JessRobinson
Well-known member
Hi Guys,
A frequent lurker and rare contributor here to share my excitement and ask a few questions.
I just picked up my 2nd EMBB axe, this one from the 'bay. It is a 1995 Sterling in natural velvet finish. The seller said he was the 2nd owner and when he picked it up three years ago, the bass had very little playing time on it. Now it has a bit of wear and there's some rust on the pickup poles and bridge, but I think this one's going to be a serious player. I know the mid-90s Sterlings often have birdseye necks. Can't tell from the photos... and USPS hasn't showed up with it yet.
I'm looking for a recommendation on strings. I have TI Flats on my Bongo 4HH and that give me that rich thump, a huge tone. I want to get the classic mid-range growl from the Sterling so I'm looking at roundwounds, probably medium gauge. Since I'm used to those smooth silky flatwounds I'd like to try strings that won't feel too rough on my poor delicate fingers, and won't create too much noise when I shift positions. I've heard that Elixirs have some sort of coating that makes them feel smooth, but I'd like to stay in the Ernie Ball string family. Slinkys? Super Slinkys? What is a slinky anyway?
Any suggestions are welcome.
I have my bass tech lined up to do some work on this axe when it comes in - remove the rust, clean up the wood a bit, spit and polish all around, and of course set up the neck. Any "do's" or "don'ts" in dealing with the natural velvet finish?
Anyhow I just wanted to spread the joy about picking up the Sterling. I think the world of EMBB products and their fantastic customer service. I will never part with my Bongo and eagerly look forward to putting my hands on the Sterling. Maybe a Stingray is next.
Jess
A frequent lurker and rare contributor here to share my excitement and ask a few questions.
I just picked up my 2nd EMBB axe, this one from the 'bay. It is a 1995 Sterling in natural velvet finish. The seller said he was the 2nd owner and when he picked it up three years ago, the bass had very little playing time on it. Now it has a bit of wear and there's some rust on the pickup poles and bridge, but I think this one's going to be a serious player. I know the mid-90s Sterlings often have birdseye necks. Can't tell from the photos... and USPS hasn't showed up with it yet.
I'm looking for a recommendation on strings. I have TI Flats on my Bongo 4HH and that give me that rich thump, a huge tone. I want to get the classic mid-range growl from the Sterling so I'm looking at roundwounds, probably medium gauge. Since I'm used to those smooth silky flatwounds I'd like to try strings that won't feel too rough on my poor delicate fingers, and won't create too much noise when I shift positions. I've heard that Elixirs have some sort of coating that makes them feel smooth, but I'd like to stay in the Ernie Ball string family. Slinkys? Super Slinkys? What is a slinky anyway?
Any suggestions are welcome. I have my bass tech lined up to do some work on this axe when it comes in - remove the rust, clean up the wood a bit, spit and polish all around, and of course set up the neck. Any "do's" or "don'ts" in dealing with the natural velvet finish?
Anyhow I just wanted to spread the joy about picking up the Sterling. I think the world of EMBB products and their fantastic customer service. I will never part with my Bongo and eagerly look forward to putting my hands on the Sterling. Maybe a Stingray is next.
Jess
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