2EQ and 3EQ Rays

[Jigster]

I'm guessing this has been a thread before, have done a bit of a search and gave up! So any comments on this would be appreciated - ie. I have a 3eq MM already, what differences might the 2eq offer me in tone? - I have read here and there that the 2eq tone is darker??

 

[kevins]

i think since the 2eq is boost only it might be able to further boost the bass than the 3eq, which might be a little bit unneccessary, i mean thats a lot of bass and you could simply just dial in extra bass on the amp if you want...i suppose you could dial it in on the amp and get even more bass than that using the preamp eq! if thats true then theres the difference.

but the main difference actually is... one has a bass knob that is boost only and a trebble knob that is boost cut where as the 3 eq has boost cut for bass, mid and trebble.

otherwise they sound the same unless you're crazy...or a huge 2eq fanatic or 3 eq fanatic in this case you immediately state the other one has a sound quality that you dont normally find desirable in a bass and thus forth you have decided never to invest in a 3or 2 band respectively. im not like that i think...i love my mid control personally

 

[oli@bass]

And again, those who can't compare them, are eager to comment.


I'll make some sound clips... when I have a interface again. After Christmas.

 

[kevins]

this is also true, as i have never really played on a 2eq, i played on a 2eq OLP once. and love all the 2eq players in all those bands i like but also like the 3eq players in all those bands i like. however my only refference is that i can honestly nail all those 2eq players tone with relative ease on the 3eq. theres probobly some tones one can do but the other cant do but all in all ive found my 3eq able to hit all the variations a bass can have, warm, grindy, growly, gritty, dark, bright and all in between.

 

[MrChedda]

this is also true, as i have never really played on a 2eq, i played on a 2eq OLP once. and love all the 2eq players in all those bands i like but also like the 3eq players in all those bands i like. however my only refference is that i can honestly nail all those 2eq players tone with relative ease on the 3eq. theres probobly some tones one can do but the other cant do but all in all ive found my 3eq able to hit all the variations a bass can have, warm, grindy, growly, gritty, dark, bright and all in between.

The "Shift" key is your friend, I swear...

 

[five7]

this is also true, as i have never really played on a 2eq, i played on a 2eq OLP once. and love all the 2eq players in all those bands i like but also like the 3eq players in all those bands i like. however my only refference is that i can honestly nail all those 2eq players tone with relative ease on the 3eq. theres probobly some tones one can do but the other cant do but all in all ive found my 3eq able to hit all the variations a bass can have, warm, grindy, growly, gritty, dark, bright and all in between.

Open wide and insert foot

 

[kevins]

AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN


Its ok. I'll make a note of that. I'm terrible with non formal typing. I tend to unshift everything that needsa shiftin' and use commas as punctuation.

 

[MrMusashi]

at least we never shout

MrM

 

[BobKos]

FWIW - I have had a terrible time trying to get the 'clank' out of my 3EQ Stingrays. I finally figured it out. BUT - before I did - I had a 2EQ Pre-EBMM SR4 for a short while. It didn't clank. Not at all. It played like a normal bass through my setup. I liked it alot. So IME, there IS a big difference and that difference is that the 2EQ has a smoother attack. The 3EQ has a bold, bright attack.

 

[rhythmCity944]

I own both 2eq and 3 eq stingrays. I like them both. The 3eq is brighter in general.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

To reduce most of the brightness of my 3-eq, I tend to really bring down the treble on my amp, and keep the treble on the bass flat. Helps a lot. For any kind of slapping, I'd still cut the treble on the bass some.

 

[oli@bass]

As promised:

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42214-stingray-sound-examples.html

 

[Chuck B]

I only have 2-banders - I'm just used to them all over the last 30 years. But IMHO nuances as "sounds brighter" depend on the strings you are using. There is so much difference in several brands of nickel plated steels I'm using. It takes a lot of time (and money) to find the strings for a particular bass.

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Yes, the 2eq does have a lot more boost. It's also richer sounding, but at the end of the day, the 3eq gives you more options with your sound. I always run my 3eq on full bass boost, mids flat (in the centre detent) & just a little added treble. This gives me the scooped sound I want & plenty of highs without any hiss.

To achieve the same sound on the 2eq, you need a lot more treble boost and less bass boost.

As for strings, I've found that DR FatBeams (the Marcus Miller signature ones) seem to suit the bass best, giving plenty of snarl and clarity across the range. Currently on a 40-100 set.

Rich.

 

[keko]

My previous Warwick was 2 band EQ and I always had a problem with middle range over my PA support!

Previous 7ender was 3 band EQ and that was much better, but poor pickups etc,...you know...

Now mine Sterling have 3 band eq and ceramic pickups, so this is it, ...no problems any more at all!

I should go for 4 band EQ in future with some of Bongos or maybe future Reflex model!

Remember one thing: ...every room, chamber, hall, discotheque, club...etc., ...have different sound, so there's never enough EQ bands for me!

 

[oli@bass]

Remember one thing: ...every room, chamber, hall, discotheque, club...etc., ...have different sound, so there's never enough EQ bands for me!

Rule of thumb:
EQ on bass - makes your sound

EQ in amp - compensates for room (and there you can have a 30 band graphic EQ in your rack)

 

[Powman]

I only have 2-banders - I'm just used to them all over the last 30 years. But IMHO nuances as "sounds brighter" depend on the strings you are using. There is so much difference in several brands of nickel plated steels I'm using. It takes a lot of time (and money) to find the strings for a particular bass.

Very true. It is the combination of both the bass and the instrument. Stainless steel strings on a lifeless passive instrument from a different company (won't name names) can bring the bass to life. But Most Music Man basses are best with Nickel strings. Personally I even find that too bright...the Ernie Ball Coated strings sound excellent on my Sterling 4H with maple neck.

 

[Caca de Kick]

Keko,
I don't believe it being in how many eq bands you have...it's the voicing that is built into it. Plenty of different brand instruments out there with 2band eq's that simply sound awesome. I have owned plenty of those "W" basses and my issue is, it's the choice of tone woods they use along with a so-so eq that made them sound so overly compressed.

Rule of thumb:
EQ on bass - makes your sound

EQ in amp - compensates for room

Exactly!

 

[Elad_E]

There is so much difference in several brands of nickel plated steels I'm using. It takes a lot of time (and money) to find the strings for a particular bass.

+1 x 10^23

this is gospel Chuck, some basses I had (including the EBMM 2 band SR4 that has become my go to bass in the last year) went from zero to hero and vice a' verse with a change of a string set

I think if only I realized that earlier a lot of frustration and money would have been spared.

 

[keko]

Keko,
I don't believe it being in how many eq bands you have...it's the voicing that is built into it. Plenty of different brand instruments out there with 2band eq's that simply sound awesome. I have owned plenty of those "W" basses and my issue is, it's the choice of tone woods they use along with a so-so eq that made them sound so overly compressed.

OK guys, I admit that in fact good construction of wood and quality pickup is all you really need for a good bass tone, but try to look at this matter from my perspective!
I play mostly private party gigs and during the gig I have set list with all kind of music genres! That's mine basic problem, to fit my tone for each song, for each genre in a few seconds, just between two songs, sometimes in the mix played songs even during the play!

That's why I use multi pickup bass with multi band EQ!

Otherwise, good old single H SR4 could be enough for me, personally!