danny-79 Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) With out realising it I've done quite a bit of work on this recently. So we start with a MM StingRay 4 string with 3 band EQ in vintage sunburst completely standard but in general tatty condition. I kept it as it was for about 4yrs then last year decided to refinish it (there is a post/thread on here with more info on the refinish) so all is good for the next 12 months or so. so we go from this... [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/SunburstIResized.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/SunburstIResized.jpg[/IMG][/URL] To This [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/MrBlackII11.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/MrBlackII11.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Cosmetics out of the way, the pre amp starts playing up so now is a good time to try a new pre-amp so I go for the "John East MMSR 4band" that alone transformed it way past any expectations that I had, there is no centre dent(apart from on the mid boost) but a lot more user friendly than I thought, I hear people recommending John East all the time and have to agree 100% best move I have made in a long time ! [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/John%20East%20Pre-Amp%2012.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/John%20East%20Pre-Amp%2012.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/J-E%20Build%2004-04-15%2019%20-%20Copy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/J-E%20Build%2004-04-15%2019%20-%20Copy.jpg[/IMG][/URL] The stacked pot does stick out a bit further than I thought it would but its right there just ware you need it for boosting/cutting as you play, perfect. So with upgrade-itus well and truly set in I thought I might as well finish the job with a new pick up The original MM pup is very nice and along with the new J.E pre work very well together but .... too much thought about it for too long, might as well just get on and do it ! After much research I go for the "Nordstrand Bigman" fitted it yesterday [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/Nordstrand%20Bigman%205%20-%20Copy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/Nordstrand%20Bigman%205%20-%20Copy.jpg[/IMG][/URL] [URL=http://s1014.photobucket.com/user/01952danny-79/media/Nordstrand%20Bigman%207%20-%20Copy.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1014.photobucket.com/albums/af266/01952danny-79/Nordstrand%20Bigman%207%20-%20Copy.jpg[/IMG][/URL] Not had much time with it yet to comment too much but first impressions are good. Its extremely loud to start with, a lot more mid to it, so obvious eq adjustment needed all over. It only just about fits with it being much deeper than the original, it just about sets to the same height as the original but if it ends up needing to go any lower the body cavity will need a small amount of routing. If you have any experience with this pup please let me know of any tips you might have. I have recently just started a Facebook page of all things bass and gig related, if you fancy popping over and giving me a like, it would be much appreciated Here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Smith-Bassist/1567882086785305?ref=aymt_homepage_panel Thanks for reading Dan Edited May 11, 2015 by danny-79 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted May 11, 2015 Share Posted May 11, 2015 Number 1) I love that colour Number 2) Never tried a John East on a Ray but I did on a Precision and it was the nuts. Number 3) Great choice of pickup Nordstrang know their stuff when it comes to pickups Well done on all point, and please do not post this on the Ernie Ball forum cause they'll only give you grief Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny-79 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 (edited) [quote name='Grand Wazoo' timestamp='1431368167' post='2770601'] Number 1) I love that colour Number 2) Never tried a John East on a Ray but I did on a Precision and it was the nuts. Number 3) Great choice of pickup Nordstrang know their stuff when it comes to pickups Well done on all point, and please do not post this on the Ernie Ball forum cause they'll only give you grief [/quote] Yeah there are three deadly sins there .... I would say I'm sorry but I'm most not sorry ! The East Pre-amp I cant recommend enough, that with the standard pick up sounded amazing but I just gone and changed the pick up for the Nordstrand, done a bit of testing and its very loud, lots of power behind it to say the least but with volume increase it starts to get a little muddy, could be a good thing will have to see and spend some more time with it before I fully commit, might end up trying it on the other stingray, mix it with the standard EB Pre-amp and see how that goes, but so far so good very happy with the results so far Edited May 11, 2015 by danny-79 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny-79 Posted May 11, 2015 Author Share Posted May 11, 2015 The output is very even across all the strings (no weak G to say the least) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubis Posted May 12, 2015 Share Posted May 12, 2015 Very nice bass, I recently put the same pre in my home built fretless Blingray, paired with a Nordstrand MM4.2 and it sounds awesome. Just need to figure out how to wire in a 3 way blade switch for the series/parallel/single coil options and it will be sorted! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny-79 Posted May 13, 2015 Author Share Posted May 13, 2015 [quote name='rubis' timestamp='1431460300' post='2771649'] Very nice bass, I recently put the same pre in my home built fretless Blingray, paired with a Nordstrand MM4.2 and it sounds awesome. Just need to figure out how to wire in a 3 way blade switch for the series/parallel/single coil options and it will be sorted! [/quote] Thinking along the same lines, had it at band practice yesterday, the pup combined with the pre wired parallel it is a bit spicy as it is. Getting a tap is going to be my next move, just want to be able to switch between parallel and series with out having to open it up, going to try it with the original pre too. Anybody got a wiring diagram for the switch ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny-79 Posted June 22, 2015 Author Share Posted June 22, 2015 The plan was to leave the Buttercream Stingray Standard, so I would have one of each, but since upgrading the blue one, the cream one just wasn't getting any play so only one thing for it . I;m sticking with the standard MM pup in this one though, leaving that stock, the blue one is aggressive and the cream one is quite mellow in comparison now. only a quick post, better pictures can be found here of the build if you interested, an please if you visit my page hit the like button if you would be so kind Dan https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Smith-Bassist/1567882086785305 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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