Mcgiver69 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 That makes sense, lowering the pickup will decrease the magnetic pull effect on the string thus letting it vibrate more freely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 Most people go on the basis that the G is weak so the pickup must need raisng higher and higher until its so close they cant play it then sell it on and chime in telling us they had a Ray and the G was crap so had to sell it on! There is some truth in the EQ needing to be set accordingly to help but I think if all the things that have been mentioned in this thread are acheived first most amps set flat should get you in a useable position often not a bad sound that just needs adjusting to personal taste and playing style. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted July 2, 2012 Share Posted July 2, 2012 [quote name='Mcgiver69' timestamp='1341244857' post='1715658'] That makes sense, lowering the pickup will decrease the magnetic pull effect on the string thus letting it vibrate more freely. [/quote] On mine, I'm not sure if its actually stopping it vibrate, just gives a weaker, chorussy sort of tone if too close, like its some magnetic phenomenon rather than physical stopping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 I've lowered the pick-up and that's made an improvement. Heavier gauge strings on order. It's really starting to grow on me. Can't wait to use it in anger at a rehearsal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 Funnily enough I have just done a string change on my blue one ready for tonights gig, I tried holding a string near the pickup and the myth about the pole pieces is totally busted, even when the string is level with the pickup where its never going to be the magnets still have a lot of pull! They overlap from pole piece to pole piece would make it neither here nor there, I'd say you could put the strings between the pieces and hear little to no difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 6, 2012 Share Posted July 6, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341595958' post='1721658'] Funnily enough I have just done a string change on my blue one ready for tonights gig, I tried holding a string near the pickup and the myth about the pole pieces is totally busted, even when the string is level with the pickup where its never going to be the magnets still have a lot of pull! They overlap from pole piece to pole piece would make it neither here nor there, I'd say you could put the strings between the pieces and hear little to no difference [/quote] Our own Mythbusters team: 1 - Myth: 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 I'm hoping that it's down to the strings not suiting the bass so I've ordered a different brand in a heavier gauge. What do other Ray players on the forum use on their basses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 A lot of people swear by a 45 G string , I have found that you need to move the pickup even further away after you put the thicker strings on so don't be afraid to back it off even more, the ceramic pickup has a huge output mine is almost flush with the pick guard where the little thumb rest ramp is with 45-130's on it. I use pink EB 40-125's but have just gone up to the green 45-130 on the black one, I like the 130 so I'm about to order two packs with the takings from last nights gig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1341599611' post='1721748'] Our own Mythbusters team: 1 - Myth: 0 [/quote] Can I be the one with the big moustache? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 [quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1341642408' post='1722141'] I'm hoping that it's down to the strings not suiting the bass so I've ordered a different brand in a heavier gauge. What do other Ray players on the forum use on their basses? [/quote] Generally D'Addario XL170 45-105 these days, but I have used DR Hi-Beams 45-105 also, which I like a lot. REgarding the pickup, it is angled towards the G... but the whole thing is not too close to the strings. Experiment a bit, I'm sure you will find that a few minor adjustments help a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341648483' post='1722186'] Can I be the one with the big moustache? [/quote] I think it would suit you I had moustache and beard once, but I also loved egg mayonnaise sandwiches... horrible combination. I prefer a fuzz-free face these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Eggy beard is never good mate, I shave once a fortnight so it's anything between clean shaven and fairly recently become homeless person, all of which can work in conjunction with an egg sandwich thankfully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Just discovered that only one coil of the pick up is working (the coil furthest from the bridge) which would probably explain why it doesn't sound very Stingray-esque. Looks like the pup's coming out tomorrow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Did you tap the pole pieces with a screwdriver? I use 100-45 DR LoRiders on my 1980 Stingray. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 5p piece, but same principle. 4 loud clicks, 4 nothings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-soar Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Is the wiring in good order? May not have to get rid of the pup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Going to fetch it out tomorrow and have a look at the wiring Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Someone might of been messing around previously? A fan of Jazz basses maybe? If they have and they are not total idiots then the wires might be long enough to re solder them back as they should be, some of them have the area to be soldered on show anyway failing that. If only one coil is working then its neither series nor parallel which sounds more like someone has done that rather than the coil failing, I'm not sure I have ever heard of one failing? Pics of the back of the pickup please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 7, 2012 Share Posted July 7, 2012 Will do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 (edited) Pick-up buggered A quick look at the underside revealed someone had been tampering. Never a good sign Fetched the bobbins out of the pick up housing and all became clear. The coil windings aren't even attached to the output post and there's no sign of a loose end to the winding flapping about Should look like the one on the other coil below I'm beginning to curse the day I agreed to keep this. I should have sent it back to the guy who sold it to me and had my money back. I've sent an email to Andy at Wizard pick-ups to see if it can be repaired. If it can't, any recommendations for the best 'StingRay' sounding replacement? Edited July 8, 2012 by MoJo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 I hear the standard one sounds good if it's in one piece! I knew it would be some kind of tampering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted July 8, 2012 Share Posted July 8, 2012 Discovering the fault is always great news. I suspect Andy will be able to fix it with no problem, perhaps even improve it. It's worth hanging onto the bass, in my opinion, you'll know what you have in the end. You could show the pics to the seller threaten to send it back to him but really be after something towards paying Andy. I have to say I disagree about needing certain string gauges, or even eq settings to make a Stingray work. I use 40s on the G with no problem and if I wind out the mid on any bass the definition of the G reduces. Wind in the treble and it'll cut your head off. I have doctored the 3 band pup a little by simply pushing the pole pieces of the A and E to be flush and leaving the G and D a couple of mill proud but this is mainly because I use the pup as a thumb rest and wanted it to be reasonably proud o the body on the E side. (Also, for some reason, the pole pieces were some 4-5mm proud when I got the bass and they were shaving skin from my fingertips!) You're nearly there, I'm excited on your behalf! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Got the pick-up back from Andy today. What a difference. It actually sounds like a Stingray now and the G string is strong and clear.....RESULT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 awesome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4 Strings Posted July 13, 2012 Share Posted July 13, 2012 Great stuff. (Just this evening I screwed the G side on mine a little away from the strings, too strong.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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