• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

Datta

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2005
Messages
59
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
I am adding a second pickup to my EBMM Sterling. This is being done at a reputable guitar shop by a very capable professional, who like me is scratching his head over this.

So far I have NOT been able to get my hands on a preamp schematic. The schematic I got from MM (which is also widely available on the Inet) does not show how the coils’ signal paths are routed through the preamp. Both coils (not including the phantom coil -which is not an issue) of the existing pickup have seperate connections to the preamp. In other words, apart from the selector switch, four seperate wires go into the preamp at different places.

I'm sure one of you smart guys out there has already figured this out, or you know someone who has.

Any clues?

Appreciate any help,

Datta Groover
 

hankSRay

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
848
Location
Yonkers, NY
I believe if you check Gavs website ( you can find it in the serial number sticky up top) theres a sterling with 2 pickups in the photo gallery. I forgot who did that but Im pretty sure he used 2 stingray pickups. Anyway I'd save the hassle of modding out your current sterling and just save up some dough for a Dual humbucker sterling. They should be out around January so you have time.
 

Father Gino

Well-known member
Joined
May 19, 2005
Messages
219
Look in the member list for jazzyitalian. He made a two PU Sterling with two SR4 PUs though so I'm not sure the wiring would be the same
 

Psycho Ward

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Messages
5,053
Location
Elk Creek, VA and Murrells Inlet, SC
Yeah I'd go for a factory two pickup Sterling, it would be a better "investment" IMHO. :D

Your current Sterling would be worth more un-moded, but hey, it's your bass do what you want to do my friend. Just remember there must be pictures.
 
Last edited:

Datta

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2005
Messages
59
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Thanks.

Part of my reservation in going with a brand-new two-pick-up model is that I won't find anything as nice as the bass I currently own. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, or maybe I'm just too attached to my baby. It does give the perfect sound that I want 92% of the time, so it may not be worth the risk and trying to find that other 8%.

The bass in question is the one on the left, the one on the right is a whole other animal :D :

ernie_barker.jpg
 

phatduckk

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
im sure the 2 factory PUPs are just as nice as your current sterling.

i have 2 sterlings now. initially i felt like one was "better' than the other, then i sat down and made sure the action etc was the same on both and now i cant tell a diff in their playability. only diff now is weight and color
 

hankSRay

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 5, 2004
Messages
848
Location
Yonkers, NY
Definately wait and try out the new 2 pup models. If for some crazy reason they dont feel good to you, then Id say hack up, i mean mod out, your current sterling ;)

Ps. I really dig your sterling, nice color/wood combo.
 

Datta

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 13, 2005
Messages
59
Location
Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Is your neck perfect? Not a grain out of place? I have never seen a better neck than the one I have. Unfortunately the Guitar Center here burned down last winter, and they no longer have any premium basses (unless you want to call Warwick premium), and the nearest good store is 5 hours away - either San Fran or Portland.

I think I will take the good advice given here and wait for the 2-Pickup model. After all, one of the good things about these basses is the way they do the electronics.
 

TSanders

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2004
Messages
3,535
Location
Columbus, GA
Datta said:
they no longer have any premium basses (unless you want to call Warwick premium)

I think this may be the last place for you to worry about large groups of people considering Warwicks premium basses.
 

AnthonyD

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
Datta said:
Is your neck perfect? Not a grain out of place? I have never seen a better neck than the one I have...
You haven't seen mine! ;)

Seriously, though - I know what you mean. I don't think I will ever part with my current Sterling, thanks in no small part to some TLC earlier this year from the hypodermic-wielding fire-eyed pure-breed... :D
 
Top Bottom