Question First Stingray On Deck...piezo?

[TredH20]

Hi everyone -

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering a new Stingray. Specifically I am looking to order a Stingray 4HS in Pacific Blue Burst w/ matching headstock and white pearl pickguard. This will be my first Stingray - and I am psyched for it. I am wondering if I should add in the piezo option or not? It's some extra dough - but I like the idea of the extra tonal options it might bring. I searched for some sound examples to get an idea of what it might bring - but fell a bit short in some definitive examples. And alas, there are no local stores around me that carry the piezo varitey of SR.

Anyone with a piezo have any opinions/thoughts? Thanks ahead of time - looking forward to finally joining the MM community!

 

[mynan]

Not a Stingray, but it should give you an idea of what the piezo does.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rNKuYuex1I"]YouTube- 2001 Sterling H with piezo bridge[/ame]

 

[shakinbacon]

Hi everyone -

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering a new Stingray. Specifically I am looking to order a Stingray 4HS in Pacific Blue Burst w/ matching headstock and white pearl pickguard. This will be my first Stingray - and I am psyched for it. I am wondering if I should add in the piezo option or not? It's some extra dough - but I like the idea of the extra tonal options it might bring. I searched for some sound examples to get an idea of what it might bring - but fell a bit short in some definitive examples. And alas, there are no local stores around me that carry the piezo varitey of SR.

Anyone with a piezo have any opinions/thoughts? Thanks ahead of time - looking forward to finally joining the MM community!

If more tonal options is what you want, the piezo definitely will give that. I always use a bit of piezo signal mixed with the magnetics. It gives a bit of spice, cut, air, thump, 3D definition, etc... hard to describe. Ever gig I'm very thankful I have the option of the piezo. I don't like the sound of it alone but do when mixed with the pickups.

If I were a slapper (I'm not), I'd really want the piezo. The example above gives you a good idea of what that sounds like.

That said, I've never tried it on a Stingray. Its too bad you cannot try ahead of time - but I understand. Best of luck

 

[five7]

If you can get it, get the piezo!

 

[Duarte]

Although on Rays you can't have dual pickups + piezo, this option is only for Bongos. So you'll either be choosing between HH/HS or Hp for your Ray. Personally, I love the Piezo and it sounds exceptional on a Stingray.

 

[TredH20]

Dual pickups and piezo...

Oh - I didnt realize that. The guys at Bass Central didn't indicate that that would be an issue.

 

[bizmarckie]

Great color choice Here are a few teaser photos of that color combo:

My new to me SR5: SWEET! - Ernie Ball Forums

However you decide, I'm sure you'll love it!

 

[TredH20]

Oh - I didnt realize that. The guys at Bass Central didn't indicate that that would be an issue.

Just talked with Beaver - yep, not available. So that makes my decision easy apparently!

 

[TredH20]

Great color choice Here are a few teaser photos of that color combo:

My new to me SR5: SWEET! - Ernie Ball Forums

However you decide, I'm sure you'll love it!

Thanks for the inspiration! Love that color!

 

[kevins]

the piezo is great i even reccomend losing the other pickups for it. it really does bring the whole sound to a wonderful level

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

Again, the piezo comes highly recommended - The biggest bonus is that if you solo the piezo bridge & play up at the end of the fingerboard, you get a very good double bass style sound. Excellent for playing swing numbers.

If you use a 50/50 blend of humbucker/piezo you get a sort of 3d sound not unlike an 8-string bass, but without the inevitably sore fingers!

Rich.

 

[keko]

Go for a piezo if You can afford it and find with magnetic pickup combination that You wish!

When I bought my Sterling the only reason to take it without piezo was because I badly wanted a Sterling 5, but piezo was not available on that model!

I swear to myself that I'll take one more Music Man bass with piezo in the future, but as I'm more dual pickup player it seems to me that only Bongo is my nearest choice right now!

 

[TredH20]

Decision - and another question?

Hi everyone -

Well, I've made the decision to go with the HS and hold off on the piezo. Primarily, it is because I haven't had the chance to test out an Hp to hear what it sounds like for myself.

But - what this means - is that I might just have to look at getting another one in the future that is just Hp - to satisfy my curiousity.

So I have another question regarding the Pacific Blue Burst finish. How much variation is there in the colors? I have seen pics of blue bursting to almost black on the outer edges, and then I have seen pics of greenish blue bursting to a royal blue on the edges. I wonder if these differences are due to the flash used to photograph the bass?

 

[bizmarckie]

So I have another question regarding the Pacific Blue Burst finish. How much variation is there in the colors? I have seen pics of blue bursting to almost black on the outer edges, and then I have seen pics of greenish blue bursting to a royal blue on the edges. I wonder if these differences are due to the flash used to photograph the bass?

I have 2 in the color, and I can say that flash photography does lighten it up a bit. Also, my 2006 looks lighter, but I don't know if it's due to age, or the color mix of the individual year/bass, or the model (smaller body size on the Sterling), or if it's because the color is done by hand. I'll try to take a side by side picture for you when I get a chance to show what I mean.

 

[TredH20]

Thanks bizmarckie - that would be much appreciated!

 

[bizmarckie]

Sorry it took me so long, but here's a side-by-side:

I hope those helped!

 

[TredH20]

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you - but these are GORGEOUS. Makes me even more excited to get my Stingray! I've been avoiding the forums, because the anticipation is too much too bear. I have about a month and a half left...

 

[T Alan]

I have a fretless 'Ray4 with the piezo. You can hear it all over my album. I love it for fretless.

 

[T Alan]

Sorry it took me so long, but here's a side-by-side:

I hope those helped!

Wow...BEAUTIFUL set.