Asking all in the know

[MusicMan4Life38]

I finally got my bills paid off and will start saving for a Stingray SLO special in February. I do have a couple questions about it and would like the input of all those in the know about the SLO special.

First I keep hearing conflicting reports on the neck, so is the neck the exact same on the SLO as it is on the Sterling profile and all?

Second I am unsure of which to choose an HH or an HS, so are they any differences in the tone that you get in the different switching positions from the two configurations?

Third is there any major difference in the tone depending on which wood you get for the fingerboard?

And this last one I promise and it's for Big Poppa. I don't want to piss you off or anything as I am just curious, are you going to announce any new finishes for the basses at Winter NAMM?

Anyway thanks to everyone for taking the time to read this and answer my questions I honestly do appreciate it. Yall take care, have a merry Christmas and God bless you all.

 

[the unrepentant]

good to hear you're going for a new bass, hope you get it soon

1. i'm fairly sure the SLO neck profile is the same as the sterling

2. i have an HH, and I think some of the switch positions would sound different, but not all, as the HH has coil tap, though that never sounds the same as a true single coil. In short, yes it will sound different, particularly soloed neck pickup.

3. not really, there is a difference, but it honestly is tiny and it can be achieved with some very subtle EQ, it's not worth picking a fretboard on sound, you simply won't hear it.

4. I'm not BP but there's usually new finishes/models etc annonced at winter NAMM, i for one can't wait!

Hope that helped and welcome to the forum
sam

 

[mmbassplayer]

First I keep hearing conflicting reports on the neck, so is the neck the exact same on the SLO as it is on the Sterling profile and all?

SLO Stingrays have the same profile as the Sterling. Only real differance is the SLO Stingray does not have a countoured heel like the Sterling. The SLO's are a blast to play. Can't really comment on the pickups as i have only owned single H Stingrays. JOSH

 

[bdgotoh]

I have an SLO Special and the back of the neck doesn't feel exactly like my Sterlings. The Sterlings have an asymmetrical contour, my SLO Stingray feels more like a typical Stingray neck but with a narrower nut. I love my Sterling necks and this SLO Stingray neck feels very similar but not exactly the same. The SLO neck feels much better than a stock Stingray neck to me but I love narrow bass necks.

 

[Big Poppa]

The Namm shows are traditionally the time we introduce new things...this year will be no exception

 

[oli@bass]

Second I am unsure of which to choose an HH or an HS, so are they any differences in the tone that you get in the different switching positions from the two configurations?

I owned both. But ended up selling the HS and keeping the HH. Best configuration for the StingRay, IMO. On the Sterling, that's probably a different story. (StingRay: Alnico magents, coils combined in parallel; Sterling: Ceramic magnets, coils combined in series).

Third is there any major difference in the tone depending on which wood you get for the fingerboard?

The difference is subtle, but it's there. Every maple boarded StingRay I've had in my hands so far was a tad brighter, slightly more aggressive than the rosewood boarded ones.

 

[Powman]

The Namm shows are traditionally the time we introduce new things...this year will be no exception

Hint...stop buggin big Poppa for information. If he tells you anything he will have to kill you.

 

[the unrepentant]

Hint...stop buggin big Poppa for information. If he tells you anything he will have to kill you.

is it worth losing a fellow knucklehead to find out BP's big secrets in advance?..... quite possibly!

 

[MusicMan4Life38]

is it worth losing a fellow knucklehead to find out BP's big secrets in advance?..... quite possibly!

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my question it was much appreciated.

By the way I know where the term Bongloid came from but where did the term Knucklehead come from?

Merry Christmas and God bless you everyone!

 

[the unrepentant]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer my question it was much appreciated.

By the way I know where the term Bongloid came from but where did the term Knucklehead come from?

Merry Christmas and God bless you everyone!

I'm not really sure to be honest!

 

[maddog]

it came from the Man himself.

 

[MusicMan4Life38]

I have an SLO Special and the back of the neck doesn't feel exactly like my Sterlings. The Sterlings have an asymmetrical contour, my SLO Stingray feels more like a typical Stingray neck but with a narrower nut. I love my Sterling necks and this SLO Stingray neck feels very similar but not exactly the same. The SLO neck feels much better than a stock Stingray neck to me but I love narrow bass necks.

Ok I am still confused on this. How is it in terms of thickness when compared to the Sterling? I have played a Sterling at GC and it felt like it was slightly thinner than a Jazz neck, at least that is how it felt to me. I am more worried about the thickness of it than anything. When I tried that Stingray HH in my friends store the neck felt like I was holding the fat end of a baseball bat and I instantly hated it, but I fell in love with the tone, which is why I am interested in the SLO Special. I will say this when Big Poppa came up with the Sterling he me the most comfortable bass neck I have ever had in my hand.

 

[sitonmybass]

By the way I know where the term Bongloid came from but where did the term Knucklehead come from?

I think BP felt that "Knuckle-drag-er" was too extreme.

 

[grogfisher]

slo neck

I've had my "SLO" for approx. 2 weeks...I've also just recently purchased a Bongo from a fellow forum member. Although these are my only ventures into the musicman world I simply love the SLO. I have two $%^nders both p and j
in nature--personally I think the SLO is smack in the middle...It just feels good in my hands (HH honeyburst with maple neck). When I first played it without an amp I had a neighbor 3 blocks away tell me to turn it down--HA...You'll love it, I do.
Greg

 

[GGK]

Don't quote me on this, but I think I read that the string spacing on the "slo" version may be a little larger than on the stock Sterling.

 

[mynan]

Don't quote me on this, but I think I read that the string spacing on the "slo" version may be a little larger than on the stock Sterling.

It's the same. The Sterling and Stingray have the same spacing at the bridge, so a Stingray with a Sterling neck (SLO) will have the same spacing as a Sterling.