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All 3 positions sound the same on my SR5 H...is it just me?

freddy

freddy

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Apr 12, 2007
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Canada
Let me start by saying I love my bass. I get quite alot of tone variation when moving my right hand to different positions. When in the same hand position however, I don't notice a difference when toggeling the 3 positions on the switch.

I've spent quite a bit of time searching this forum, and this discussion has probably happened before, but could I get some feedback on the difference in sound between the 3 positions on my SR5 H? I understand the wiring aspect, but the actual difference in sound is subtle to say the least. Its slightly more noticeable live in a band setting.

Am I just tonedeaf or does the Emperor have no clothes?
 
bass&cookies

bass&cookies

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Dec 28, 2005
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Yukon, Oklahoma
I've definitely noticed a difference, although I don't really know how to describe it well. The bridge position sounds a little brighter, almost sparkly to me. Like the classic Stingray tone. The middle position sounds a bit thinner, with lower output it seems. More even tonality, can sound p-ish. The neck position seems to have a bit more in the mids, overall a more aggressive tone.

That's at least what I think I hear, just poorly described.
 
PzoLover

PzoLover

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Jul 16, 2006
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Vancouver
freddy said:
Let me start by saying I love my bass. I get quite alot of tone variation when moving my right hand to different positions. When in the same hand position however, I don't notice a difference when toggeling the 3 positions on the switch.

I've spent quite a bit of time searching this forum, and this discussion has probably happened before, but could I get some feedback on the difference in sound between the 3 positions on my SR5 H? I understand the wiring aspect, but the actual difference in sound is subtle to say the least. Its slightly more noticeable live in a band setting.

Am I just tonedeaf or does the Emperor have no clothes?
Click to expand...

Hey Freddie,sorry, I can't help much since I'm sidelined these days, but you remind me of my first days with an SR5 and how I evolved into my fave settings for different toons, environments, amps and vol / piezo blendlevels. hang in there and try lower than club vol,EQlevels at home to "find the characteristic tones of the SR5 ... once you get there you'll see the Emperor's clothes in all their splendor.:)

keep on pluckin';)
/PL
 
phatduckk

phatduckk

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Jul 25, 2004
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San Mateo, California, United States
personally i hear a huge difference in my H sterlings' different positions. its not an sr5 but theyre similar enough.

ive found that with "too much" gain the audible difference is less. but with a tad less gain i think i can hear a way bigger diff between each switching position
 
Fuzzy Dustmite

Fuzzy Dustmite

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Feb 19, 2004
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Mesa, AZ
I think I must be in the tone deaf group, too. I had an HH Sterling and couldn't hear that much of a difference in the 5 (gasp) positions.

I think I'm just more of a plug 'n play guy. One position, One pickup, everything dead center on the bass and amp, and I'm good to go.
 
U

Urwordsbreakmed

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Jun 15, 2005
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573
all the way back is very solid bass tone very meaty(I think series)... middle is is (neck coil with bridge acting as phatom coil) very bright almost guitar like stand out soloing bass... toward neck is ( parallel) The sweet center of the middle and toward bridge pick up setting... more of a punk bass tone.. the tone is also a little more raspy .. unclear if you will compared to toward the bridge or middle selection

Maybe your battery is dead so your not getting the much of a difference when you switch?

The () parts mean I probably don't know wtf im talking about but I think its right lol so whatever but it's not important the tone is what is important....

http://www.ernieball.com/faq_content.php?subjectcode=mm_basses <--- this will help it says vvv

Q: What does the 3 way switch do on the Stingray 5 and the Sterling?

A: With the switch in the 'closest to neck' position, the pickup's flow of voltage follows a snake like pattern around the poles, this is called the Series position, creating an out of phase slightly brighter humbucker tone. The second position is the Single Coil position, only the coil closest to the bridge is used creating a thin, bright sound for soloing, a phantom coil is added to reduce single coil noise. The last position is the Parallel position, use this for the traditional thick bottom end bass sound made famous by the Stingray 4.

so see i was wrong about the series parallel part but the toen was on the nose

hope that helps
 
Last edited:
A

Art and Music

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Jun 21, 2007
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Arizona
Couple of comments: I am new to Stingrays, just got one a few weeks ago, but you say yours is an H with a toggle switch? Maybe you meant HH, otherwise I am confused there....
Second, I have an Eden rig, too and LOVE it. Your signature says you play with (2) 115's and I am wondering if that wouldn't effect how much variation you hear from the bass. I love the bottom end of the 15's but think if you had some 10's in there you might hear a lot more of the tonal variation of mids and highs with the bass. Just an idea, but maybe go to Eden's forum and find a trade to get a 210xlt to replace one of the 115's?
 
freddy

freddy

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Apr 12, 2007
Messages
91
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Canada
Thanks for the comments, guys. I'm going to be listening much closer now. I think Art and Music may have a point with my Eden stack-o-15's. Possibly not the most articulate set-up, but awesome tone w/ the SR5 and, like Fuzzy Dustmite, I'm basically a one tone guy anyway.
 
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