I've been looking for a Sterling fretless with a certain set of options and haven't had any luck finding one, so I may have to place an order for a new one. I can no longer play heavy basses comfortably and was wondering if I could specify that the bass not weigh over a certain amount?
- Thread starter Jim Dandy
- Start date
J Romano
Well-known member
I'm sure others will chime in, but, best bet is call customer service and talk to them in the AM.
JayDawg
Well-known member
Jim, welcome to the forum. Like J said, customer service can probably answer that question for you. I know all of my Music Man basses get ordered through Bass Central out of Florida but they do great on always adding little notes in my orders and talking with the people in the Customer Service department. For example, I always order my Music Man basses with Ernie Ball straplocks. On my one Bongo that is being built right now, I called Customer Service because I was unsure if abalone was still a pickguard option available. Turns out it is no longer available but when I spoke to AJ, he found an extra abalone pickguard in my basses pickup configuration and he gave the okay for me to order the bass with it. Bass Central then added that into the notes after of my invoice after also talking with AJ. So with your situation, it may be possible but again, check with Customer Service as I am only guessing.
What weight are you trying to stay under? If your a fan of the Bongo's, also consider them. I have a Sterling 4H and it is pretty light but my Bongo's seem like they are just a touch lighter than even my Sterling but they are also made out of Basswood which is pretty light.
What weight are you trying to stay under? If your a fan of the Bongo's, also consider them. I have a Sterling 4H and it is pretty light but my Bongo's seem like they are just a touch lighter than even my Sterling but they are also made out of Basswood which is pretty light.
J Romano
Well-known member
JayDawg hit it right on. I thought my 4H BFR was light till I got my new Bongo 4Hp! It is just barely 9 lbs. Been using my Bongo more! Absolutely love it.
drTStingray
Well-known member
Jay and J Romano - my Bongo may be the exception to the rule but it's the heaviest bass I've got (Bongo 5HHp).
Generally Stingrays and around 9 to 10 lbs but there are odd exceptions (someone had a 7lb 9 oz Sterling on here in the past). Worth speaking to Customer Services.
Generally Stingrays and around 9 to 10 lbs but there are odd exceptions (someone had a 7lb 9 oz Sterling on here in the past). Worth speaking to Customer Services.
Thanks for the replies everyone! Great idea to call customer service - I've spoken with them in the past and they are extremely helpful.
JayDawg - thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking on the site for a while and figured it was time to join. As for the weight, I really need to stay under 9 lbs and right around 8.5 lbs would be ideal.
JayDawg - thanks for the welcome! I've been lurking on the site for a while and figured it was time to join. As for the weight, I really need to stay under 9 lbs and right around 8.5 lbs would be ideal.
WillyD
Ernie Ball, Inc.
Hey Jim,
Welcome to the forum! Thanks for your interest in Music Man. Unfortunately there is not an option to specify weight when ordering. Your target weight is closer to that of a Bongo 4 H or Reflex 4 H as these have new light weight tuners which help keep the weight down.
stu42
Well-known member
I imagine the extra pickups/electronics on your Bongo 5HHP contribute to the weight a fair bit. Also, 5 string basses are heavier due to the wider neck. But, I recall reading on Jack's Bongo history page that the electronics package on the Bongo is fairly heavy and you've definitely got the full complement with HH and P.
ernie ball musicman bongo history information page
Movielife
Well-known member
When I ordered a Stingray 5 HS, I asked if they could make it as light as possible. I realise I was incredibly lucky as it probably weighs less than all of my 4 string Stingrays!
My Sterling 5 HS is also super light...fantastic looking and sounding basses.
I'm guessing no more than 9lbs-9.5 max
My Sterling 5 HS is also super light...fantastic looking and sounding basses.
I'm guessing no more than 9lbs-9.5 max
lipan
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2011
- Messages
- 32
Pictures please!!!
Smallmouth_Bass
Well-known member
I had the same question when ordering my Big Al SSS 5. Unfortunately, it's the luck of the draw. Mine turned out to be mid 9's (lbs) which is my borderline. I am lucky in that I have a 9 lbs SR5, and an SR4 that weighs less than 9 lbs.
You could always check out sites like The Perfect Bass that list weights. They have a gold classic Stingray at 8.8 lbs.
Or check out this Sterling at 8.6 lbs:
Music Man Sterling 4-String Bass Guitar at The Perfect Bass
You could always check out sites like The Perfect Bass that list weights. They have a gold classic Stingray at 8.8 lbs.
Or check out this Sterling at 8.6 lbs:
Music Man Sterling 4-String Bass Guitar at The Perfect Bass
boristhespider7
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2007
- Messages
- 113
Along these lines, has MM ever considered offering chambered versions of its basses like Carvin started doing with the SB4001 and SB5001 when people were griping about the weight? I have a very light Sterling HS, but my other Sterling is kind of heavy, my Sterling 5 is average, and my SR4 HS Slo Special is VERY heavy. I'd buy a chambered SR4 HS Slo Special in a heartbeat!
jlepre
Well-known member
I've had SR5's that weighed anywhere from 9 pounds up to 11.7 pounds. There was no option for weight.
J Romano
Well-known member
Dr. T, I totally agree with you! My Bongo 5HSp is the heaviest bass I own. I think there is something about the 5s. That being said, she sure holds resonance.............
Thanks again everyone for the replies!
WillyD - Thanks for the information! Too bad about not being able to specify a weight. I would definitely have paid extra for that option.
Well, I'm looking for a lined fretless Sterling and this complicates my plans a bit. It looks like ordering a new Sterling is not an option for me, since I don't want to take the chance on the weight. Ash is a great wood, but it sure varies a lot with respect to weight. I've seen 4 string Sterlings as light as 8.3 lbs and as heavy as 9.8 lbs. My current Sterling fretted HS4 weighs slightly under 8.7 lbs and is just about perfect for me.
I guess I'll have to find either a used fretless 4HS or used fretted 4HS and have the frets removed. I should also consider the fretless 4Hp configuration, since alot of the fretless Sterlings seem to be set up that way.
I should look into the Bongo. I've never spent much time with it. How does it compare to the Sterling?
Anyway, thanks again everyone for the input!
WillyD - Thanks for the information! Too bad about not being able to specify a weight. I would definitely have paid extra for that option.
Well, I'm looking for a lined fretless Sterling and this complicates my plans a bit. It looks like ordering a new Sterling is not an option for me, since I don't want to take the chance on the weight. Ash is a great wood, but it sure varies a lot with respect to weight. I've seen 4 string Sterlings as light as 8.3 lbs and as heavy as 9.8 lbs. My current Sterling fretted HS4 weighs slightly under 8.7 lbs and is just about perfect for me.
I guess I'll have to find either a used fretless 4HS or used fretted 4HS and have the frets removed. I should also consider the fretless 4Hp configuration, since alot of the fretless Sterlings seem to be set up that way.
I should look into the Bongo. I've never spent much time with it. How does it compare to the Sterling?
Anyway, thanks again everyone for the input!
Last edited:
JayDawg
Well-known member
Bongos are great. They are my favorite model of Music Man bass. I have never played a HS configuration but do have a 4H, a 4 HH and a 4Hp being built right now. For a fretless, I would definitely try and go 4 Hp as that piezo can really do some cool things on a fretless.
