Ultimate B String: Classic Ray 5?

[MK Bass Weed]

Just sharing with my bass brothers. kinda wordy and long..but I gotta spew.

Just spent 2 hours at GC here in Philly, checking out new amps. I want one of them
ultra-light, zippo size neo jobs, but sounds like 8x20...etc...So I was checking out all things loud. I needed a bass to test them out.

There were two Classic Ray 5s on the wall. Grabbed the burst and started testing.

It wasn't long that I forgot about the amp and started really digging into the Classic.

Turning those knobs every which way, moving my hand around, grabbing the pick...just like Ed in his Classic Movie on Youlube.

And then I start doing my version of the song "I'll Take You There", but all on the B string to check it out.

And what the heck?...

it's..Amazing, I expected that, but it was more than that. I already own the SR5 and SR5 HH...I KNOW about the MM B String..knew about that in the the early 90s...my first Ray 5 was in that Tony Levin creamscicle color.

But to me..The Classic B is different. Alot of the times..I use and think of the B string is that 'special effect' for the end of songs...or for getting a really bassy response playing up in the higher registers on the B instead of down in the 'money note' area, and I have to play it with a pick to get that thing to 'speak'.

Cuz...to me, and that's me, most B strings sound like they're in the Family, but a cousin...not a brother.

That Classic B sounded like the E...all the way...Like a B I've never heard...
until today.

So...I grabbed the Minty Fresh Green Classic Ray 5...and sure enough...the B was just as focused, tight, narly as the E

Like a Brother.

Don't know why...Yeah..It was strung through the body..and while some say it's a myth as to the effect...I don't know.

The neck is a bit more on the chunky side...It's all shiny..

But crap...here's the hard part..

I'm wanting some new MM Bassage and my choices were a Bongo 5 H or Big Al 5 H, and I'm leaning toward the Bongo 5 H, since well, I want to point and shoot too...like the old days.

Then..I played the Classic Ray 5. It wasn't even in the consideration pile, cuz I thought I had it already. And another thing- That 2 Band is a sneaky damn secret weapon all by itself.

So..it's the pain we all love to feel...and I've been guilty of telling others in this position to "get them all, cuz you need them all"

Fire away.

MK

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Well, it is a nice bass...

 

[lefenton]

MK,
I hear you 100%. Though I can't speak too much on the 5 string as it's not my bag, I do LOVE my classic. The string through body and the 2 band add a unique feel and sound to the overall sweet Classic Ray package. I can say honestly that, aside from playing it around the house, I haven't been using my Big Al at too much since I got the classic. They are just so buttery.

Don't get me wrong, the Big Al is wicked, just really love the comfort and tones of the Classic.

 

[jlepre]

So what amp did you get?

 

[MK Bass Weed]

So what amp did you get?

I'm going to get the GK MB 2x12...combo

 

[cellkirk74]

Back to B Strings, I think that the classic 5 has a huge competitor in the Big Al 5 H. Best B in my stable so far.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Back to B Strings, I think that the classic 5 has a huge competitor in the Big Al 5 H. Best B in my stable so far.

Yes...that IS the focus..

I haven't tried the Big Al..but Aye...will..

However...I've played ALOT of MM 5 Strings..and other 5 strings...and I'm just saying, there is Something very special about that Classic 5 B...To repeat myself...it sounded like all the other strings...Not me experience with any B string before.

I was keen on the Big Al or Bongo..either in an H configuration....The Classic was a 'game changer' for me...to use a MM phrase..I'd like more Chimes from those who own the Classic 5!

 

[Golem]

`

I often think that B-string tone/quality isn't only dependent on
bridge/saddle/string-thru/hardware stuff. I mean I think there's
tone chain support that also influences what we get out of the
low B-string.

In this instance I'm thinking about 2 elements, one "hardware"
and one tone chain element. "Hardware" is more like woodwork,
meaning the heavily finished glossy maple FB. I know I've heard
a definite difference between maple and rosewood FBs on MMs
that were otherwise alike .... and a sooper glossy finish should
enhance that. Tone chain wise, the 2-band Classic EQ-pre may
be a killer match for the effect of the finger board. IOW, maybe
these 2 elements are an instance of the the total being greater
than the expected simple sum of the parts.

Just my thoughts .... some real-world observation plus some
semi-edumacated speculation. Aftroll, tone is mostly voodoo.


`

 

[cellkirk74]

I don't own one but had some time with the one of member soul 24-7.

I can hear you but I have to say that with my Bongo 5 and the Big Al 5 it is the same. The B is just another string and tonally integrated with the others. That's the way it should be I think. It is not something that only appears with the classic 5.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Yes Golem, but that Voodoo is killer!

My first thoughts were:

the extra chunk in the neck...the gloss...then...well...the Strings through the back.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I don't own one but had some time with the one of member soul 24-7.

It is not something that only appears with the classic 5.

I'm not really saying it this way. To me...and to my ears, The B on the Classic was more like the other strings in terms of immediate attack, and bite, and 'spoke' like the other strings.

I can get this on my other Ray 5s...but it takes a bit longer to Bloom...I could chug 8th notes on the B easier on the Classic.

I'm getting into Voodoo Subjective territory and I ain't claiming no new gospel...Just that I was really really surprised by the B..and I've been a 5 Stringer since the late 80s.

I was all set to decide between the BONGO H and the BIG ALL H....Cuz, well, you know.

I didn't expect the Classic to NOT be great...What the surprise for me was..that it just went to the head of the pack...

It's a good thing, but I just didn't expect it on the Classic.

 

[cellkirk74]

Well, go for a classic. I love the 2-band EQ since I got my first Ray in 1991. But try a Big Al H before you decide.

In fact those roasted classics at GC tempted me a lot, but I already got 3 fivebangers i can not part with, and the wife watches me carefully .

 

[oli@bass]

Thanks for sharing your observations, Michel. Lately I was thinking that maybe I should try to find a Classic SR5 to try out. And your thoughts push me even more towards that. Will watch those ads more closely now.

Regarding the tone discussion: IMO, a gloss finished maple neck has perceivable impact on tone. That paired with a 2-band preamp really brings out the classic 'Ray tone. The string-through might help the B string or not... I can't tell a difference on the STB four SR4s.

 

[drTStingray]

Although not a fiver, my Classic SR4 definitely has more sustain and ring than any other of my EBMM basses (the SR5H is the closest match) - as well as everything mentioned above, I think the strings through set up, and also the hollow bridge saddles may contribute quite a bit to this and guess the same may be true on the Classic 5.

FWIW my SR4 is approaching it's first birthday, and has the same strings it came with and still has these same characteristics. The 2 band EQ is also killer for many genres.

I can see where you're coming from on this - it sounds like you need to get one

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Well, go for a classic. I love the 2-band EQ since I got my first Ray in 1991. But try a Big Al H before you decide.

In fact those roasted classics at GC tempted me a lot, but I already got 3 fivebangers i can not part with, and the wife watches me carefully .

Cellkirk: You bet I will...this was my dilemma...I was deciding between the Big Al and the Bongo...

Going to another GC today...to test my theory. It's good to be an EBMM fan.

 

[Holdsg]

Very challenging finding Big Al 5s in the retail channel, hope you get a chance to try it, because you WILL like it.