Help! Changing Sterling Pickups

[TheAntMan]

It could be a simple thing that makes it click for you.

I love my Bongo and Stingray tones. I had tried some Sterlings at GC and did not like them. These were all Maple fret boards at GC and I have always been a Rosewood tone lover. I finally tried a Sterling 4HS with a Rosewood fret board and CLICK, I loved it. It is now on my future EBMM bass list.

-- Ant

 

[Basscake]

@Kristopher:

Exactly my point.
I also think that it makes a fair difference in tone if the Humbucker is wired in seriall or parallel. Something that is not to achieve by EQ-ing.
There's no point denying it.

The Sterling HS or HH doesn't have a parallel option for the Humbucker like the Stingray has.
Nor has the Stingray (any Stingray) a seriall option.

In a way that makes these instruments what they are and thats fine.

But please don't disregard people for noting it.


My advice to LaBassGuy is this:

1st: Try a set of new strings. That should bring some clarity into the tone.

2nd: Check out if it's the parallel/series thing that Kristopher and I mentioned:

Go to a GC and pick a Sterling H (one Humbucker!). Even though it gives you less coil combinations it also gives you exactly one that your HS Model doesn't offer.
Put the lever towards the neck. Ironically that should give you the tone you get out of your HS if you have the lever all the way to the bridge.
Then flip it all the way to the bridge. That's the coils in parallel. Not available on your HS. If that brings the difference you're looking for then you don't need a new pickup or a new bass.
A decent technician should be able to change the wiring to that.
And it's reversible...

I think that's exactly the reason why EBMM is aiming for that Gamechanger gadget ;-)

 

[spencer]

No, this is not my first active bass. In fact, I have a stingray fretless and sounds fine.

With the sterling, it seems like I can't get a decent low out of it; period. I don't even risk touching the EQ because either it gets too boomy or muffled. I still have the original strings on there so the next step will be to change those and see if it makes a difference.

But what do you guys suggest? I really want to love this thing. The reaosn I bought it is I fell in love with the action and comfort. And I figured I can EQ my way to any sound I want.

I'd say you have to be doing something wrong with all the eq possibilities. Only thing I find is that sometimes in some positions it can have excessive mids and a little cut works great..

 

[Big Poppa]

I think that everyone is treating him nicely and these usually never go well....

 

[spencer]

Wheredo you live? I'm sure someone would be willing to take a look see if there near enough... You in Louisiana or l.a.?

 

[LABassGuy]

I changed the strings to Warwick rounds. The only way I got a decent is by putting the lever all the way to the right, so just the humbuckers. I had to cut the highs (on the bass), but that's understandable because they are new strings. I also had to cut the bass. Only then did I get a "decent" tone.

One thing I will say is this, on my other bases, I have to do a lot of equing on my amp: cut the mids, add some bass, compression, etc. On the sterling, I had to put a leash on the compression; leave the eq alone. Anyhow, I haven't used this yet in a band. Maybe it will cut through just fine in the mix.

I have a bass--one of EB's competitors. and when I hit the open E on that, it's so clear, bassy but with definition. I guess that's what I am looking for here.
Anyhow, thanks for you help. I'll have to experiment with it more.

 

[LABassGuy]

Wheredo you live? I'm sure someone would be willing to take a look see if there near enough... You in Louisiana or l.a.?

los angeles.

 

[Davecg2]

I changed the strings to Warwick rounds. The only way I got a decent is by putting the lever all the way to the right, so just the humbuckers. I had to cut the highs (on the bass), but that's understandable because they are new strings. I also had to cut the bass. Only then did I get a "decent" tone.

One thing I will say is this, on my other bases, I have to do a lot of equing on my amp: cut the mids, add some bass, compression, etc. On the sterling, I had to put a leash on the compression; leave the eq alone. Anyhow, I haven't used this yet in a band. Maybe it will cut through just fine in the mix.

I have a bass--one of EB's competitors. and when I hit the open E on that, it's so clear, bassy but with definition. I guess that's what I am looking for here.
Anyhow, thanks for you help. I'll have to experiment with it more.

I pretty much always have my pickup selector switched to the far right, in fact i dont think it ever leaves that position. and i also play with my amp flat, and use the basses EQ for all my adjusting.

 

[Big Poppa]

You know I mean this with all due respect that this bass may not be for you. Warwick strings?

 

[LABassGuy]

You know I mean this with all due respect that this bass may not be for you. Warwick strings?

Yes, Warwick strings. There are things outside of Slinky and super slinky and superest slinky. Obviously if I am not satisfied with EB stock strings (ie, some sort of slinky), I am going to put something on that is the complete opposite. amazing, ain't it

 

[lomky]

Yes, Warwick strings. There are things outside of Slinky and super slinky and superest slinky. Obviously if I am not satisfied with EB stock strings (ie, some sort of slinky), I am going to put something on that is the complete opposite. amazing, ain't it

Power Slinkies!!!

 

[bassmonkey]

Hmmmm!

Troll?

 

[bassmonkeee]

Yes, Warwick strings. There are things outside of Slinky and super slinky and superest slinky. Obviously if I am not satisfied with EB stock strings (ie, some sort of slinky), I am going to put something on that is the complete opposite. amazing, ain't it

Sarcasm about something being obvious from a guy whose first instinct was to change pickups before he had even changed the strings? Really?

 

[bovinehost]

Well, this has taken a turn. I'm not such a big fan of sarcasm being used as a hammer.

Remind me later that I probably made a mistake in not closing this in hopes that things would get back on track.

Nothing wrong with using whatever strings work for you, BTW, I just found the response a bit snarky.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im closing it and was kidding about the Warwick strings.....I should have made that more clear...sorry if you took that as an attack on your choices...it wasn't. It waws the owner of a chevy saying Ford? The problem with being smug when you have no clue as to whom makes what is the recipient of the smugness does....Other than my apology here is my response. Ill give you a new bass if you can show me warwicks bass string factory. Ill leave it at that. I do know where the bodies are buried. I love choices and if you like them then that is perfect. I dont ever delude myself into thinking that the world will only love our stuff....one can dream....(that last one was a joke too)

I hope your problems are solved.....Balancing all of these to get where you want to be sonically doesnt seem like it should be this hard. I mean this very openly and friendly...It just might not be the bass for you.......We try to make basses that can cover a lot of sonic ground but retain an individuality and Identity throughout the line...

We have a new model of Sting Ray called the SLO SPecial GC has em......it is a Stingray with a sterling neck profile.....I think the series position on the sterling is too boomy FOR YOU. Maybe try that or have a compentant tech make that series position parrallel like a sting ray as previously suggested.

Hope it works!

 

[cellkirk74]

just one little thought no one mentioned: Pickup addjustment.

Besides strings making a big difference, also the height of the PU has a large effect on the sound. Maybe a little tweaking might do.

And for strings, my Musicman sounds great with HiBeams at the moment with a pack of new Power slinkys waiting to come up next....