Questions, questions...

[Mogee]

Just wanted to get some opinions...

3band EQ vs 2band EQ

H vs HS vs HH

Rosewood vs Maple Fretboard

Thanks...

 

[bovinehost]

Just wanted to get some opinions...

3band EQ vs 2band EQ

H vs HS vs HH

Rosewood vs Maple Fretboard

Thanks...

These questions have been asked more than a few times. My best suggestion would be to do some searching on the forum and see what you come up with. I will, however, give you my standard answers.

1. 3 band versus 2 band - yes, Virginia, there is a difference. The common wisdom seems to think the 2 band has 'tighter lows' and so on. I've owned various examples of both types and could hear slight differences when doing critical listening tests with no other instrumentation. Once the drummer starts banging and the guitarist starts wheedly-deedling, fuggetaboutit. In the end, I choose 3 band because more control is never a bad thing.

2. H vs HH vs HS - too many variables. The H is point and shoot simplicity. The HH is the Swiss Army Knife configuration. The HS brings the beef. All are good, but you will drive yourself nuts if you listen to us or anyone else telling you which is "better". Ain't no better. There's just good and good and good.

3. Rosewood vs Maple - choose which looks best to you. I like rosewood. Others like maple. The sonic differences can be debated until the proverbial cows come home. You know the 'common wisdom' already - maple is snappier! Rosewood is more mellow! Again, crank up the drummer and the guitarist and my guess is you'll never hear any difference.

So sayeth I. And I suggest you take it all with a grain of salt, because some other wag is going to come along and tell you the 'common wisdom' is scientific truth. I'll tell you that I believe I'm as right as anyone else on this.

Jack

 

[TheAntMan]

+1 with Jack

-- Ant

 

[eadg98005]

I do not often post, however, I am a frequent (long time) lurker, and a LONG time MM user. I must say that Jack's response is as well explained (with as few words) as I have ever read: VERY accurate descriptions.

 

[Mogee]

2. H vs HH vs HS - too many variables. The H is point and shoot simplicity. The HH is the Swiss Army Knife configuration. The HS brings the beef. All are good, but you will drive yourself nuts if you listen to us or anyone else telling you which is "better". Ain't no better. There's just good and good and good.

When you say HS brings the beef, elaborate for me.

 

[bdgotoh]

Jack is spot-on as usual, but I'll add that I hear the biggest differences between the different pickup configs. I have tried all three and the HH is best for me, so try them out if you can.

 

[Mogee]

I have always just had a single H, but since my bass is bieng bid on right now, I am considering branching out a little. I only play at church anymore, but I still like the idea of having options. I know this has also probably been gone over a thousand times on here, but to save hours of searching, what are the biggest differences between the Sterling and the Stingray?

 

[mynan]

Stingray...Alnico pickups, dual pickup models are wired parallel, no pickup switch on single pickup models, said to have a smoother low-end.

Sterling...Ceramic pickups, dual pickup models are wired series, pickup switch on single pickup models (series, single-coil, parallel modes), said to have a more aggressive tone. Smaller body and neck profile than the Stingray.

 

[five7]

3 over 2 all day long!

 

[rhythmCity944]

I'm not a fan of having a ton of pickup options on my basses. I like to find that simple tone and just use my EQ...

 

[oli@bass]

Funny! I rather flick a switch than fondle a knob to find the proper sound for the song.

StingRay HH: Get the classic single H sound plus four more great sounds.

Owning both, I prefer the HH. To me, it cuts better in a live setting and the levels of the different configurations are more consistent than on the HS.


For the rest: What Jack said (plus the additional info, that his and the "common wisdom" both can be scientifically backgrounded).

 

[rhythmCity944]