newbie questions

[gilz]

hey,
first i would like to apologize about my english.

i plan to buy my first 4-string stingray and i would like if you could answer some questions.
i've seen a lot of stingray models, with 1-humbucker and another model with 1-humbucker and switch so i don't know what is supposed to do if it have only 1 humbucker? its like a tone knob or something?
iv'e found another 2 different stingray models, one with 3 knobs and the other with 4 knobs. (here an example from the gallery in this forum:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v441/Thedudepit/Musicman Stingray 2 Band/DCP_1936.jpg )

and someone can help me with the other stingray (or the other types like SUB or the else) models? i'm looking for the most fat-deep sound.

thanks a lot!

 

[Duarte]

Hello and welcome.

The 'StingRays' you are referring to with the switch is probably the Sterling bass. It is similar to the StingRay but uses different electronic components and is smaller (smaller body, thinner neck). he switch changes the pickup from series mode (fattest, deepest sound), parallel mode (how the StingRay is wired - more scooped and biting tone), and Single coil mode (only the coil closest to the bridge is engaged) which gives a thinner, sizzling kind of tone.

As far as the 3 and 4 knobs, those correspond to the onboard EQ. 3 knobs means volume, treble and bass controls (2 band EQ - many believe that this preamp sounds fatter than the 3 band EQ) The 4 knobs means 3 band EQ which has volume, treble, middle and bass controls.

However, if you want the deepest, fattest sound, go for an HH (2 humbucking pickups) which comes with a 5 way switch, meaning multiple coil selections are possible. It definitely sounds faatter than any other, thanks to that neck pickup.

SUBs, although cheaper versions of the StingRays, sound pretty much the same as the 2 band EQ StingRays, as they share the same preamps. They have a textured finish, painted neck and have no contours - which adds up to a cheaper instrument which sounds the part. It would be worth looking into these if you're on a budget, as you can find a used one for quite cheap - but they aren't manufactured anymore.

I'm sure someone else will chime in if I have forgotten something...

Also, your english is fine!

Zak

 

[oli@bass]

I think Zak summed it up pretty much.

The switch changes the pickup from series mode (fattest, deepest sound)

I partly disagree on that. IMO, the series mode is sounding darker yet has more "bark" to it, thus not acutally being "fatter" or "deeper" than the parallel mode but more aggressive in the low mids.

However, if you want the deepest, fattest sound, go for an HH (2 humbucking pickups)

I'd suggest exactly the same. For a StingRay, the HH is the best choice, IMO. Also, for the "fattest, deepest sound" a neck humbucker is always a great choice.

One thing to add about the 2-band vs 3-band EQ: Quite a lot of players have the opinion that the 2-band sounds "deeper and fuller" than the 3-band. See a recent discussion here:
http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/40454-2-band-3-band-aggressiveness.html

 

[gilz]

thanks,
its very occured but ive heard two 4-string stingray with 3-band and there was a huge different, one of them sound amazing! but it is second hand guitar and the other one (which sound less good) was new, and the price is similiar unfortunately.

oli, you've described well the sound that i'm "escape" from - the "bark" sound, i'm sorry but in my opinion I can't stand it, I just hate this sound.

tommorow i'll listen to the HH model, I hope it wiil sound good as the second hand guitar (I dont know if there is better sound ;-) ).