Sterling HH/HS owners...do you miss the series/parallel option

[sheepdog]

I tried out a Sterling yesterday at GC. It was a close call between the Sterling and Stingray, but one thing that impressed me was the Series/Parallel/Single coil option. I didn't see enough of a difference between parallel and single coil to have an issue, but series/parallel is a nice option. Do you not miss out on having that option on the HS or HH Sterlings? I had thought that a Series/Parallel/Single coil switch with a blend (instead of volume) would be a good option (for my use) vs. the 5 way switch, but far be it from me to 2nd guess a company like MM. They have a tad more experience at this than I do.

Am I being picky about missing the series/parallel on the Sterlings? I haven't had a chance to play a HH or HS Sterling yet, so this is all based on playing the regular H version.

[Psychicpet]

I have an HH Sterling and used to have a SR5 H, with the new HH..... nope, not missing the coil tap, am enjoying the 5way coil splitting though

now if my Bongo could coil tap...........

[sheepdog]

I have an HH Sterling and used to have a SR5 H, with the new HH..... nope, not missing the coil tap, am enjoying the 5way coil splitting though

now if my Bongo could coil tap...........

is it possible to use the eq to match most of the sounds in the coil tap? If they are in parallel, what about running a bit of tube overdrive to darken the sound a bit?

Would I really be missing out on anything if I used those options?

[DR. Cheese]

I play a SR5 HH, and not a Sterling, but I really miss the series parallel option. Last week, I played a single pickup SR5 for the first time in a long time, and I could really hear the difference when I put that bass through its paces. That said, the SR5 HH is a great bass, and it sounds wonderful. My single complain is that it is a heavy son of a gun, but I guess its great tone may well be connected to its weight.

[Figjam]

I miss it a bit on my HH sr5.

[phatduckk]

honestly i forgot about the 'no bridge pup in series' tradeoff.

so i guess i dont miss it. personally i think that the fact that I now have so many more options makes up for the tradeoff. but that's just me.

[bdgotoh]

I'd miss it, that's why I kept my Sterling H. If I could only have one it would be the Sterling HH most likely - too many awesome tones in that 5 way switch.

[sheepdog]

ok, ok...I'll be a big enough idiot to ask this




what are the chances of EB/MM (or a reputable aftermarket tech) wiring the SR5 HS with a 3 way series/split/parallel (like the SR5 H) and a blend (instead of volume)? Or if I must, stacked volume control (1 for each pickup)

Seems like a fairly simple modification


let the flaming begin....