 2 humbuckers, not much space there, if that matters to you.
The HS will give you anything the H will of course, but the addition of the single coil in the neck position opens up so many more possibilities, including tones that to me are much more "Fenderish" sounding.
A Ray sounds like a Ray no matter what, but the HS will do a convincing impersonation of a P or J tone if you work with the coil combos and EQ.
Also, there's plenty of space between the pickups, as well as the front pickup and the neck, so no issues there.
The HS doesn't seem to be as popular as the HH, but having played both I found the HS to be the most versatile of all 3 versions.
Happy hunting.
I've owned all 3 configurations of the Stingray, and my favorite by far is the HS version.
The H is what it is. If you like that one basic tone and don't need anything more you've got it.
The HH has a lot more tonal variety available, but to me all the tones are "fat" and some of the coil combinations seem a little boomy and muddy. I couldn't get anything like a real Jazz bass single coil sort of tone from mine. Also, it felt crowded to pluck or slap in between the 2 humbuckers, not much space there, if that matters to you.
The HS will give you anything the H will of course, but the addition of the single coil in the neck position opens up so many more possibilities, including tones that to me are much more "Fenderish" sounding.
A Ray sounds like a Ray no matter what, but the HS will do a convincing impersonation of a P or J tone if you work with the coil combos and EQ.
Also, there's plenty of space between the pickups, as well as the front pickup and the neck, so no issues there.
The HS doesn't seem to be as popular as the HH, but having played both I found the HS to be the most versatile of all 3 versions.
Happy hunting.
If you're needing a thick, meaty, fat tone the HH will be very versatile for you. As stated above, you're not going to get real Jazz bass single coil sounds out of it, but for me it was a great versatile sounding bass.
The definitive answer (IMO):
HH is much more versatile tonally but a H is much better if you do a lot of slapping.
Many EBMM diehards will say stuff like "Look at Dave LaRue and Tony Levin... they have no problem slapping on HH EBMM basses!". Whatever!
I can slap on my HH too but slapping and popping is MUCH easier on a H.
HS? The S placement is almost as bad as the neck H on a HH for slap.
Just my $0.02
Try them all out and see.
P.S. I currently own and use both a H and a HH. I use the H for funky stuff where slap may be required and I use the HH for fingerstyle rock/metal.
HH is much more versatile tonally but a H is much better if you do a lot of slapping.
Many EBMM diehards will say stuff like "Look at Dave LaRue and Tony Levin... they have no problem slapping on HH EBMM basses!". Whatever!
I can slap on my HH too but slapping and popping is MUCH easier on a H.
HS? The S placement is almost as bad as the neck H on a HH for slap.
Just my $0.02
Try them all out and see.
P.S. I currently own and use both a H and a HH. I use the H for funky stuff where slap may be required and I use the HH for fingerstyle rock/metal.
I own both, a 4 string H and a 5 string HH.
The HH has a TON of versatility with the 5 way selector. I mainly play rock so I only actually use the bridge pick-up any way, but paired with some effects the neck pick up or both can offer very interesting tones. The neck especially gives a really thumpy old school sound that I love
Any MM product from Ernie Ball is going to be amazing. Please ignore the endorsing artist above, haha. I really do feel that way though. Some of the best most sound built products in the industry. Very friendly people to deal with too.
Which ever one you choose you are in for a treat!
The HH has a TON of versatility with the 5 way selector. I mainly play rock so I only actually use the bridge pick-up any way, but paired with some effects the neck pick up or both can offer very interesting tones. The neck especially gives a really thumpy old school sound that I love
Any MM product from Ernie Ball is going to be amazing. Please ignore the endorsing artist above, haha. I really do feel that way though. Some of the best most sound built products in the industry. Very friendly people to deal with too.
Which ever one you choose you are in for a treat!
If sound is what you after, go for the HH. It will sound just like an H but give you additional tone options if/when you need it. For me, I bought the G&L L2500 which is an HH configuration so that I could have as much versatility as I might need.
