Question Can I order a bass with my preferred features?

[sambolino44]

I have a Sterling by Music Man SB14, which is pretty good, but I'm thinking about moving up to a real Music Man Sterling. For one thing, I wonder if it will be a thousand dollars better than the one I have now, but that's a subject for another post.

I've seen all these options for features and colors on the website, but very few in actual stores, and never what I want. Is it possible to order a specific combination from the factory?

Here's what I'd like: a Sterling, with one pickup and a three-band EQ, a rosewood fretboard, black body color with a tortoise shell pickguard.

Is it possible to choose the type of wood for the body?

Is it possible to get one like I described above without the switch? (I know some of you must be saying, why not just get a Stingray if you don't want the switch? Well, I like the smaller body and narrower nut width of the Sterling).

Lastly, how much would it cost? Thanks in advance for your thoughtful replies.

 

[Gravesend Black]

You might be interested in Classic Sterling - Classic Sterling 4

Single H, no switch, black color is available, rosewood fb is an option. It is pretty standard. You can order it from any MM dealer.

I did not notice your 3band demand. But I do not think that you're able to get no switch 3 band EQ Sterling.
Deal with the switch or deal with 2 band EQ.

 

[sambolino44]

Thanks, I'd rather have the mid-range control and just deal with the switch. But it sounds like I can just order the combination I want from a dealer. Cool.

 

[Holdsg]

Except, only swamp ash for the body wood unless you get one of the new PDNs in mahogany, or find some kind of used one-off.

 

[tbonesullivan]

I thought that the sterling body wood was determined by the finish? Translucent finishes get swamp ash, while solid finishes get poplar, or something to that effect. Could be totally off on that.

Anyway, I believe you can work with a dealer to get a bass "customized" somewhat, but all you can really choose is the color (from the standard colors), fretboard material, pickup config, electronics, and whether you want a matching painted headstock or not. It would depend on the dealer however.

 

[mynan]

I thought that the sterling body wood was determined by the finish? Translucent finishes get swamp ash, while solid finishes get poplar, or something to that effect. Could be totally off on that.

I think it was that way years ago, but now they've gone to using only Ash.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Hmm... really. I guess they use the stuff that doesn't look as good or multi piece bodies on the solid finish guitars.

What I need to find now is a new Stingray 5H with an ash body, Alnico Pickup, pacific blue or pearl blue finish, white or white pearloid pickguard, and rosewood fretboard. Gotta Be Blue!

 

[sambolino44]

Can I choose between an AlNiCo or Ceramic pickup? What's the difference in sound?

 

[Gravesend Black]

Can I choose between an AlNiCo or Ceramic pickup? What's the difference in sound?

Sterling is ceramics only. Ceramics provides more aggressive and nasal sound. Alnico - warmer and darker sound.
Stingray is alnico only since 2008. But you can find used SR5 that has ceramics since 1990 or 1991 to 2007 that present itself as Sterling ancestor.

Basically you can find out everything you need at the model list page. All of the options described there. If there is something out of the list it means that you can't get it. And there are more basses except the Sterling and Stingray you may be interested in.
http://www.music-man.com/instruments/basses.html

 

[tbonesullivan]

The differences between the Ceramic and Alnico electronics are more than just the type of magnets. The preamps are slightly different, and also if you have an HH or HS model, the Ceramic pickups are wired in series, while the Alnico's are in parallel, which does have a pretty significant effect on sound.

If you are going for a Single H model, you can switch between series and parallel on both the sterling 4 and 5, and the stingray 5. The Stingray 4h doesn't have a selector.