Stingray H/HH/HS: What's the difference?

[thehiros]

Hey guys, this has been bugging me for a while, I can't discern myself from listening to clips, like from Youtube, cos I don't know what EQs people are using.

From what I've heard, the HH can get a thicker darker tone, closer to a P-bass, than a H.
And other stuff like, HH sounds like a Stingray + P-bass, and HS is closer to Stingray + Jazz. Maybe through EQing, you can get anything sounding like anything, but can someone clear this up for me?

I'm now thoroughly confused!

 

[T. Alan Smith]

Yeah. I've played all 3. Depending on the year, different pickup materials are used as well. Personally, I'm on the fence about whether I prefer the H or HS best. To my ears, HS offers the best tonal variety, which is ideal for my live looping situation, but in the context of a group performance, I feel H might be best. So it comes down to context.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

The HH and HS have extra, unneeded pickups.

 

[Double Agent]

If you like the default Stingray tone(s), the single H is a fine bass. They managed to exist for 25+ years with only one pickup, and were already considered a classic by the time the multi-pickup models came out.

However, if you like the feel of a Stingray, but find the single pickup limiting, or not versatile enough (i.e. you don't want to switch basses for different types of sound), then the multi-pickup models would be good for you. I, personally, find the MM humbucker in the neck position to be overly bassy. In fact, I find that the neck position single-coil does a better P-bass impression than the humbucker in that spot. I would think the HS would be the way to go if you want the most versatility, but I would be fine with a single H any day of the week. YMMV.

 

[Nedmundo]

I, personally, find the MM humbucker in the neck position to be overly bassy. In fact, I find that the neck position single-coil does a better P-bass impression than the humbucker in that spot. I would think the HS would be the way to go if you want the most versatility, but I would be fine with a single H any day of the week. YMMV.

I agree about the neck single coils sounding more like a P-bass. I compared an HS Sterling back to back with a Precision, and couldn't believe how close the Sterling could get to the P-bass. But it makes sense because, like a single coil, a P-bass split-coil also has each string sensed by only one pickup coil.

I've only played a couple of single H 'Rays that I've liked, and would probably go HS myself. Thing is, the HH models have settings using the inner and outer coils, which are cool options sort of like a thick-sounding J-bass. I would probably find those more useful than both 'buckers on full, or the neck 'bucker soloed.