Stingray Pickup/Pre upgrade

[musicnerd]

I have a sterling Ray4 bass which I love but not very satisfied with the electronics.

I’m wanting to change out the pickup and the preamp. For the pickup I’m liking the Nordstrand MM4.2 but struggling to decide between the John East 2 band MMSR or Nordstrands own 2 band preamp.

I mainly play jazz and reggae so I’m looking for that big warm smooth sound and I’m likely gonna put some flats on it.

Any thoughts or Suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[FunkHead]

My absolute favorite pickup is the EB Neodymium Humbucker. It sounds so fat with Flats.

 

[skyline_01]

I have a sterling Ray4 bass which I love but not very satisfied with the electronics.

I’m wanting to change out the pickup and the preamp. For the pickup I’m liking the Nordstrand MM4.2 but struggling to decide between the John East 2 band MMSR or Nordstrands own 2 band preamp.

I mainly play jazz and reggae so I’m looking for that big warm smooth sound and I’m likely gonna put some flats on it.

Any thoughts or Suggestions.

Thanks in advance for any help.

I can vouch for the Nordy pups/preamps (full disclosure, I'm an endorser )

I have a fretless that started life as a Sterling SUB - I installed the MM4.2 and 2-band preamp and it kills.

I have always heard great things about the East gear though, and you'll likely get many votes for it.

 

[MartinB]

Maybe your existing pickup is fine, and it's the pre-amp that's holding you back - or vice versa. If you've already settled on the Nordstrand pickup, try swapping that out first and see how it sounds with your existing pre-amp. Then you'll be able to make a more informed decision about replacing the pre-amp.

 

[dalo]

I replaced the 3 band preamp in my EBMM stingray with a Nordstrand 2 band and it is great. I used to have a 2 band Stringray classic and the Nordstrand preamp sounds the same to my ears. No experience with their MM pickups but I have others from them and they are all terrific.