Stingray Special: Has anyone changed the preamp?

[SteveFromBerlin]

Hi folks,

I am looking for people who have changed the electronics in their Stingray Special. Is there anybody here who did this? How did the sound change? Do you think the instrument benefitted from it? Was it complicated?

The reason I'm asking:

I own a GORGEOUS Stingray Special 5 in Amethyst Sparkle. It looks stunning and is wonderfully light. BUT: I was able to compare it to two pre-Special versions and I do miss a certain low end heft and three dimensionality in its tone. Don't get me wrong, I am able to get some great sounds out of it. I don't really miss the overly aggressive highs, but I feel like there is something missing in the low end... it's a little flat, maybe too linear.

I do wish the new Specials would be a combination of the old bass and mid frequencies with the newly chosen frequency for highs. I'd love that!

I am thinking about buying an older version. But these usually are a lot heavier. I tried looking into light replacement hardware (tuners) but couldn't find any without having to drill. Also, I would consider a refinish but I still won't be able to find golden hardware.

 

[tb-player]

I agree with you on the tone of the specials vs the pre-special Stingrays. I've never done the preamp swap, but I understand that the John East Musicman replacement preamp will get you that old school sound.

 

[oldcatfish]

Have you considered just getting a para-eq pedal to sculpt your current preamp tones a little more to your liking? With a good para-eq, you can add or subtract exactly the frequencies needed.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Have you considered just getting a para-eq pedal to sculpt your current preamp tones a little more to your liking? With a good para-eq, you can add or subtract exactly the frequencies needed.

Hi, thanks for your suggestions! Yes, I have indeed. While playing a 1999 Stingray 5H and my 2024 Stingray Special I found these settings bring me closer to what the old versions sounds like:



The thing is, my Special still feels different in the low end. Just not as "lively" and it takes up a different space in the low mids, which other users have confirmed.

We had a very good discussion over in the Stingray Special thread. You can read it here.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I am considering changing the preamp on my Stingray. I don't know... I love my bass and definitely can make it sound quite good. But it eats me up that the older models feel more alive and take up a different place in the low end register that I am not able to replicate with EQ yet.

 

[songwriter21]

I don't get why people prefer the older, non-Special preamps...boomy and clicky. No thanks.

 

[BassPlayer1980]

Hi, thanks for your suggestions! Yes, I have indeed. While playing a 1999 Stingray 5H and my 2024 Stingray Special I found these settings bring me closer to what the old versions sounds like:

View attachment 7344923

The thing is, my Special still feels different in the low end. Just not as "lively" and it takes up a different space in the low mids, which

That looks like the HPF is just rolling off whatever low end gain it’s trying to boost.

Have you tried a heavier gage string on the Special. You know, tighter, more focused, easier than circuit-bending a surface mount circuit board.
I just got my Special 4H, but normally use 55-110 EB cobalt flats, and definitely notice it’s not as focused with the 45-90’s(?) it came with. I’m just proceeding cautiously before I take to the nut with a file

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

That looks like the HPF is just rolling off whatever low end gain it’s trying to boost.

Have you tried a heavier gage string on the Special. You know, tighter, more focused, easier than circuit-bending a surface mount circuit board.
I just got my Special 4H, but normally use 55-110 EB cobalt flats, and definitely notice it’s not as focused with the 45-90’s(?) it came with. I’m just proceeding cautiously before I take to the nut with a file

You have good eyes!

I think I did some kind of Pultec-trick with the EQ pedal where you cut and boost the lows at the same time. So it's a different flavour that is controlled yet fat at the same time. It's been a while though.

I have not tried fatter strings. Don't get out the file too soon! I did try A LOT of different strings and right now I'm happy with the new La Bella Ian Martin Allison strings. But to be honest: If you like rounds, the EB strings that came with it sounded REALLY good.

For me though it's an EQ thing and I don't know if it's coming from the pickup or the preamp. Or can it be that the wood Is too light?!?

 

[five7]

I have owned many older SR5's, most were over 10 lbs. I did have one that was 9 lbs. If I had put lighter tuners on that one it would have been closer to 8.5. They can be found.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I have owned many older SR5's, most were over 10 lbs. I did have one that was 9 lbs. If I had put lighter tuners on that one it would have been closer to 8.5. They can be found.

Maybe I keep looking. I have yet to find one under 9.7 lbs. And I have searched for days for lighter tuning machines but I don't think Hipshot or Schaller offer lighters ones without having to drill. Also. I REALLY LOVE the look of my Special. I don't think it's possible to recreate that because you can't find a golden EBMM Stingray bridge.

 

[five7]

I used Hipshot ultralites on the ones I had that were neck heavy. I had to drill one small hole that would be covered if I put the original tuners back on.

 

[BassPlayer1980]

For me though it's an EQ thing and I don't know if it's coming from the pickup or the preamp. Or can it be that the wood Is too light?!?

Perhaps try using your eq pedal in parallel? Just add what you need, to what you already like.

I’m yet to pull out the oscilloscope and multimeter, and probably won’t for a year or two until something bothers me, but I am generally interested in how the aluminium bridge and hollow saddles and screws that only go through one side of them, is affecting the string physics. It’s just a bit odd, stainless steel frets, ebony fretboard… weirdest Aluminium bridge Ive ever seen on a AU$5k Bass. Just seems like building a RollsRoyce then putting the wheels from a toyota corolla on it. Anyway, way down the road, if a steel bridge finds its way into my hands I’ll do the analysis.

 

[Bass4LifeRS]

OP, as you know there are a few older versions with varations. 2-band older 4-string, 5-string with the different preamp, with Ceramic and with Alnico pickups. Then the 4-strings with 3-bands. Now there is Neodymium-magnet pickups with different preamp again. So much variation. My advice would be to buy the one you like as stock.

 

[tonymcbony]

Hi folks,

I am looking for people who have changed the electronics in their Stingray Special. Is there anybody here who did this? How did the sound change? Do you think the instrument benefitted from it? Was it complicated?

The reason I'm asking:

I own a GORGEOUS Stingray Special 5 in Amethyst Sparkle. It looks stunning and is wonderfully light. BUT: I was able to compare it to two pre-Special versions and I do miss a certain low end heft and three dimensionality in its tone. Don't get me wrong, I am able to get some great sounds out of it. I don't really miss the overly aggressive highs, but I feel like there is something missing in the low end... it's a little flat, maybe too linear.

I do wish the new Specials would be a combination of the old bass and mid frequencies with the newly chosen frequency for highs. I'd love that!

I am thinking about buying an older version. But these usually are a lot heavier. I tried looking into light replacement hardware (tuners) but couldn't find any without having to drill. Also, I would consider a refinish but I still won't be able to find golden hardware.

Might be a little late, but I've done this multiple times to my Stingray Special 5 HH.

I've had the Darkglass Tone Capsule in there, a Stingray 3 band EQ, well as the John East MMSR with the parametric mids (2band with optional mids). I keep returning it to stock and just use my eq more aggressively. I think the other preamps have more grit/grind in the treble but the Special preamp is the most refined version due to it being less aggressive in those frequencies. I also chucked a Seymour Duncan ceramic in the bridge too at one point.

Any change I did was to get more bite and signature Stingray bite out of it and it generally succeeded with the tradeoff that it stopped being as versatile.

If I'm totally honest, I just got a 1997 Stingray 4H with the 3 band and I have to say, I'm much happier with that just the way it is stock than I am with the Special. Ergonomically and weight wise the Special has it all over the 97 but it's not got the vibe.

For what you want, do the John East thing. It's the closest you're gonna get.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

Might be a little late, but I've done this multiple times to my Stingray Special 5 HH.

I've had the Darkglass Tone Capsule in there, a Stingray 3 band EQ, well as the John East MMSR with the parametric mids (2band with optional mids). I keep returning it to stock and just use my eq more aggressively. I think the other preamps have more grit/grind in the treble but the Special preamp is the most refined version due to it being less aggressive in those frequencies. I also chucked a Seymour Duncan ceramic in the bridge too at one point.

Any change I did was to get more bite and signature Stingray bite out of it and it generally succeeded with the tradeoff that it stopped being as versatile.

If I'm totally honest, I just got a 1997 Stingray 4H with the 3 band and I have to say, I'm much happier with that just the way it is stock than I am with the Special. Ergonomically and weight wise the Special has it all over the 97 but it's not got the vibe.

For what you want, do the John East thing. It's the closest you're gonna get.

Thanks a lot for your answer!

I'm very hesitant of changing anything on the Special, so I found a used 1997 Stingray 5 that is only around 4,4 Kg / 9.7 lbs and I also bought a Classic 4 that absolutely rocks! Both sound more alive and I don't specifically mean the highs, but also the lows and how the low end EQ is set to behave.

It's like you said: I absolutely love my Amethyst Sparkle Special 5H... the feel and the weight are the best! The sound is quite brave and for my taste the low end is either not really there or too far up the low mids when you push it, the mids I don't use at all (I keep it at center detent) and the high end is fine to me but I would not mind a bit more growl like the others have.

 

[Jim C]

OP, as you know there are a few older versions with varations. 2-band older 4-string, 5-string with the different preamp, with Ceramic and with Alnico pickups. Then the 4-strings with 3-bands. Now there is Neodymium-magnet pickups with different preamp again. So much variation. My advice would be to buy the one you like as stock.

This!
No one had mentioned 3 different magnet materials as well as presumed different windings.

 

[SteveFromBerlin]

I'd also love to find a Special 5 that weighs a bit more. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 3,7 KG / 8.2 lbs. But I'm beginning to wonder if there is a too light. Because that's what people said about the first version of Sandberg's Super Light series. They seemed to be missing some booty.

 

[Jim C]

I'd also love to find a Special 5 that weighs a bit more. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 3,7 KG / 8.2 lbs. But I'm beginning to wonder if there is a too light. Because that's what people said about the first version of Sandberg's Super Light series. They seemed to be missing some booty.

I think 8.2 is a long way from too light. My Sandberg Superlight is 5 3/4lbs. and if it gives up booty, it isn't very much!

 

[Geri O]

I'd also love to find a Special 5 that weighs a bit more. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the 3,7 KG / 8.2 lbs. But I'm beginning to wonder if there is a too light. Because that's what people said about the first version of Sandberg's Super Light series. They seemed to be missing some booty.

Maybe I got lucky in some folks’ eyes.

My new Stingray Special 5H is 9.3lbs.

Plenty of booty. Way plenty…..