basses sound way different

[doc4string]

I bought a new EBMM Sterling 3 months ago. I love it and it sounds incredible. Last month I added a 5 string Stingray. I was assured by the bro at GC that the stingray uses the exact same electronics as does the Sterling. I had to take his word for it because I simply can't bring my rig setup into the store. Problem is, is that it doesn't. It's not nearly as loud and just doesn't sound as aggressive as the Sterling does. I have DR hi-beams on both. I don't get it.

 

[PocketGroove82]

I don't care how exact the electronics are, here is something to consider.

1. You can't expect a bass that has different dimensions, weighs 3lbs more, and has a 5th string to sound the same as it's little brother, even if they were made from the exact same batch of alder or ash.

There is a lot more information you could provide about each bass, that would help us draw conclusions about one bass being mellower than the other. Maybe, different body and neck woods?

I'm sure if one has a low output, then that is something that can be fixed. But, as far as consistency between basses, I hear the bongo takes the cake.

 

[bovinehost]

I bought a new EBMM Sterling 3 months ago. I love it and it sounds incredible. Last month I added a 5 string Stingray. I was assured by the bro at GC that the stingray uses the exact same electronics as does the Sterling. I had to take his word for it because I simply can't bring my rig setup into the store. Problem is, is that it doesn't. It's not nearly as loud and just doesn't sound as aggressive as the Sterling does. I have DR hi-beams on both. I don't get it.

With the exception of the 20th Anniversary SR5, your man at GC is right. Here's what I would say:

1. Output will vary from bass to bass. That really shouldn't be considered a 'problem' as such. Grab your gain on the amp and the adjustment should be almost completely painless.

2. Hardly anything sounds as aggressive as a Sterling. What Pocketgroove said is true about the difference in body mass. I've always found SR5s to be less mid-heavy than Sterlings.

That said, the "family" tone is there and the SR5 is very versatile. You can EQ the SR5 to sound pretty close to a Sterling, but I enjoy mine for the slight but obvious differences.

Jack

 

[AnthonyD]

Set-ups?

Pickup heights?

 

[timmy5strings]

You can get em close, but not enough. The SR5 is more bass than growl, than the Sterling, which has more growl than a junkyard dog. I think that the pickups are the same (ceramic), but the preamps are different or tweaked differently.

 

[timmy5strings]

Don't get me wrong, the SR5 does growl, but the Sterling is agressive and growls much more and even barks on occasion.

 

[fly]

yup.........the Sterling growls,barks and even leaves his own yard to go piss on the neighbours grass.


great bass.

 

[mynan]

Another reason for which I can't wait to see what they do with the Sterling 5...

 

[RitchieDarling]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.......................

I have 2 Dargie Delight Sterling HH basses....Exactly the same in every way.

And even they don't sound the same.

In the words of The Rembrandts, "That's just the way it is, baby"!

R

 

[phatduckk]

the sterling's just a loud and mean bass. i love it. i dont have an sr5 so i cant compare output but the sterling's one hot bass

 

[Slapfest]

I had a similar issue a few years ago, and after some asking around, I was led to believe that, (maybe gav can confirm this), the five's have a small high-pass (or is it low pass?) component in the preamp.
But lots of us play them, and you dont really hear much whining about this issue.
So maybe I'm getting this confused with the difference between 2 and 3 band-ers......
Anyway,.....for mine, I was silly enough to think that some new strings and a new battery would do the trick...... not a chance.
It was a real clunker,... and had none of the outstanding tonal characteristics that my 2-band 4-stringers have.
I know the extra string is essential at times, but I believe that tonally, the 2 band 4 string combination, is still the superior Stingray sound.
Dont get me wrong, though.... thats just my opinion.....Whatever your playing, if you love that sound...thats going to bring out your best,... and thats the important thing, eh?.

 

[roburado]

I think the 30th Anniversary SR is the Supreme SR sound.

 

[Headstock]

yup.........the Sterling growls,barks and even leaves his own yard to go piss on the neighbours grass.

great bass.

LMAO

 

[bluesquidd]

I bought a new EBMM Sterling 3 months ago. I love it and it sounds incredible. Last month I added a 5 string Stingray. I was assured by the bro at GC that the stingray uses the exact same electronics as does the Sterling. I had to take his word for it because I simply can't bring my rig setup into the store. Problem is, is that it doesn't. It's not nearly as loud and just doesn't sound as aggressive as the Sterling does. I have DR hi-beams on both. I don't get it.

Same issue. My remedy was to raise the pickup as close as you can.
If that doesn't help and you can't live with it. you got 30 days to return to GC.

But I noticed that my Stingray 5 volume was a tad lower that my jazz bass and Ken Smith. Plus the Jazz Bass has Bartolini's and both with the Jazz bass and Smith bass, they both have a trim pot to raise the gain on the preamp.

The set up forum says don't set the pickup closer than 4/32nd on the A string.
IMO, Raise it so it feels comfortable so the pole pieces aren't bothering your picking had and the tone is right. The higher the Pickup, the more output and treble.

Try that. Again.... If it doesn't work, return it for a different Stingray 5.

ps. I don't like Stainless Steel Strings on my EBMM. I use DR FatBeams on my Smith, but something about SS strings doesn't work for me for EBMM. I had 2 Alembics and the same thing. They sounded better with Nickel. Good Luck

 

[MrMusashi]

there is magnetic pull that you need to look out for.. too close and it will pull the string down giving all sorts of artefacts.. eg: string buzzes, reduced sustain

hehe.. just watch what happen when you change strings.. when you loosen the strings enough they clamp down to the pickup polepieces. pritty firm too

MrM

 

[bluesquidd]

I have my pickups set at 4/32 at the A string and 5/32 at the B and E string.
From what I heard, the Sterling uses Alnico Magnets and the Stingray 5 uses ceramic. But, the ceramic is supposed to be more brighter and the alnico is warmer.

You said the the pickup height is the same on both basses?

 

[Big Poppa]

both basses are ceramic.