EB MM classic question

[Thany]

Hello all
I have just started playing bass (former singer and percussionist)
I fell inlove with the Sterling classic sound (I belive 2010-2016)
I see there are not easy to find and quite expensive.
What would you say sounds closest to the classic, and not so expensive? (I prefer the sterling because I understand its smaller in built?, I want a light weight bass as possible )
I will be happy to hear any insite, I was googling b4 I posted here but couldnt really get more details that would help me.
Thank you and have a great day.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Are you referring to the Stingray Classic, or to the Sterling bass? There is no "Sterling Classic" model.

 

[Thany]

Are you referring to the Stingray Classic, or to the Sterling bass? There is no "Sterling Classic" model.

Oh, but there is, therevwere made between 2010-2016 I believe:


Music Man Sterling Classic Bass - Demo - YouTube

 

[five7]

Yes, there was. Had the mute style bridge and 2 band eq.

 

[Thany]

Anyone??

 

[mouth]

Your best bet is to grab a used Sterling Classic, which might take some time to find one, or grab a standard Sterling which has a 3 band preamp and a 3-way switch.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Oh, but there is, therevwere made between 2010-2016 I believe:

Yes, they were made, but not anymore. Aside from the 2 band EQ, they are little different from a current issue Sterling. Probably explains part of why they are no longer available.

If you want THAT sound, your only option is to get a Used Sterling classic or used Sterling 4H.

 

[Thany]

Yes, they were made, but not anymore. Aside from the 2 band EQ, they are little different from a current issue Sterling. Probably explains part of why they are no longer available.

If you want THAT sound, your only option is to get a Used Sterling classic or used Sterling 4H.

Thank you very much.
I understand its not very heavy and thick (Im a woman with small hands)
Is the stingray much bigger? And what about the sound? I have read about the differences, bt would love to hear first hand
Thanks

 

[Samoht]

What’s your price range? You might could find a used Sterling 4H for under $1000 and then purchase a used John East MMSR preamp for around $150 (get the 4 knob version to fill up the existing 4 control holes in the bass). That would get you there...plus you’d have the onboard mid freq sweep to use or leave in the center position which takes it out of the circuit.

EDIT: There are cheaper preamps that claim to get the classic Stingray tone (also same as Sterling Classic) But my experience is that the John East MMSR is on point in every way. I tried another brand’s, since discontinued, pre-EB Stingray preamp in my bass for $100 new and I would gladly pay the extra $ for the John East. It’s easily worth the extra for me.

 

[Thany]

What’s your price range? You might could find a used Sterling 4H for under $1000 and then purchase a used John East MMSR preamp for around $150 (get the 4 knob version to fill up the existing 4 control holes in the bass). That would get you there...plus you’d have the onboard mid freq sweep to use or leave in the center position which takes it out of the circuit.

EDIT: There are cheaper preamps that claim to get the classic Stingray tone (also same as Sterling Classic) But my experience is that the John East MMSR is on point in every way. I tried another brand’s, since discontinued, pre-EB Stingray preamp in my bass for $100 new and I would gladly pay the extra $ for the John East. It’s easily worth the extra for me.

I will wait until I have the money, I just cant compromise, after hearing the sound. Thank you very much for the suggestion. How much would it cost to fix the j.e. mmsr on the bass?
Again, Thank you very much. Im glad someone understands me

 

[Samoht]

I believe that you could install it yourself pretty easily, or any guitar tech could do it for an hour’s work.

BTW, there are a couple of Sterling Classic basses on Reverb for close to $1500. Not sure if you look there, but I’ve had great experiences buying used gear through them.

 

[Thany]

I believe that you could install it yourself pretty easily, or any guitar tech could do it for an hour’s work.

BTW, there are a couple of Sterling Classic basses on Reverb for close to $1500. Not sure if you look there, but I’ve had great experiences buying used gear through them.

Really? In stock,? A couple? I will look, and start saving.
Thanks
I would live to hear from a sterling classic owner.... to understand.... what got me so fixed on it. Lol

 

[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.

 

[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

 

[Bert]

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.

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

 

[Samoht]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.