Setting suggestions for my 3-band MM?

[orpheus55]

I'm new to the MM Stingray HS after forty years of nearly exclusive P and J basses. I've just played a few gigs (classic rock mostly, oldies, covers, etc.) with my new MM 4-string (the newer 3-band), and have been experimenting with the tone settings. At first, I leaned toward pushing the bass up and treble down, trying to somehow replicate that fat P-sound, but now find that the nearly flat settings (on the mid-notch) on bass, mid, and treble controls seem to be the most expressive and tonally effective. This, to my ear, is what the MM should sound like. I also set my GK700 settings relatively flat as well (playing through an Avatar 2x12). Any suggstions from the more veteran MM Stingray users out there? Am I on the right track? Or should I boost the controls a little more? I know it's subjective, but please share some of your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[syciprider]

You stumbled upon the BP prescribed settings. Consider all EQ knobs centered as your base setting and go from there until you find your sound. I found mine with bass and treb boosted a hair and mids dimed.

 

[MingusBASS]

When I put on new strings(rounds) I usually have to turn the highs down a bit to get the sound I'm after. Once the strings settle in a bit I can put everything back to flat. I'll bump the bass on some songs but I'm usually happy with how the bass sits in the mix when flat.

 

[MingusBASS]

I found mine with bass and treb boosted a hair and mids dimed.

Yikes! We definitely have a different tonal goal. On a single H Bongo even! You'll cut through the mix, that's for sure.

 

[five7]

I agree with Mingus.

 

[oli@bass]

Flat is good... I hardly ever boost anything, just roll back the treble if I need that phat sound without the sizzle.

 

[Basscake]

Start with flat settings and work from there on.

I usually end up with a slight bass-Boost as a default setting.

If i need a mellower, less agressive sound I just cut the treble.
Thats pretty much the only knob that I touch during gigs.

Works just as simple as a passive tone control on your P if you want to.
Not everybody is into tweeking sounds....

 

[phatduckk]

ya dude - sounds like you're on the right track. the prescibed approach is start flat and make small tweaks. looks like u caught on yourself

 

[agplate]

I'm about the same as b'cake.

 

[rizzo9247]

I play through almost the exact stack for my smaller sets (Avatar210, GK1001) and have everything flat, been like that since I got the bass. Come to think of it, it sounds so good flat, they should make 'em with just a volume knob

 

[drTStingray]

I have always felt that the classic Musicman tone on a 3 band SR can be had by slight boost of bass and treble and slight cut of the mids. IMO this matches the two band sound I got with a 1979/80 Ray in the early/mid 80s.

However, having listened to Ed Friedland's demos, slight boost of mid and bass and slight cut of treble gives a great punchy tone also.

All of this assumes your using an SR4H (or an HS or HH using just the bridge pick up) - the HS and HH have a whole range of additional sounds with the pick up coil selector switch.