Can you hear the difference?

[TSanders]

Some say they can hear a difference between a StingRay, and a Sterling in "StingRay mode" (with the switch towards the bridge).

So can you hear a difference?

 

[MingusBASS]

I'm almost positive I could tell the difference between a sterling and a stingray when the sterling is in the "ray position". For me it's the bigger stingray body(more wood) and the way it resonates that makes me prefer the sound of the Ray. A huge difference, nah, but enough that I prefer the Ray.

Andrew

 

[bovinehost]

Nope.

And I've had a bunch of both.

But then I'm old.

Well, middle-aged, anyway.

My knees are old, though.

Jack

 

[maddog]

If by Stingray you meant Bongo, yes I can hear a difference.

Yes, this is of absolutely no help what so ever.

 

[phatduckk]

maybe i wont be lazy tonight and post MP3's of both .....
hmmm, the strings on my Sr4 are Sterling(s) are totally different tho ... we'll see

 

[shamus63]

My knees are old, though.

"...and my eyes are old and bent!"

 

[MingusBASS]

Shamus-

Did you get that Ashdown yet?

Andrew

 

[bovinehost]

For any real comparison, they would need to be strung with the same strings (which I do, of course).

 

[Figjam]

From my experiences, nope.


Its a fun test for a sterling owner though, because you can decide whether you like the 'sterling' tone or 'stingray' tone better.

I like it in series, ie: sterling.

 

[Joshua]

On the rare historic chances I've had to compare them, yes. I actually didn't think they sounded that close.

But I would have assumed that. Why would EBMM design a new bass that sounds just like one they already produced?

 

[Figjam]

Because it has opportunities to sound different, as well as plays different?

 

[Randracula]

I don't have a Sterling but I have an SR5 which has the same electronics as the Sterling.I definitely can tell the difference between my SR5(in Stingray mode) and my SR4. My SR5 seems to have more low end than more SR4 and is a bit smoother sounding.For some reason my SR4's bass control doesn't really do much past the center detent. I can turn it all of the way up and it never gets boomy or muddy sounding. With my SR5 I can't turn to bass much past half way without rattling the walls. One of the engineers at the Open House confirmed that there is a difference between the two but I can't remember exactly what he said Anybody else notice this?

 

[Psycho Ward]

Anybody else notice this?

Yes I have and you're exactly right. I love them both (SR4 & SR5), just playing the SR4 the most right now and that's just because its lighter.

 

[Randracula]

Yes I have and you're exactly right. I love them both (SR4 & SR5), just playing the SR4 the most right now and that's just because its lighter.

So if I bought a Sterling would it sound pretty much like my SR5 then?

 

[Joshua]

Because it has opportunities to sound different, as well as plays different?

Perhaps!

 

[bovinehost]

So if I bought a Sterling would it sound pretty much like my SR5 then?

It certainly should.

 

[philthygeezer]

Most certainly.

However, I have a 2 band Stingray with a rosewood fretboard and a 3 band Sterling with a maple fretboard.

With both EQ's centered and brand new Super Slinkies on both, the Ray is both darker and growlier. The Sterling has a less 'organic', more 'open' sound. If I add a little bass to the Sterling's EQ it will sound more like the Ray, but still more 'open' and less 'organic'.

The Sterling stands out a little more when playing to the stereo, and the Stingray blends in a bit more. The preamp on the Sterling has more gain as well.

 

[phatduckk]

how about the 2 PUPs?

looking at the info Drew posted we have "Position 1=coils 1,2" for both HS and HH (coil 1 & coil 2 being the bridge pup's coils). Now ... will these mean that in a Sterling postition 1 is the bridge HUM in series and on the SR4 its the bridge HUM in parallel?

hmmm ... Drew u there?

 

[Golem]

On the rare historic chances I've had to compare them, yes. I actually didn't think they sounded that close.

But I would have assumed that. Why would EBMM design a new bass that sounds just like one they already produced?

If it ain't fixed, don't broke it ?

 

[Golem]

For any real comparison, they would need to be strung with the same strings (which I do, of course).

And the wood in the necks and bodies needs to be from the same quarter of the same log at the same length from the first fork in the tree? And what about the pickguards?

On a more serious note, while matching strings, also match the PU heights.