I should start this with the fact that I’m not really a bassist, I enjoy playing them but it’s really just for recording at home, so playing it live isn’t really a concern even post lockdowns.
Is it just me, or is the Stingray really hard to record with? So much ‘clank’ in anything played with fingers, just about possible to record with a pick, but at the detriment to the sound I want to achieve. Tried messing around with the EQ and volume but it’s just so noisy!
It’s a USA one, love the look of it and I love the neck etc.. but just can’t use it for what I need it for. I have a P Bass I got from GSP that’s currently being sprayed by Rich, so I’ll have a solution, but I’m thinking of selling this and getting a Jazz again to go with the P to give me some options when recording.
Comments
A set-up should solve the clank and/or fret rattle.
Alternatively, make a feature of the clank by using a Rickenbacker.
I solved some clankiness by lowering the pickup a little, and I have my action a little higher than on other basses. Used to struggle with recorded tone sometimes but tweaking the setup made the biggest difference and have no such issues now.
I usually go for Stainless Steel strings on my Fenders but on the Stingray I have to go with Nickels to enjoy it. Because Stainless strings have more top and the lows are voiced deeper it just doesn't work with the preamp for my tastes, since it focuses on boosting high highs and deep lows, so things get overly scooped and harsh.
My favourite sound on mine is actually the inside coils - I have a 4HH. I think if I had a single humbucker Stingray I might have sold it by now personally. It is a classic tone, but I find I go in phases of thinking it sounds awesome and finding the tone distracting in a song. Whereas I always love a good Fender
You won't, that's just how they sound. The only ones I've heard that don't have some amount of clack/clank to the tone have had EMGs in, and didn't sound like classic Stingrays
Has a great old thumpy tone then.
Can't get away from the pickup being where it is, but it's quite different.
Sounds just like the Joe Dart signature when it's passive. He's got flats on it mind you.
https://soundcertified.com/speaker-ohms-calculator/
However, I am a fan of the stingray tone, but I do find tonally mine covers all the bases (ha) I want really.
Having said that, the gas itch is getting bad for a P.
Flats certainly help, as does a big chunk of compression, but most of all I find it's all in the fingers. Lighter touch and proper rolled finger technique cuts out a lot of the clank - as does position of fingers relative to the pickups.
If you think a Stingray is bad you should try a fretless with 4 under saddle piezos. If you get it right it can sound really epic - almost stereo in quality. Get it wrong and it sounds like someone has attached a cowbell and a triangle to your strap lugs.
Re active circuits - agree. I have an Ibanez active fretless and that has a very powerful output, and you do need to work with it, but it is wonderfully versatile. I think it's probably my favourite at the moment.
That could change once I've done my P bass build though.......oh yes....
Will be a sort of Roger Waters signature style in appearance.