Stingray HS how much useful extra tone does it offer?

[scowboy]

So I am lucky enough to have two really nice Stingray 4's:

• '99 Trans Orange with rosewood and matching headstock

• '07 Stingray HS with maple and matching headstock

However I find the only one I want to play is Trans Orange and when I break out the HS I just use the bridge pickup. I just don't find much usable tone in the other switch positions. Anybody else share this opinion? Change my mind, I am thinking of putting that bad boy up on the block. It's a looker but I just always go for Trans Orange!

Seems like too much mid-scoop on the HS when the bridge pickup is engaged.

 

[Double Agent]

Well, if you are completely satisfied with the single H tone and never want for anything else, there is nothing else to say. The Stingray was around for about 25 years with only the single H pickup and was used in as many different styles of music as you can think of. It can do whatever you want it to. Plus, trans orange is an AMAZING color! However, the HS should, in theory, give you the same tone with the bridge pickup soloed as the single H would. Not sure why it would be different.

Some folks, however, do feel limited by having only the one pickup on a 'Ray or Sterling. For those people, the extra pickup gives them the single H tone of a 'Ray or Sterling, but with some more options. However, many people don't need those options. I like having multiple pickups on my Bongo, but I wouldn't have any issues with any EBMM bass in the single p/u configuration. It just gets the job done and sound amazing while doing it. But, I think that those with multiple pickup basses will tell you that they appreciate the option of having those extra voices at their disposal as well.

 

[oli@bass]

If you don't use the HS, then... why not try to replace it with a different single H model (2 band EQ 'Ray, or other EBMM), or try an HH for a change.

 

[Kamakiriad]

The trans orange finish sounds better.



Seriously though, similar to what Double Agent said, depends on your uses. I play a lot of country/bluegrass and while I absolutely love the single H config, I need a neck pickup. I'd try an HH though if I were you - the coil switching options on that puppy is awesome.

 

[LightGroove]

I tried out a couple of HS's .. I will say the extra pickups and switching did nothing for me. The bridge in "j" mode sounded like a really sterile something that tried to resemble a j bass while the neck "j" really had no beef or personality. I will say I liked being able to switch between series/parallel with all pickups cranked for a little more whooph

 

[oli@bass]

Maybe this video helps:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQbEpCE3-Gk&feature=player_embedded]YouTube - Music Man StingRay HS 4-String Bass w/ Rosewood Fingerboard Demo - The Perfect Bass[/ame]

 

[scowboy]

I decided to keep the Trans Orange. It does sound better and I know the color has a lot to do with it! The HS is for sale if anybody wants a great deal on one.

 

[Murphy]

I love my S pickups, to get closer to a classic P bass sound.
And all pickups together adds a bit of beef to the classic SR sound.
All on my SR5vers

 

[Big Poppa]

The S is far from sterile. With 11 posts and all caustic I would take light grooves advice with a block of salt

 

[Psycho Ward]

The H/S is my favorite combo, and is mainly due to the single coil pickup. If the Big Al came in a lefty I'd order the S/S/S in heartbeat!

 

[godsey]

I used the single on my sr5 plus foam under my strings to get an upright sound . Dont tell me you cant anything out it..

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Judging by The Perfect Bass video (I have no personal experience with an HS), I would say that all the settings sound useful.

If the single H configuration is working for you; well there's nothing wrong with that! It's just a personal preference and one that many share with you.

 

[RaginRog]

I had an HS, and did not care for the soloed neck pickup, as it created a huge drop in volume. It also didn't sound as good. Shortly thereafter I picked up an HH. This is a much better choice than the HS IMO.

I like the single pickup on the Sterling HS models though.