EB MM classic question

**Samoht** · 09-05-2019, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by Bert

IIRC the "Sterling Classic" came with ceramic pole pieces and the coils wired in series. Preamp is the classic 2-band.

I would have bet it was parallel just based on the tone. Shows why I shouldn’t be a gambler.

**Thany** · 09-05-2019, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by mouth

If you're worried about the weight, the new Special Stingrays are much lighter weight. If you still want a Sterling, and are new to the whole EBMM thing, just try out the regular Sterling first, as I'm not really convinced you NEED a classic 2 band tone. 3 banders sound great too. Are you completely set on the Classic Sterling, or are you just looking for suggestions on something close to that?

Stingray Special - 3 bander, lighter weight, new contours for more comfort. You can find both single H and HH models.

Sterling - 3 bander, still in production, 3-way switch for extra tone shaping. Contoured.

Sterling Classic - 2 band preamp, slab (non-contoured) body. Discontinued. Can only find them used.

Thank you for the info!!
I will expore.

**Thany** · 09-05-2019, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Samoht

Can someone confirm that the Sterling Classic has a parallel wired ceramic magnet pickup and the same 2-band preamp as the Stingray Classic? I've always assumed this, but wasn't sure. I believe some of the special Sterling Classic magic comes from the pickup being ceramic, vs the Stingray which is alnico. If it turns out that the Sterling Classic has the same alnico as the Stingray Classic, I will be stumped.

Either way, I don't believe you can get the same tones on a standard Sterling as a Sterling Classic...at least I can't. Good tones, but not the same tones. Of course the better you play, the less it matters IMO. Pertybass's 1995 Stingray (3-band eq) sounds amazing to me, but if I was playing it I wouldn't like the tones. But I do like the tone I get from my Stingray5 that now has a the East MMSR preamp.

Two of my favorite sounds examples of the Sterling Classic are on youtube, one by pertybass:
Pertybass Sterling Classic demo

And one by Gabriel Severn:
Gabriel Severn Sterling Classic demo

Yes, But I have listened to all demos by pertybass, and the classic just got me! So... of course everyone produse different sound... but you can tell the carecter of the bass in a good demo, although I must edmit, in my opinion, there arent many good ones!
Pertybass does it very well.

**Samoht** · 09-05-2019, 01:41 PM

I agree about there not being many of, what I consider, good demos of these basses. Pertybass is my favorite of all. I believe he shows the most of what each bass can do.

**tbonesullivan** · 09-05-2019, 06:57 PM

I've seen lots of great demos of both the Sterling and Sterling classic, but I can't really find any good "head to head" comparisons. Basically, same setup, different bass.

I don't really consider the 2 and 3 band EQ to be better or worse, just "different". Also I'm sorry but I like having a center detent. There's no reason they can't put them on the 2 band EQs other than "well that's not how the originals were".

Anyway, I'd still say best bet would be a used Sterling 4H, unless you REALLY want the individual string mutes. With the regular sterling, you get the three way switch for more tonal options, AND you get the hand rubbed gunstock oil and wax finish on the neck. It's better than any other neck I've ever played. EVER.

**Rod Trussbroken** · 09-06-2019, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Samoht

Can someone confirm that the Sterling Classic has a parallel wired ceramic magnet pickup and the same 2-band preamp as the Stingray Classic? I've always assumed this, but wasn't sure. I believe some of the special Sterling Classic magic comes from the pickup being ceramic, vs the Stingray which is alnico. If it turns out that the Sterling Classic has the same alnico as the Stingray Classic, I will be stumped.

Either way, I don't believe you can get the same tones on a standard Sterling as a Sterling Classic...at least I can't. Good tones, but not the same tones. Of course the better you play, the less it matters IMO. Pertybass's 1995 Stingray (3-band eq) sounds amazing to me, but if I was playing it I wouldn't like the tones. But I do like the tone I get from my Stingray5 that now has a the East MMSR preamp.

Two of my favorite sounds examples of the Sterling Classic are on youtube, one by pertybass:
Pertybass Sterling Classic demo

And one by Gabriel Severn:
Gabriel Severn Sterling Classic demo

The "Classic Collection" Sterling Bass (made from 2010 to 2015) has a Ceramic pickup wired in series (not parallel). It has the same 2 Band preamp as both the "Classic Collection" Sting Ray 4 and Sting Ray 5 which both have Alnico pickups BUT wired in parallel (and not series). The 2 Bander is the same preamp used on the Sting Ray since Pre-EB 1978. The bodies are slab.

The regular Sterling 4H (still in production) also has a ceramic pickup with a three way lever switch for different pickup coil combinations. It has a 3 Band preamp. The Sterling 4HH is also Ceramic with a five way lever switch and 3 Band preamp. The bodies are contoured.

**Thany** · 09-06-2019, 05:13 AM

Ok, a wierd twist!!! I really like the sound of the cheap sterling sub ray 4 !!!! I understand it has some downfalls, any suggesting on buying it and upgrading? It is very wierd, idk why, I have listened to it many times (before listening to the classic and falling inlove with it) and I like its sound better than some more expensive basses.
Anyone can put a finger on what is it I like? Sorry for the strange question, but as a begginer, I cant tell why I like a certain sound... I just know I like it.

**tbonesullivan** · 09-06-2019, 07:09 AM

Just remember that the sound is more than just the bass. It's also the strings they use, their playing technique, how they have the EQ set, and the recording setup they are using.

You can greatly alter the sound by changing where and how the strings are played. In other words, even with the exact same equipment, it won't automatically get "that sound" you have heard.

Definitely not trying to discourage you, just adding some realism.

**Thany** · 09-06-2019, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by tbonesullivan

Just remember that the sound is more than just the bass. It's also the strings they use, their playing technique, how they have the EQ set, and the recording setup they are using.

You can greatly alter the sound by changing where and how the strings are played. In other words, even with the exact same equipment, it won't automatically get "that sound" you have heard.

Definitely not trying to discourage you, just adding some realism.

I know that very well, and take it into considuration. Its very weird, but I have listened to a lot of sub ray 4 (dmos, covers, from different sources) and I always like the sound (more bass, less treble optipn) I know everyone says go to the store yourself and try, but I cant, doesnt matter why. I do everythig through the net.

**Samoht** · 09-06-2019, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by Rod Trussbroken

The "Classic Collection" Sterling Bass (made from 2010 to 2015) has a Ceramic pickup wired in series (not parallel). It has the same 2 Band preamp as both the "Classic Collection" Sting Ray 4 and Sting Ray 5 which both have Alnico pickups BUT wired in parallel (and not series). The 2 Bander is the same preamp used on the Sting Ray since Pre-EB 1978. The bodies are slab.

The regular Sterling 4H (still in production) also has a ceramic pickup with a three way lever switch for different pickup coil combinations. It has a 3 Band preamp. The Sterling 4HH is also Ceramic with a five way lever switch and 3 Band preamp. The bodies are contoured.

Gav, this is awesome info! I'm been wondering this for a while, so glad you cleared this up.

Originally Posted by tbonesullivan

I don't really consider the 2 and 3 band EQ to be better or worse, just "different". Also I'm sorry but I like having a center detent. There's no reason they can't put them on the 2 band EQs other than "well that's not how the originals were".

Anyway, I'd still say best bet would be a used Sterling 4H, unless you REALLY want the individual string mutes. With the regular sterling, you get the three way switch for more tonal options, AND you get the hand rubbed gunstock oil and wax finish on the neck. It's better than any other neck I've ever played. EVER.

I like having center detents on my SR5 with the East MMSR preamp, though there's no "flat" response point in the middle. I feel like my bass is the best of both worlds: I get the ergonomics/feel of the modern Stingray5 and the tone of the classic Stingray...with the added bonus of the Mid Frequency sweep that I can cut/boost any mid freq or take it completely out of the circuit. I just use the center detents for a reference midway the treble & bass pot travel to help me make on the fly adjustments live when I can't hear myself 100%. I would miss the detents terribly if I didn't have them.

I would agree about the neck finish 100%. It's the smoothest I've ever played (oil & wax).