Stingray Questions

[atlantaD]

I have just acquired a 1999, 4 string, single pickup, Stingray bass. I mainly use a Fender Jazz with EMG active pickups. I love the sound of the Stingray but have 3
minor problems. #1. is the MM seems to be much louder which is ok, I just have to turn down my SVT a bit, is that normal? #2. I can't seem to get the action reasonably low enough without getting fret buzz, any tips would be appreciated.
#3. I get a trebly clicking noise when I play at louder volumes, I don't think it's fret buzz it's more like a pickup noise. Any help is appreciated.

 

[mynan]

IMO...whatever that's worth.

#1 and #3: Try not diming the volume on the Stingray.
#2: I thought I had the same "action" problem with my SR5.
----------A. I was too tight on the truss rod. My experience as a novice was that I had to adjust the truss rod to where I thought the neck was perfectly flat and then let the truss rod out just a little.
----------B. Questions #1 and #3 indicate that you play like me with a heavy right hand (assuming that you're a righty) and will never get the action as low as you want without making a change to your playing style.

 

[Hellboy]

I have just acquired a 1999, 4 string, single pickup, Stingray bass. I mainly use a Fender Jazz with EMG active pickups. I love the sound of the Stingray but have 3
minor problems. #1. is the MM seems to be much louder which is ok, I just have to turn down my SVT a bit, is that normal? #2. I can't seem to get the action reasonably low enough without getting fret buzz, any tips would be appreciated.
#3. I get a trebly clicking noise when I play at louder volumes, I don't think it's fret buzz it's more like a pickup noise. Any help is appreciated.

A Stingray´s elecronics/PU has a higher output than EMG´s electronics. As mynan said, turn the volume down on the amp, not on the bass.

Regarding adjusting the neck. Press down a string on the first fret (eg F on the e-string) with a finger on your left hand, then press down the same string with a finger on your right hand at the last (highest) fret. You should have a slight space between the string and the frets around the middle of the neck. Somewhere between the 5th and the 8th fret. Around or less than half a millimeter. You should be able to fit a medium sized pick in between the string and the fret. Flat side, that is. If there is no space between the fret and the string, then your neck is too straight so you must loosen the truss rod a hint and try again. If the gap is too big, then you must tighten the truss rod. You´ll get a string buzz if the neck is too straight. If you need to tighten the rod, then it can be a good thing to relieve some pressure from the neck while adjusting. Either by pulling the neck backwards abit at the same time or to relieve some string tension. I´ve seen people ruin tross rods so don´t use too much force.

I often have to pull of some treble on the amp and the Stingray when gigging in certain places that have hard walls or rooms that has very "lively" acoustics. You can get a a sort of clicking noise. Either that or if you have a rather hard touch when you play, you hit the strings hard, then I know that some poeple get this kind of problem if the pick up is setup too close to the strings. Since MM basses has naked magnetic pole pieces, or whatever you call them in english, it can happen that the string make contact with the magnetic pole pieces on the pick up and then you´ll get a rather distinct sound that is not very desirable. At all. Then you need to adjust the PU.

//Jan

 

[atlantaD]

Thanks. I do tend to play it harder than I should and I will check the neck adjustments. What brand and gauge strings do you use? I have light gauge GHS Boomers on it now.

 

[mynan]

IMO, Boomers are terrible...too zingy when you first put them on and too dead too soon. I use Slinkys and love them. I used to use DRs and I like them, but have never quite been able to justify the extra cost.

 

[Hellboy]

Thanks. I do tend to play it harder than I should and I will check the neck adjustments. What brand and gauge strings do you use? I have light gauge GHS Boomers on it now.

I use EBS strings much because EBS is a swedish company and their strings are very good. And I know the guys at EBS very well and they should be pissed if I used anything else. I don´t like Boomers personally. Ernie Ball strings are fantastic and that is what I should use if EBS made me pay full price for strings. Strings are expencive indeed so find some good ones that you like and that suits your playing style and your instrument. Ernie Ball makes Musicman basses so you should give them a try. Can´t be too wrong.

//Jan

 

[nashman]

Other than the volume observation (which is a good thing), sounds like you could use a professional set-up ... and fresh set of strings as recommended previously.

I suggest you consider Regular (versus Super) Slinky EBMM strings for your playing style.

 

[silverburst]

I've been using the hyrbid slinkies.

Got any pics of your bass?

 

[atlantaD]

Here's a pic of my 99

 

[Aussie Mark]

I use EBS strings much because EBS is a swedish company

What's in the garage - Volvo or Saab?

House full of Ikea furniture too?

 

[Hellboy]

What's in the garage - Volvo or Saab?

House full of Ikea furniture too?

A Ford van, had a Chevy van until just a couple of weeks ago, and a Harley Ultra Classic. But I could drive SAAB or Volvo too since they are american compainies these days.

I have no furnitures. I use my bass speaker as a table and my bass amp as a plate. If I want warm food, then I turn the amp on a it will heat my dinner.

//Jan

 

[oli@bass]

I have no furnitures. I use my bass speaker as a table and my bass amp as a plate. If I want warm food, then I turn the amp on a it will heat my dinner.

 

[timmy5strings]

My SVT-CL doubles as a heater for my basement, nice now but not in the summer. Its been handy lately though. Baltimore's a little chilly now