Cliff 2 PU Report

[Big Poppa]

Cliff went to SLO on Friday to beta the new 2 pu's. Cliff how about giving them some insider input from a players perspective? I know that you recorded some of it on pro tools maybe a little tuesday morning torture audio clips...........

 

[MCBTunes]

really? damn lucky guy there .

Some Sunday morning torture haha. Compare them to the bongo, man!

 

[bongo man]

Cliff went to SLO on Friday to beta the new 2 pu's. Cliff how about giving them some insider input from a players perspective? I know that you recorded some of it on pro tools maybe a little tuesday morning torture audio clips...........

just watched Tiger win the B open-wow!
had a great time with Dudley on friday.

I was lucky enough to test a 2 PU SR and 2 PU sterling.
Sterling:
The neck PU gave the sterling rich lows with very strong fundamental. The bidge PU added a round point to an already well defined tone. The over all effect was more presence. The PU choices are obtained from a 5way switch. I am used to the pan pot of the bongo and didn't think I would like the 5way but I was proved wrong. A sterling has been my main fretless since the '97 Supertramp tour and I LOVE it---i am afraid I was spoiled on friday The sterling fans will be delighlted.

5way configuration:
1-neck only
2-combo
3-equal both
4-combo
5-bridge
same for both SR and Sterling


StingRay:
Again a 5way switch controls PU options. The bridge PU added some sweet lows that only PU placement and a quality PU can produce. I love having that option. It's so nice to have basic low end without the added db of equalization. The bridge PU does just what you want it to. Solid point. All positions sound cool but the 3 postion is Awesome!!
SR fans with go nuts over this bass. It has the traditional SR sound but with added options. I tested 4string models. I 'm sure the SR5 2 PU would be a mind blower.

That's all I can think of right now.
Sterling and Dudley have really done some great work on this stuff.
Us MM fans are in for a treat

take care
cliff

 

[MingusBASS]

I can't wait to see these basses let alone try them out.

Thanks for your thoughts on these great new models.

Andrew

 

[Father Gino]

Oh man, you guys are making me want a new Sterling big time. "Strong Fundamental & more presence". That's exactly what the Sterling needs!!! Not that the original is bad by any means. I haven't bought a new bass since 1980 or so, but I'm already whinning about this to the wife. I don't even have a job or a band that plays more than a few times a month and I still may have to get one.

If I buy a new Sterling, I'll have to actually decide what color I want it to be instead of settling for whatever it happens to be. What a PIA! I really like mine in its Carbon Blue Pearl or whatever it is. But I can't have 2 Sterlings the same color! And no way am I getting rid of the first one! Maybe have flats on the 1 PUP and rounds on the 2 PUP.

I still wish they'd put an active/passive switch in there though

What's combo mean in positions 2 & 4? Is this sorta like the 5 position lever set-up on the last EB Sabres i.e. two coils of one PU & one coil of the other?

 

[bongo man]

Oh man, you guys are making me want a new Sterling big time. "Strong Fundamental & more presence". That's exactly what the Sterling needs!!! Not that the original is bad by any means. I haven't bought a new bass since 1980 or so, but I'm already whinning about this to the wife. I don't even have a job or a band that plays more than a few times a month and I still may have to get one.

If I buy a new Sterling, I'll have to actually decide what color I want it to be instead of settling for whatever it happens to be. What a PIA! I really like mine in its Carbon Blue Pearl or whatever it is. But I can't have 2 Sterlings the same color! And no way am I getting rid of the first one! Maybe have flats on the 1 PUP and rounds on the 2 PUP.

I still wish they'd put an active/passive switch in there though

What's combo mean in positions 2 & 4? Is this sorta like the 5 position lever set-up on the last EB Sabres i.e. two coils of one PU & one coil of the other?

yes similar-----works really well
I like the flats on the 1 PU and rounds on the 2 PU idea

c

 

[Psychicpet]

so I'm assuming the neck p/u is another humbucker? or is it this mysterious Phat single-coil that BP alluded to in an earlier thread??

 

[82Daion]

For someone who's always been worried about Stingrays not being versatile, this may nail that coffin shut. I'd love to play either of these. unfortunately, if I had to make a bass-buying decision, it would be between one of these, an Al*mbic, or a W*rwick Buzzard LTD. Tough choices.

 

[bongo man]

so I'm assuming the neck p/u is another humbucker? or is it this mysterious Phat single-coil that BP alluded to in an earlier thread??

both-
we did do some single coil work---I forgot to mention it.
I'm a big fan of the single coil.
They sound fantastic.
c

 

[Figjam]

Im thinking a double humbucker sterling must rock, im gonna want one so badly, but i know if i got one, id be torn between which of my basses to play, since i cant get over the neck on my 97 sterling, it just is so great. Id miss the birdseye too.

 

[bongo man]

For someone who's always been worried about Stingrays not being versatile, this may nail that coffin shut. I'd love to play either of these. unfortunately, if I had to make a bass-buying decision, it would be between one of these, an Al*mbic, or a W*rwick Buzzard LTD. Tough choices.

not a tough choice at all

 

[bongo man]

Im thinking a double humbucker sterling must rock, im gonna want one so badly, but i know if i got one, id be torn between which of my basses to play, since i cant get over the neck on my 97 sterling, it just is so great. Id miss the birdseye too.

I hear ya--
I got to tell you the 2PU sterling is serious

 

[Figjam]

I have yet to play a really new musicman so i cant speak for how they feel quality wise against my 97 but from what ive heard, they all feel super duper.

I dont have any funds to put towards bass right now, saving up for car etc.

hmm, when i graduate high school (im a junior) maybe i can get my parents to pay for most of it as a graduation gift.

 

[bongo man]

I have yet to play a really new musicman so i cant speak for how they feel quality wise against my 97 but from what ive heard, they all feel super duper.

I dont have any funds to put towards bass right now, saving up for car etc.

hmm, when i graduate high school (im a junior) maybe i can get my parents to pay for most of it as a graduation gift.

keep up the good work----hang in there

 

[TSanders]

Im pinchin pennies right now for one of the new models. I cant wait.

 

[Psychicpet]

hmmm, I think I would lean towards the dual H, I know that the SC is probably smokin' but with my dual H Bongo5 the soloed neck H is a very usefull tone and I'm just not sure if a soloed neck SC would leave em as happy, besides, the dual H look is a meaner look

 

[Big Poppa]

Thanks Cliff. Hey you guys how cool is it for cliff to join the forum family?

 

[MingusBASS]

I love the fact we get to talk to one of the great bassists that helped with the Bongo. Top notch stuff! Thanks Cliff and BP!

Andrew

 

[MCBTunes]

Thanks Cliff. Hey you guys how cool is it for cliff to join the forum family?

Very cool.

But does this mean the Bongo and the Sterling sound nothing alike? Forinstance with the Neck solo'd or mixed. This has kinda left me clueless, no suprise though haha.

I'm kinda torn... I love the Sterling neck.... but the Bongo is just the most amazing sounding instrument...

 

[Colin]

Thanks Cliff. Hey you guys how cool is it for cliff to join the forum family?

I don't even play the bass and I dig every post he writes. I am tempted to get one of those new basses though. for the studio of course.

Colin