2 eq vs 3 eq

[mantaraya]

ok . i ve heard lots of talking about the "2 eq vs 3 eq " rays . i own a 3 eq ray.
has any one checked them at the same conditions (same cab, same head, same strings, same volume)
the point would be putiing them as close and objective as possible and not the heard " i felt when i played 2 years ago that this bas blalalala........"
so lets hear peolple who really have checked that with both them.
just to speak.

 

[bovinehost]

A few years ago, I had two Stingrays - one 2 band, one 3 band.

Both were strung with the same brand, gauge and type of strings.

Both were played using the same cable, the same head, the same cabinets.

Present to attest to results: yours truly and Chuck Moses.

Under critical listening conditions (no other instruments, heads cocked to one side like confused dogs, etc), the bottom end on the 2 band sounded microscopically different. Chuck said "a hair more pronounced" while I said "two microns tighter".

We did not test the body wood for differences which may have contributed to the perceived bump, tiny as it was.

We did both agree, however, and later tests proved that under normal conditions (playing with live band, recording rock music, having drinks) that no one would ever notice the 'difference'.

I think fans of the older Stingrays will prefer the 2 band preamp (they're pretty much the same as the old preamps). (The best Stingray I ever played was a circa 2000 two-band, but that wasn't entirely due to the preamp.)

I also think the differences are so small that most of what people talk about is sonically insignificant.

YMMV, etc.

Jack

 

[mantaraya]

thanks i rellay appreciatte that.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I also think the differences are so small that most of what people talk about is sonically insignificant.

+1

 

[Big Poppa]

I think that there is a big difference...the two band is a boost only and the three band is cut/boost w/a center detent. CUtting the mids and boostin the treb and bass is really good and boosting the mids and boosting the bass 1/2 way whilst leaving the treble flat is another great sound. If you utilize the cut and boost abilities the three band has many more tonal possibilities. In defense of the two band it gets the Classic MM tone easier and maybe a touch meatier.

 

[bovinehost]

I wouldn't argue with you!

I was really talking about the differences with everything set flat.

Should have mentioned that, I suppose, but I was momentarily fascinated with that Rachel Ray on the Food Channel.

 

[Big Poppa]

keep in mind that the design objective with the three band was for the player to keep the mid flat and boost the treble and bass and replicate the two band preamp with the treble and bass boosted with is the classic setting for the old school stingray. The idea was that you sould get the classic sound and tons of tones inbetween/

 

[Randracula]

Should have mentioned that, I suppose, but I was momentarily fascinated with that Rachel Ray on the Food Channel.

And I don't blame you one bit Jack........

 

[bonzo]

Good Info

Thanks for the info BP and Jack. I'm new to the EBMM family and this forum although I'm no stranger to the 'Pit aka sflajimmy. I just bought a used Sterling from a 'Pitter and I'm like damn where have I been?? My poor other basses are getting lonely right now Back on point here. I'm glad my ears aren't that bad because I figured this out by my own trial and error even though the Sterling is different from a Ray. OK Jack sorry I missed out on the DD train. Now I suppose I'll spend a few more bucks to get the Sterling you quoted me. You snooze you loose.....

 

[todd4ta]

Rachel just doesn't do it for me. Almost, but her body proportions are just a little off.

I have a personal preference of the 2-band Stingrays. As BP said, they are a little meatier to me (thicker in the mids). I've tried to replicate it on a 3-band, but so far haven't found that perfect setting that matches the two. I run my 2-band controls with the bass just a little more than half, and the treble right at half-way.

For fretless, I like having a 3-band for the mids control.

The perfect combination for me is in the 30th Anniversary Stingrays. The mahogany body really fills in the sound spectrum for a meatier tone, and the 3-band preamp has never sounded so good.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I prefer this TV food show host. Not too shabby for 46 years of age.

 

[bonzo]

I prefer this TV food show host. Not too shabby for 46 years of age.

Is that muff or muffin??

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I prefer this TV food show host. Not too shabby for 46 years of age.

Ooh - Mark's a Nigella man!

Better than Delia I suppose

 

[Lazybite]

damn

 

[Aussie Mark]

Ooh - Mark's a Nigella man!

Absolutely. And in my age group too

 

[T-Maniac]

I think that there is a big difference...the two band is a boost only and the three band is cut/boost w/a center detent.

I'm so confused now!!!

Check out this thread:

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/showthread.php?t=618&highlight=2-band+boost

 

[NoFrets80]

And I don't blame you one bit Jack........

rachael can cook for me any day... lucky for me, my girlfriend (who is also named rachel) loves her as well, so she watches her cook and i.... just watch.

 

[artisan]

ooooohhhhhhhhh aaaaaaarrrrggghhhhhh oops sorry

 

[Mobay45]

I like to watch Rachel Ray too, but Paula Dean's recipes rock!

 

[Bill]

The one I can't stand is that blonde-headed woman who looks like she came straight from the 1980s...what's her name? Sandra Lee or something? Yuck!

I like to make fun of Giada De Laurentiis's gigantic head perched precariously atop her tiny body.