Stingray, weak G?

[Kevindm215]

It's not that the G string has a weaker output, it's the voicing of the string in relation to the rest of the strings, which can make it sound imbalanced. There's an inherent thinness to the tone, depending on your string gauge, type, and pre-amp. Not so noticeable when playing fingerstyle, but slapping, it's definitely there.
The '97 definitely was more noticeable, though adjusting the PUP's height and switching to a .50 string gauge helped (and practically disappeared when I switched to flats). But the general tone of that G string regardless can be considered a key element of the Stingray signature sound, IMO.

That's the very problem I'm having with my SR. the G just doesn't sound the same as the other 3, its not a volume issue just a diff tone, it really bugs me when I slap, as the sound is so different.
Tried upping my G to a .50 from .45 but no real difference from what i can hear, would you suggest flats then to help even the tone? i LOVE the sound from my bottom 3 strings, just the G that;s bothering me

 

[Crabby]

I own three EB Stingray 4 string basses. One has a rosewood fret board one is maple and one is fretless. None have any issues with the g string being any thinner or weaker sounding. However, I do find that I like them all much better using 45-100 gauge strings, specifically Slinkys. I had tried some other strings in the past, 45-105 and the balance was a little off. I think these basses just work best with the 45-100 gauge.

 

[mam1862]

Just got mine a few weeks and I have noticed the same thing. At practice last night I turned up the middle tone control all the way and it did help. I prefer the setting a little lower but then the G is not as prominent. I have a Streamliner 900 and an MB Fusion and I will be trying both to see what works the best.

 

[StuartV]

Is the problem specific to models with Alnico pickups versus Ceramic? Stingray 5s originally came with Alnico, then switched to Ceramic for a few years, then back to Alnico.

 

[Orpheus55]

I own three EB Stingray 4 string basses. One has a rosewood fret board one is maple and one is fretless. None have any issues with the g string being any thinner or weaker sounding. However, I do find that I like them all much better using 45-100 gauge strings, specifically Slinkys. I had tried some other strings in the past, 45-105 and the balance was a little off. I think these basses just work best with the 45-100 gauge.

I too have found this gauge to be optimal. My 3-band 2009 Ray arrived with the pickup noticeably tilted up on the G string and lower on the E and I have never noticed a problem or difference in output; if anything, the G sings a tad louder than the rest. Interestingly, in an attempt to "tame" the Ray's signature sound, I tried Black Beauties for awhile. They were fine, but I soon missed that characteristic "zing" of the old Stingray strings. Since, I've settled on EBMM Stage II flats, which I think are perfect.

 

[hibass]

I had a Stingray, that I loved that had this issue. As much as I tried to convince myself that I could live with it, it really started to bother me. Another Ray I had did not have this issue at all. Recently, I bought a beautiful fretless BFR "Roasted" Ray. When I recieved it new from Bass Central, with the factory strings, the G was perfect, to my relief. However, since I replaced the strings with flats, i'm having this issue, and cannot for the life of me, figure out why or how to remedy it. It's starting to piss me off!!!

+1

 

[Jim C]

It's not that the G string has a weaker output, it's the voicing of the string in relation to the rest of the strings, which can make it sound imbalanced. There's an inherent thinness to the tone, depending on your string gauge, type, and pre-amp. .

Exactly my findings and I have an 83' and a 96'

You can adjust the pups so that a VU meter reads the same output however the tone is thinner than what you would find on a Fender all things being equal.

Right hand technique (meaning you move your right hand more toward the neck on the G) and amp EQ can help, but to my ears, the EQ I like (clean, full bottom and mid present) is just different on these instruments.

I think the John K quote is interesting, and as I recall, the pre's were designed with super high end as Leo's hearing was changing.

 

[Marcus Willett]

I played Rays exclusively for about 10 years, and found the thin G to be an issue (tho not a deal beaker) in every case. Having said that, I have found this to be the case (weak G) on every electric bass I have ever played. All of them, to an extent....some moreso than others.

I once had a long conversation with Bill Lawrence (RIP Bill) wherein he told me part of the problem is that nearly all string manufacturers make a G string the "wrong" way. That is, all the other strings have a core, then wraps of very fine wire, then either a final wrap, or if the string is bigger, more fine wraps before the final.

But he said that almost everyone makes a G string with a core then a single wrap. The result is the string having a fundamentally twangier and thinner tone than the others, and this can never really be overcome with EQ, or any other measures.

This is pretty much a universal practice because it's obviously cheaper and easier, Thomastik being a notable exception.

Bascially he was lamenting the fact that almost no string manufacturers make a G string the right way, and this combined with the inherent voicing in the Ray would explain what I've always encountered, and what this thread is about.

 

[Mastermold]

No weak G on my SR5. Even Steven.

 

[GazzBass]

I tried everything on my stingray to solve this problem. Nothing worked. I sold it in the end and bought myself a nice P bass. I'm in a much better place now lol.

 

[drTSTingray]

I tried everything on my stingray to solve this problem. Nothing worked. I sold it in the end and bought myself a nice P bass. I'm in a much better place now lol.

But no doubt with dead spots on the G string? And lacking the best slap sound known to man, and fat finger style sounds, and cutting pick sound - horses for courses - if you prefer a Precision and all that brings then fine you probably shouldn't be playing a Ray.

The 'weak' G syndrome can be had with any bass which is capable of dialling in a scooped sound - read Ray, Fender Jazz, ibby sound gear etc etc etc - EQ choice on a Ray is a big culprit - run your EQs on full and you'll lose apparent mids - especially on a 2 band. Same effect if you do it on the amp - you can't set your gear up as if it's a P bass (where people like to cut mids to get a nice sound). On a Ray you will get massive bass which will accentuate the E and A strings especially.

 

[Qlanq]

Took out the spring from beneath the pickup, lowered the E,A side on my SUB 4. Only because the hot pre-amp gave more grind to the bottom strings than to the top strings. Now I have more control of the pickup output. The sound from the preamp is so good I'm thinking I should get rid of my VTBass.

 

[Jim C]

Thanks for this information; maybe it's time I try Thomastik's on a Ray.
I'm very sorry to hear that Bill has passed.

 

[georgestrings]

I own three EB Stingray 4 string basses. One has a rosewood fret board one is maple and one is fretless. None have any issues with the g string being any thinner or weaker sounding. However, I do find that I like them all much better using 45-100 gauge strings, specifically Slinkys. I had tried some other strings in the past, 45-105 and the balance was a little off. I think these basses just work best with the 45-100 gauge.

I get my best results with 50-105, which is probably doing something similar: beefing up the G string in relation to the others... In particular, EXL-160s work very well on my EBMM 4 strings...


- georgestrings

 

[Mastermold]

I've only owned one Ray in my life--the 2013 EBMM SR5 I bought a few months ago. Not a hint of a "weak G" or any other issue I've read about with Ray's (e.g., weight--I found this one at Sweetwater listed at just 9.0 lbs.)

Did I get lucky or is the problem less common than this thread would suggest?

 

[Doug Parent]

MM pickup replaced with a bar magnet pickup (Bartolini for example) may help somewhat but pickup placement on the Ray may be a big factor. (No neck pickup = less string movement across the pole piece)

 

[68Goldfish]

I've owned three three band rays and I just got my first two band yesterday. I've noticed the weak G in every one of the three bands in a full band context. I don't think it's anything your going to hear while fooling around in guitar center or even practicing at home. Having said that, I've had great luck with removing the pickup and evening our the pole pieces by pushing the A and D down to be level with the E and G and then once put back together biasing the pickup height towards the G string. I believe it totally eliminates the issue to my ears. I haven't had a chance to play the two band with the band yet so I'm curious to know how it acts...

 

[Mastermold]

I've owned three three band rays and I just got my first two band yesterday. I've noticed the weak G in every one of the three bands in a full band context. I don't think it's anything your going to hear while fooling around in guitar center or even practicing at home. Having said that, I've had great luck with removing the pickup and evening our the pole pieces by pushing the A and D down to be level with the E and G and then once put back together biasing the pickup height towards the G string. I believe it totally eliminates the issue to my ears. I haven't had a chance to play the two band with the band yet so I'm curious to know how it acts...

Hmmmm. My SR5 is a three band and has been gigged it quite a bit, never noticed any G string issue (on myself or the bass ). I guess I'll just count myself lucky, and make sure I never sell mine.

 

[villis]

i have not this problem with my sr 5 1989! and i have the pup in the g string in the same height with b when i measure the distance between pup and string holding the string in 12 fret down!

 

[Thundamental]

I believe the problem here is that people are comparing the sound and feel to a Fender G string. The G strings are much louder and "boomier" on Fenders. If you switch off between the stingray and a fender you will see that it is just a different sound most likely due to the pickup and the way people are boosting the preamp. The parallel pickups obviously give a different tone, and inherently sound scooped.

I HAVE raised my pickup on the g string side, and that helped. But what helps the most is to NOT boost the eq very much at all.
I am also thinking of adding a series switch to see if this will help.