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Musicman StingRay 5 Comparisson: ALNICO vs. Ceramic, 2-Band vs. 3-Band (Video)

Meypelnek

Meypelnek

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 17, 2013
Messages
156
Location
Munich, Germany
I'd like to share with you my comparisson of the three different StingRay 5 types: 3-Band with Ceramic PU and ALNICO PU, 2-Band Classic). All three basses have a maple fretboard, ash body and are equipped with Ernie Ball Cobalt Slinkys. Happy for some thumbs up or a comment.


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Yes, me too. I was surprised to find out that the Ceramic 3-Band is so close to the ALNICO 2-Band.
Perhaps that is the reason it was changed back in '92 from in the SR5 from ALNICO to Ceramic?
 
Anyway , dont forget the pickup and preamps are part of the tone but not the whole thing.Each bass has its own voice because every piece of wood is different.Play the basses unpluged at the bathroom, ideally with the same strings, then you will know
 
Thanks for sharing. Ranking is not really easy and depends on personal taste. For fingerstyle I like the ceramic PU most. On slapping the classic 2-band rules, this is the sound I immediately associate with a Stingray. And the pick comes best with the aggresive sound of the 3-band Alnico.

Gesendet von meinem SGP511 mit Tapatalk
 
Tough choice between the ceramic 3 band and the classic ray5.
The classic ray is for me the overall winner, but the ceramic sounds best for rock music. I personally dont really like the sound of the 3band alnico. I think the 3 band needs some tweeking when used with a alnico pickup.

Both my 2 band rays sound great with flat eq, as does my sterling. But the 3 band eq is a bit harsh for my taste in conjuction with alnico pickups.
 
Meypelnek said:
Yes, me too. I was surprised to find out that the Ceramic 3-Band is so close to the ALNICO 2-Band.
Perhaps that is the reason it was changed back in '92 from in the SR5 from ALNICO to Ceramic?
Click to expand...


Agreed. I preferred those tones a bit as compared to the 3 band Alnico. And I liked that one too but the others had a little more fullness to them.

Very cool "shootout." Thanks for sharing.
 
We sure do need a "like" - button on this forum. ;)

I am with you. As I have an AlNiCo Ray 4 with a 3 - Bd - Preamp to compare with my Ray 5 Classic and my Ray 5 3 - Bd - Pre I find the AlNiCo three banger more agressive. Hard to say, which of the two Ray 5's is my favourite, as they have their place in different bands.
 
You can send me the alnico bass since it obviously sounds too terrible. I'll find something to do with it!

I actually prefer the alnico PU. I was surprised how much of a difference there was.

Tom
 
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