highwayman Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 So I've decided that a Stingray 4-string is the first bass for me (not Sterling etc. - the real deal), but I'm in need of some advice about the differences of 2 or 3 eq? I believe there's an argument for each? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cana.dan Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Always preferred the 2 band sound myself. Thumpier. But, you could alway put a J Retro 3 band in it and you'd get the great 2 band sound, but with the ability to change the mids if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 2 band for me as well please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 I`ve had a 3-band Stingray, great bass, but whenever there are shootout comparison vids/audio clips on here between the 2 and the 3, I always prefer the 2. It just has a much chunkier sound to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudpup Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Here you go - http://basschat.co.uk/topic/278434-calling-all-mm-players/page__fromsearch__1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Prefer the 3 band for the ability to increase the mids.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 2 band works for me. Less to worry about and all the tone I need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 2 band for me, a bit chunkier and funkier. Use your amp to adjust the mids if needs be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 (edited) [quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1455912894' post='2983665'] So I've decided that a Stingray 4-string is the first bass for me (not Sterling etc. - the real deal), but I'm in need of some advice about the differences of 2 or 3 eq? I believe there's an argument for each? [/quote] Yes, it depends on how you want the bass to make you feel when you plug it in. 2-band: "Mmmm, nice ..." 3-band: [i]"Whoah, f**k yeah!"[/i] I prefer the [i]"Whoah, f**k yeah!" [/i]feeling myself, but YMMV. Edited February 20, 2016 by GrammeFriday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Thank you for the replies all; my favourite bass sound is Paul Raven's from Killing Joke's 'Night Time' - I know other factors such as amp, etc influence such things but that would be my ideal if that helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 [quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1455957320' post='2983878'] Thank you for the replies all; my favourite bass sound is Paul Raven's from Killing Joke's 'Night Time' - I know other factors such as amp, etc influence such things but that would be my ideal if that helps? [/quote] Thought he was a Wal man, always was when I saw them live! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlfer Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 (edited) [quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1455912894' post='2983665'] So I've decided that a Stingray 4-string is the first bass for me (not Sterling etc. - the real deal), but I'm in need of some advice about the differences of 2 or 3 eq? I believe there's an argument for each? [/quote] Think you might find the original US Sterling (still made) with it's 3 band EQ, pick up coils selector and slimmer profile neck is a bit "the real deal". More than welcome to try mine if you are close enough to Wigan. [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/001_zps11oh2b3b.jpg.html"][/url] [url="http://s1354.photobucket.com/user/Karl_Altdorfer/media/011_zpsu5x0zdxz.jpg.html"][/url] Edited February 20, 2016 by karlfer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted February 20, 2016 Author Share Posted February 20, 2016 Hat's off - it looks lovely & thank you for the offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lojo Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 2 is all you need , for the simplicity , if not the sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matski Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 (edited) [quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1455957320' post='2983878'] Thank you for the replies all; my favourite bass sound is Paul Raven's from Killing Joke's 'Night Time' - I know other factors such as amp, etc influence such things but that would be my ideal if that helps? [/quote] Then you want 2 band EQ (and probably a graphite neck as PR played a MM Cutlass bass). Edited February 21, 2016 by matski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted February 21, 2016 Author Share Posted February 21, 2016 Thanks again all, I think 2eq will do me just fine. I appreciate they'll be a price difference but what are the characteristic differences between the bridge strung Stingrays and the earlier body through ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmettC Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 [quote name='cana.dan' timestamp='1455914763' post='2983681'] But, you could alway put a J Retro 3 band in it and you'd get the great 2 band sound, but with the ability to change the mids if needed. [/quote] The John East MM pre-amp is amazing, based on the original MM pre-amp, and with the optional sweepable mid control it's just so versatile. That's what I would do, in fact I did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deedee Posted February 21, 2016 Share Posted February 21, 2016 [quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1455955767' post='2983867'] Yes, it depends on how you want the bass to make you feel when you plug it in. 2-band: "Mmmm, nice ..." 3-band: [i]"Whoah, f**k yeah!"[/i] I prefer the [i]"Whoah, f**k yeah!" [/i]feeling myself, but YMMV. [/quote] Same here. 3 band for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 The 3 band gives far more flexibility especially in a live situation, for instance in rooms with difficult acoustics. It's also more refined as the filters take out boomy frequencies which can occur with the 2 band. However the 2 band is also a fine EQ and makes some classic sounds - used my 2 band Sabre Friday night in a blues/funk gig to good effect - would have liked the mid control a couple of times when the guitarists got all crunchy and filled all the space though - I suspect it didn't matter to the audience but made it difficult for me to hear myself at those moments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drTStingray Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 (edited) [quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1456091563' post='2985361'] The John East MM pre-amp is amazing, based on the original MM pre-amp [/quote] I've heard it's very good but not been tempted to swap out the electronics on any of my Stingrays. Which version is it based on - apparently there were several iterations between 1976 and 79 - I think I read somewhere it was based on John East's own Stingray (76 or 77?) Edited February 22, 2016 by drTStingray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmettC Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 [quote name='drTStingray' timestamp='1456100288' post='2985465'] I've heard it's very good but not been tempted to swap out the electronics on any of my Stingrays. Which version is it based on - apparently there were several iterations between 1976 and 79 - I think I read somewhere it was based on John East's own Stingray (76 or 77?) [/quote] Hmmm, not sure. Their website says "the original" Stingray preamp. I had a three band Ray and I didn't like the sound of the bass boost, I had a G&L L2500 and I preferred the preamp in that, but I preferred the feel of the stingray. I think I'd have sold the Ray and kept the G&L if I hadn't changed the preamp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted February 22, 2016 Share Posted February 22, 2016 2 band for me. Everything flat out and roll off a bit of treble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
highwayman Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 Update, I'm now in possession of a gorgeous 2eq black Stingray with a stunning maple neck - I love it! Although I think the black pick guard looks superb I've also bought a mirrored one, however I'll wait until I have a degree of competency before I fit it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='EmmettC' timestamp='1456091563' post='2985361'] The John East MM pre-amp is amazing, based on the original MM pre-amp, and with the optional sweepable mid control it's just so versatile. That's what I would do, in fact I did. [/quote] and that's what I did too in my 2002 2EQ model. It transformed a great bass into an amazing bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted March 31, 2016 Share Posted March 31, 2016 [quote name='highwayman' timestamp='1459286805' post='3015225'] Update, I'm now in possession of a gorgeous 2eq black Stingray with a stunning maple neck - I love it! Although I think the black pick guard looks superb I've also bought a mirrored one, however I'll wait until I have a degree of competency before I fit it... [/quote] welcome to the Stingray club! Nice choice. I hope you enjoy it as it is and be done... *however*, if you feel there's a little something that could make it batter and can't put your finger on it, I'll share two experiences with 2EQ preamps that *for me* transformed a good bass into a much better bass. 1) replace the original 2EQ with a John East MMSR 3-band 3-knob preamp. Straight replacement. The mids are flat at the centre detent, so you get the 2EQ flavour still (although I find John East's a bit tighter and more refined than my 2002 one was), and the mids with mid-sweep frequency control just opens it up tremendously. So versatile. 2) rewire the pickup from parallel to series. The series configuration has a bit more punch, more mids... and for me that works perfectly with an original 2EQ. Just suggestions in case one day you get bored with it. I hope you don't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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