Stingray 5 pickup wiring - newbie question

[BeachBum]

Hi all....just joined.

I'm hoping soon to get a Stingray 5; I've never had an EB bass before, although I've had an OLP 'Stingray' 5 for a few years (couldn't pass up the great price) and am about ready to upgrade to the real thing.

So my question (from the vantage point of a fairly ignorant user) is: If a Stingray has a single humbucker, how is it wired in order to have at least 3 pickup positions/tones? I'm not sure I understand how the Stingray is wired. Are you getting two single coil positions and then a humbucker position in the middle, or is the switch controlling something else like series/parallel wiring? I'm confused.

Sorry for what I'm sure is such a ridiculously basic question for y'all....

thanks!

[mynan]

Welcome. The first thing to think about is that the Stingray and the Stingray5 are different, so when asking a question like this it is important to be specific. I'm assuming that you are talking about the Stingray 5?

Here is a link. You can download all of the different SR5 schematics.
http://www.music-man.com/pdf%27s/Stingray5.zip

It also makes a big difference, depending on what year your SR5 is. The SR5 came out in 1987. Around 1992, they went from an alnico pickup to a ceramic pickup and then went back to the alnico pickup around April of this year.

[Grand Wazoo]

If you are indeed talking about a StingRay 5 the 3-way switch does the following:

1. Pos.1 closer to the bridge = both coils i.e. humbucker, wired in parallel
2. Pos.2 middle position = 1 single coil (the one closer to the bridge) together with the phanthom or dummy coil fitted under the pickup, wired in series.
3. Pos.3 closer to the neck = both coils i.e. humbucker wired in series.

[mynan]

If you are indeed talking about a StingRay 5 the 3-way switch does the following:

1. Pos.1 closer to the bridge = both coils i.e. humbucker, wired in parallel
2. Pos.2 middle position = 1 single coil (the one closer to the bridge) together with the phanthom or dummy coil fitted under the pickup, wired in series.
3. Pos.3 closer to the neck = both coils i.e. humbucker wired in series.

That's correct if the SR5 that he is purchasing falls in the 1992-2007 category. If he's ordering a new one it will be the same except the middle position is "series with filter" or "enhanced series". There is no single-coil mode on the new SR5s.

[Grand Wazoo]

Many thanks for that, I have learnt something new,

[BeachBum]

Much 2 be thankful for today...!!

Thanks everyone, and yes, I was speaking of the 5-string.

Wow, it shows how little I knew. I didn't know about this 'dummy' coil (what is that?), nor did I know that the new models will be different.

If I go into a guitar center right now, and see the same black Stingray 5 with a maple neck that has been carried there for several months, and the one that seems to be in every guitar center, well, which one is that? Is that the 2007 model?

[mynan]

I'm certainly not an expert on the difference between ceramic and alnico pole pieces, but I think that the alnico pole pieces are shinier. One way to tell at a GC might be to compare them to a 4-string Stingray or Sterling. All 4-string Stingrays have alnico and all 4-string Sterlings have ceramic.

If you think you can trust the staff at your GC, then ask them. The best way to find out would be to get the serial number and post it in the serial number thread at the top of the main basses page here. I wouldn't expect anything until after the weekend, but Dan is usually pretty good about getting back to you within a day or two.

[BeachBum]

WOW - thanks a lot guys. Much learned here. It seems to me this phantom coil thing is a stroke of genius. Wish my Strats had one. :-) And thanks much for the control diagram; excellent. Is there an official place for these on the EB website? I haven't found any there. I'd be interested to know how the other Stingrays are wired (the double humbuckers and the one with the humbucker and the single coil up top). Anyone?

[mynan]

Yes, I put a link to the SR5 specs in my first post on this thread.

If you're looking for other instruments, click the instrument from this page. The link to the schematics is on the right of the instrument page.
http://www.music-man.com/instruments/

[BeachBum]

thanks muchly! Missed that the first time, my bad. You've been a great help - thanks!