Help! Some info about SR5 1989

[elbraca]

Hi guys,
I wanted to see if anyone can give me some information about my StingRay 5, 1989 Serial Number 50867. Searching the forum I could find this bass left the factory in June 1989 and her body is made of Poplar. These are my questions:

1. It has Single Pickup and 3-way lever pickup selector. What does each position? Is: bridge position: humbucker series mode. Middle position: single coil bridge. Neck position: humbucker parallel mode?

2. There must be a truly remarkable sound difference between each position? In several videos I saw was very apareciable the difference with the change in position of the switch, but it's something I didn´t notice on mine.

In the bridge position has classic MusicMan´s sound. But in the other two positions really not much difference in both sounds and you can hear a "hum" that is increased by turning the treble control.

This must be so in these models or may be defective?

3. If it is damaged, there is a chance to get spare parts? I don´t have the original invoice and warranty certificate (note that has over 20 years). If anyone can acesorarme about this I'd appreciate it.

The bass also needs a change of bass control because the "point 0" is worn and not "stop" in the middle position as it does in the other two controls.

Thanks,

elbraca.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Greetings!

You should ask here - http://forums.ernieball.com/music-m...an-serial-number-database-511.html#post912433 abut your serial.

1. According to the official schematics it is Parallel/Bridge single coil/Series mode.

2. My SR5 is ceramics but has the same hum progression if I boost the treble control. And as for me the sound difference of 3 positions is TRULY remarkable. When you are cranking the treble you can hear some hum even in classic parallel position. But it is not so noticeable as Single or Series mode hum.

3. Usually EBMM wants you to send your bass at their factory for repairs. But you can contact Customer Service and ask them.

 

[elbraca]

Thanks for answer.

You should ask here - Music Man Serial Number Database abut your serial.

Sorry about that, thought that thread was just to check the manufacturing date and woods.

2. My SR5 is ceramics but has the same hum progression if I boost the treble control. And as for me the sound difference of 3 positions is TRULY remarkable. When you are cranking the treble you can hear some hum even in classic parallel position. But it is not so noticeable as Single or Series mode hum.

If we both have the same problem with HUM in the same positions, that would mean that the wiring would be OK. However, if I can´t notice any change in sound (or very very little) when I turn the switch positions then maybe mine is damaged?

My pickup isn´t ceramic, right? There is possibility to find the official schematics?

Thanks,

elbraca.

 

[Gravesend Black]

The hum is not a problem. The more Highs you crank - the more interference you get. Also it can depend of your house wiring and the gear you're running through. That I've been told here when came with similar questions.

Yours is probably Alnico. SR5 was introduced in 1987 and had alnico magnets but soon it was replaced by ceramic ones but I don't know the year exactly. Post your S/N in that thread I linked and you will get all the answers about your config.

Yes you can find the official schematics here - StingRay 5

There is "diagram and schematics" download link.

P.S. And welcome the forums by the way!) Also if you have MM bass - you have to post some pics. Everybody likes bass porn here =)

 

[elbraca]

Thank you! It has been very helpful.

 

[liverbird]

The bass also needs a change of bass control because the "point 0" is worn and not "stop" in the middle position as it does in the other two controls.

This should be an easy fix - no need to replace the knob!

 

[elbraca]

This should be an easy fix - no need to replace the knob!

That´s a great new! How can I fix it?

 

[drTStingray]

I had this problem when I replaced the pickguard and knobs on my Stingray 5.

If you carefully undo the hex screw in the side of the knob, lift the knob a little and then re-tighten the hex screw again - that fixed mine.

By the way, it's interesting you mention the difference in sound between the 3 switch settings. When I first played an SR5 I found it difficult to really hear the differences - they can sound subtle. However at volume and also recorded they can sound significantly different.

The series setting creates a fatter sound with more mid range, to my ears. The single coil setting creates a thinner sound (although still quite fat), and is useful as a soloing setting. I use it often for walking bass lines in jazzy blues songs. Nowadays, I can hear the difference straight away even at bedroom volume, between the three switch settings.

The setting closest to the bridge (parallel) gives the closest approximation to a Stingray sound.

My bass is ceramic - there is NO hum at any of the settings, and even at very high volumes or extreme EQ settings. The early alnico SR5s can sometimes have hum on the single coil setting, but I've never heard of it on the humbucker settings. There is a thread on this forum called History of the Stingray 5, which was set up by an EBMM member called 5stringer who used to do the serial number database responses. You may get more info on the changeover dates between ceramic and alnico there - IIRC it was 1992. The phantom coil was added at some stage also, to reduce hum on the single coil setting.

 

[elbraca]

If you carefully undo the hex screw in the side of the knob, lift the knob a little and then re-tighten the hex screw again - that fixed mine.

Thanks, I fixed the problem!

By the way, it's interesting you mention the difference in sound between the 3 switch settings. When I first played an SR5 I found it difficult to really hear the differences - they can sound subtle. However at volume and also recorded they can sound significantly different.

In fact, experimenting with different volumes from the MM volumen control has appreciated changes, but really very small. I will test with higher volumes.

The series setting creates a fatter sound with more mid range, to my ears. The single coil setting creates a thinner sound (although still quite fat), and is useful as a soloing setting. I use it often for walking bass lines in jazzy blues songs. Nowadays, I can hear the difference straight away even at bedroom volume, between the three switch settings.

The setting closest to the bridge (parallel) gives the closest approximation to a Stingray sound.

I always thought that the sound changes when you swap the switch be felt as in the first 33 seconds of this video. MM SR5 demo - YouTube. However, my SR5 is far from those changes so great, beyond that I think the pickups different (AlNiCo and Ceramic).

There is a thread on this forum called History of the Stingray 5, which was set up by an EBMM member called 5stringer who used to do the serial number database responses.

Thanks for the info. I've left a post in that thread. I'm waiting for the answer.

 

[Golem]

`


Your bass has two somewhat rare features for an SR5.
One is the alnico PU, altho that is now becoming more
common again since production has recently switched
back from ceramic to alnico. The other rare feature is
gonna remain rare, cuz MM made very few poplar SRs
and is not currently making any at all. Together these
two features should result in a somewhat more mellow
bass than the typical SR. I've only known for sure of
one other poplar SR5, and that ax is in Serbia.

 

[drTStingray]

`


MM made very few poplar SRs and is not currently making any at all. Together these
two features should result in a somewhat more mellow bass than the typical SR. I've only known for sure of one other poplar SR5, and that ax is in Serbia.

Golem, I thought quite a few of the solid colour SR4 and SR5s from the late 80s/early 90s had poplar bodies? I seem to remember someone from EBMM mentioning it at one time - also blueburst? You can probably pick it up from some of the responses in the S/N sticky thread.

 

[Golem]

`

I'm no historian, but I was under the impression that
solid colors back then were usually alder, with only a
very few of poplar wood. Any corrections by those
who really know are very welcome.