EBMM StingRay 4 (2009, 3-band EQ) - Tone issues

[BullHorn]

Ever since I got my EBMM StingRay I've had a hard time using it with my band. Nobody likes the way it sounds in the mix and I can't figure how to make it sound good. I do like the way it sounds on it's own.

What I did notice is that when I use one of my passive Fender Precisions, I usually set the volume to around 2.5 on the amplifier but when I use the StingRay, I have to raise the volume up to 5-6. I replaced the battery and set it up according to guides I found online (I've been setting up all my basses for over 5 years now).

In the mix, it usually sounds 'weak'. If I boost the lows it just becomes muddy. If I boost the highs, they become harsh/unbearable.

Help me or else I'll have to sell it. I don't want to do because it's my most comfortable bass and it weighs only 3.6kg!

 

[Gravesend Black]

Have you ever concidered to contact Customer Service or just to go to the luthier for some diagnostics? Sounds like your bass may have some problems.

 

[BullHorn]

I don't live anywhere near Customer Service, the guys who import the EB instruments to my country are quite pointless to deal with.

It doesn't sound like there's any problem with the bass per se, there aren't any noises or things that suggest a malfunction. It just sounds bad in most mixes. :/

 

[Gravesend Black]

That is not MM in that case Usually they are pretty loud and clear in the mix) Just go to the any good luthier you have in your region. If he will say that everything is OK - I guess you just do not like MM sound. But honestly. I have 2 stingrays and they are loud as hell. BTW where do you live? Maybe there are some peeps around from your country. So they might suggest you a good luthier.

 

[BullHorn]

I'm from Israel.

Of course it can be loud and clear if I boost the volume up but it... just doesn't sound very good in a mix. I love the sound on it's own but something wrong is happening in the mix and I can't put my finger on it.

 

[BullHorn]

I made a recording to 'prove' there's nothing wrong with the bass: https://soundcloud.com/bullhorn/stingray-test
The amplifier is flat with some compression, the on-board pre-amp is nearly flat with a slight hi-cut.

I tried to play with this bass in 3 different rehearsal-studios with 4 different amplifiers and it just sounds/feels terrible and nowhere near as good as it sounds on its own.

 

[stingrayguy]

Hi,
from your recording, my impression is that the bass sounds alright. Would you mind to send a "mix" and describe which specific detail of the sound you don't like?
I could imagine that there's too much treble and that in the mix you hear a lot of high frequencies form the bass, but miss the growl. So maybe you might want to reduce treble a bit.
Greetings from Germany!

 

[Movielife]

It does seem strange that the volume is different, but, I think this will be a case of 'mids'.

If the mods don't mind, basically the P Bass will give you a thick low mid (ish) kick. An amplifier does not need a lot of power to push low mids, compared to actual bass.

With the same volume, you can boost mids on a bass or amp and it makes huge differences in tone and volume. It might sound a little 'nasally' back home, but it pushes through a heavy mix.

A Stingray, to my ears, also has a mid bump and a mid cut, when set flat on the EQ. I'm not sure what frequencies, but there is a bite in the mids (high mids?) and a push in the mids somewhere, which gives the Ray a 'kick' and that quickness when you play even with fingers. Something makes it very responsive to me. There is also a mid cut to my ears, not sure where.

Everytime I play with a Ray or see a band with a Ray, you can usually hear its signature tone. You can of course develop it and make it more aggressive, or even tame it with flats and play with fingers further towards the neck.

What do you mean by the band don't like it? Is it because it stands out a little bit and tends to cut the mix? That's the usual guitarist issue, because the bass to them (well, not to generalise, but a lot of them) should be felt and barely heard.

How are you setting you onboard EQ and amps EQ? Is it an amp known to scoop frequences when set at noon?

 

[BullHorn]

My band doesn't mind the bass standing out, they prefer it because it's a 4-piece with drums, bass, guitars and vocals. The P stands out in the mix without interfering (fat in the bottom and slightly *grindy* on top, you know, classic P with pick tone) while with the StingRay I never manage to find the sweet-spot for the aggressive top, it's either too much (harsh) or not enough, and gets lost in the mix.

It feels like it moves less air in the bottom end and as I start boosting the lows, it becomes muddy - I can never find the low-end-punch-in-the-face sweet spot either.

I'm a mess with this bass. :|

 

[Movielife]

For your amp - find out what 'flat' is...most amps are probably not 'flat' when all knobs are at 12. Eg the Orange Bass Terror is flat with bass and treble down, mids on full!

Then, if its possibly, boost the low mids on you amp. Try boost the mids on the Ray a little.

If you are a pick player in this band, the attack will be much more apparent. I have seen a band round my area that uses a single H Ray the same as you, two loud guitars, drums...and the bass is very audible and aggressive and almost 'more' than just 'the bass line'...its almost taking the bass into the limelight which is cool!

Have you tried using flats?

 

[Movielife]

Also - Check the settings for your pickup height etc. The Musicman site has the specs for the right 'sweetspot' for pickup height.

 

[Movielife]

More info! One of my favourite 'modern' Ray-with-a-pick-tones is on At The Drive-In's album 'Relationship of Command'. Youtube it if you can

Basically, big bold brash aggressive bass, sitting under the mix and providing the spikey guitars with a full deep low end, yet still snarling and snapping up top so its actually more interesting and in your face than the rhythm guitar, (which is how it should be )

 

[BullHorn]

I tried different amps but usually Hartke HA5500 or Ampeg SVT-7Pro. What sounds good for other basses doesn't sound very good for my StingRay...

I already checked pickup height and the rest of the setup. I did the setup myself and it's pretty good. It was a lot easier to set up than older, crappier basses.

I have a couple years old set of GHS Flatwounds laying around somewhere, I might give them a go...

 

[BullHorn]

Pardon the sloppy playing, but here's the same bass and the same riff, with the same amp settings and this time completely flat pre-amp settings (everything at 5/noon/middle/whatever-you-call-it)

https://soundcloud.com/bullhorn/stingray-test-flats
Comapred to rounds:
https://soundcloud.com/bullhorn/stingray-test

Very different sound. Still somewhat dirty (I set it up to fret-buzz on purpose) but not as overwhelming as before. I'll give it a shot with the band when we get time.

 

[pete bass]

Could it be that there is a frequency clash with another instrument when the band is playing together ? Keyboards and guitars set with the EQ too bassey ? have done that to my Stingray sound as well although with a cheaper Squier P Bass it doesn´t happen.... also the acoustics of the venue (Tiled floors walls etc) will affect the sound a great deal as i would think that Israel has a similar climate to Spain where very little sound absorbing materials are used in buildings....Just a thought ?....