Stingray Special 5 HH and my batty modifications

[humbuckaroo]

The instruction manual that came with my 4H just showed the one position.

 

[Lo-E]

Nothing about what you’ve done seems all that batty to me. Batty would be making changes based upon marketing hype: “magic” parts that will somehow improve your tone (or your complexion or whatever) or generally fixing things that were never broken.

Your mods are specifically thought out to adapt the instrument to your playing style. Nothing batty about that.

 

[Lo-E]

I would never notice an objective difference of moving a PU 7/16”.

I doubt I would notice any difference, either. Unlikely in my practice space, solo, and even less likely on the bandstand but the impetus for moving the pickup was finger clearance, not tone, so any perceived difference in tone is just a bonus anyway.

I’m not sure I see much advantage to parallel batteries, either, given that a single battery typically lasts close to a year in a MM bass anyway and two batteries doesn’t necessarily equal twice the battery life but it won’t hurt anything so…. all good!

 

[IronLung1986]

Nothing about what you’ve done seems all that batty to me. Batty would be making changes based upon marketing hype: “magic” parts that will somehow improve your tone (or your complexion or whatever) or generally fixing things that were never broken.

Your mods are specifically thought out to adapt the instrument to your playing style. Nothing batty about that.

Agreed. These mods are rightheaded. Rather than being like "why wouldn't you just buy another bass then?" I would say they demonstrate a deep knowledge of the model and are actually things I have wished EBMM would do stock for a long time.

 

[IronLung1986]

I doubt I would notice any difference, either. Unlikely in my practice space, solo, and even less likely on the bandstand but the impetus for moving the pickup was finger clearance, not tone, so any perceived difference in tone is just a bonus anyway.

I’m not sure I see much advantage to parallel batteries, either, given that a single battery typically lasts close to a year in a MM bass anyway and two batteries doesn’t necessarily equal twice the battery life but it won’t hurt anything so…. all good!

I think I'd notice it quite a bit actually. I'd have pushed it even a little further. Not quite Warwick $$ but close. I think it'd make that neck pickup a lot more viable on its own, and the middle position less flabby. The stock neck pickup position doesn't bring anything into the sound that I feel does me any favors, and it's too loose to be soloed.

 

[Z-Bass]

I’m a habitual modder I guess. I couldn’t help but make a great bass even greater… for me!


Installed a 2-band preamp and wired up a parallel front jack for greater flexibility while seated.

I think your first sentence is important because when you have a great bass, modding to make it even more personal and usable for you is the only justification you need.

Regarding the 2-band preamp, unless I missed it in the thread somewhere, what did you end up going with?

 

[Lo-E]

I think I'd notice it quite a bit actually. I'd have pushed it even a little further. Not quite Warwick $$ but close. I think it'd make that neck pickup a lot more viable on its own, and the middle position less flabby. The stock neck pickup position doesn't bring anything into the sound that I feel does me any favors, and it's too loose to be soloed.

That’s sort of my point. I think it would need to move more than 7/16” in order to make a noticeable impact.

…and I agree that the stock position is a little too neck heavy. I’d prefer to see them closer together - more along the lines of Wal spacing but with the bridge p’up in the typical MM spot.

 

[aigman]

“Anyone else batty enough to mod an SS5HH? Whatcha think?“

I think I’m going to do that on my 4 string HH, but need to focus on doing the routing properly. Most likely going to do the $$ spacing like Warwick does. The neck pickup in the stock location is terrible, both for slapping and for sound, much too scooped and blah.
Well done on the 5 string!