Awaiting new Sterling HH 4!

[jliptak06]

Hey all!
I'm new to the Music Man world! I've been playing bass for a 7 years now and I've always loved to looks and the sound of Music Man basses. Right now I'm accustomed to the feel of the Fender Jazz Bass. I've played on numerous basses (unfortunately not Music Man), and I love the feel of the Jazz, especially for slap, but it lacks the sound that I really want. I'm stationed in Korea so I dont really have the option to go out and grab every bass I can to test the sound. Did my homework and felt really good about the Sterling HH 4, even though I havent played one yet. This is the first time I've bought a bass without playing it. So, with that being said, what do you guys think? Its supposed to reach me out here in a week or so from musiciansfriend. Thanks!

 

[fevitz]

Hi jliptak , unfortunate you cant try before buy , however your decision is not in vain ! enjoy and hear from you again .

 

[five7]

You won't be able to put it down. Order extra strings.

 

[jliptak06]

You won't be able to put it down. Order extra strings.

That's exactly what I am hoping for, maybe have to get a new set of fingers after I'm done!

@fevitz, Yea its really unfortunate, but my gut feeling is telling me I'm making the right move.

 

[J Romano]

Welcome aboard! Your gonna love it!!!! Thank you for your service.........

 

[jliptak06]

Welcome aboard! Your gonna love it!!!! Thank you for your service.........

You're very welcome! Can't wait for it to arrive! I'll be like a little kid at Christmas time! I notice you got a Sterling 5 HH on a markbass set up. How's the versatility and the sound on it?! Im in a cover band out here, so I'll be doing alot of different styles.

 

[J Romano]

I actually have a Genz-Benz Shuttle for my amp. The pedals I have are MarkBass. You will find the 5 position switch will give you the versatility you are looking for! Here is a review that Ed Friedland did on the Sterling. I think you will find a lot of your answers there. It will give you a little relief in your anticipation, I hope, till your new baby gets there!!!!!!!

Music Man Sterling 5 bass - YouTube

 

[jliptak06]

I actually have a Genz-Benz Shuttle for my amp. The pedals I have are MarkBass. You will find the 5 position switch will give you the versatility you are looking for! Here is a review that Ed Friedland did on the Sterling. I think you will find a lot of your answers there. It will give you a little relief in your anticipation, I hope, till your new baby gets there!!!!!!!

Music Man Sterling 5 bass - YouTube

Oh my bad! That sounds like a pretty sweet set up though! Ed Friedland does a great job on all of his videos! I've watched that one at least twice a day. That video and listening to Jennifer Young/Travis Larson band is what got me sold on buying the sterling! Everytime I see those videos I get even more excited about playing it. Trying my hardest to stay patient!

 

[tunaman4u2]

My favorite bass ever! Love it. Gets so many tones man, really. The trick is to know what tone you're looking for... use the position switch THEN EQ it.

Each position is going to have a radically different tone but you wanna be smart, you're not going to isolate the bridge pickup then EQ it to try and be a warm p bass tone, you know? You want bridge pickup for aggressive tones. Next up for Jazz bass equse. Middle position for warm scooped stuff, next position for a warmer jazz & bridge for p bass with treble up

Generally speaking, feel free to disagree we me but the point is that the position switch is GOLD, thats TONE man.

 

[jliptak06]

My favorite bass ever! Love it. Gets so many tones man, really. The trick is to know what tone you're looking for... use the position switch THEN EQ it.

Each position is going to have a radically different tone but you wanna be smart, you're not going to isolate the bridge pickup then EQ it to try and be a warm p bass tone, you know? You want bridge pickup for aggressive tones. Next up for Jazz bass equse. Middle position for warm scooped stuff, next position for a warmer jazz & bridge for p bass with treble up

Generally speaking, feel free to disagree we me but the point is that the position switch is GOLD, thats TONE man.

All of this^^^ is music to my ears! Thanks for that break down bro. Yeah, I definitely get what your saying with the bridge pickup, thats going to bring out that classic Music Man sound that all the single humbucker basses have. I was under the impression that the 2nd position from the bridge would be a great jazz tone with closest pickup to the bridge and neck are running. Of course still having that Music Man growl. Pretty sure all of it is going to sound awesome with those lovely ceramic pickups! 6 more days and she will be in my hands!

 

[fly]

you will not be disappointed man..........the Sterling will knock you on your ass,and as soon as you plug her in.

enjoy it.

 

[tunaman4u2]

Honestly man, I try bass after bass at the store, buy basses off craigslist that are good deals, same for amazon... and they all get sold. Nothing can top the Sterling man. My HH is the best (As I play it right now)

I'm having fun cutting the low below noon. Tons of bite in every pickup position. Spend some SERIOUS quality time with the EQ perfectly at noon & then trying out all the pickup positions. That way you will learn the strengths of each one, then you can EQ into the strength. Basically what I said before but maybe a little clearer

Good luck man, i'm off to play mine

 

[jliptak06]

Honestly man, I try bass after bass at the store, buy basses off craigslist that are good deals, same for amazon... and they all get sold. Nothing can top the Sterling man. My HH is the best (As I play it right now)

I'm having fun cutting the low below noon. Tons of bite in every pickup position. Spend some SERIOUS quality time with the EQ perfectly at noon & then trying out all the pickup positions. That way you will learn the strengths of each one, then you can EQ into the strength. Basically what I said before but maybe a little clearer

Good luck man, i'm off to play mine

That's good news to hear. I've never really went around and collected basses, kind of a one bass as my weapon, but ive always had other instruments. I'm definitely thinking about working on a wall O ball!

Cant say thanks enough for this info man, I know once I open that case up, I'm not going to be able to put her down. From what it seems like, the EQ is very touchy or the pickup's are just that good? If that's the case I'm going to be having a blast just trying to see what she can do. Attempt to find limits and such, if there are any. Thanks again bro! Have fun slappin away!

 

[jliptak06]

Well, unfortunate news is that my lovely Sterling hasnt arrived yet. Certain APO's have a large delay, especially if they go by boat... Hopefully thats not the case but USPS doesnt like to give any info with their tracking number. So who knows where she could be... Slightly frustrating to say the least...

 

[tunaman4u2]

Whats your amp & cab with the Sterling my man?

 

[jliptak06]

Well with my living arrangements here in Korea, my room is rather small. So i have a small amp here, the rig I'm borrowing to gig with is an old school set up, cant remember what exactly right off the bat, but it is a 4x10 cab and the head is at least 500w. Ill let you know exactly on Saturday when we practice. I did happen to get an offer from my old roommate selling his Ampeg 4x10, 1x15, SVT450 setup. I'd ditch the head and go tubed, but it sounds sweet regardless

 

[tunaman4u2]

You're going love it man, you need some bite with that Ampeg stuff, the last 2 switch positions are going to be killer for you

 

[jliptak06]

cant wait bud, still waiting on the bass to get here, its about to be 30 days since it shipped... Perks of being APO. still dont know why they didnt put it on a plane. Im pretty sure the set up is going to be way off with it sitting on a boat... That cab Im using here is a Hartke 4x10AK, sounds great as most hartkes do and the head is a crate. All in all, I get great response out of my cheapo Ibanez through that set up. I'm pretty sure that sterling is going to push to another level. Which I am perfectly cool with.

 

[fly]

*awaits said Sterling to knock you into a new dimension*

 

[tunaman4u2]

I found my favorite pickup position today, the 2nd one from the top. Its a warmer jazz bass but it really makes the D & G sting pop vs the 4th position which is a more grindy tone, maybe a low mid focus and is a tad quieter... I never used this position but its my new favorite. I still rarely use the 1st position at the top. Maybe I'll still do some comparisons there & find songs where that tone is it !

Just getting you excited OP.