Calling all Stingray pluckers!

**Hutton** · 05-22-2007, 08:42 AM

O.K. here's the thing. I am considering adding another Ray to my current '95' and SUB. You'll notice that they are both 2eq jobs. I want to know what would the advantages be of buying a 2007 3eq Ray. Is the new 3eq bass an improvement or just different. You can imagine that I am pretty pleased with the sound I am getting through my Markbass rig with my current basses. The 4ohm cab allows me to squeeze all those 500 watts from that Little Mark II. All advice will be much appreciated.

**saxnbass** · 05-22-2007, 01:33 PM

I don't have 1st hand experience, but I'd assume a 3band EQ would be more versatile. Especially if you opt for a dual pickup model. May also want to look at a Sterling, perhaps?

**Hutton** · 05-23-2007, 12:32 AM

Thanks Eric. Much appreciated.

**jamesattard** · 05-23-2007, 01:14 AM

let's say that with a 3EQ stingray you simply need to flat your amp, and can manage all your EQ from the bass...

**Kirby** · 05-23-2007, 02:25 AM

I actually prefer the two band, call me traditional, but I do not care for the three band EQ on the Stingray 4 as much as the original 2 band. The 2 band has more beef in the low end to me and more warmth. All of my 4 string Stingrays are 2 band. The only issue I can say is that the 2 bands can be a bit more noisy since the phantom coil is not there, but some copper shielding does the trick nicely.

Best advice is to go try a three band & see if it suits you!

**Caca de Kick** · 05-23-2007, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by Hutton

Is the new 3eq bass an improvement or just different.

It's just different....

I also prefer the 2eq by far. I wish it were available on all models, and agree with Kirby (except I don't get any noise).

**Alz®** · 05-24-2007, 04:56 AM

2eq is nothing more than a volume control.........Most players I know that used 2eq stingrays have them all up on full......with the exception of rolling off the treble slightly when new strings are put on. With a 3eq model you have far more control on your sound.....but then again if you don't know what you're doing......stick with the 2eq and have 'em would all the way up.

**Hutton** · 05-24-2007, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Alz®

but then again if you don't know what you're doing

I didn't say I didn't know what I was doing. I was merely asking those who have experience of both basses what the differences, if any, are.

**Alz®** · 05-24-2007, 05:41 AM

I wasn't saying that you don't know what you're doing, notice the word IF in the statement.

**SLUGGO** · 05-24-2007, 05:49 AM

I like the versatility of being able to boost the mids from the bass if room needs it. So.....+1 for the 3 band.

**Moondog** · 05-24-2007, 06:07 AM

Hutton,

I have both 2-band & 3-band and love them both.
In a pinch I'd go with a 3-band tho. I may be a bit deaf
after 20 years playing next to a drum kit but I can get my
3-bands to sound very close to the 2-band. The 2-band full on
sounds great but is considerably noisier (@ least mine is). I'll agree
w/Kirby and say my 2-band might be a bit warmer but the
3-band is more versatile to me (or anyone that regularly plays
multiple styles: fingerstyle, pick, slap...) there's more tone shaping.

Anyway, they're just different (not that much IMO). You have a 2-band
so why not get a 3-band, or even the HH. FWIW, I have an HS & HH and
I prefer the HH - it's just thicker (my preference).

Mike,
Did you do anything special to reduce the noise from your 2-bands?

Kirby,
Can you share this copper shielding trick?

**Hutton** · 05-24-2007, 09:29 AM

We're cool Alz

Thanks for the advice everybody! Your comments are much appreciated moondog

**Caca de Kick** · 05-24-2007, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by Moondog

Mike,
Did you do anything special to reduce the noise from your 2-bands?

No, mine are bone stock, I get no extra electric buzzes, hisses or noise, nothing different than my 3eq's.
My 2eq settings are: bass=75%, treble 80%.
My 3eq settings are: bass=75%, mids flat, treble flat.

For me the 3eq is an overall 'noisier' or 'sensitive' preamp, and by that I mean I hear more of a metallicy sound..I hear the 'tink' noise easier when the string hits the fret, fingers dragging on the strings noise or harmonics are more pronounced. I'm not a pick player, but if I used a pick, the scrape sound is more apperent.
For me the exception being the 30th Ray, that mahogany body really subdued alot of that.

So I find the 2eq being much 'warmer', not metallicy, and not the kind of noisy or sensitive like I mentioned above. Also, for me slapping on a 2eq is more meaty and not metallicy like it is on a 3eq. YMMV.