Music Man Stingray H vs HH - Which One Should You Get?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 มี.ค. 2019
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In this video I talk about the differences and Pros & Cons between the Musicman Stingray Bass H with a single pickup vs the HH which has two pickups.
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Really appreciate that demo. I was one of the people who assumed that i wanted the HH, but after listening to this i realize that the single pickup model is the tone im looking for. Keep doing what you are doing. This is helpful to so many people. Awesome playing as always!
Right on T.J Keep on funkin BUDDY.....
Absolutely, new tech and the options that come with it are great but sometimes you don’t need to mess with perfection
For real
I used to have the dual HH stingray five and I tried to use the other positions for different tones and for some reason I just kept going back to the bridge humbucker and so I’m buying a new one soon, I’m only gonna get the single H, for some reason the other tones just did not work for me.
HH doesn't bother me when I slap at all
Just to note, there are 5 different tonal possibilities from different pickup configurations on the HH, not just 3. Really an amazing sounding and feeling bass.
Paul Haddad Hey do you have one? Thinking of getting the HH.
@@catthat9999 yeah I have a 2010, fitted with flatwounds. I love it very much, will never get rid of it.
Paul Haddad I have just ordered the HH :)
@@catthat9999 I hope you like it as much as I do. It's the best purchase I've ever made in my life.
@@catthat9999 The new specials are a bit different from my 2010, but they sound just as good from what I can tell and they are a few pounds lighter which is a big plus.
HH looks bad ass but man..that sound of the single pickup is wild man. Im shopping for a new guitar as we speak. Single H is the way to go for me.
Yep I knew all about this having owned a 2005 Stingray 5H, I sold it to buy a Stingray Special 5HH which to me is a much more versatile bass, that still can do the classic Stingray stuff.... it just needs a bit of tweaking to get that classic slap sound (which honestly I don't do much any more)
But the H and the HH are definitely different animals, and this was a great demonstration of that. I believe the tonal difference is more from the preamp differences and the way the EQ is built too.
Nice video.
Still for me the hh model is the best i like to take a lot of different sounds of the stingray for any style of music can't wait for the hh ray35 on white to be in my home studio 😍
Repeat your test, but on fresh strings for both instruments. I've A/B'd these bases myself, and there's very, very little difference aside from the HH model being versatile. It's very clear to my ears that the H version of this bass had strings that were either completely different, or otherwise much newer than the HH version.
I've had both. On the same, new strings there is definitely a good difference, the HH definitely has less sustain. One surprising difference I found is that the HH really doesn't work well with overdrive pedals. The H doesn't work with quite a few overdrives but I never found one that works with the HH which is why I sold it
Owning both (but 5 strings) I can confirm that the HH sounds much darker.
The black one is a mahogany stingray. Say what you like about woods but having owned that one and several other stingrays it does sound different but not because it has an additional pickup
Great point, I’m about to do the same. Thanks for the input!!
Had both HH and H, I liked the HH better too. Pedals were better on HH, IMO.
Wow, there is a huge diference in tone! Didn't expect to be that much. I'm all in on the single H :)
I lowered the neck pickup on my HH and slapping is not a issue anymore. Easy fix and aaaaawesome tone. HH all the way.
lowering the neck pickup sounds like rubbish to me
You might as well remove it
Appreciate you making the video. It answered a question I had, whether the neck pick up would get in my way. After watching the video, I'm definitely going to the single pickup, because of the sound and slap-a-bility.
Very insightful. Thank you!
I play bass for solo/vocal stuff and in an R&B/ Soul/Jazz band and the HH seems to be more versatile for both cases!
I noticed that it’s perfect for hitting across all frequency ranges for both situations.
When playing in the band, the HH ALWAYS supplements the low end for the overall sound and the tone control is perfect for cutting through the mix when it needs to.
With the solo sing/songwriter bass stuff, the HH fills the overall sound especially with playing chords and stingrays always provide a solid percussive sound with things like palm mutes and thumping!
The H is definitely perfect for straight to the point lead bass sound, and perfect for more firepower in the solo bass world of slapping and tapping. It’s a perfect grab and go if that’s what your primary playing style is.
But for me personally, the HH wins in the world of versatility and integration in all music. Although amazing in its own respect, the H is more a one trick pony and it’s very very very good at what it does.
If I could own both I would! Lol
Same reasons for liking the HH5 version. I don't slap and love the neck pickup sound in a bass. I play fingerstyle in a blues/rock setting with a little shit-kicker country thrown in. The 2 pickup version covers all that for me. Picking one up this week.
To me H sound is better than HH one only for slap playing. I have a MM Stingray 5 Special HH and now I’m happier! Great video👍🏻
I'm all about the single H! Great demo and insights. I think that the single H is more versatile than players give it credit for! It works for funk, rock, jazz, R&B, and fusion. It's easier to mellow out the single H than to brighten up the dual H. Both are killer basses though!
True! The onboard preamp is very powerful and can shape your sound in many ways
Very interesting. The HH sounds more muted, but has a tighter sound. This makes sense with the additional magnets. I wonder if some additional treble would get the HH to sound more like the H. I must go and find out at the store!
It's also worth noting that, on five string versions with a single humbucker, you'd get a 3-way toggle to go between parallel (default) and series modes, which would give you even more options. A single H Stingray is never a bad investment; just a different one than a HH.
A million thanks! You just saved me from making the wrong choice. I was going to go for the dual pickup one but after listening to your video I definitely prefer the single pickup version! THANKS!!!
I love how the double pickup looks and it’s good for what I play but the tone of the single is so funky I love it
Really looking at getting the single. Love the finish and clear pick guard. Great video man!
Great info
I was on the fence couple weeks ago if I should get the 4H or 4HH. This video helped me to decide on getting the 4H. I can’t be happier.
Great breakdown of the two Basses. Great Basses at a great price point.
Cheers.
Thank you been waiting for this one!
Good review and breakdown of the differences btwn the two Stingrays. Also great choice of showing Louis Johnson thumping on his Star Licks series video.
Thank you for the clear-cut explanation! I'm window shopping for my second bass right now and this has really helped me out! :)
You can really change the tone on the HH more than he did in the video. But I still love that single pickup, farty sound.
This was actually so insightful! didn't think i needed this video but i did and learned a LOT of valuable info!! thank you so much :)
Mark thanks for sharing your knowledge.You helped make my decision easy .I took order of the two pickup black sparkle version after testing it because I play all types of music.
Thank you so much for this man. I have a Squier Jazz and PJ bass and am looking to buy a 5 string stingray but was torn and uneducated as to the differences for the single pickup vs HH versions of the bass. This has helped me beyond words thank you so much man!!!!! God Bless!!!!!
Excellent video and great playing, Marcelo - as always! Thanx for this great comparison ... but maybe you should point out, that we're talking Sterlings (Ray34s I believe) in this video, which certainly differ from the modern EBMM (Special) Stingrays in body wood and Humbucker magnet type ... probably another reason why some differences appear more obvious. To me, the Sterling H sounded more "treble-ish", something I haven't noticed when comparing my EBMM Stingrays (Special 5H and Special 4HH).
Thanks for reaffirming that I juts bought the correct model! Should have my HH in 3 days! 🤩
Me too, just got an HH for classic rock and blues. Love the low tone.
Definitely a decent review. Even though I already decided on the HH, I was still a bit torn between the two. Also, I appreciate the fact that you mentioned Reggae and Ska, 'cause being a Jamaican bassist & Instrumental Artist, it can be difficult at time to find bass reviews that consider those genres as well. Give thanks, Marcelo.
I love that Single pickup one! However, I´m missing the deep low end of the HH. Thanks for the Slap comparison! Great video as always!
Really amazed at how much even with identical settings the H version MM Stingray sounded more acoustical, scooped, touch sensitive, and the HH version sounded a lot more muffled and with more midrange presence.
This video has helped me to make an informed, and finalized decision, and I think I would go for the H version, because I already have an Ibanez SR300E GVM, which has HH, a 3-Band EQ and pickup balance knob. It gives me tons of variety.
I don’t think that the Music Man Ray34 Natural Ash M-2 comes in a HH version anyway ??
This one I’m buying to see the differences in creativity it can pull from me as an artist and musician, in opposition to the aforementioned current bass.
It is also essentially the bass that my stepdad had and played in his band for over 30 years, ( 1970’s Ernie Ball MM Stingray Natural with maple Neck) so there is a bit of nostalgic draw.
I hope everyone finds what they are looking for.
Thanks Marcelo!
When you've got an EQ with a treble, bass & mid configuration, there's absolutely no way the single pickup version is a non-versatile bass. I've used my stingray for everything from blues to heavy metal.
Even tho some people want a non nasally sound, it's still a very good bass.
Now thats something i wanna hear
Been waiting for this one!
the look of the single is so iconic and used in so many genres. i wanna see a comparison between the stingray hh and bongo bass hh. love the versatility of the HH, but the H has so much attack to it. i really cant decide on what i like better. i grew up on punk and loved the attack a single stingray did
Thank you. This was EXTREMELY HELPFUL. I am planning to add a sting Ray to my other basses for the slap sound and was going to buy an HH . Now I will buy a single H version.
That was a very helpful video, I picked up the HH not really knowing the difference but now that I’ve seen and heard the difference I’m still convinced that I made a good choice. Both sound great and I don’t think you could really make a “Bad” decision in either instance, however for the type of sound and playing style that I’m looking for the HH meets those expectations. Thank you for the video, it was extremely insightful and informative.
Marcelo, very great video ! Thankfully I already have a 1976 MM Stingray, so Im gnna add to his new lil brother, the MM Stingray HH!
Thank you for steering me clear of the two pickup model. Absolutely no doubts! 👍
Wow. The single H is way brighter. Very informative. I always thought about the neck humbucker on the HH getting in the way for slap.
You can close the neck pickup.
All right, this was very clarifying bout getting one of those beauties. Thanks a lot.
Probably one of the best honest comparisons and contrasts between stingray H and stingray HH. Concise and complete, very nice. Would be cool to add the new 2018 Special into this video. I have a Special 4HH and a pre-Special 4HH. Very similar, but slightly different tones even between the two. Excellent comparison and explanations!
Thank you for the enlightening video, it actually helped me a lot to choose which StingRay was right for me.
The twin pickup musicman came out in the seventies it was called the musicman sabre bass.
Two very different basses though. Electronics are completely different.
the Sabre had a Jazz bass narrow neck
Thank you for this great comparison!
This was very helpful. I'm new to bass, but I've got my eye on this bass and wasn't sure which one I would want, and since I might want to learn slap bass, looks like the single pickup will be the winner. Thanks :)
After this video I figured which bass I wanted n bought it 😂 thank you! For the awesome video.
Great video!!!! I'm liking the H tone much better. But I also love my old school Hartkes 410 XLs.
Hartke for life
Wow! The difference is so obvious. A really helpful video bro. You're doing great!!!
Great video, thanks. You just helped me decide on the single pick up version, although they’re both nice but different like you said. Rock on!
Thank you so much Marcelo !!! I really appreciate this video you did; I'm going for the single H version.
Extremely familiar with both- good video, thx. Playing purely finger style as I do -the extra pickup just seems to clutter up the striking area. Playing live and cutting through a drum mix, a mid pup can also muddy up the sound, very very quickly.
I got the 4 string HH yesterday wanting to get some Justin Chancellor-ish tones out of it. It does deliver. Plenty of tonal variety. I only slap bottoms, so I'm happy with it so far.
A very clear explanation about the tone difference..2 thumbs up..
The Dazz Band bassplayer used a two pickup musicman (slapping the bass in most of there songs.) Seemed to work. And don't forget that Louis Johnson slapped a two pickup bass on the song STOMP. Sounded great!
the guy in Dazz played a Sabre, unmistakable sound
@@rrdream2400 That is correct!!!
Single Pickup all day long. Great Video! Thanks for doing it. Are those The Indonesian Sterlings?
Very informative!
TY for posting!
Cool comparison, marco. 😎🤘🏻🎸 I do like what I hear from both basses and considering that I play rock and metal, I don’t think I can go wrong with either of them. And I will agree that rather if 2 pickups are better than one is not really the case. It’s really about preference on rather if a single pickup or a double pickup bass stingray is suitable for your style of playing. Either one is very suitable for metal. And they sound killer with distortion.
When you said they’re two different instruments, I thought you were saying that like when Gibson purist say weight relief chambers make a night and day difference, but damn you’re right. The scope is totally different. No one would suit my taste that much, but I sure love that HH Stingray. Luckily, I can’t afford it lol
This video give the reason why marc bought a new H special one, not a HH. Maybe H style is more important for you. Love your video,Thanks Marc!
Thank you for playing finger style, with a pic, and slap to really give us a good idea of what both vases sound like. I do a lot of pop punk stuff so it helps when you play with a pic because most video creators only play slap or without a pic so it was good that you did all three.
Thanx for the comparison between this two pick ups in the bridge position. Now I understand. I wanted to buy HH version but now I changed my mind👍🏻great video. Greetings from Poland, Wizz🤘🙃
Single was my fav by far. Thanks for posting.
It's incredible how different they sound, even on the same bridge pickup. Thanks for this Marcelo!
Double hh is wired series. Single h is parallel.
@@richardmilligan1410 incorrect
Great video. I have owned both, but I stuck with the Stingray H model.
One comment, from the jump he stated he lowered the neck pickup to “get it out of the way”. Always thought the H Stingray was a one trick pony. Having said that, I wish I still had my 70s Stingray. Don’t shoot me, I’m the bass player 😊. Wish he had played a 5 string version of the HH at the end. The pickups are placed differently with the neck pickup closer to the neck.
I just bought the exact single H bass today, loving it 😁
Okay, that was really really helpful. I've been in love with the M.M. sound since I saw Louis Johnson. After playing friends MMs and some at the store I finally bought one in 2010 and I got the Singray 5 HH. I LOVED the tones I got and found because of the tonal variety, I could dial in A LOT of different tones that'd work I all kinds of music I wrote and recorded. However, 3 things I realized.
1) I HATED slapping on that thing! Slapping is a big part of my playing and I just couldn't do it comfortably.
2) I felt like I was only getting about 85%-95% of that Music Man sound and it just wasn't totally there. I'd even wonder if for some reason they changed the pick-up.
3) I got rid of my HH and a few years later I went back to MM and got a H. Obviously the slap thing was no longer an issue but I quickly missed the tonal variety of the HH.
Lately the tonal variety got me thinking about going back to the H.H. but now after listening to them side by side, that thought has been laid to rest.
As a player I LOVE Music Man Stingrays but I will say that I feel that they are one of the harder basses to play. What I mean is playing fast slap riffs or really fast licks are harder to do than on most bases. If I was a shredder (not my taste), MM would not even be on my list, but if you want your sound to have HUGE personality, have a great voice and you want your groove to cut through anything? Then Music Man Stingrays can't be beat.
Thank you for your great videos!
I had 2012 Stingray HH (not Sterling), it was nice and I was able to play slap easily (without double thumb).
But 90-95% of the time I was playing bridge pickup only, so I think 1 pickup version is still best choice for most of situations.
The single has way more punch. I own both but, then I’ve thing about the HH is that you can convert it into a single if you really want to. New pick guard and you’ll need to rewire it but that’s an easy swap.
I've long felt the same about putting a jazz bass pickup in a Precision. I did it to my 70's P and the magnetic pull took some of that nice loose feeling away. It also took some of the wood out of the body. It never sounded or felt the same, I hated it and ended up selling the bass.
No slap or funk for me, HH all the way. Way more body & depth to the sound.
yeah i play in a pop punk band and i played on a single pickup music man for a while and i went into a local guitar shop and found a electric blue HH bass and it fits how i want to sound
Thanks for making this video I have now decided I need both
really great explanation it helped me choose my next bass thank you
All I can think of is a Sabian hand hammered stingray now.
Rise up drum-bass gang.
Thank you for your kindly share. It help me to decide which bass, based on the sound I need to go for. 👍
The difference sounds like something a bit of eq could fix easilly.
Or a rewire.
Cool review!
Enlightening!
Fantastic demonstration. Thank you!
Thanks, it really helps
I’ve been thinking about getting this or an Ibanez or Jackson, since I’ve been looking for a humbucker bass that reminds me of the dark and aggressive tone of a Rickenbacker 4001. This video has seriously made me consider purchasing a Music Man.
This video came at the perfect time for me. I've been bouncing back and forth whether I wanted an H or HH for weeks now. I'm dead set on a Stingray and I think you helped me decide. I'm in love with that single H and will probably be pulling the trigger on getting one soon.
Thank you for the insight!
Evan Brooks hey give the bongo a shot. I just got one. It’s great. Stingray are great to
@@redneckrocker412 God I hate Bongo's personally. They sound good, but that look is definitely an acquired taste.
I don't slap a lot, but I still found the HH model's neck pickup to be in my way during finger style playing. I've owned both H and HH. Once I learned this, I sold the HH.
MixingGBP I agree. Playing purely finger style the extra pickup just seems to clutter up the striking area. Playing live and cutting through a drum mix, a mid pup can also muddy up the sound, very very quickly.
Something isn’t right. There’s NO way they could possibly sound so different. FAR more clarity in the H. Sounds like the HH has different strings (or they are completely dead).
I have both and indeed, somehow the HH is way less bright, I suspect is because the preamp is designed to handle the single coil positions without sounding too harsh or overly bright, they sound totally different
Excellent video , should help a lot of people , when i went in to demo a bunch myself i could definitely tell the difference in playability for slap ... I eventually picked up used old smoothie , stingray prototype 26 ( more than a new Ray :-S ) A single pickup stingray with a different pickup geometry it can achieve the smoother tones with the tone rolled down and has the old school mute bridge to bring the funk , but can still bark like a dog when it needs too.
I thought that was just a noisy thumb-rest they'd installed in the neck position. We live and learn ;)
this video helped me make a choice on what version I want
Excellent demo, thank you.
Thanks Marcelo very helpful review!
I am shocked! The HH has a totally different sound! Single H I prefer
Thanks for the vid bro. I'm currently doing the same research 👍
Thanks bro, you open my eyes
Dude perfect video for comparison really helpful
thanks, helped me decide on the single
Did you have both pickups selected everytime you played? When playing basses with two pickups I would generally just use the middle one for most styles, especially when using a pick. Sure the bridge pickup is better for slap but I stick at slapping, when playing metal however I will use both at the same time to overdrive the top end a little bit.
Great video, thanks!
Great work. Love to have a Stingray. Stingrays are SO dope!!
Both are the best! Musicman basses are amazing! I wish i could have one huhu
Great video thank you exactly what I needed to hear as a metal player. Still will play both to see but I think I know what sound I am going for…
Excellent presentation - thanks!