Johnebass
Member
I have a Stingray 5H which I've had for ages and I'm happy with except I would love a little more depth to the sound, anyone tried the 5HS that can comment please.
Question Stingray 5H v 5HS
- Thread starter Johnebass
- Start date
Movielife
Well-known member
HS alllll the way.
Johnebass
Member
How is the sound different?
Movielife
Well-known member
It's the same classic Ray tone with 4 more 
njhammer
Well-known member
I have both. H is awesome, but the HS gives a lot more tonal options.
Freddels
Well-known member
But I like the series/single coil/parallel option switch.
HeavyDuty
Well-known member
I've never owned an HS, but I've played enough of them to learn that I prefer the H. YMMV.
tbonesullivan
Well-known member
The current edition 5H do not have the single coil option. They have Parallel, parallel with filter, and Series. I'm not exactly sure what the filter is supposed to do, but the sound in the center position is definitely different.
that said, I have a 5HS, and a 5H, and the 5H gets played more. that may be however that the 5H is an Alnico version from 2012, while the 5HS is a ceramic version from 2007. My favorite stingray sound will always be the classic bridge pickup in parallel. The HS does have some good options though, though I would say some of them don't sound very "stingray-like". I have both because I like options.
that said, I have a 5HS, and a 5H, and the 5H gets played more. that may be however that the 5H is an Alnico version from 2012, while the 5HS is a ceramic version from 2007. My favorite stingray sound will always be the classic bridge pickup in parallel. The HS does have some good options though, though I would say some of them don't sound very "stingray-like". I have both because I like options.
tunaman4u2
Well-known member
I've went to GC twice to try the Stingry 5HS they have
Really like it. I'm personally a Sterling 5HS guy as I want a more aggressive tone in series BUT also have the parallel option of all coils in the middle for my "depth, warmth" setting. Personally being in a cover band the HS or HH covers much more tonal ground than the H...
IF I was still in an original band & wanted to dial in my own tone & left it there... it would be a H most likely.
tbonesullivan
Well-known member
in the 5HS they are not all in parallel in the middle. It is coils 1&3 in parallel and 2&phantom in parallel, but they are added together in series.
Movielife
Well-known member
One of the big reasons I went for HS is so I could use two different single coils, and you can't do that on the current H models.
jlepre
Well-known member
I would try Flats or different gauge strings.
+1
Got different guage flats on a SR5HS [rosewood/alnico].
This has displaced my Boingo 5HH, for its tone
simplicity of use, and for comfort.
Johnebass
Member
Thanks everyone for your input, sounds like either a Stingray or Sterling 5HS may be worth trying, now where the hell do I find one to try in the UK!
Movielife
Well-known member
Think there is a used Sterling 5 HS in the Bass Gallery in London but I'd ring to check.
Otherwise, do what I did and check YouTube sound recordings and then take the plunge and order one to spec
Otherwise, do what I did and check YouTube sound recordings and then take the plunge and order one to spec
Johnebass
Member
Excellent, I'll take a look, thanks!!
Movielife
Well-known member
I have a Ray 5 HS and Sterling 5 HS which I would be more than happy to let you try but im in Newcastle!
tunaman4u2
Well-known member
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the comparison. I like that the Sterling has Series & Parallel while the Stingray is all Parallel
Movielife
Well-known member
The Sterling is mainly series. Iis there one setting w/o it? I can't remember!
Anyway, the Sterling seems to have more of a modern take on the Ray tone. Its more aggressive, cuts a little harder, and seems to have a hotter output.
The Ray is basically Ray all the way, and all parallel (either all parallel or mostly, I can't remember now). The alnico gives it a sweeter tone, but its still able to slice you head off!
The Ray sounds a little 'darker' but they are both rosewood boards.
Both stunners to be honest. I've found 'my' tone with EBMM, and I have found the right 5ers for me as well, (as well as their great 4 string traditional basses).
Anyway, the Sterling seems to have more of a modern take on the Ray tone. Its more aggressive, cuts a little harder, and seems to have a hotter output.
The Ray is basically Ray all the way, and all parallel (either all parallel or mostly, I can't remember now). The alnico gives it a sweeter tone, but its still able to slice you head off!
The Ray sounds a little 'darker' but they are both rosewood boards.
Both stunners to be honest. I've found 'my' tone with EBMM, and I have found the right 5ers for me as well, (as well as their great 4 string traditional basses).
