Stongray Special 4H preamp dead

[beanondabass]

Evening all,

Happy new year! was having a good one so far but it's taken a dissapointing turn.

My stingray special has a strange issue thats just come up, the preamp seems to have died? The batteries still have life, I have just replaced them and regardless the issue has continued.

The volume knob works fine, but the Treble/mids/bass knobs aren't doing anything anymore. The signal comes through clean just with no effect from the knob. If I remove the batteries no signal comes through so it's still working somewhat.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but when I was playing a couple days ago I remember the sound suddenly changing and it was probably this that happened, the preamp hasn't worked since.

Any advice? I know the first response is to contact Ernie ball/MM but I'm in the UK and bought this bass second hand so I dunno if there will be issues with them.

It's basically acting like the bass just has the volume knob going straight to jack, but I want the preamp back!

Cheer's for any help guys! very very very much appreciated! I love this bass

 

[bass player 53]

This bass has a few components that
could have issues. The t/m/b
potentiometers or selector switch could be dirty or there is a bad solder connection. The preamp
circuit has the usual electrical components, which could have failed,
or the preamp chip could be bad or
fallen out or have a bad connection.

I think a competent electrical repair
shop, the kind that works on music
amps, guitars, or high fi components should easily be able to diagnose and repair the issue.

 

[DWBass]

Ummm............what's a Stongray??

Is the bass under warranty?

 

[eniac]

EBMM typically requires you to send back the dead preamp and then they'll send you a replacement for some quantity of pounds sterling. Take the problem over to their forum and someone will help you understand the process (probably a guy w/ the moniker "Rod Trussbroken").

 

[frankie5string]

Ummm............what's a Stongray??

Is the bass under warranty?

Past participle for "Stingray?"

Check under the metal cover for anything that might be grounding two pot-legs together with a lump of solder hanging loose. Then contact EB for a replacement. They'll take care of you. Whatever you do, do not spray the pots with DeOxit...

 

[jmattbassplaya]

StingRay preamps are somewhat known to favor Duracell. I believe the reason is that the battery’s enclosure is very slightly larger than other brands. I doubt it would make a difference based on the issue you’re describing, but I might try that first before anything else.

 

[Geri O]

Evening all,

Happy new year! was having a good one so far but it's taken a dissapointing turn.

My stingray special has a strange issue thats just come up, the preamp seems to have died? The batteries still have life, I have just replaced them and regardless the issue has continued.

The volume knob works fine, but the Treble/mids/bass knobs aren't doing anything anymore. The signal comes through clean just with no effect from the knob. If I remove the batteries no signal comes through so it's still working somewhat.

I'm not sure what the issue is, but when I was playing a couple days ago I remember the sound suddenly changing and it was probably this that happened, the preamp hasn't worked since.

Any advice? I know the first response is to contact Ernie ball/MM but I'm in the UK and bought this bass second hand so I dunno if there will be issues with them.

It's basically acting like the bass just has the volume knob going straight to jack, but I want the preamp back!

Cheer's for any help guys! very very very much appreciated! I love this bass

Yes, contacting EBMM service is your first and most advisable course of action. Is there an EBMM rep in your area?

With only part of the preamp working, but not others, I see no need to dink around with batteries or local electronics shops, unless there's no other options. The MM preamps are pretty tightly integrated, so diagnosing the individual parts is not really practical, although not impossible.

If at all possible, preamp replacement is the most advisable choice. EBMM service won't care about used or where you bought it. They are there to help and they do a great job of it.

I did a little legwork and Strings and Things Music LLC is the UK distributor for EBMM. They may be of some help to you.

Good luck! And Happy New Year to you as well!