Stingray Electronics Query

[Free30]

Hi all.

I have an Indonesian-made Stingray Classic 'Ray34' which sounds and plays great. However, I'd love to to have the Bass / Tone pots centre-detented. Taking the electronics apart, I'd also like to know if there are any upgrades to be made whilst I'm there.

• Are the standard pots good quality - I know this is an area where the far east can cut corners.
• Only the volume knob is stamped 250K and the Bass/Tone are blank - I've been told Stingray's use 500K? How to know what I need?
• Is this electronics set up the same as the USA version? Any improvement from moving to an Aguilar or third party EQ / Pre Amp?

I wouldn't mind a touch more mellow / single coil sound if that makes sense.

Thanks in advance!

IMG_1976 by royalratch, on Flickr

IMG_1977 by royalratch, on Flickr

IMG_1979 by royalratch, on Flickr

IMG_1980 by royalratch, on Flickr

 

[Free30]

I thought active systems could cut and boost?

Really want the detent. Thinking of adding a single coil in that case and have the pots do Volume / Pickup Balance / Tone which I assume would mean ditching the IC and having something made...

 

[Free30]

So.

Acquiring detented pots for this bass. 250k in the right length / diameter seems straightforward.

I’ve also read that bigger body pots give a better sound?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

EB Music Man Sting Ray 2EQ circuit boards are marked "MC466W" and use "Noble" pots. Your 2EQ board has the same marking. I'm not sure if your board has the same brand of pots. The 2EQ circuit uses a 25K pot. Your volume is also marked 25K (not 250K). There's no point in having a centre detent on the volume. Also I'm sure the 2EQ wasn't designed for centre detent treble and bass controls.

 

[Free30]

Thanks. Yes only wanted for the tone / bass.

Is this because as mentioned above, it’s cut only therefore detented at ‘zero’ becomes irrelevant?

I guess there’s no tone adjustments to be made via this preamp then.

 

[Eilif]

I don't know about the Ray 34 or other SBMM basses, but the EBMM Classic Stingray pots are indeed boost and cut; it's just that there is no center detent.

 

[Golem]

.............

I’ve also read that bigger body
pots give a better sound?

I have definitely experienced that
but only with passive basses and
with passive tone every seemingly
tiny change has audible effect on
the capacitance of the tone chain.

No experience switching to larger
pot on an ACTIVE bass, but I have
experienced the "near immunity"
of active tone to small things such
as cable lengths etc. Such things
DO affect passive tone.

`

 

[tbonesullivan]

I don't know about the Ray 34 or other SBMM basses, but the EBMM Classic Stingray pots are indeed boost and cut; it's just that there is no center detent.

I kinda wish they'd use pots with detents. It just makes it a bit easier to dial in, as I don't trust my ears to know when I'm boosting or cutting.