Dead Sounding Sterling 5

[Disco Batman]

I've been looking at maybe making the big move into 5 string basses. So when I've had the time I go to a local shop and noodle around on one for awhile to try and get the feel for it.

Well one of my local GC's has a Rosewood Neck Sterling 5HS in a gold sparkle color. It's a stunning instrument to look at. I had never picked it up till this past weekend due to that whole extra string problem.

As usual the feel and fit and finish on this bass is top notch as it seems all MM basses are. As soon as touched it I could tell it was out of tune just based on string tension. So I go get a tuner and cable from the employees and yes, it was almost a whole step out of tune.

So once I get it tuned up I set the pre flat, and plugged her into a Markbass 2 ten combo. And all I could hear was mud, no definition in the notes, just really flat and dull sounding. So I switched to the humbucker only and same deal. Being pretty surprised, I grabbed another 5'er off the wall (Ibanez) and the Ibby sound clanky as could be as most Ibby's tend to IME. Then tried a Warwick on the same amp, so I discounted the amp as being the problem.

I plugged the Sterling back in and messed with the Pre, and all the settings on the amp and still nothing but mud.

So after all that I was thinking maybe the strings are just dead on this thing. How long ago were the all Rosewood neck basses made? I've never heard a MM just sound so lifeless. And as usual when I talked to the staff about it they were clueless, and one even told me that's just the way MM's sound....not so much muchacho.

Anyway I have some serious GAS for this bass, but don't want to buy one with problems. Maybe I can get the GC folks to change strings on it.

 

[bovinehost]

I have picked up active basses in certain shops and discovered the battery(s) were simply gone. Where is the GC you're talking about?

 

[Disco Batman]

Crestwood, Missouri.

St. Louis Suburb.

I really didn't even think about the battery.

 

[Kirby]

My first thought was battery too. Take a 9 volt in next time with you and see if that is the issue. That bass sounds like a stunner. I did not know they made an all rosewood in a gold sparkle. Better yet, take a camera as well please.

 

[strummer]

Holy Disco, Batman!

Have the shop sort the battery/string issue out, and buy that bass! The all rosewood necks were only offered for a very limited time, and they are even more amazing than the normal instruments!

 

[Big Poppa]

And as usual when I talked to the staff about it they were clueless, and one even told me that's just the way MM's sound....not so much muchacho.Anyway I have some serious GAS for this bass, but don't want to buy one with problems. Maybe I can get the GC folks to change strings on it.

ARRRRGH...I promise you it is dead funky strings....I hate when any counterman/salesdroid cops oput and says something so stupid!!!!!

I will copy Glen who handles gc and make sure that you are taken care of and that the bass is in proper order....


BTW that is stunning I have the same combo in a single h bongo

 

[Glen]

Sorry about this.

Disco, if possible please email me when you can at [email protected] so I have your contact info. I will call the store.
However, I do know the location of another one of these basses if need be.

Thx!

Glen

 

[Glen]

Hey Disco Batman,

I spoke with the sales manager at the Crestwood GC store. His name is Patrick Eagan and filled him in. Their guitar tech is not in until tomorrow (Tuesday). Patrick is going to have his Guitar Floor Manager have a look at it today and let me know what he thinks is going on with it. I asked them to change the strings and the battery. If you call over to the store please ask for Patrick. If, Patrick is not in please ask for Bill Gezella. Bill is the other manager. Please keep me in the loop so we can make sure we get you a killer new bass!

Thx

Glen

 

[Disco Batman]

Holy Disco, Batman!

Have the shop sort the battery/string issue out, and buy that bass! The all rosewood necks were only offered for a very limited time, and they are even more amazing than the normal instruments!

Yes it's stunning for sure. I'm having an internal battle over that sterling and a Big Al 5 though. Hopefully the VA gets me the thousands they owe me paid soon so I can get rid of this GAS.


To BP and Glen,

Thanks for your responses. I have emailed Glen and voiced my concerns over the St. Louis area GC's. I didn't expect to hear from the big man himself on this. You guys continue to show amazing customer service.

Sinc,

Jeremy

 

[gcpat]

Hi, this is Pat from GC in Crestwood, we looked at the bass, and determined that it is in fact, just some dead strings on the bass. Everything else is just fine on the bass, and it is a great sounding bass.

 

[syciprider]

After thinking about your description of the problem, I say dead strings

Sterlings sound... stunning. Except for BP. He sounds like... an old man.

 

[strummer]

I love this place, less than 3 hours after Disco batmans first post and the problem in solved

Now go play that bass!

 

[Disco Batman]

Certainly a quick response here. Not something I really expected. I was just looking for some fellow bassists opinions on the topic, but I certainly got a lot more. I didn't want it to come across as a GC slam if it did. I just haven't had the greatest experience with them. Not so much this store, a different local store as we have 3 within 30 miles of where I live. This specific store has been helpful in other ways for me such as searching for specific strings I wanted that weren't on the wall, and such. Instead of just saying they didn't have em.

Again thanks for the help and opinions from everyone on here. Greatly appreciated.

 

[bovinehost]

Tell me this place doesn't rock.

 

[clmjlg]

I just want to say this place does rock. I mean wow, talk about a company that really cares about its basses and players. This is the reason I will probably never buy another brand of bass again.

Now if i could go off topic a bit. If i want help to find a bass in the near future, when i have enough money to buy one, do i just email customer service? Does anyone know the email address so i can save it to my email account. I have heard that they can find a bass if I as them. Just trying to get ready for that month when i have enough money to get the bass i really want.

 

[shakinbacon]

Tell me this place doesn't rock.

This place does face-melting solos

 

[Disco Batman]

I just want to say this place does rock. I mean wow, talk about a company that really cares about its basses and players. This is the reason I will probably never buy another brand of bass again.

Now if i could go off topic a bit. If i want help to find a bass in the near future, when i have enough money to buy one, do i just email customer service? Does anyone know the email address so i can save it to my email account. I have heard that they can find a bass if I as them. Just trying to get ready for that month when i have enough money to get the bass i really want.

If you want something that is not carried at your local dealer, they can and will order what you want.

 

[projectapollo]

Tell me this place doesn't rock.

This mindless fanboi is impressed.

 

[MattOfSweden]

Wow, just wow.

 

[Big Poppa]

Thanks everybody...Look its fun fixing problems expecially when cotrary to popular belief Guitar Center does care....I also love hooking people up with special pieces and this one is fantastic