Music Man Sting Ray Pickup - Series or Parallel

[Ben Esparza]

It's been a while since I've been on this forum. I hope everyone is doing well. I have a '94 Music Man Sting Ray. Only one humbucker with the stock 3-band EQ. I've heard variations on this answer but figured I'd get it from the experts instead of folks from another, more famous discussion board. Is the stock pickup wired in Series or in Parallel?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The pickup has two coils which are wired in parallel.

 

[kevins]

Parallel unless it’s a sterling which I believe has a lever switch to put it into series wiring

 

[Ben Esparza]

I have an '01 Music Man Sting Ray 5 with one pickup and the 3-way switch. I believe it's: Bridge - Parallel; Middle - Single Coil with hum-cancelling: Neck - Series, correct?

 

[Mu5icM@n]

I have an '01 Music Man Sting Ray 5 with one pickup and the 3-way switch. I believe it's: Bridge - Parallel; Middle - Single Coil with hum-cancelling: Neck - Series, correct?

For a 2001 Stingray 5, this is correct. In 2008 the Stringray 5 controls changed to Bridge - Parallel; Middle - Series with filter; Neck - Series. Along with that the pickup polepiece material changed from ceramic to alnico. Experts correct me on the date if it's not correct.

 

[Jef]

Please find attached the files with the 3 possible H configurations:

 

[Jim C]

Just an FYI.
The new Sterling Ray 4 bass (which is the most unbelievable, high quality bass under $600 available) has the pup wired in series.
The output is super hot and the tone is a bit muddy (to me). It was $250 on sale and my plan was to replace the pup and then see how the pre sounded.

Not necessary at all!
I changed the wiring to parallel and the output is back to what my 83' SR is and the tone is so much nicer.
Clear as a bell and super punchy. Others might like this too.
BTW, is it cool to discuss these Sterling basses made in Indonesia on this forum?

 

[toomanyslurpees]

I have an SR4 that was a 3 EQ that I put a 2 EQ in because it's preferred to me, I put a rotary switch in to do series/parallel switching, honestly more to not have an empty hole more than anything... I really don't ever use the series option.

 

[Boscoe]

For a 2001 Stingray 5, this is correct. In 2008 the Stringray 5 controls changed to Bridge - Parallel; Middle - Series with filter; Neck - Series. Along with that the pickup polepiece material changed from ceramic to alnico. Experts correct me on the date if it's not correct.

I can't seem to find out what position 2 does, however. What does the "filter" do? I'm looking to buy a StingRay 5 and I'm trying to figure this out. Thanks!

 

[mynan]

I can't seem to find out what position 2 does, however. What does the "filter" do? I'm looking to buy a StingRay 5 and I'm trying to figure this out. Thanks!

IIRC, that position used to be a single coil setting. There was a phantom coil mounted in the body that was used to eliminate hum for that setting. On the newer models I believe that it's just a series setting with a filter in the preamp that emulates the sound of the old single coil setting.

 

[tbonesullivan]

IIRC, that position used to be a single coil setting. There was a phantom coil mounted in the body that was used to eliminate hum for that setting. On the newer models I believe that it's just a series setting with a filter in the preamp that emulates the sound of the old single coil setting.

I believe this is correct, and I think this began when the Stingray pickups changed back to Alnico in 2007-2008. My 2012 Alnico SR5 H is like this. My 2007 Ceramic SR5 HS has the phantom coil stuck on the bottom of the single coil, I believe.