I think there is something off with the pink one, you should probably just sell it to me for cheap.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

XD

Great demo! I just picked up an HH used and I've heard all the hype about how the H is a "totally different instrument" than an HH with just the bridge pickup engaged. I think this video shows that's complete bunk. Another thing to remember, unless you're name is Victor Wooten or Billy Sheehan, most of us aren't doing lengthy bass solos without a band playing. By the time you adjust the onboard preamp, your pedal board, your amp and cab (if you use one...I don't), then it goes out your DI to the board and through the PA into a room packed with people....does anyone honestly think any member of the audience...even a bass nerd....could tell a difference between the two?

@bassyey

3 ай бұрын

Of course it's fake lol. Electronics wise if you choose the bridge pickup, you won't get an output from the neck because the wiring makes it isolated. I don't know why anyone would think otherwise. The difference is in the playing. No human can replicate their performance 100% because we're humans, and not a midi program. There will always be a slight change in the finger plucking and fretting, very small changes that players can pick up. Fools will attribute these to HH vs H, but it's really not.

Excellent presentation, playing the sounds back to back, short samples and with the configurations listed on screen! Yes!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Russell! I always like to try new ways of presenting stuff :)

Thank you girl! this helped so so much! love your channel

I can't tell any difference! Great idea doing this!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeremy!

To me, the sound is extremely close. However, the double H (while stunningly beautiful), has a slightly thinner sound. Maybe it has to do with magnetic pull from the neck pickup, minor variations in the wood, or just coincidence, but the single H has to my ears a slightly fuller sound. Closing my eyes they are both unmistakably Stingrays. Just noticed a minor difference, with a smidge more bottom end maybe with the single H.

@jdmarino

3 жыл бұрын

I came here to say the same.

@richardmilligan1410

3 жыл бұрын

Double H is wires series. I read that somewhere.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

You know, digging deep I do see some mentions of the HH models having pickups in series, though I can't find any documentation about that for the Specials. Very interesting, thanks for that tidbit Richard!

@Mebibit

2 жыл бұрын

I do want to make the commentary that the difference might simply end up being a parts tolerance thing than any of the listed reasons. Every aspect of a circuit has a tolerance, some tighter than others. If you want a really nice video on the topic, look up pedal maker Brian Wampler's video on the TS800 vs TS9.

@codyhansonbass

2 жыл бұрын

@@richardmilligan1410 they are not. Check out the EBMM product page for details on the pickup settings. All parallel.

I prefer the 4H Single Humbucker due to my playing style (Slap, Thumbing action). Great comparison but I couldn't really tell that much of a difference in sound. Another great video from LowEndLobster.. Thanks Bro..

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Derek! Glad you enjoyed it :)

Totally selling the dual pickup model Stingray. Always was worried about the two pickup model sounding different from the classic config but those were pretty much identical.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Taconeko!

Beautiful basses!

Good comparison.At my age buying a new Stingray isn't a sensible option.But they sound so good.So I bought a very good SR kit and built my own.Switched out a couple of things like a better pup and bridge and it plays a sounds fantastic.Definitely gets that Stingray mid bite I'd love to see you demo the new Origin Effects Bassrigs preamps.OMG do they sound unbelievable.

That 4h looks so awesome

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

There was a guy who made the same comparison a while back, but he used Sterling stingrays and the difference was actually huge. The HH version had a mid focused tone with none of the signature MM presence. I'm happy that that's not the case here

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! The SBMM lineup is interesting. IMO only the 34's actually get the 'real' Ray tone (without mods). I did a review of the Ray5HH SUB, and though it was a great budget instrument it definitely lacked the grit and character of it's USA counterpart.

@lavaxtris

3 жыл бұрын

I'm having this problem right now. I have a 34HH and the tone sounds like the mids are cranked and I hate it.

I heard the the "classic" Stingray sound (on a special) is with the bass & treble boosted and mids completely cut and bridge pickup engaged. This is how I play with both of my two HH Stingray specials. That said, one day this year I'm probably going to go with a 4H so I can have the look of the original Stingray. Definitely don't mind that the new Stingray specials are nowhere near the weight of an original Stingray.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Eric! I agree, the weight reduction is definitely welcomed from a practicality standpoint.

Makes me want to add a pickup to my SUB Ray4. On that, I purposefully just listened to this video. Using my Apple Ear Pods, I couldn’t tell the difference.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Everett! You should ;P

Has that signature lobster tone, conquering the 5th and 7th frets as always!

@Haveldorf

3 жыл бұрын

Who cares? Anything above the 7th fret doesn't make money anyway.

@akmalsux

3 жыл бұрын

@@Haveldorf ouch, that hit me right in the bass theory

@russellzauner

3 жыл бұрын

@@Haveldorf *Henrik peeks around corner*

@russellzauner

3 жыл бұрын

@@akmalsux don't feel bad, that's only if you are in a band. Many modern bands don't have a bassist when they are covering those lines with their 8-10 string guitars. If they wanted to get really brutal they could also say anything over 4 strings don't make money either lol

@akmalsux

3 жыл бұрын

@@russellzauner *cries in five string bass

Thanks 🙏 man 👍🏻

I believe the regular Stingray has a little more body in it’s bridge pickup, and I think that’s due to the additional drilling in the wood, and the addition of the neck pickup on the HH.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Xavier!

Made my mind, 4HH it will be. Thanks!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dmitry :)

Hey Lobster, thanks for this video, though it has been around for a bit, I am thinking about a MM bass and your work is very helpful. Having said that, I do not hear a great difference between the two basses. Certainly no more than you might hear between two Hs or two HHs.

@LowEndLobster

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Philip!

Right on dude .

The 4H sounds a bit “thicker” to my ear, more presence in the low mids. The extra pull on the strings and the small reduction in body mass on the double-buck likely plays into this, but I doubt that you’d be able to really hear the difference in the mix. As much as I like neck pickups, it just...looks wrong on a stingray :)

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sriracha :) I agree.... I sometimes wish Pinky was a 4H

I think the only variable might be the pot values (500k pots 10% can range between 450-550k if they used cheaper pots could be 20% meaning 400-600k) same for the pots in the preamp but they are usually less effected by this sounds pretty darn similar to me though awesome video.. cheers I'm off to bed just got off work at 7am after being up since 730am yesterday.. but had to watch this before I could call it a day..

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Josh :)

@Jihadbearzwithgunz

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster any time man I'll be here

Tough call. I like the single for that ‘stingray’ bite. But that double H has some nicer tones. I might consider getting a 2H stingray to add to my collection. I HAD a Sabre and like a dope I sold it. Didn’t realized the functionality of the bass.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks etpslick!

Really appreciate all of your comparison videos. Do you (or someone else here) now, if all stingray special do come with a roasted maple neck? According to my dealer's website, the special in raspberry red is just normal maple, but according to the MM website, it should have a roasted maple neck. Thank you very much in advance!

Hey Lobster, I know your feelings on the EBMM Bongo but, I am very interested in seeing a comparison video on the EBMM Stingray Special H vs the EBMM Bongo H. I am interested in hearing the difference between the two pre-amps and pickups as well as the difference, if any the body wood species makes. Thanks in advance.

Nice video, Lobster. One video I've never seen is a comparison between an SR 4HH and an SR Special 4HH in all the various settings. Any chance you could borrow an old 4HH and do such a video?

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom! That's a great idea. Not sure if I'll be able to snag a SR HH, BUT perhaps a Ray34HH (the Ray34H and Stingray non-special 4H sound very similar) would be a bit more doable. We'll see though, folks do hit me up randomly with instruments to borrow :)

A very fine line between both🦞... I`ll take the Single 4H... 💙👊😎

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

:)

I demand a full review of the BFR!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

I actually recently filmed it! It's on the editing reel right now :)

@zippoclick69

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster Thanks!!!

Another interesting take. Maybe a little off topic, but what is the deal with Ironworks bass strings? What do you like about them? They sound good on the videos, but not certain that I can tell much from videos. How would you compare them to other bass strings. I usually use NYXLs, but I haven't tried a bunch of different kinds of strings. Keep up the good work!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! Great question. They have a specific treatment that gives them very long life and just sound great IMO. I used to be a Rotosound guy first, then DR. The DRs would die very quickly. I've gotten a lot of positive feedback from people who have purchased instruments from me (the ones I review) asking about what strings are on the instrument.

@markyurick4137

3 жыл бұрын

It seems like it would make a pretty big difference to the sound. Maybe you could do a string comparison video at some point. I don't think I have ever seen one. Anyway, keep up the good work.

They sound like you said the same both being good. But my real question is where do you get some of those colors? and are you out of St. Louis ?

They both look good and sound great too. It's the price that's the problem.

Hey lobster, as a prolific pj pup fan. Have you seen the Jacksonbacker? The unholy union of 80's metal and classic 60's styling. Def would be interesting to see.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

I have! We'll definitely check one out even if it's only for the memes ;P

Lobster, thanks for doing this little test. To me they sounded nearly identical but I thought the 4H sounded slightly more transparent when you had the mids turned up. I had to wear my headphones to hear this and in a live situation this difference would get lost in the mix. This is a bit surprising and goes completely against the other u-tube I had mentioned where a Sterling 4H and 4HH sounded quite a bit different. I was pretty much sold on the 4H after watching that u-tube so bought a EBMM 4H Special when I had all the time been leaning towards the 4HH. I guess it goes to show when you move up in the line to the EBMM Stingrays any conclusions you draw regarding comparisons of lesser basses no longer apply. I told you that I just recently picked up a gorgeous Tectonic Blue Sparkle 4HH Special so have done the comparison myself, but in my case the new 4HH has an ebony fretboard as opposed to rosewood on my 4H and they do sound quite a bit different because of the fret board woods. I love them both but I'm really digging that ebony highly focused piano like hard attack. In your test with them both being maple necks it was a valid test. As usual well done and thanks again my man, stay safe.

@57precision

3 жыл бұрын

Glenn I know the video you are referring to, and I'm pretty sure those two Sterlings had different strings which invalidated the test. I went with an SRS 4H and love it, has the classic look and there's more room for slap. I don't need my Stingray to be a swiss army knife, I've got other basses for that. If you gig out with only one bass though, the HH makes a lot of sense.

@glennb3231

3 жыл бұрын

@@57precision Brett, you may be right about those 2 Sterlings or perhaps one had newer strings or one was just a quirky sample. Who knows for sure but it was surely convincing enough to steer me into buying the 4H over the 4HH. Now 6 months later I have both and as much as I like the different sounds you can get out of the HH just messing around with it at home, parallel position 1 is still my favorite and in my opinion is the only one that would really cut through the mix in a live setting. Further more, none of the additional settings on the HH can replace my P bass, it just stands alone.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Interesting! I gotta check that video out. Looks like the guy is using the regular Stingrays and SBMMs. I've heard (but can't verify) that the original non-special 4HH had its pickups in series as opposed to the traditional parallel setting which may account for the tonal differences there. I don't know how the special HH's are wired in comparison either.

the single humbucker is better for me, for slap and agressive fingerstyle it’s perfect, i tried a HH Ray34 and it’s kinda cool only if you need that double humbucker, if you want to buy a StingRay but you don’t know what is the best option, check 2 things. -Do I really need a HH? -Is that neck pickup going to make playing hard? If still in doubt, try the HS StingRay, maybe it’s the right tool for you, or if you want a H StingRay but more tonal options, look for a Sterling (not the Brand, the model) you have a switch to go from Parallel, Series, Series Single Coil and another one that i forgot. (i’m dumb XD) The StingRay HH is kinda hard to play because the pickup is right where i put my middle finger to slap. StingRay H - Best for slap/agressive fingerstyle and just normal playing overall StingRay HH - Best for tonal options and playing with a pick. Hope you find whatever you need, random stranger reading my comment! Have a nice day!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for the excellent comment, Fisnik!

Ideal might be a HS (Humbucker + Single Coil) Stingray. Then you have a neck pickup, but it's not in the way when slapping.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Georg! I honestly don't have much of a problem with the neck pickup placement on the HH, though it's not for everyone. I can't stand when the pickup is riiiight against the fretboard though

Are the Necks from the Special different in compare to the regular EBMM Stingray in terms of nut width/shape 🤔

Very subtle differences, if any, especially in any setting where you would be playing with other instruments in a mix. Plus with Pinky you get so much more with the neck pickup and 5 position switch options. You would also have to admit Pinky is much prettier and that counts for something too!

Wow they both sound great, I can't really say anything but cause I have never played one!or it may just be you the player who makes them sound so good!!?do you play completely by ear or did you take lessons or something like school of some sort or do you read music too??thank you 🙂

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Scotty! Yeah I play by ear and/or just make stuff up. I can read music and studied music a bit when I was younger. Great questions :)

@scottyshepardthesmoothdeep3081

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster Oh wow thank you so much my friend

I'm shopping for my first bass....can you ad more tonal range to a single with a decent amp head? Or are these tones what you get.

4H had slightly more umpf but it might just be the result of a lower action.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks oskarus!

Double humbucker Stingray has the best scooped killer slap sound when both pickups engaged. Unfortunately, the neck pickup is in the way when you try to double pluck etc.... I'd prefer the old Stingrays with 21 frets over the new ones with 22 cause the gap between the neck and front pup is wider for a comfortable slap. I don't get why they did not think about this when redesigned this iconic monster.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Pope! I didn't find the neck pickup that much of an issue on this one. However I have a review of the Harley Benton MM85A which has the neck humbucker right against the neck, and that makes it impossible to slap for me.

It sounds like the strings are a bit older on single humbacker Ray, or just played more than on the other one.

The 4HH sounds slightly deeper than the 4H. You can't noticed the difference with the first configuration but the brightness of the 4H became obvious in your 2nd and 3rd knobs adjustments. My 50 cents.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mauricio! :)

Now repeat the exercise with some slap so we can really be conclusive ☺, seriously. How do the weights of those 2 basses compare? My 4H Special is right at 8.5 lbs but my 4HH is over a pound heavier. I sit anyway when I play being in my late 60's so it's not big a deal to me and actually I'm of the theory that added weight puts out a more focused and heavier punch. Just a theory at this stage. Keep em coming! Thanks for doing this little experiment.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Doh! I knew I forgot something ahahaha. My SR Special is about 8.2ish lbs and the BFR HH is 8.8. The SR Classic I have is a smidge over 10 lbs though haahah

I also thought they sounded pretty close. The only drawback w the HH is it interferes more w your RH, esp w a pick (which I prefer). Still...the extra beef and versatility is more than worth it. I can pick between the pups and adjust the tone accordingly w the knobs.

@LowEndLobster

2 жыл бұрын

I guess the only solution is... one of each ;P

@bflo1000

2 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster Ha ha. Not necessary! Like I said, I can pick between the string ( w pick or fingers). I can adjust the tone w the knobs...That's what they are for, LOL. Honestly, paying a few extra $ for the $$ eliminated the need for ANY type of 2nd bass IMO. Especially if it has a coil tap option (which I personally would rarely use) for those J-Bass lovers as well as MM. The neck pup alone can do nicely for a P bass sound.

Are both wired in either series or parallel? I know that the major difference with the bridge soloed tone of the Ray4HH and H is the parallel H and Series in positions 1,3,5 on the HH. I rewired my HH to be parallel in all positions. This is how it should’ve been done all along. Tone MONSTER.

classic stingray = mid cut ;) the best........ ...thanks so much for this comparison...

With headphones I could barely hear any difference. Thanks for the comparison.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Sparks :)

Just almost the same, but still can be distinguished with a good headphone. but I don't know if I could make it in a blind test lol

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Right? Like there are subtle differences, but put on a blindfold and put the instrument in a band setting and they'll be indistinguishable

I just listened, didn't watch at first, and couldn't tell when you changed. Not really surprising. Honestly, changing pickup height would have bigger effect than the difference between the two

You should review the Vintage V4M and compare it to your MIM P-Bass.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John! Vintage stuff is definitely coming, they had some... logistical... issues with their latest shipment that threw a wrench into things haha.

@johnmathers5498

3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to it.

They were pretty close. The difference was small, but I don't think one sounded better than the other. I think in a mix, you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference at all. Probably should compare with a similar equipped 5 string Stingray, for Science!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Bizi! One day I'll snag a SR5 ;P

The stingray is much better than the fender jazz bass. I bought the Elite JB which costed 2000$ and got so disappointed, Stingray fixed that feeling !!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John! It's all personal preference, but I agree - I used to be a hardcore J guy and now I'm a 'Ray guy! (hey that rhymed!)

Hello lobster can another type of Bridge work on Music Man sterling 5 String Bass Guitars ? I don't like the factory Bridge. Thanks

@LowEndLobster

2 жыл бұрын

In theory, yes. But you need to be wary of the string spacing as moving to something like 19mm may exacerbate the issue with the G string falling off the edge of the board on the MM 5 strings

They sound the same. Not identical, but the same. Nobody would ever hear a meaningful difference between them in the studio or on stage. Nice demo.

I think they pretty much sound the same, but they probably feel different Nice video comparison 💪🏿💙

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ej!

Does the forward pickup impede slapping?

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Great question Jeff! Full review of Pinky is coming very soon! In my experience, the front pickup doesn't impeded slapping with my technique (YMMV). It would be more obstructive if the pickup was right against the neck as that's where I tend to slap

Hi LEL🦂. Good video as always Your thoughts. Buy a new Sterling Stingray HH or a 10 year old 2nd hand EB stingray HH ? Price is similar slimmer neck or standard neck in your opinion . I play fonder and pick. No slap . Stay safe . Stu and

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

So the Ray34s have the same dimensions as the USA ones. The biggest difference would be the neck finish with the USA having the wax/oil special sauce vs a satin poly for the SBMM. I'd say go for the USA if it's in good shape!

@stushwartz

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster thanks for your advice. Difficult ro try out during these lockdown times .

They sound close enough in that if you played two different H's back to back, there would be just as much difference between those. Any differences here can be easily EQ'd out. I closed my eyes and could not tell any appreciable difference.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Peter!

I would say pinky sounds a tad brighter. :-)

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Greg!

Close enough. Which one do you like to play more? and which of all your basses (if any) is the one that you go to, when you “just want to play”, the one you really compare all basses to. The one you’re grabbing (possibly before your pants) in a Poltergeist: “GET OUT” situation? Cheers

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Great question, Tommy! That's a great question, I try to spread the love equally but I do snag the white one more because it's on a regular rack and not on the wall ;P

@PushSueAside

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster cheers I just say this. Thank you. I was looking at my small collection and thinking I only play 1or 2 of them and I keep buying more. Bad habit I picked up being a guitar player so long. It’s like a freakin music store at the house.

the difference is so small it really doesn't matter. If I had to pick which one I like better thoug it would be the HH. I am surprised.

Is there a reason they don't make a Stingray with just a neck pickup?

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

The original design from '76 or whatever was just one pickup.... that'd be interesting through, the reverse ray

They both sound about the same. Personally, I'd go with the double humbucker for tonal versatility.

@bflo1000

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely...or buy something like a Schecter Stage 4 at half the price with a more comfortable NT neck and still great quality.

@Metalbass10000

3 жыл бұрын

I'm good with a double humbucker (building a custom right now w/ double HB), but I tend to like a good P-J set just a bit more (either building a P-J or a J-J on another custom), and recently I have heard a lot of people saying good things about a music man humbucker in the bridge and a jazz bass pickup in the neck position, which I have to admit that in 30 years of playing bass, and playing a lot of basses, and building a lot of basses over about 25 years, I've never come across that particular combination.

@bflo1000

3 жыл бұрын

@@Metalbass10000 Yeah, HH is my fav combo. I just don't like SC pups, especially for metal. They just lack the balls, low end depth and growl (despite all the talk about how J-basses "growl"). PH pup combos are good also, but a P pup IS also a HB. BTW, it must be great to be able and have the time to build your own basses. Good luck.

@48streetrat

3 жыл бұрын

Agree they sound identical, like the single pick-up.

@abouc

3 жыл бұрын

@metalbass10000 I'm currently building a bass with a Nordstrand BigMan (MM style), and will likely pair that with a Nordstrand Big Single after a while for something like a MM/J combination. The bass will be primarily for metal & RATM style playing.

They are way too similar. If there was a difference but you really really have to pick it apart to hear it. Honsetly I love my 4h because i have more space for pick hand placement and the classic stingray look. But pinky sounds so good!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ross!

I like the BFR more

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

i like the froge more

To me they sounded about the same though the white one looks larger to me. Maybe the color? 🤔

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks L4sleeko! Just an illusion based on how they're sitting on the stands. Bodies are exactly the same size :)

Can't stop staring at that Spector in the corner.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

:)

Legal ... Soão bem diferentes ... Mas pelo timbre o com 2 humbucker acho que eles são paralelos suas bubinas tem um grave mais magro e um agudo mais brilhante enquanto o tradicional deve estar em série com grave mais aveludado um pouco menos de brilho e mais midranger ... Mas os som de ambos são maravilhoso top

Sounds to my ears like there's a little more high end on the H and a little more mid on the HH... but they are incredibly close and I don't think it matters in practice. Nobody's going to accuse you of having shown up with a precision bass.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

bRuH i ThOuGhT u SaId U hAd A sTiNgRaY!!111 ;P

Both sound the same. Do they also slap the same? Or is the neck pickup in the way?

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

I think it depends on your technique, I don't have any problems but I slap right at the end of the fingerboard

Good video. I have a few Rays. EBMM 2002 classic and 2014 SLO Special, as well as SBMM Ray 34 and Ray 4H and Ray 4 HH. I know the are not quite the same the Ray 4H and Ray4HH compared to the two Basses you just sampled, but between the Ray 4 and Ray 4HH I have, it is hands down the Ray4 for me. I don’t like the Ray4HH, and can’t get myself to like it. I actually have it listed for sale. It’s a bummer cuz of all the 2020 colors for Ray4 and 4Hh. Love this olive green best, but it’s HH so I just can’t get with it. I had high hopes. Yes I get pretty much stingray tone from the bridge pickup in hum buck mode, but the rest of the positions just sound like playing thru an amp with different thickness blankets over the speaker. To me it is not improvement on stingray tone, and almost does not offer any other quality tones that I would want to play, which was my hope. I also don’t care for having the 2nd pick up for my plucking Andre slap either. I just got used to the one pickup on Ray’s and that’s how I like it. I have modded my Ray with an Aguilar pick up (after doing side by side comparrison) and that was a great mod, even with the stock pre amp. But I am not about to drop $250 for pickups, and possibly another $150 in pre-amp for a $380 bass that I don’t like playing much. I may decide to remove the top pick up out, pop a different pick up in the bridge and get another pick guard to cover the hole of the missing pick up. I love that color, but still, I already have a go to Ray4, so not sure I really want to dump any money in the Ray 4HH. I just hope it sells and I can put it towards another bass, possibly something from your reviews. Thanks for the test today. The better electronics in the EBMM stingrays you tested don’t sound as bad as the Ray 4HH. But maybe you can do another video and test the Ray 4 vs 4HH, or a Ray 34 vs 34HH, or even to some pick up and pre-amp mods to some Ray4HH’s, maybe you will get a combo I like enough to change my mind and Keep it and upgrade it??? Thanks again Lobster, always love your videos.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Toby! I definitely understand where you're coming from, I'm a bit of a Stingray traditionalist and prefer the single pickup model as well. The Ray4H and Ray4HH (as well as the 5's) don't come close to the 'gritty' true Stingray sound with the stock electronics, but we've found that the pickup is the weak point there. I actually have a CAR Ray4HH on order (I love the new color, hate the olive) and we have some BIG mod plans for this. Going from 5 pickup settings via the 5 way switch.... to 8 different settings! More details soon, but you will like what you see ;)

@tdub8986

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster yeah, the new colors are cool, the Blue burst I like best, but it is very close to the blue on the Ray 4 I have already , and the Candy Apple Red you have on order, is pretty nice, but I wish they put it in the Ray 4 line too. But I still love the olive. It’s funny that you like mint and hate olive, and I hate mint and love olive.. must be the greens, cuz most of your other colors I like. Black and whites I find boring, but it’s hard to go wrong, they work in any setting, and my favorite color is orange, and I love the Conklin you have, and the one DIY you did ( not from the kit). I wish they did some oranges in the Sterling line,. There are two EBMM oranges, the translucent amber and a solid orange with a tiger like fretboard. Those are tops on my want list if I ever found one I could afford. Thanks for the reply, happy to hear you got plans around a Ray4HH brewing. Maybe I will see it before mine sells. 👍🏻

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

@@tdub8986 Dude that translucent orange... I know exactly what you're talking about... drool worthy!

The single pickup Stingray has slightly more snap and presence to me, but the 5 way switch on the double pickup model would lead to many more tones not possible on the single. I slap at the neck and don't notice the neck pickup getting in the way for my style of playing. I kind of like having a thumb rest on the neck pickup for fingerstyle also... Slapping a jazz is similary configured.

For me personally I choose the 1 humbucker stingray because having the second pickup makes it harder to slap and gives the strings an extra magnetic pull which effects the basses tone

@danielvanulst2990

3 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more. And having another humbucker might mess slightly with your sustain too, or is that not even noticeable? Anyway, both great basses. But it's the single humbucker that truly shines for me!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I love my BFR HH, but I'm at heart a 'Ray traditionalist. My SR Classic is one of my most favorite basses :)

@57precision

3 жыл бұрын

@@danielvanulst2990 The neck humbucker can cause excess fret buzz as well, so you have to set it very low. The neo magnets on these are STRONG, was putting on EB Cobalt flats last week and it snapped the string up like an alligator, never had a bass do that before.

i like that white one.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Kyle!

I feel the white one is less middy

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark!

I actually heard a slight difference between the two, and I thought the classic one pick up stingray actually sounded a lot more full and better, the double hamburger almost felt like they were trying to simplify And or even cut corners with the full depth and tone of the original

@proFscarfmaNhaT

Жыл бұрын

Does anyone know the serial number of the black white special in this video? Trying to find one. Thank you!

Very similar if not the same.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark! Indeed!

BFR HH all the way !

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Patricio!

No difference in sound to me. Besides, anytime I pick up a bass I tweak the knobs until I find the tone I'm want. Now compare a Bongo with a Stingray Special- both 18v, both neodymium pickups... THAT would be interesting ;) (Keep in mind the Bongo H has a 3-band preamp where the Bongo 4H has a 4-band).

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Monahan! That's a great idea! My Bongo isn't the 'typical' bongo materials wise, but would still make for some quality clips :)

@monahantp3767

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster When I first played my Stingray Special after playing my Bongo 4H the difference in the preamp was the biggest surprise to me (in this case both are 3-band EQs). Would be a fun video especially with your BFR Bongo ;)

I have an 2007 HH and just do not like the ergonomics of neck humbucker placement for slap. The. Bridge pickup sounds harsh. I would swear the separate pickups are in series or something. The slap only really opens up in the middle position. I only want the bridge pickup. Most Soundman will go crazy adjusting every time you do a pickup selector change. To my taste the HH has too many choices. The bass needs to drive the bus with subtle alterations in eq, not drastic pickup configurations.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marty! Interestingly enough, your 2007's pickups may actually be wired in series. Yours is also during the time when they used ceramic pickups before switching back to alnico in 2008. They did some weird stuff in the mid 2000's

@martyonbass

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster thank you for that. The 07HH was almost a bass rescue from a pawn shop. It would not have been my first stingray choice. Married and gigging meant Squire or OLP. Good info on the series thing. The first time I heard Sade, Jeff Lorber Fusion, and Talking Heads I salivated. I think I hearing parallel magic let my fretless Jaco breathe a little. Maybe I’ll take out the Neck pickup, Parallel the bridge pickup, and put the neck pickup in my OLP passive. ✅

Not that much of a difference. I think the neck pickup might could get in the way when playing slap bass. Other than that it's probably a matter of preference.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Al! It doesn't get in the way for me, but it definitely depends on your technique. I often have trouble when the neck pickup is right against the fingerboard/neck

Sounds pretty much the same but I like the way Pinky was lookin' at me

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks BCC! Yeah Pinky really catches the eye

but do they feel the same?

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Almost!

I couldn't hear any differences. I suppose if there was anything noticeable, the differences would be so minute that you could say it was the construction of the bass itself - not the electronics - that caused them. Regardless - "pinky" just looks cooler.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris!

😭😭 love your champagne. Should be censored 😅😅

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ryan! It is purdy haha

HH was notably treblier

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks sacundim!

Sounds to close to be called different sounding. Both sounded great in all settings

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Meyers!

@thebassbuilder

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster you need to go back and do a SUB Ray 4 only changing the pickups and leaving the stock electronics. I think that would a more common upgrade. FYI the way you do your reviews is the best and most beneficial I think. You show us what the bass sounds like. A lot of reviewers want to color the tone too much.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

@@thebassbuilder Thank you! We'll definitely be doing more SUB upgrades in the future, both with the stock and aftermarket preamp. As long as we get the terrible stock pickup outta there! :)

@thebassbuilder

3 жыл бұрын

@@LowEndLobster I am about to do my own with this bass model. I bought a set of the Fluence pickups and I am about to order a SUB. I think it may be a killer mod. Oh and also you literally stole my idea for the old smoothie mod you did to the bridge. I had looked up all the same exact parts you mentioned and then 2 days later I found that video and could not believe it. Dang you!!! That was my idea,lol!

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

@@thebassbuilder hehehe, great minds ;P. We have a VERY interesting SUB Ray4HH project coming once the new color CAR Ray4HH gets here :)

Sorry, but that riff was starting to drive me crazy. There are some slight differences. The standard 'Ray seems to sound a little more full/midrangey. Otherwise, they’re about the same.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Marc! No need to apologize :)

I think there were very slight differences between the two, but nowhere near enough to make a real world difference. For all intents and purposes they were the same.

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Michael!

The HB MM-4 sounds better! 🤪

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Hey now ;P

I think the preamp is'not the same

This is probably your shortest video yet lol

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Is that a challenge!? ;P

Two basses have never sounded closer. If you want a single H stingray go for it, that's perfectly fine and you don't need to make up nonesense to justify that

I think he bullsh!t’n I believe he can play with the lobster claw hand lol

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

LOL I really need to do that one day

Do you want music/instrument store? Or just an owner of a million amazing basses????

Sounds the same to me +-

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks BP!

They sound the same...

@LowEndLobster

3 жыл бұрын

Right? lol

In slap they never sound the same

The audience will be clueless one way or the other.