1993 sterling thoughts!

[markandsophie]

Hi everyone i currently have a ernie ball 4 string stingray and i love it. I have an opportunity to get a 1993 (I think) sterling in very good condition. First question is how to date the 1993 sterling? It has the string mutes on it.

2nd is what are peoples thoughts and opinions on the sterling? I love the necks on the ernie balls and thought instead of getting a deluxe p bass go and get another EB .

With the pickup options on the sterling does it sound very different to the stingray. Can one get close to an active pbass or active j bass?

Id love to hear what people think.

Thank you

 

[Dr Stankface]

Personally, i'm not a Sterling guy. The necks are too tiny for me. Although, many people love them. The Sterling is quite a different monster than the StingRay. It does have (correct me if i'm wrong) a different preamp and has the option of the coils being series mode, single coil (with the phantom coil), or parallel (like the StingRay). They're obviously great basses. We also have a thread where you can post the serial number of the bass which could be found on the neck plate and they'll give you an exact date. Hope this little bit helped.

 

[bdgotoh]

The tone is pretty close to a Stingray but with some extras. You're not likely to get any P or J bass tones from a Sterling.

 

[Figjam]

Wont get a real P tone, but you can get close to a jazz tone by putting the switch in the middle position, for single coil. It is still very different from a jazz but it has some similiar characteristics.

All in all, though. A sterling sounds like a sterling. What does that mean? Well, to me it means 'amazinggggggggg'.

 

[markandsophie]

Thanks for the replies. Are there many differences between the early sterlings aka 1993 model and the current ones besides the muting on the bridge?

 

[bdgotoh]

There aren't any significant differences to the current Sterling. The only things that come to mind other than the bridge are the different battery compartment and the neck plate is recessed into the body.

 

[markandsophie]

ernie ball bass

Thanks for the great link adz, yep ive bought the bass and its from Mike from Prophecy sounds, he runs an effects business that many people rave about in Adelaide. It should be shipped out very soon. After playing E Balls any bass i pick up never lives up to my expectations. Each to their own, Ernie ball has got me by the ernies so to speak.

Thanks for all input gentlemen.

 

[Figjam]

Congratulations!

 

[markandsophie]

ernie ball bass

Actually its a 1994 carbon blue and black p guard. Last week my wife had her new baby this week its my turn to get a new baby.

Thanks guys

 

[UKFIN]

awesome

 

[markandsophie]

ernie ball bass

to bdgotoh

I just checked the website adz linked in and it has a sterling 1994 on it with your name as the contributer. Does a 1994 sterling with rosewood reside in your house??