Hi all. I’m seeking assistance. I picked up a black & maple Ray5 from marketplace a couple of weeks ago. I put NYXL 45-125s on it and I also dropped the pickup height on the low side and cut the bass to about 20%. It makes that sweet stingray sound. (snarl? purr??)
I liked it so much that I bought a Ray34 for my other house 1000 miles away. Wow - I love the tone of the Ray34!
Now here’s the question…
How can I make the Ray5 sound like (or close to) the Ray34?
Obviously, the 2-band vs 3-band EQ is a thing. I’ve read about the pickup wired in series or in parallel. Although I’ve seen conflicting wiring info about both the Ray34 and Ray5. I also assume I’ll need a different pickup. The Ray5 purrs (that’s what I’m sticking to until somebody corrects me) but it doesn’t sound as fat as the Ray34. Kinda hollow-ish. Perhaps it’s because I have to cut the bass to keep it from clipping, perhaps it’s just a lower quality pickup, perhaps it’s because I need to boost the mids. Dunno
I’m willing to put some $$ into this one ‘cause it’s the most comfy 5 string I’ve played, the B string still sounds good up to the 12th fret and it isn’t floppy.
Can y’all help me cut through the misinformation so I can have that Ray34 sound in both houses? lol
Well if you put it that way then I’ve got to try harder,
First thing first you gotta put all in dead neutral and play with that for a while. Then you can see what you’d need to match one to another. Many here knows that that’s how I play my bass.
The problem with the Ray5 is how hot it is compare to the Ray34/35 especially when both are wired in series. You can just simply follow the Youtube video on how to convert to parallel. That alone would tame the extra overtone on the Ray5.
If you want to go with upgrade route then there’s 3 options I’d go with. Try to avoid smaller pole size and stick with large pole magnet, unless you are after a specific tone. Large pole offers immediate attack which suits the StingRay well.
Easiest and my prefer tone would be the EMG only problem with that is the Pickup shape on the 5 string so you’ll need to do some additional routing on the body as well as pickguard.
The next one is the Aguilar, it comes already wired in parallel so it’s pretty much a drop in.
Same goes to the Delano. Although Delano has more options. I’m a big Delano fan.
Before anything else I’d start with recalibrating your ear first, a simple turn of the EQ should get you close. Still have the itch then go for rewiring, want’s more then pickup upgrade. I’ve done them all in the reverse order, Even made my own Sterling Joe Dart a couple of years before Sterling copy my idea and release their own.
Thank you @Al1885 ! I appreciate you taking the time to provide guidance. I definitely have a few things to consider. I won’t be at the house with the Ray5 for a couple of weeks, so I have time. lol
You’re right about the hot pickup on the Ray5. It makes it difficult to play dead neutral. I’m leaning towards re-wiring first and go from there. That may be close enough.
Hey I’d love to know what you ended up doing? I’ve just bought the Sterling Ray 5hh in the limited edition Ruby Red burst, because having got just about every 5 string stingray in the country weighed (driving people nuts no doubt), I’ve found one a whisker under 9lb! I have my beloved Sterling SS4 so this is my first venture into both full scale and 5 string god help me lol. I’ve watched Lobster’s vids on Sub series modifications, but will no doubt need all the advice I can get.
9 lbs is already super light for a Ray 5. I wouldn’t go any lighter — it starts to lose that classic Stingray charm and substantial feel.
For reference, modern EBMM Stingray 5s typically weigh in around 9.5 lbs, even with the lightweight bridge and tuners. Compare that to the early 2000 vintage, which often came in at 10.5 lbs or heavier.
When a Stingray gets too light, it just doesn’t feel as solid or planted. Case in point: my BFR Fuego fretless is about 7.5 lbs. Every time I pick it up, it still takes me a second or two to recalibrate — it feels noticeably floaty.
Thank you so much for replying! That is a beautiful collection. I’m pretty new to all this, been playing about 9 months, but I already know I love stingrays. I’ve ordered said beast, arrives Monday, so I’ll play it for a while then see if I want to dabble with the world of mods. Hopefully it won’t be too light to feel ‘off’, but being very honest I don’t have much basis for comparison except Sidney, my SS4. I’m in a very rural area UK with no guitar shops nearby, and am ashamed to admit I have never so much as held a full scale . Will be interesting! I’m female, older and on the small side (I won’t say wizened lol), that’s my excuse anyhow
Welcome to the Family. I think that the stock pick up is not bad as it delivers the StingRay tone. If you are up for modding I highly recommend you switch the wiring from Series to Parallel, this would make it a True StingRay and as a bonus tone down the pickup sensitivity as the Ray pickup can be a little too hot. The mid range will shine through wonderfully.
There are several videos you can find on the Tubes.
Update: it (she? Ruby!) arrived with decent tone already but a bit rattley. Lemon oiling the fretboard and adjusting action helped. Switching to parallel was a learning curve. Lightweight tuners and fave string helped more again. I can’t really fault it, amazing instrument for the price! My partner is looking to add 2 small switches to give it the choice between series and parallel, as I didn’t dislike it before the switch either. He did something similar on his PRS guitar with great results! Either way, I’ve learnt loads and it’s satisfying to feel in charge of the sound to this extent, especially for a relative newby. Thanks again for your advice.
That’s so awesome. Now you can toggle between the 2. I usually prefer Parallel but more power with the Series can be better sometimes.
On the MusicMan “Sterling” the pickup has a “Phantom” coil which is a single coil with no hum as a middle selection. Imma MusicMan nuts so I can talk MM all day,
Congrats on the Mod!
Thanks for the info! Not sure what that means in terms of the intended 2-switch mod, but I’m sure we’ll see when we get to that stage. I know I’ve done this a slightly eccentric way … especially for a £500 model. My idea was to spend the extra £500 or so getting her up to Ray 35 level or beyond and have fun / learn a lot along the way, especially given that she’s such a light one for my ageing body. She’s lighter than my SS4! I’m already pretty impressed with her, she doesn’t feel ‘off’ like we discussed, very sold feeling with resonance for days. Saw the pickguard choice thread also … couldn’t resist a quick play with mock ups! I suspect a birthday Alperious might call next year
I like the various tones I can get out of it using the knobs onboard. Match that with smart plucking position and it’s pretty versatile. It’ll never be a P or a J, but that’s ok. It’s unique. Can get deep and low or you can boost the mids to cut through.
I also like the build quality. It’s a really nice instrument. I think on par with the upper level MIM or lower end MIA fenders.
I got mine on a Musician’s Friend SDotD for 50% new and I’ve loved it ever since.
Well if you ask me, The Ray34 is quite awesome. Sound aside the feel is just about closest to the StingRay 3 times the price and the feel is what separates the premium bass to the “less” premium is not the sound but the looks and feels.
Although, now what separates them also the weight. New EBMM Stingray use light weight tuners as well as bridge and cut a little over a pound in weight. I own several Ray34/Ray35.
A word about Flat Wound, I’m not a fan either but there are 2 model of Flats I’d put on just about any of my bass. One the Ernie Ball 2805 flat wound, very mid forward and sounds quite awesome, just like Vulpeck sound.
Then it’s the Thomastik Infeld Jazz Flats, True ribbon wound round core super awesome feel and long life, not to mention that it feels and sounds better the longer you play. It doesn’t have that exaggerated warm overtone that typical flats has as well as plastic feels. That’s why it cost 3-4 times more and worth every penny.
Wow! that’s very nice. You are a great candidate for the Mute kit installation mod, if you are into the muted string vibe. I have a couple that I want to mod. Looks very cool and really adds to the aesthetic. It’s call the Flea bridge.
I’d love to know what you ended up doing? I’ve just bought the Sterling Ray 5hh in the limited edition Ruby Red burst, because having got just about every 5 string stingray in the country weighed (driving people nuts no doubt), I’ve found one a whisker under 9lb! I have my beloved Sterling SS4 so this is my first venture into both full scale and 5 string god help me lol. I’ve watched Lobster’s vids on Sub series modifications, but will no doubt need all the advice I can get.
. Will be interesting! I’m female, older and on the small side (I won’t say wizened lol), that’s my excuse anyhow 
