👕 Get New Ernie Ball Merch Now!
  • Ernie Ball
  • Music Man
  • Sterling by Music Man
StingRay 2026 Collection

Question Sterling Ray 34 HH

J

Johno_85

Member
Hello & greetings from England! This is my first ever post! I’ve looked on the interwebs & am getting mixed results.

Now I know the bass as an active preamp (9V battery etc), but can anyone answer me the question of: are the pickups active or passive? :confused:

Thank you!
 
Welcome to the Forum.

I believe the pickups are passive. Some of the other guys here may reply soon and confirm either way.
 
Last edited:
Having seen the real innards and some wiring drawings for various MMs, I have never seen power delivered to the PUs.
 
Another question if anyone wouldn’t mind? I’ve used basses with active pickups in them for years, (Fender, Sadowsky) on the amp setting would you push the pad button in (-15dbs) or not with these?

Thanks!!!
 
I don't with a normal Stingray but anything with 18 volt electronics (eg Bongo or Stingray Special) I would. The reason is you would need to set the input at a level to avoid it clipping - a normal Stingray, unless played incredibly aggressively, doesn't clip at reasonable input levels - I've found with basses with 18 volt electronics they will clip earlier - so using the pad button can help then.

Presuming the Ray 34 is very similar to a Stingray I wouldn't use the pad button but experiment for yourself and see what suits you.
 
drTStingray said:
I don't with a normal Stingray but anything with 18 volt electronics (eg Bongo or Stingray Special) I would. The reason is you would need to set the input at a level to avoid it clipping - a normal Stingray, unless played incredibly aggressively, doesn't clip at reasonable input levels - I've found with basses with 18 volt electronics they will clip earlier - so using the pad button can help then.

Presuming the Ray 34 is very similar to a Stingray I wouldn't use the pad button but experiment for yourself and see what suits you.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much, Is the first time I’ve had a bass with passive pickups, Every day is a school day, thank you for the information most kind of you
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Baritone Ukulele Strings
Back
Top