EB Stingray preamp swap

[mani]

Just finished swapping the 3 band preamp in my 93 SR4 for a 2 band version.

I converted it to string-thru-body several years ago so I guess this completes my pre-EB knockoff. It wasn't a deliberate plan to copy the pre-EB bass. I converted to string-thru when I was playing slightly detuned and found it really helped playability and tone. I've always liked the tone of the pre-EB basses but never had the chance to own one, but when I recently borrowed a 1980 model from a luthier friend it convinced me to do the preamp swap aswell. Now if only I had that neck and the slab body which I find more comfortable.

The preamp is a knock off that you will find on ebay. I've put the main jack onto the control plate and wired the original jack straight to the pickup which might be nice recording. I also thought I could mount the 3 band pre in an enclosure and run the second output to that and switch between the two if I really wanted, but doubt I'd bother. Like everyone who has swaped a 3 band for a 2 band, I struggled to find the reverse log pot for the treble control, so for the time being I wired a standard log pot backwards, meaning treble control works backwards. Me being me, it'll probably stay this way for ever.

I'll gig with it tonight to see what I think and maybe get the 1980 Ray back for a direct comparison sometime too. From my few minutes playing time I've had so far, it sounds pretty damn good.

 

[Rano Bass]

Nice bass!
Does the preamp really changes the tone?

 

[mani]

Thanks. It's a beat more beat up than it looks it these pics, but it's been with me for a few years now and I love it! It was my first 'Ray. The bass I lusted after from an early age and worked damn hard to own. I don't think I've made another purchase so satisfying.

The pre really does change the tone. If you like the pre-EB sound, then the 2 band is the way to go. I have never seen a brand new 2 band Ray being sold new anywhere in Australia, but I'm sure they're out there. The 2 band has less output and I thought a touch less sustain, although when I set the amp gain properly (higher than it used to need to be) I think I got that back. The 1980 Ray I sometimes borrow has been fitted with a preamp bypass switch and with controls centred there is minimal difference when the switch is flicked either way, where as I would think the 3 band provided a fair bit of boost even when flat.

Mid set my guitarist wondered over and gave me the thumbs up. We both agree it now sounds more natural. We both descirbe it as sounding less like a preamp & electronics, and more like wood and pickup. There's a loverly bit of natural grit and growl to the pre-EB/2 band EB models that I really like. Would recomend this to anybody who wants that tone, and it's totally reversible and simple to do.

 

[Rano Bass]

Cool, thank's.

 

[WILEEE]

Hello MANI,

Would you consider selling your old 3 band pre amp? Mine has some sort of problem and I would like to replace it.

Thanks,
Wiley

 

[mani]

Sorry, but I think I'll hold onto it. The swap is fully reversable so I'd rather keep it all complete with the option of reverting back in the future.

 

[silverburst]

I like both the 2-band and the 3-band sounds, and they are alot different.

 

[mani]

I definately agree, despite reading other threads saying that they can be EQ'd to sound the same or that you wouldn't notice in a mix.