Convert HH to H

[hogbob]

Hi everybody - this is my first post here:

I own 2 MM Stingray 5 basses. One is a 2012 honey-burst PDN H model - THAT is the one for life

Second one is a 2012 Guitar-Center special edition HH - it is White all over - matching headstock, Gold hardware - even gold PU "dots" with white PU-covers and of cause I have fitted it with "gold" strings.


My question is: Is it possible to convert a HH to a H ??... I use the white one in H mode all the time and the second neck PU is just in the way. Of cause fitting a H pick-guard and simply remove the neck PU is likely to be relatively easy - but is it possible to convert the tone switch to make it work as it does on the H model... Figuring that if I simply remove the Neck PU I will have several switch settings that will result in no sound at all.

 

[sanderhermans]

the single h model stingray does not have a 5 way switch... so I don't really know what you mean. I would keep it as it is but that's up to you. if you really go trough with it, I would just remove the neck pickup and put a single h guard on there. I wouldn't start messing with the electronics if u where you.

 

[sanderhermans]

sorry I misread this, thought it was about a sr4. the sr5 does have a switch but don't know how you could convert it from hh to h electronics...

 

[jlepre]

I would call customer service to get more info on this.

 

[BigDBass]

Definitely easier to go from HH to H than the other way around!

There's a good chance that most of the electronics would carry over. In addition to contacting customer service, I'd suggest finding a reputable local luthier to explore options.

The remaining pickup may be in a different position than it would be for a "stock" single H, so you may need to have a custom pickguard made for it. I'd expect that the pickup position difference would also result in a somewhat (not night and day) different sound than a stock single H.

 

[73jbass]

The rear pickup on the H and HH are in the same place. I wouldn't mod the bass at all. I'l learn to play the HH like it is,I did,or sell it and get an H.

 

[jlepre]

The rear pickup on the H and HH are in the same place. I wouldn't mod the bass at all. I'l learn to play the HH like it is,I did,or sell it and get an H.

Are you sure about that?

 

[sanderhermans]

Are you sure about that?

On sr4 and sr5 this should be the case.... not true for bongo.

 

[BigDBass]

On sr4 and sr5 this should be the case.... not true for bongo.

Hmm, interesting and somewhat surprising to me!

 

[Golem]

Hmm, interesting and somewhat surprising to me!

On SRs and Sterlings the rear PU is always in the exact "MM sweet spot"
so that when you throw the switch to solo that PU you get exactly what
a MM is spozed to be. But the Boingo has 2 reasons for being exempt
from this:

1. It was born as a 2-PU ax. It has no prior history to replicate.

2. It has a PU blender, so it's not like you just throw switch and expect
"instant-original-single-PU-classic" voicing from the rear position of the
PU switch that it doesn't even have anyway ;-)

This explanation is not "MM gospel according to factory experts", but
is just my own observation of the situation.

 

[tbonesullivan]

I would sell it and buy another. Just me. Seems easier. The wiring for the switch extends into the preamp a bit as well, so I'm not sure it's a simple thing to change the wiring from HH to H.

I would just lower the pickup to get it out of the way, or sell it and get another more to your liking.

 

[73jbass]

Are you sure about that?

I own both. The answer is yes. Only the Bongo HS and HH have the rear pickup moved back.

 

[bvdrummer]

I was just looking into modding the switch on my HS to behave partially more like the H model. But I learned that the bridge humbuckers in these two basses are different. The pickup in the H has 4 conductors (allows for series/parallel options) plus 1 conductor for the "phantom" coil. My HS bridge pickup only has 3 conductors so I'm unable to do the parallel/series mod I was thinking of.

If you're still looking into this mod, then for starters check how many conductors your bridge pickup has. I know the HH doesn't have a phantom coil, so you'd probably have at most 4 conductors per pickup. If you have 4 then you might be able to at least do a parallel/series switch, but you won't have a "silent" single coil option without the phantom coil.

 

[photogdude]

just out of curiosity, does the bridge pu on the h sound different than the bridge on the hh? I was actually looking into this(h vs hh) question when i came across this thread. or do you just want to change cause of other reasons?

 

[bvdrummer]

I think they are effectively the same pickup, and they're in the same position, so in series mode they sound the same. But the single H model has 4 conductors on the pickup which allows for the series/parallel option. On the HS and HH they are only wired in series.

If you're asking about the OP's reason:

I use the white one in H mode all the time and the second neck PU is just in the way.

And if you're asking about MY reason:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...g-h-owners-parallel-vs-single-coil-sound.html

 

[BrancoRJ]

I think they are effectively the same pickup, and they're in the same position, so in series mode they sound the same. But the single H model has 4 conductors on the pickup which allows for the series/parallel option. On the HS and HH they are only wired in series.

If you're asking about the OP's reason:


And if you're asking about MY reason:
http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...g-h-owners-parallel-vs-single-coil-sound.html

Hi friends!
Bringing to life.....

According to EBMM, at middle position you have both coils in parallel!
So the PUs has the wiring to that.
Unless I'm wrong....

 

[Bert]

Hi friends!
Bringing to life.....

According to EBMM, at middle position you have both coils in parallel!
So the PUs has the wiring to that.
Unless I'm wrong....

The thread title is: "Convert HH to H"

So what do you want to achieve?
A ceramic Stingray5 HH (2005-2008) convert/wired like an StingRay5 H pickup parallel?

Did you see my post?:
http://forums.ernieball.com/ernie-b...vs-ceramic-pup-pole-pieces-5.html#post1023003

Middle position is both pickups parallel, but the two inner pickup-coils of each pickup are still wired in series.
You can wire the inner pickup-coils to parallel, if you have experience in soldering and its important to you.