The OP of this thread I started about the issue has a better recording, definitely requires headphones but shows the issue more clearly. Whats wrong with my A string? Bad preamp? something else?
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Stingray 5 Club!
- Thread starter armybass
- Start date
Hello SR5 club! Y’all may remember my recentish posts from earlier this year about a frustrating “fizzy/buzzing” sound coming from my bass on the A and D strings, especially when I have the treble cranked. Honestly, I just let it be what it is in live settings but I’ve got some bigger gigs and a big record date coming up this year. If anyone can help identify my issue please let me know! I’m including a recording that I think it comes thru on pretty well, especially with headphones. stringray samples 2
Editkay this mostly sounds like I’m clipping the recording, I’ll include another sample where it’s harder to hear but captures the problem better. It’s subtle but enough to bother me in my IEM’s or at my recording desk.
Do you have a good music shop with a reputable repair guy nearby?
I’ve taken it to one very reputable (and not cheap) repair guy, honestly wasn’t very impressed with some of his work and he told me that he can’t hear it and I shouldn’t worry. But like the drummer noticed in his IEMs during a rehearsal recently when I boosted the treble. I’d like to take it to another tech when I have some money saved up for that, but most techs I ask say it could be the preamp and they don’t know anything about stingray preamps (their words).
I can hear it in 'stingray samples 2'. In your shoes, I'd be emailing EBMM tech support. Billy Imperial there has been helpful for questions I've had in the past. Those guys have heard the sounds of preamps dying, cracked nuts, actions too low, scratchy pots, you name it. Send them the sample and see if it lights up an idea from them.
Here is their #
(866) 823-2255
Here is their #
(866) 823-2255
Don’t think I posted this here yet. This is my 92 StingRay 5.
Cool bass, has the ceramic pickup and gets a real grindy 90s ray tone, but cane tone her down with the preamp and switch.
Blueburst over poplar, birdseye neck and board, pretty clean overall.
Cool bass, has the ceramic pickup and gets a real grindy 90s ray tone, but cane tone her down with the preamp and switch.
Blueburst over poplar, birdseye neck and board, pretty clean overall.
Just an ordinary Stingray but a beautiful burst color and figured fretboard/neck. Such a contrast from what EBMM announced at NAMM this year.
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Oh I do like some of those colors though, the Pueblo pink is sick! I honestly wish most bigger brands had a more simplified product line, a few guitars, a couple basses, focus on doing those few guitars and a couple basses really well and make them easy to modify. And then just bring on an update every like eight years. But I understand nothing about branding/sales etc.
Wow, that finish, pickguard, and neck are made to be together. Beautiful bass!
So here’s my latest acquisition - early 1992 SR5 fretless, blueburst over poplar (possibly alder looking at the figuring); heavily birds eyed maple neck and even the fretboard has figuring. It’s almost as new!! I played it on several songs at a gig on Sunday (village Coronation party at the village pub).
It sounds huge but tamable with the EQ! Astonishing similarity to @SNsucks bass!!
I contacted EBMM re whether it would be alnico or ceramic - they replied there were several SR5 pick up iterations between 91-3 so couldn’t say for sure - 93 on are ceramic. I’ve yet to take a look under the hood - however the bass is not noisy in single coil mode so probably not the early alnico (single coil said to be noisy in those).
It sounds huge but tamable with the EQ! Astonishing similarity to @SNsucks bass!!
I contacted EBMM re whether it would be alnico or ceramic - they replied there were several SR5 pick up iterations between 91-3 so couldn’t say for sure - 93 on are ceramic. I’ve yet to take a look under the hood - however the bass is not noisy in single coil mode so probably not the early alnico (single coil said to be noisy in those).
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so just got the Fretless in. I’m still feeling it out. Needed some tweaking to my preference, will need to order the flats I want, but I think it’ll scratch that itch. It’s an 2008 lined fretless with Pau Ferro, vintage sunburst and tort guard. Compliments my Special nicely.
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killer bass! I believe if you look under the pickup, if there’s a magnets strip under the pole pieces it’s ceramic, or if it has the dummy coil, it’s ceramic.
mines got the strip, no dummy coil so I get some single coil him in single coil mode.
I'm drooling. That thing is spectacular! This is from an era when BFR-quality woods roamed around the production floor. Unfortunately, these days, anything with figuring is sure to be BFR only.
I agree, but right through the late 80s and 90s, a lot of the EBMM bass production had figured maple necks. And some of the fretless basses had figured boards - I recall seeing photos of a Sabre and a 20th anniversary Stingray, both fretless, and both with stripes in the boards.
Thanks for the comment - the bass looks fabulous in the flesh and sounds excellent - really have to concentrate to have accurate intonation but I’m getting there again - I have an SR4 fretless from the same era but don’t play it that often - this bass has rekindled my interest in fretless!!
I really have to cut back on the lows because it can get real boomy really quickly.using TI Flat on mine. Super expressive .
