Basslines pup for MM Sterling

[Hein]

Umm........i wasn't complaining about the guy asking about the pickup (if that's what you thought), i was complaining about the fact when anyone mentions modifying their bass most of the replies are along the lines of 'musicmans are 100% perfect,why would you ever want to modify one?' There seems alot of defensive eliteness from people when modifications are mentioned.

With that said, back to the topic at hand:

John,

-Do you actually have the pickup or are you just considering one?

-Are you worried about losing switching combinations? If so, think about wether you actually use the different settings or not. I never used the single coil setting on my sterling,so it wasn't a problem that i lost the ability to use it. Also, the triple coil version of the bart that i got costs more than the normal one,so i also saved money.

-If you do change the pickup, keep the old one and sell the SD on ebay or somthing if you don't like it!

 

[StingrayDan]

Maybe this is a little late to post but try the Nordstrand mm4.3 pickup. The owner, Carey Nordstrand has a Sterliing with this PU & stock Electronics & it sounds way better than stock. I love MM's but if it sounds better, it sounds better. nordstrandpickups.com

 

[bovinehost]

I hate it when this stuff is brought back to life. Let's have a more level discussion, shall we?

Everyone - chill. Let's not be negative.

 

[tkarter]

just signing up so's not to miss out.


tk

 

[Musicman Nut]

Yes, I just checked it those colour match ok.

Presumably I will only be able to select Parallel & Series with this pickup.

Do you think that this is a worthwhile upgrade?

Thanks

John

John, I own Many Music Man Basses, Trust me there's not a decent upgrade, These basses Kick Ass Stock, What are you wanting it too sound like. Its a Music Man. Buy something else and tear it apart.

I've tested every Pickup Possible for a Ray, and guess what, I learned we sometimes look for something we have no clue what we're looking for.

I suggesting Leaving the bass alone, it'll sound better for the preamp is designed for the pickup and viseversa.
Good Luck DJ

 

[73jbass]

I put the SD Alnico 3 coil in one of my Sterlings and it work great for that old school tone,similar to a Stingray. My other 2 Sterlings have the original pickups in them, and are set up for different tones. It just depends on what tone you want to acheive. I know there are a lot of hardcore players that say leave it alone,but if you want to change it,then do it. It can always be put back like it was. I say go for it!

 

[Musicman Nut]

I put the SD Alnico 3 coil in one of my Sterlings and it work great for that old school tone,similar to a Stingray. My other 2 Sterlings have the original pickups in them, and are set up for different tones. It just depends on what tone you want to acheive. I know there are a lot of hardcore players that say leave it alone,but if you want to change it,then do it. It can always be put back like it was. I say go for it!

Ok in that case i'd agree, for i also have a Alnico PU in my sterling and it does rock, but im forever getting emails from guys asking how do i make my stingray sound better. They sound awesome now, some people will change things just too change and they have no idea what they're looking for.
Dave

 

[Devnor]

My SR4 has a basslines pickup & the SD preamp. Trust me, if you replace the pup you want their preamp too. My bass really came to life + my fingers dont get shredded on the stock pup. The mid scoop switch gives the bass a second characteristic sound. Many people have commented that my SR sounds incredible and punches thru the mix. It's not for your average blues/classic rock gig. If I owned a Sterling, I wouldnt hesitate replacing the pup/preamp.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey guys....Whatever rocks your boat. Keep all original stuff you take out as when you
mod one of our basses you seriously affect the resale of said inst. I say experiment and have a good time as long as you dont rout the body. You can (and eventually will) always go back.

I do resent Seymour Duncan and their slogan, " You Music Man plays great, no make it sound great" I know Seymour, Kathy, and Evan and wouldd think that they would have a little more class than that. Sell your stuff on its merits, not by dissing our hard work and efforts .

 

[bongo man]

why mess with perfection-;-)

 

[Musicman Nut]

Hey guys....Whatever rocks your boat. Keep all original stuff you take out as when you
mod one of our basses you seriously affect the resale of said inst. I say experiment and have a good time as long as you dont rout the body. You can (and eventually will) always go back.

I do resent Seymour Duncan and their slogan, " You Music Man plays great, no make it sound great" I know Seymour, Kathy, and Evan and wouldd think that they would have a little more class than that. Sell your stuff on its merits, not by dissing our hard work and efforts .

YES Listen too Big Poppa Save your money or be stupid and sell me your parts because in 3 weeks you'll be calling me back wanting to buy them back, Let me save you money.

I've spent 20 years messing with stingrays and guess what. After a few thousand dollars and 20 years wasted guess what i've found.
LEAVE THESE BASSES STOCK, TRUST ME, THEY SOUND INCREDIBLE STOCK.
Dave Jeffrey

 

[cgworkman]

why mess with perfection-;-)

I do resent Seymour Duncan and their slogan, " You Music Man plays great, no make it sound great" I know Seymour, Kathy, and Evan and wouldd think that they would have a little more class than that. Sell your stuff on its merits, not by dissing our hard work and efforts .

I guess I've never seen their slogan, but I agree 100%. There are a ton of other ways to run an ad campaign. You don't do it at the expense of the people that have made your product possible.

I know Seymour, Kathy, and Evan and wouldd think that they would have a little more class than that.

Have you ever mentioned this to them?

 

[JB1]

I do resent Seymour Duncan and their slogan, " You Music Man plays great, no make it sound great" I know Seymour, Kathy, and Evan and wouldd think that they would have a little more class than that. Sell your stuff on its merits, not by dissing our hard work and efforts .

As we say in England "They are taking the pi$$"

Making your gear sound (sic) crappy to make sales is a poor show.

I do agree with your sentiment that peeps should experiment with their kit and that we all have differing opinions on this rather emotive subject. Keeping the stock parts is key for resale though.

Peace BP & All.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

There was a time when I didn't appreciate the egg-shaped EBMM pickguard and thus set out to build my own pickguardless stingray. Ash body, Duncan MM pickup w/the Duncan preamp. Sounded great. UNTIL I took it to my local music shop and put it up against a real Stingray. I know it's a matter of subjectivity, but it wasn't even close. Needless to say I bought the Stingray, and now, two SR4's, an SR5, a Sterling and a Bongo later, nothing I've heard or played has changed my mind. Sounds like you're determined to change the electronics, so I wish you luck.

 

[cgworkman]

There was a time when I didn't appreciate the egg-shaped EBMM pickguard and thus set out to build my own pickguardless stingray. Ash body, Duncan MM pickup w/the Duncan preamp. Sounded great. UNTIL I took it to my local music shop and put it up against a real Stingray. I know it's a matter of subjectivity, but it wasn't even close. Needless to say I bought the Stingray, and now, two SR4's, an SR5, a Sterling and a Bongo later, nothing I've heard or played has changed my mind. Sounds like you're determined to change the electronics, so I wish you luck.

I've actually played a SR with one of these pups. Sorry, but they're not an improvement.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey it doesnt matter. Life is about choices! I keep saying that. If someone loves the Bongo you made my day, if you dont then I hope we make something that floats your boat. This is why there are more flavors of ice cream than vanilla. I love the open expression of ideas I dont love the judgement part. State your feelings based on your needs and be glad that someone else gets to mess around. (remember they will be back)

 

[AnthonyD]

I am of the mind "to each his own" and have no problem with what folks do with their instruments.

Having said that, and IMHO, the "after-market" market is for upgrading the inferior parts of a lesser-quality instrument (e.g. a Hondo Les Paul, a Squier Strat, etc.) to get it a bit closer to the quality instrument it is meant to duplicate.

When I look over my Sterling, I find nothing that needs improving...

 

[Moondog]

and now, two SR4's, an SR5, a Sterling and a Bongo

Interesting . . I have the same basses: 2SR4, SR5, Sterling, & a Bongo.
Are you also currently considering a new HH Sterling ?

 

[bovinehost]

IMHO, the "after-market" market is for upgrading the inferior parts of a lesser-quality instrument

There is another part to the after-market issue - looking for a slightly different sound. If we weren't tweakers, Allparts would go out of business.

 

[AnthonyD]

True... I completely missed that side of the equation.