martthebass Posted December 3, 2008 Share Posted December 3, 2008 [quote name='OutToPlayJazz' post='343648' date='Dec 2 2008, 11:03 PM']I've never played a 3eq Ray that I could make a sound I liked on.[/quote] I'd maybe agree with you sat in a shop at low vols. But for some reason it comes alive in a gig (especially through Mark Bass Rich!). In a gig I just use the mid to tweak - it's easier than farting about with the VLE/VLF thing At home I usually find the Ray far too sharp for my ears with D'Addario's and reach for the GnL or P bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctor J Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I've got a three band Stingray and I find myself using the mid knob quite a lot. It makes a huge difference in terms of how much the bass melts into the back in a band situation or comes right to the front of a mix. Personally, I couldn't imagine using a Stingray without one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 [quote name='Doctor J' post='347509' date='Dec 6 2008, 09:05 PM']I've got a three band Stingray and I find myself using the mid knob quite a lot. It makes a huge difference in terms of how much the bass melts into the back in a band situation or comes right to the front of a mix. Personally, I couldn't imagine using a Stingray without one.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesparky Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 [quote name='Doctor J' post='347509' date='Dec 6 2008, 09:05 PM']I've got a three band Stingray and I find myself using the mid knob quite a lot. It makes a huge difference in terms of how much the bass melts into the back in a band situation or comes right to the front of a mix. Personally, I couldn't imagine using a Stingray without one.[/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markytbass Posted December 6, 2008 Share Posted December 6, 2008 I tried both when I bought a stingray and couldn't really tell the difference, ended up getting a 2eq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Lazarus thread here.... Rehearsing with 2 bands over last 2 months. One with gtr, keys & drms and other with gtr x 2, keys & drums. Both similar, mostly classic rock. Been switching been two Stingrays; a 2EQ and 3EQ to check the difference. Amps set flat. Same strings. With 2EQ, instant cut through. Bass control at 40% - 75% . Treble close to zero. With a 3EQ, if all set at centre detente, sound is lost. Reproducing 2EQ settings (on bass & treble) with mid at centre....still sound is lost. Becomes too bassy and lacks definition. Need to use mid boost to get heard but sound is overly harse imo. Conclusion, 2EQ wins. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monz Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I have a Stingray 5 (3 EQ) and a Sub 5 (2 EQ) The 2 EQ is much closer to the old musicman sound (I a-b'd it with a pre EB) and whilst the Stingray 5 (3 EQ) can get close to the sound it never really gets there, on the flip side though the Stingray 5 can be dialed to produce a lot more tones and the mids do come in handy if you play covers and need to change tone quickly... especially if you need to go from soft and sweet to harsh and in your face between two numbers Just my 2p worth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karlthebassist Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 [quote name='Doctor J' post='347509' date='Dec 6 2008, 09:05 PM']I've got a three band Stingray and I find myself using the mid knob quite a lot. It makes a huge difference in terms of how much the bass melts into the back in a band situation or comes right to the front of a mix. Personally, I couldn't imagine using a Stingray without one.[/quote] +1,000,000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.i.stein Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) 3-band sterling + piezo for me. the middle gives extra 'growl'.,(not jazz growl,tee hee..) most eq. scenarios are now available without a visit to the amp. and that means dub to harcore punk via d'n'b. 2 or 3 eq. ? i guess it depends how much tonal diversity you require at fingertips length. Edited February 1, 2010 by phil.i.stein Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linus27 Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I have a beautiful 3EQ Stingray with maple neck and I wish it was a beautiful 2EQ Stingray with maple neck. Too many buttons/knobs/dials is just wrong. If I had my way, it would have a volume and a tone dial and thats it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Academy Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 It's all in the mids for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil.i.stein Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 back again ! having thought about it again, i can now say why having more control over the mids is better on your bass. you can tweak your sound whilst standing a good distance from your amp, other musicians/drummer etc.. so, get the best setting on your amp with a flat guitar tone, then turn up the amp, move away from it , and tweak the sound with your on-board tone controls. MM's have great diversity in tone., and 3 eq is just a bit more versatile than 2. for that edgy-sound. but, the same principle applies to both types. if you're not playing to cut through a band, none of this will matter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutToPlayJazz Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Me too - Back, that is! Now I've owned a Stingray 3eq (with the piezo bridge as well) I can definitely recommend both types. The 2eq is definitely more scooped and a little punchier, but my 3eq although a little clearer overall, has ample punch. The main MusicMan problem I've found is that people have the pickup screwed far too low. If you set the pickup so the polepieces are around 3-4mm below the strings the MM comes to life. Massive tone, massive output. So yes, I finally have a 3eq I like! And no, just like on my Status preamps, I never touch the mid control. It just stays flat (in the centre indent.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 I think 2eq is better in the low end. Definitely I am gonna buy a classic. My fretless that is 2 eq has the best sound that a stingray can get. I think the 3 band eq is good in my HH stingray that can play everything the pickup make the difference tonal variations and sounds from the HH model. I don’t know the graphite neck should affect the tone. Overall 2 eq is better but i think you need more ajustments to get the right tone with the 3eq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='KERMITNT' post='732536' date='Feb 2 2010, 08:39 AM']I think 2eq is better in the low end. Definitely I am gonna buy a classic. My fretless that is 2 eq has the best sound that a stingray can get. I think the 3 band eq is good in my HH stingray that can play everything the pickup make the difference tonal variations and sounds from the HH model. I don’t know the graphite neck should affect the tone. Overall 2 eq is better but i think you need more ajustments to get the right tone with the 3eq.[/quote] Your last comment is spot on. With 2EQ its plug'in & play. Cuts through instantly at any control setting. With 3EQ you've got to fiddle with the mids, and sound is always at bit more abrasive. Though I'm happy with both. Cue photo excuse.... [attachment=41674:rays.JPG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='732566' date='Feb 2 2010, 11:20 AM']Your last comment is spot on. With 2EQ its plug'in & play. Cuts through instantly at any control setting. With 3EQ you've got to fiddle with the mids, and sound is always at bit more abrasive. Though I'm happy with both. Cue photo excuse.... [attachment=41674:rays.JPG][/quote] woow thats awsome rays what years ? let me make a guess is the amber 1987? and the natural 79? am i right?????????? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='KERMITNT' post='732582' date='Feb 2 2010, 09:32 AM']woow thats awsome rays what years ? let me make a guess is the amber 1987? and the natural 79? am i right?????????? [/quote] Very good ! 1987 for Amber and 1978 natural Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KERMITNT Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='obi 2 kenobi' post='732605' date='Feb 2 2010, 11:48 AM']Very good ! 1987 for Amber and 1978 natural[/quote] very nice ones are you having them from new or you find them in the way? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obi 2 kenobi Posted February 2, 2010 Share Posted February 2, 2010 [quote name='KERMITNT' post='732626' date='Feb 2 2010, 10:09 AM']very nice ones are you having them from new or you find them in the way?[/quote] 1987 from new. 1978 got 10 years ago from ex pro (Gary Numan, Van Morrison) who had it since new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duarte Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 There is a very good thread on the EB forums, showcasing the differences between the 2 EQ, 3 EQ, mahogany bodies, and graphite necked basses. You'll be suprised at the differences in tones. Personally, I prefer the 2 EQ, and the graphite necked...if only I could find a 2EQ graphite... [url="http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-basses/42214-stingray-sound-examples.html"]http://www.ernieball.com/forums/music-man-...d-examples.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matski Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 I have 2x 2eq 4-stringers and a 3eq 5 string, and I am also in the 'prefer the 2eq sound and set the mid to centre and leave it alone on the 3eq' camp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrcrow Posted February 8, 2010 Share Posted February 8, 2010 [quote name='GreeneKing' post='341738' date='Dec 1 2008, 11:28 AM']There are many that say they prefer the tone of the 2EQ. They'll be along in a bit [/quote] sorry...if you have 3 you dont have to use the mid i only had a 3 and glad of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Dempster Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 The 3eq Stingray (ie, with mid-boost) is a no-brainier -especially if you play rock and want to be heard through the mix. If you want the soft, ‘scoopy’ Sound favoured by slappers simply cut the mid boost. It really does give you far more tonal options so why limit yourself with the 2 eq version? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Dempster Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 I have a Stingray HS. In addition to the 3eq preamp it has a 5 position pickup combination switch. You can run it in many modes...even have it on the humbucker only with the mid cut/boost set flat if you want the classic 2eq single pickup tone....but why would you want to limit yourself? It all depends whether you tend to take the 'intelligent' approach or the 'rose tinted glasses approach' ...the latter being that a 'proper' Stingray only has one pickup and 2 eq. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raslee Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Try a Stingray Special....absolute perfection (apart from the price), vintage, modern, classic tones.....they have all the sounds and versatility you could ever need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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