Question Interested in the 2 band classic Ray vs the 3 band modern Ray.... pro's and con's

[keko]

I recently tried one Classic Ray 2 band and many standard Rays 3 band before!

I have a feeling that maybe because of alnico pickup tone, 2 band EQ just fit perfect to that bass!
Alnico Music Man pickup already have enough raised midrange tone character, so balancing with treble and bass You can do anything!

 

[drTStingray]

Mr fStop, I'm guessing you'll really love the 2 band EQ - as well as what others have said, the differences in sound for me are:-

1) The EQ seems to have more bass and treble boost capability than the 3 band
2) If you turn the tone knobs towards the off position, you get an audible comparative boost in mids
3) When using my 3 band SR4 fretless and 2 band Classic in the same gig, switching from song to song, the 2 band needs a bit of mid assistance from the amp to have the same level of presence as the 3 band (with the 3 band mid on centre detent)
4) The Classic nails the 70s Musicman sound straight out of the box, and can cover most musical styles, especially classic R and B and 80s rock - but has not got as much flexibility as the 3 band - for instance if you want a mid heavy sound to allow harmonics to really ring (eg covering fusion), I would tend not use my 2 band as a preference.
5) The mutes create a whole new sound palate which is extremely useful - the mid range cut using the mutes on the 3 band is not so pronounced as on the 2 band.
6) Strings through definitely creates more sustain and note ring, I think - I have shocked other band members and myself with this on the Classic, especially on the E string - slap that string hard and the note will ring big time until you stop it, basically! My band play a sort of rockier version of Come On Everybody and I slapped the notes at the start - very aggressive sounding!! Playing the same song on the 3 band sounded quite different (and I could afford to be more lazy muting the notes!)

Congrats and enjoy the bass.

 

[mrfstop]

I recently tried one Classic Ray 2 band and many standard Rays 3 band before!

I have a feeling that maybe because of alnico pickup tone, 2 band EQ just fit perfect to that bass!
Alnico Music Man pickup already have enough raised midrange tone character, so balancing with treble and bass You can do anything!

Thanks!
Sounds Great!! looking forward to this for sure

 

[mrfstop]

Mr fStop, I'm guessing you'll really love the 2 band EQ - as well as what others have said, the differences in sound for me are:-

1) The EQ seems to have more bass and treble boost capability than the 3 band
2) If you turn the tone knobs towards the off position, you get an audible comparative boost in mids
3) When using my 3 band SR4 fretless and 2 band Classic in the same gig, switching from song to song, the 2 band needs a bit of mid assistance from the amp to have the same level of presence as the 3 band (with the 3 band mid on centre detent)
4) The Classic nails the 70s Musicman sound straight out of the box, and can cover most musical styles, especially classic R and B and 80s rock - but has not got as much flexibility as the 3 band - for instance if you want a mid heavy sound to allow harmonics to really ring (eg covering fusion), I would tend not use my 2 band as a preference.
5) The mutes create a whole new sound palate which is extremely useful - the mid range cut using the mutes on the 3 band is not so pronounced as on the 2 band.
6) Strings through definitely creates more sustain and note ring, I think - I have shocked other band members and myself with this on the Classic, especially on the E string - slap that string hard and the note will ring big time until you stop it, basically! My band play a sort of rockier version of Come On Everybody and I slapped the notes at the start - very aggressive sounding!! Playing the same song on the 3 band sounded quite different (and I could afford to be more lazy muting the notes!)

Congrats and enjoy the bass.

WoW, awesome description, thanks!
Man O mannnn you guys are making the wait for this things arrival a tough one....hahaha!!
All this Great input and positive thought...
Why the heck did I wait so long to get a MM 2 band???

I can tell a great difference in the rays I have that have the normal MM Bridge and then the one Ray I have with the string through body/bridge....
The String through for sure rings longer....
I would say they should do that on ALL musicman bodies...But then they need have things to upgrade us to after all hahahah!!

The one thing I think MM SHOULD do....is offer an adjustable nut ....My Warwicks and my Alembic have height adjustments on the Nut.
I find it to be great when doing the set up after a string change.
Not a fan of the plastic non adjustable nut.

Thanks again for the info and input!!

 

[mrfstop]

The Classic Ray showed up with the FedEx truck today!!
On the initial plug and play, I really liked her.
She will need fresh strings and a set and then should be good to go!
It IS for sure a different beast than the more modern Ray's.
I think I like them both for different reasons.
I find the 3 band more diverse and with More KAAAPOW factor.
( Then again my other Rays are HH & HS, not a single H )
All though on the Classic, I turned all 3 knobs full forward and kicked on the flanger with mid pedal settings....
turned up the amp a bit...
and got this really amazing boosted treble flanged tone that kicked major butt!!
And then of course the thumpy bassy tones it produces are great too.
I can see this will have a place with my playing and be yet another loved EBMM bass!

Thanks to all you guys who wrote in on this thread, helping me get better educated on the Classic and it's benefits!