2 band EQ Vs. 3 band EQ...?

[angus da chowda]

Allright, I know that not having the 3 band you dont have the mids control, but soundwise can anyone describe the difference between the 2 band and 3 band Stingray? I tend to go for the P bass tone in whatever bass I happen to be playin out of habit, and I was wondering what the difference is since I've never heard a 2 band in person. I may possibly order a 2 band on the 2008 LE I plan to get just to have something different, so any opinions you all may have would be helpful. Thanks

 

[dandegeit]

Hey man.

First off you wont be regret buying either of these fine instruments. My sugestion would be to seek both out and give them both a whirl. I know that might be hard to find given that 2 band are not as common as your black 3 band (FLEA) basses but try anyways. The last thing we need is someone not happy with their purchase. I promiss you will love both!

I have a wonderfull 2 band thats about 15 years old. Its great and at the time I couldnt tell the difference and a 2 band was a little cheaper, the salesman was fanastic and put it away for me for 4 months as I paid it down slowly. he even allowed me a room in the back to play on saturdays while it stayed with them. That bass to me means alot more than I can explain.

BUT thats not helping you right now.

Do a search and you will find this subject discussed many times over. BP himself has explained it well.

Ill try.

2 band is boost only. The treble and bass is BOOSTED from flat. There is no detent on the knob. this to me allows you to an exclamation point on the natural tone of the bass. Your tone really comes from your touch.

3 band is more like an EQ. The detent is the starting point and you can increase the frequency or decrease it from that detent. this to me allows you to turn the bass into many beasts along the way. you can really make many tones with the EQ to get your style down. Some say more versatile.

I cant compare the sound too well to a p or j bass cause it been 15 years since I played one. I know what I love and its BALLZ!

I hope this helps

DaNO from CANADO!

 

[philthygeezer]

I like my 2 band just fine. I don't notice that I'm missing the mid control. Nice sounding bass.

 

[RobertB]

Geezer, that is a GORGEOUS bass. What finish is that? I'd guess honey burst, but it has a very unique look to it. The wood & finish combine on this one in a way I haven't seen before. Very nice.

Robert

 

[oli@bass]

H2 band is boost only. The treble and bass is BOOSTED from flat.

From the info I've found (and from what my ears tell me) I'd say the bass is boost only, the treble is cut and boost, but you have no center detent to know where flat is. It's more about dialling in what sounds good to you.

About the difference between the two EQs: It's hard to say, I do have one of each, but the basses have also some of the audible differences in their unamplified tone, so I guess the difference of the EQs per se is not that much. But I'd say that the 2 EQ sounds a bit more "mellow" or "vintage", while the 3 EQ is more "punchy" or "modern".

I probably could live with 2 EQ all the time, because what I really need on a bass is to be able to boost a bit bass ocassionally and cut and boost treble according to the song. I've never used the mids in all the time I had active basses with mid controls. Still, I sort of like to have the center detent of the 3 EQ in live situations when you don't hear yourself very well, because it gives you a hint how far off your EQ should go.

 

[theoldmiami]

Definitely one of the better looking finishes I've ever seen! I love that HoneyBurst!!

 

[LoEnd]

eq

well I do have to say it is sure nice to have those mids when you need them. I was suprised to find out that my Bongo had a 4 band eq and it does wonders for my tone and cutting through. If you are playing in a band I would recommend the 3 band eq just for cutting through purposes

 

[Moondog]

Have & love both but if I could just pick one I'd take the 3EQ.
Not too much difference in tone and the mid control is certainly
useful.

If you need P-bass-ish type tone in an SR4, I think you need
to consider the HH which will only come with 3eq.

 

[philthygeezer]

Geezer, that is a GORGEOUS bass. What finish is that? I'd guess honey burst, but it has a very unique look to it. The wood & finish combine on this one in a way I haven't seen before. Very nice.

Robert

It's a honeyburst I think. Something in the ash and the paint got together and gave this smoky kind of appearance.

Just before Christmas 03 I saw it hanging in a local shop as used but like new. It was love at first sight. The next day it was mine. I'm just a bedroom noodler but it's been so enjoyable over the years to learn with it. I love the way it expresses itself clearly through small things like hammer-ons. It sets up like a dream too.

I wrote this about it in 2005. Still a little worried now and then about the string spacing, but don't practice enough to know whether it's an issue. Some days I think it's cumbersome and others it plays like greased butter and the Jazz feels cramped... I can set it up so nice I think I worry needlessly.

 

[Kirby]

I prefer the 2 band, but have both with my 30th being a 3. I like the more vintage tone of the 2 band sound, but that is just me. One point you may notice with older 2 bands is that they can be a little noisier as far as pickups. I used copper shielding from Stu Mac and took care of it quite easily. The 2 bands just do not have the extra coil. Still I prefer that sound of 2 bands.

 

[Colin]

I'm surprised Gav hasn't chimed in

 

[mobis.fr]

I prefer the 2 band, but have both with my 30th being a 3. I like the more vintage tone of the 2 band sound, but that is just me. One point you may notice with older 2 bands is that they can be a little noisier as far as pickups. I used copper shielding from Stu Mac and took care of it quite easily. The 2 bands just do not have the extra coil. Still I prefer that sound of 2 bands.

+1
it seems that the frequency of the bass and treble is a little bit wider than on on 3band.
if you are more into a pbass tone i would recommon a 2band or a p....

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I'm surprised Gav hasn't chimed in

Hey Col...I'd been quietly sitting on the fence and watching

I used to lean towards the 2EQ but now I love both pre-amps. The 2EQ is darker while the 3EQ is a tad brighter. But, as Jack has said previously, you can't tell the difference in a live band setting.

All my EB Rays came with the 3EQ. But I have four fully wired control plates with the 2 EQ which swap around every now and then when I feel like a change.

 

[Colin]

thanks Gav

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Where's Aussie Mark

 

[angus da chowda]

Thanks guys...so, I do play out but I use my P bass usually due to the type of music we play(zep covers, neil young, etc...) but I used to have a Stingray back in the day and this new LE color is forcing me to purchase a new one, but I want to be able to get as close to a P bass tone as possible while still being able to do the usual Stingray thing here and there. So what would be your opinions here on the optimum pickup configuration to achieve that? Thanks for your help.

 

[oli@bass]

If you can, try the new HS and HH models at your dealer. My wild uneducated guess would be that you can get close with the front pickup of the HS and turning down the treble, and maybe even some mids.

 

[Kirby]

I agree, the closest thing would be an HS combination in my opinion. However, I would enjoy the Stingray for its differences. If you are after a P tone, stick with the P. The Stingray has it's own unique tone and should be appreciated for it, it will never truly sound like a P. The world has enough P bass copies out there. Spend some time with the Stingray and maybe you will begin to like the differences, I know I do.

 

[Caca de Kick]

I still greatly prefer the 2eq, have several with it, much darker, little more warmer sound...it's just 'me'.
I do have a few 3eq, but that's because the 2eq wasn't available on them. I've decided any future purchases will only be 2eq SR4's.

You'll have to try an HH, see if it's your sound...may have to string it with flats though, because it sounds like a bright active P-ish just using the neck pickup.

 

[steveinohio]

That is an awesome looking ass Caca!

Between just the 2 Band and 3 Band I have found that the 2 Band has more of a round P Bass type sound.