Difference in volume of Stingray 4 vs. Stingray 5

[Old Horse]

I'm not sure if anyone can help me with this one, but I borrowed my mate's SR 5 this weekend and road tested it last night, alternating between the 5 and my SR 4 string.

Both are relatively new and both have the usual SR humbucker and 3 band EQ's. I've changed the batteries on both, but there is a noticeable difference between the 4 string (which is really loud and punchy) and the 5 string (which is not quite so loud or punchy). Both sound as if everything is working (bass, mid, treble etc), but I'm a bit stumped as to why one sounds much louder than the other one. This is pretty much the same with the selector is any position.

I guess my question is, is this normal and do Rays sometimes have a significant difference in output. I've tried a couple of amps and had the same outcome each time.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated

 

[Rano Bass]

It could be the pup height cause they sould be just as loud as the other IMO.

 

[phatduckk]

pickup height makes a HUGE difference in volume. too high and too low both are bad.

check out www.ernieball.com/faq for the factory suggested pickup height

 

[shastaband]

I have observed this same phenomena with my Stingrays. I now have three 4-string Stingrays, and they are all louder than my four 5-string Stingrays. And yes, that's with pickup heights adjusted and new batteries. I figured it was just the different natures of the beast(s).

Gene

 

[bovinehost]

My vote is that Gene's "nature of the beast" comment is accurate.

 

[Scraggy]

My SR5 needs more gain on the amp than any SR4 of Sterling I tried.


With the EQ set flat it is even quieter than my Pbass with a quarter-pounder (not active), but if I crank up the EQ, the beast comes alive!

But I like the variety of sounds I can get from it, I just have to set my gain higher!