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maccailc

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
5
Hi everyone!

Has anyone ever modified a Stingray 5 with a switch bypassing the preamp? Is it possible to wire this so the volume control still works, or would you have to run the selector switch directly to the output jack?

I love the sound of the bass, but hate depending on batteries. If anyone has done this, I'd be interested to hear your impressions of how the bass sounds with the preamp out of the loop.

Thanks much!

Bill
 

Duarte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2007
Messages
2,023
Location
Birmingham, UK
Just keep an extra battery in your case! ...most people here will do anything they ca to discourage you from attempting to modify your bass.

As will I - leave it be!
 

bizmarckie

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Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
205
Location
Saint Louis, MO
NNNNooooooooo!!!!! Don't do it!!!!!! :(
+1 to keeping a spare 9v on hand. I only have to change mine about every 6 months.
 

maccailc

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
5
Thanks for the feedback! Believe me, I always carry spare batteries. I am hyper-paranoid about gear reliability -suffered the embarrassment of gear failure a couple of times in my early days, and don't want to repeat it. That's one of the reasons I was considering the switch. I would not permanently defeat the preamp, just add a switch to get around it, just in case something went wrong.

One of my past "surprises" was having a battery leak all over the inside of a bass, and discovering this just before I left for a gig. As a result, this Stingray is first non-passive bass I've had in years. So maybe I'm just being psycho about it.

Also just curious what the pickup sounds like right into the amp.

Cheers,

Bill
 

five7

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Nov 24, 2008
Messages
4,296
Buy a big al and be able to switch to passive. :D
 

Rano Bass

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Sep 14, 2006
Messages
1,104
Location
Tijuana Mexico
One of my past "surprises" was having a battery leak all over the inside of a bass, and discovering this just before I left for a gig. As a result, this Stingray is first non-passive bass I've had in years. So maybe I'm just being psycho about it.

It seems to me you are just being psycho about it ;) These basses are very reliable, just take good care of your bass. Why do you think so many pros use SR5s?
It should be possible to do what you want, but its better to take the bass to a good tech to do it.
 

maccailc

Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
5
Thanks for the comments! Doesn't sound like there are too many out there that are as battery-phobic as me. I may go ahead and have my tech try putting the switch in, just as a failsafe to ease my worried mind. If I do it and get any insights about it, I'll let you know.

Thanks again! -Bill
 

73jbass

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 25, 2005
Messages
276
Location
Ellenwood,Ga.
Use quality batteries,and take them out if you dont use the bass for a long period of time. Dont mod the bass if you dont have to.
 

Rick Auricchio

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Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
281
Location
Cambria, CA
You assume that the pickups put out enough level without the preamp. I wouldn't.

Also, if you have more than one pup, the preamp is needed to mix them properly.
 
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