HH over H setup?

[Mr.Mow]

My first post, hey all..

I've done searches on the web and on one hand HH rays dont seem very popular, but on the other people who have the HH setup say it does everything a H does..

So.. Seeing there is only a few $$ difference between them.. Why WOULDN'T I choose a HH over a H? I don't play slap so that's not an issue.. Does a HH sound exactly like a H on it's single pickup setting?

 

[Manfloozy]

I think it's just preference.... Some people just prefer a single H, and will never use any of the other options.... So maybe it's simplicity, maybe it's looks, maybe dedication to tradition.... But if you are never going to use it and it's just extra for being extra might as well not buy it.

I am personally not one of those people

 

[Movielife]

Try a HS, nice combination on a EBMM bass

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Yes Why wouldn't you?

I can get a MM with TWO pickups?...And get My Ray sound..and a beezillion others..

WOoooo


You know you Don't have to get just ONE!

 

[shakinbacon]

To me the reason not to is simplicity - not being distracted messing with more options for changing the sound and playability (reaction to right-hand placement if you are right handed)

I can see the benefits of this elegance, but having owned an SR5HH and a Bongo 5HH I have to say I virtually always used a combination of the pickups for getting the sounds in my head. Only occasionally did I use the bridge pickup solo on the SR5 - but it is definitely a GREAT sound. The Bongo is more versatile in this regard as it has a pickup blend knob... but even here I almost always leave it centered.

I wouldn't worry about weight difference between single and dual pickup models as the wood alone varies enough to negate this.

If you can, try as many models as you can to find the perfect one for you. imho that is one of the best reasons to patronize your local bass shop - if you have one that has good customer service.

 

[MingusBASS]

I prefer the dual pickup basses. I've had several single H EBMM basses and every one of them has been shipped off for someone else to love.

My current favorite is my BFR(all rosewood neck) HS Ray 5 in Cabernet Pearl. AMAZING!

 

[nurnay]

I've had a single H in both 4 & 5, and now play a 5HH. I love the various sound options I get with the two pickups. And yes, I can get the single H sound as well. I currently only really use 2, sometimes 3 of the selector positions (1, 3, and 4 rarely), but what a big difference in tone!

 

[Mr.Mow]

Thanks for the feedback guys, interesting..

I'm not a tweeker or tinkerer, so during a gig its normally 'set and forget' with settings, MAY turn the tone down on a couple of more acoustic things.. but usually after sound check I'm done..

But I DO like to move around to change the tone, this is a plus in my mind for the HH setup! I'm lazy, I hang off the pickups, I've tried playing my Jazz just over the bridge pup and.. hmm.. not a huge fan, I like a little 'boing' in my strings!

Hmm.. gotta say i'm leaning towards the HH just for somewhere to hang my thumb! Play a little bit forward, P and J Bass style.. hence the question of.. why would I NOT?

(ok.. I guess the single H does have the classic cool look and aesthetically, yes its probably nicer..)

 

[Mr.Mow]

If you can, try as many models as you can to find the perfect one for you. imho that is one of the best reasons to patronize your local bass shop - if you have one that has good customer service.

I'd love to try them at my local bass shop.. but unfortunately I won't be buying from them and I don't like to just use their stock so I can buy stuff off the internet!

I can get a Stingray from the US shipped for $1200.. to buy the same one here would cost me $2600.. Put it this way, I can get a US model from the US cheaper than I can buy an Indonesian Ray34 locally, I'd LOVE to be able to support my local dealers, But I just can't do it at those prices.

 

[TheAntMan]

I've had a SR4H and tried a few SR4HH in the store. My next SR will be an HH. The tonal options are really sweet on the ones I have tried.

--Ant

 

[TheAntMan]

ok.. I guess the single H does have the classic cool look and aesthetically, yes its probably nicer..

To each their own but music is about the sound not the look.

--Ant

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've owned two HH bongos and a HH Stingray and in each case used them always with the pickup blend dead centre. Both pickups together is a killer rock sound.

 

[Mr.Mow]

I've owned two HH bongos and a HH Stingray and in each case used them always with the pickup blend dead centre. Both pickups together is a killer rock sound.

Hey AussieMark! , how you doing?!

So.. i'm not seeing any real reason to go a single pickup SR..

 

[cellkirk74]

Hey AussieMark! , how you doing?!

So.. i'm not seeing any real reason to go a single pickup SR..

Well, yes and no.

One sound (and a very good and popular one. Think Bernard Edwards or Sade) you will not get from any multi-pickup MM is the sound of a hung up 2-band Stingray with the mutes attached.

In general, a good household needs a P, a single H 2-band Ray and then some.

 

[Movielife]

I find that with a 4 string Stingray, a single 4 is enough. I leave the versatility to the 5 string basses I have.

Why? Well, I use my 4 strings for straight out rock/punk, and I generally want one big sound that I can EQ.

With the 5 stringers, I tend to practice more at home and Im currently looking for new projects to play in. Something like a function band where the B might be helpful, and the extra switching helps.

Some basses, like the Stingray 5, are perfect for my needs with the H S setting. Something about a single coil nearer the neck is perfect for me.

It all depends

 

[Mr.Mow]

Well, yes and no.

One sound (and a very good and popular one. Think Bernard Edwards or Sade) you will not get from any multi-pickup MM is the sound of a hung up 2-band Stingray with the mutes attached.

In general, a good household needs a P, a single H 2-band Ray and then some.

Ah, 2 band not really an option anyway!

 

[Movielife]

Man, the 2 band is just awesome. Seriously, I love my 3 band Rays, but my 2 band is the perfect plug and play bass. It goes from the amazing sizzly treble slap all the way to warm fat finger funk all in one go!

 

[drTStingray]

HH Rays are Great - AND ESPECIALLY BLUE ONES

I have a 3 band HH Stingray - it does the standard bridge humbucker sound but has four other very usable settings - multiply that by hand position/technique variation and you have one incredibly versatile bass - it can be anything from super smooth to Flea inspired gritty/nasty to subsonic reggae.

If you're just looking for the simplicity of the 'point and squirt' single H, then one of these is probably not for you, but if you want a perfect Ray sound, and a range of other v usable sounds, they are great. Have a listen to Oli's post of comparative sound samples to hear the different sounds you get with the pick up settings.

BTW mine is blue - now you'll have heard stories and legends on this forum of blue basses not making it (a bit like Frank Zappa's song alleging Brown Shoes Don't Make It) - don't believe it - mine is in the best colour known to man - blue dawn - I once turned up to a gig and our singer complained it clashed with his pink jacket - so I said do you want to take your jacket off or shall I cover my bass with a brown paper bag? No contest ................. the bass was much more beautiful than his jacket (which had a beer stain on it anyway)

 

[Mabongohogany]

What is this "Sting-Ray" that you speak of??

I have an EBMM Bass, quite modern thangyou.

It's called the BON-GO.

Mine is the variant known as the
HH

or (2) pups.

ONE???
Why would I want ONE??
When I can have
TWO??

oh, and there's a "Blend Control" which I believe either balances the neck/bridge pups, or makes Margaritas perhaps.

Yes.

HH.

Do it.

 

[shakinbacon]

What is this "Sting-Ray" that you speak of??

I have an EBMM Bass, quite modern thangyou.

It's called the BON-GO.

Mine is the variant known as the
HH

or (2) pups.

ONE???
Why would I want ONE??
When I can have
TWO??

oh, and there's a "Blend Control" which I believe either balances the neck/bridge pups, or makes Margaritas perhaps.

Yes.

HH.

Do it.

That made me laugh out loud

Maybe we need three humbuckers huh?