Question for fretless players

[ptg]

Hi everyone!

I am very close to pulling the trigger on ordering a backup fretless for my StingRay.

I currently own a single H.

For my backup I would like to be able to, of course, recreate the sound of the one I have now but I would also like a little more versatility with the possibility of getting a more modern sound but still have mwah. (Hard to explain but hope you know what I mean.) I use flats on my fretless basses, if that helps.

What pup config do you have on your fretless and what are the advantages of that set up? HH, HS, piezo? (Although, sorry ADouglas, I've yet to hear a piezo that really knocked my socks off. I've never heard one in person, though.)

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[drTStingray]

I also have a single H fretless that creates a lot of Mwah (especially with roundwounds and the mid range boosted slightly).

I was fortunate enough to see Dave Marks give a masterclass and amongst the EBMM basses he used was a fretless StingRay Hp. Now I'd never really heard a fretless with piezo as an audience member as opposed to musician but he gave a good demonstration of the bass played with/without it dialed in in varying degrees.

This is not a very scientific description but basically, for me it highlighted the the string sound against the fretboard - ideal for a rockabilly band (and I've carefully avoided telling any of my band mates about it ). It also gave a closer rendition of an upright sound esp when the piezo is dialled in more than the magnetic.

If I was looking for a back up for my Ray I'd go to an Hp Ray - I guess the Bongo and others would be good but for me the Ray is a great fretless bass - I always reflect on the fantastic sound Pino extracted from a 2 band all those years back.

 

[adouglas]

I went with the Hp because it gives me more flexibility... four-band EQ plus the extra dimension of the piezo. I do find it useful.

I should note, though, that mwah is largely a function of setup... that affects it much more than electronics. This is because mwah is the sound of the strings vibrating against the fretboard.

Your relief needs to be set precisely or it doesn't stand out... too low and the strings damp too much, too high and it doesn't do it at all and you might as well be playing a fretted bass.

This is where the EBMM trussrod wheel is worth its weight in gold. I keep a small screwdriver in the case and check the relief before every session. If it's not spot-on, a tiny tweak is all it takes to make it right.

 

[njhammer]

I have a single H and get plently of mwah using roundwounds. I also concur with the above replies - it's all down to setup AND technique.

 

[ptg]

I have no problem getting mwah with my current bass. I have tried other brands **ducking** and many have mwah but with, of course, very different tones.

So, I probably didn't word my initial post well....

I'm looking to get another bass to broaden my tonal spectrum.

I guess I'm asking if anyone has played a fretless StingRay HH and an HS, etc., and could give me their opinion on the differences.

Thanks all!!

 

[oli@bass]

I currently have 3 fretless 'Rays all strung with EBMM Group III flats: A 1988 single H, a Dargie Delight HH and Ebony Edition HH. I also owned a 30th fretless. I appreciate the '88 for what it is, but I prefer the versatility and sounds I can get from the HH. While the HH still has the classic StingRay single H sound (position 1), it also delivers an phantastic fretless sound with the neck H alone (position 5), and a cool jazz approximation with the two outer coils combined (position 2).

I'd never have thought that I would really like the neck H on the fretless but it yields a very warm and round sound that still has nicely pronounced mids, somewhere between throaty and sultry. And though my first reaction was that the fretless calls for the HS, I wouldn't even consider a HS anymore since owning the HH's.

YMMV

 

[rhythmCity944]

My favorite fretless tone is a Hp Stingray with roundwounds but the standard H does fine for me. I've never played another pick up config on a musicman bass so I cannot say but I think the HH (considering the fretted SR4's I've played) may be your best choice if you want something a little bit different. Go with what your feelings tell you and you should be right on.

 

[Manfloozy]

The bridge H on a HH or HS is in the same position as a H or Hp Ray. So really the choice is HH, HS or Hp. My next fretless will personally be an HH. There is a lot of simple versatility in them... and they sound great always with the option of being the classic single H Ray.

Piezos can be great too... but I personally think they work "better" with Rounds than flats... IMHO, YMMV.

 

[ptg]

Thanks, guys!

Leaning towards the HH, especially after all of your comments.

As Chilix said, I really can't go wrong, can I?

Wish there were some better color choices, but that should be my biggest problem in life!

 

[Manfloozy]

Ahem, roasted maple necked black sugar unlined fretless HH... Yeah...

 

[njhammer]

Ahem, roasted maple necked black sugar unlined fretless HH... Yeah...

No argument here.

 

[ptg]

If I could get a classic or even a classic color fretless, I would order one T-O-D-A-Y!!!!