SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

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bjeans79

New member
Okay so I have searched the forum and had a hard time finding an answer to my question. Just bought aforementioned bass to have something else to drown my sorrows in for a while. I will be replacing the pickup/electronics and I wanted some opinions from those who have actually tried some different kinds of replacements. I know the obvious and generic answer here would probably be to put in an SD, but has anyone out their compared them to the Kent Armstrong's (my luthier buddy recommended KA)? Any others worth noting? Any replacements that might have more of the Wal sound as opposed to the pure stingray (they are similar but I hear a different character in many Mick Karn and RHCP recordings)? Also what should I do about replacing the preamp/electronics? Also, I wanted to add a 3 way switch like the sting 5s I've played I dig versatility. Just looking for that fat warm growl I hear in those old stingrays and the SUB pickup just don't cut it! Thanks for your replies! 1456291683723.jpg1456291683723.jpg
 
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Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

The old fashioned growl suggests the SMB-4A (Alnico magnets). The switching requirement suggests the three coil model.

The STC 3-band active EQ is a available in a three pot format. This would avoid having to relocate the output jack socket.

Part of the Mick Karn sound is the subtle use of overdrive and short slapback delay.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

Mick Karn!
I have only tried the SMB-4A 3C along with the Active Preamp. To me, it had all of the tone you'd want from a Stingray. Instant Tony Levin, right there. I had never directly compared it to any other pickup system. There really was no need to.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

I use and enjoy Bartolini bass guitar pickups but I would argue that they do not necessarily reproduce the sounds expected of the pickup designs that they replace. (This is precisely the reason why I chose them.)

EMG makes two replacement pickups to fit Stingray basses. IMO, neither of these duplicates the EBMM sound nor would they satisfy your Mick Karn soundalike brief. Essentially, these pickups are the EMG-35 CS and TW soapbar models under a 'Ray cover.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

Funkfingers, I always appreciate your knowledge and advice. I have decided, for now, to stick with the Kent Armstrong at my luthier friends advice. Hopefully I will be able to play a SD MM pickup of some sort to hear the difference. I hope to make a YouTube video to compare the difference in the stock SUB p'up and the KA as I searched for sound clips of the Armstrong and wasn't able to find but a few junky ones that really didn't give me much to go on. As far as a preamp Ive heard many good things and know lots of people that use the Aguilars. Ive been told the OBP 3 STK will be good to give me a stacked 3 band eq of sorts so i dont have to move the input jack... As you recommended the stc3 would be a good option. Any thoughts on how that might compare to the Aguilar and based upon my desire for improving the preamp that comes in a SUB, IYHO, do you think I'd be satisfied with the results? I know SD makes quality stuff! I will say that the SUB sounds and feels pretty good for what it is, definitely needs a fret dressing but I have really enjoyed it so far just stock. The maple neck seems a bit soft compared to other maple necks on higher end guitars, dents easily and such. Nothing like that 80s classic stingray that I played a while back though... That birdseye those things have...mmmm! Thanks again!
 
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Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

And again, I'm just trying to fill a void in my life for that fat humbucker tone that I love without having to spend the money for a EBMM. I know flea gets a lot of flack for his technique and such but I have to say his tone and bass lines on BSSM, I dig. And I can't get enough of that Mick Karn tone, just incredible. So I needed something to fill the void for now. Plus the maple neck mint body and black pickguard just make me happy to see every morning . the morning wood lol...
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

The dirt 'n' delay aspect of Mick Karn's sound, he freely stole from Jaco Pastorius.

IMO, the other essential ingredient was the tulipwood used in the construction of Karn's favourite mk1 Wal Custom Bass.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

Sorry about the novel... What do you think regarding going with an Aguilar preamp as opposed to a the SD preamps for installation in the SUB?
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

The critical thing to remember is that your chosen control electronics circuitry has to fit into the existing routed cavity. The PCB of the regular SD/Basslines STC-2 and -3 will not fit. The dedicated "MM" models will. They also have a more suitable choice of frequency band centres.

I am unable to comment on the space requirements of Aguilar electronics.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

Actually I never tried the Aguilar. Also, poplar and tulipwood are not the same. Wikipedia says:

Most commonly, tulipwood is the pinkish yellowish wood yielded from the tulip tree, found on the Eastern side of North America and also in some parts of China. In the United States, it is commonly known as tulip poplar or yellow poplar, even though the tree is not related to the poplars. In fact, the reference to poplar is a result of the tree's height, which can exceed 100 feet. The wood is very light, around 490 kg per cubic meter,[1] but very strong and is used in many applications, including furniture, joinery and moldings. It can also be stained very easily and is often used as a low-cost alternative to walnut and cherry in furniture and doors.

Poplar is an indistinct grey color with green streaks in it. It is really hard, dense, and heavy. It is pretty scrappy wood (used for pallets, matches, and cheap plywood) but can get good sounds in guitars.
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

Mincer... yeah, around here, we call those tulip poplar... I think I have two in my yard, matter of fact...
 
Re: SUB stingray 4 replacement p'up...

jtougas said:
Bartolini : pup + preamp = heaven...
Click to expand...

Since this thread first appeared, I purchased a mint condition, pre-owned Bartolini MMC pickup and a Sterling by Musicman Ray34CA … in that order.

The combination of the ash body, Bart pickup and stock 2-band Bandaxell type EQ makes for stunning slap and growly Rock sounds. (I had contemplated adding series/single/parallel coil switching but, frankly, the parallel sounds top notch.)

The stock S-by-MM alnico pickup was no slouch. IMO, it would make a fine upgrade for the SUB Ray 4.

AlNiCo 5 rod magnets. Coils hard-wired together in parallel. c. 4 kOhms.
 

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