Switching options for a passive Stringray?

[uOpt]

I'm dumping the preamp from my #1 Stingray and run it passive.

It has volume and 3 EQ controls, so for the first time I find myself with more controls than I have a use for.

I might add a Jazz pickup in the neck position, but assuming I don't, what would you do with 4 pots and one passive hummelbucker?

Maybe this:

• #1 Volume
• #2 Tone
• #3 LCR network
• #4 Rotary - parallel, serial, split. Probably not much of an improvement with the regular Stingray pickups

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Switching options for a passive Stringray?

Volume, passive treble roll off Tone, variable coil split (operating on the coil nearer the bridge).

If you are going to get deeply into the switching idea, you might as well get a three coil pickup.

If, like me, it is the stock EBMM 3-band EQpre-amp/EQ that you are tired of, consider trying either a different brand of EQ or the earlier MM 2-band EQ.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/30099-2-band-eq-vs-3-band-eq.html

These days, I am very keen on the SD Blackouts for Bass 2-band EQ. It does the essentials. Everything else is in yo' fingers.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Switching options for a passive Stringray?

If, like me, it is the stock EBMM 3-band EQpre-amp/EQ that you are tired of, consider trying either a different brand of EQ or the earlier MM 2-band EQ.

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/30099-2-band-eq-vs-3-band-eq.html

These days, I am very keen on the SD Blackouts for Bass 2-band EQ. It does the essentials. Everything else is in yo' fingers.

I actually have the SD 3-band preamp, although mine has a buzz to it that I need to debug.

I also have access to a 2-band MM EQ that I want to at least measure so that I know where the EQ curve kicks in. It sounds very different but I think it is simply because it is hiding where it is linear.

I should check out SD's 2-band.

Now that I tested all the pickups individually I also have to say that modern MM pickups just sound weird to start from.

 

[manticorefx]

Re: Switching options for a passive Stringray?

I did something similar with a parts bass that didn't have space for the preamp in the control cavity. I used the extra hole in the pickguard for a switch that bypasses the vol and tone controls to get rid of any loading. The rotary switch sounds like a better idea than my solution though.

 

[blueman335]

Re: Switching options for a passive Stringray?

I'd wire a pot for spin-a-split, to get any amount of unbalanced coils (which means more treble and less mids). You get full HB all the way down to single coil.