Getting a Stingray 5 soon

[Gravesend Black]

Well, I've already got guitars with ceramics, and I believe the G&L SB-2 I have also uses Ceramic magnets. I am one who doesn't buy into the "ceramic pickups are cheap" BS. Plenty of great pickups are based on ceramic magnets, and the pickup design is more important. I have 2 carvin basses, and I still think my favorite pickup of theirs is the J99, which is a J-style with a ceramic rail magnet. They later released the J99A with an AlNiCo, but I think I might actually like the J99 Better.

Tone is so subjective anyway. How high your pickups are, your strings, where you play on the string, whether you use fingers, finger nails, picks, slap, etc. I often think many people who say "this bass sounds like crap" or "this pickup sucks" don't know how to adjust the controls on their amp.

Anyone who wants to have all their ideas of the importance of an EQ should watch this video: Rig Rundown - ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons - YouTube It is the now infamous premier guitar Billy Gibbons rig rundown, where the guitar tech shows us this programmable EQ that basically makes all his guitars sound the same.

Ok I will edit my last message - welcome to the ceramics SR5 world)

 

[tbonesullivan]

I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Might actually hook up my Sansamp and make... RECORDINGS.

 

[tbonesullivan]

It arrived. Honestly, if it didn't have a little fretwear and scratches on the scratch plate, it could pass for new. I haven't found a ding on it yet. Action was set mega high, but that was quickly rectified. I'm currently away for the next few days for a wedding, but I'll be able to give a full review of the bass once I get back.

 

[jlepre]

No pics = no ceramic pup sr

 

[tbonesullivan]

No pics = no ceramic pup sr

I know I know. I'm being bad. Over at the Carvin forums they call this "cowbelling". I will have pictures tomorrow after noon, once I get home and give it a nice wipe down to get the smudges off.

 

[tbonesullivan]

OK! Here we go. Front and back.

 

[jlepre]

Wow!

That's HOT!

I love that finish. Congrats and welcome to the affliction.

 

[tbonesullivan]

It really is a smashing finish, and I love the grain on the body. Cherryburst with a black PG is such a classic look.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Great. The main thing is that you're looking completely satisfied)

 

[tbonesullivan]

Satisfied? that's almost an understatement. I can't put the thing down now that I have it set up how I want it. I don't know what strings are on it (trying to find out) but they are awesome.

More than that though, the available tones from the 5 way switch are all good, and give a great variety. The single coil options are good, and definitely different than the "standard" stingray sound. The classic position gives a pretty aggressive sound, but the the other two positions that have multiple coils area bit mellower, and one is just perfect. I can finally get sounds I've always wanted to out of a bass.

 

[tiffles]

It's beautiful!