Considering a Sterling

[spychocyco]

I just staggered in here from the guitar side because I've been thinking about getting a new bass for a while and since getting my Axis for Christmas, I've kind of got the EBMM bug. I'm a guitar player first, but I have occasionally thumped a bass over the years ... please don't throw things at me. My brother (a drummer) and I have been writing some songs recently, and while neither one of us has the time to put together a band and play gigs, we'd like to record them for our own enjoyment, and I plan to play the bass parts. I need an upgrade from my '70s model Carvin with non-working electronics.

Mind you, this is not an impending purchase. It will take me a while to come up with the cash and I haven't so much as gone to the store to pick one up and play it (partially because the nearest EBMM dealer is a 2 1/2-hour drive), but I like to dream early and often.

I'm leaning toward the Sterling over the Stingray (at least at this point) because I've got small hands and from things I've read on this board and elsewhere, it seems the Sterling would probably be a better fit for me. I'd like to get some opinions on that from folks who know the instruments well, though.

I hope to get the bass in Pac. Blue Burst to match my Axis, and I'm torn between an Abalone and Black Pearloid pickguard. Not sure how the Abalone would look with the blue from just looking at the samples on the site. Anyone got pictures of one in those configurations? (Hey, if you're going to dream, you might as well go all in, right? )

 

[Duarte]

If you got small hands, get a Sterling. Personally, with big fat hands, I love the stingray. Sterling has a slighty wider 'variety' of sounds, unless you get a dual pickup in which case they have the same tonal options.

Oh and this raises a question for me...on a sterling H, is the sound FATTER in series mode than a HH with both pickups on?

 

[TNT]

Spy,

Start with the Sterling, because then if you compare it to another bass/brand, etc. . . you'll have the BEST one to judge from.

And, then when you're ready to purchase - well, you already know which one!!!

Although I'm a guitar player, my wife's a bass player - so, I know my basses!!

 

[oli@bass]

+1 on the Sterling as well.
However, check out the others as well, if you can. I have pretty small hands as well, and about ten years ago, I found that the Sterling has the nicest neck of all basses. Then I switched to Lakland 5 stringers (extra long and extra wide!) and after playing those fat necks exclusively for about eight years, I found the StingRay to have a very comfortable and small neck in comparision. My hands haven't grown, but the wider necks grew on me -- and I feel the Jazz and Sterling necks to be a bit skinny.

It's all a matter of perspective.

 

[phatduckk]

i love the sterling... i have 5

i also have small hands and IMO the sterlings have the most comfortable neck ever. the bongo and sr4 necks are greatr as well but the sterling suits me the best.

also... pac blue burst is awesome. Randy has an HS Sterling in that finish and im jealous

 

[kompressaur]

go the Sterling! I have 2 of the single H ones and I am yet to find a more capable amd comfortable playing bass. You will love the StingRay as well so try it too.

 

[boristhespider7]

Get the Sterling without a doubt! The Stingray is cool, but it's a cow and the neck is thick and chunky. The Sterling neck is the greatest bass neck you'll ever experience. Here's an important consideration though: what pickup configuration? IMHO the HS is hands-down the best. It allows you to rest your thumb on the neck pickup (which has a smooth edge w/o screw mounts), but still allows enough room to slap/pop. The single H, while classic, forces you to rest your thumb farther back on the body where the strings are more taut near the bridge. This strains the wrist significantly. Also, the stupid screw mounts leave no smooth edge for the thumb on the single H. IMHO, these two issues create great discomfort especially for extended playing sessions. The HH is great in all respects except for slap since it leaves very little room in front of the fingerboard for popping. Hence the humbucker/single coil "HS" model is the best of all worlds IMHO. Don't play with a pick. Rock on!

 

[ekb16b]

i have reasonably small hands but i find that the ray neck is really comfortable,
but as long as your buying a mm you wont go wrong with anything

 

[Soul Man]

i have reasonably small hands but i find that the ray neck is really comfortable,
but as long as your buying a mm you wont go wrong with anything

Excellent point!

Quality is awesome all the way around - I started with a SR but my hands felt better with the Sterling.

Try em' all!

 

[kompressaur]

I happen to like the taut feel further towards the bridge. for me playing 16ths is much much easier there than nearer the neck where there;s too much give and play in the string and I feel doesn't allow me the same control. I also like what I hear better with my hand over the pickup but mostly the tighter feel/less give in the strings suits my playing style much more and always has. its one of the things that attracted me to musicman basses in the first place,rather than playing over a P or a J neck p/up

that said I'd love a HS

 

[bovinehost]

The Stingray is cool, but it's a beast and the neck is thick and chunky.

Fixed it for you!

Jack

 

[Old_Guy]

Don't play with a pick. Rock on!

My name is Vic, I'm gonna do a little trick/
I'm gonna play my bass without a usin' a pick/
Travel round the world and back again/
Just takin' my bass out for a spin.....

 

[Jodizzle]

Do it do it do it do it

 

[LowDownDave]

I definitely agree with Oli and ekb16b (and ignore Boris's "cow" comment) cuz I too have smallish hands and yet I find the Stingray very comfortable to play. I've owned both, and while I was comfortable playing both the Ray and Sterling, I always found myself favouring the Ray and so sold the Sterling on (to buy another Ray). Definitely try both basses to see which feels most comfortable for you, but as others have said you really can't go wrong with either bass. I was once in your position and also figured (after what I'd read) that I'd have an easier time with a Sterling neck, but because I couldn't find one in my area I ended up buying a Stingray. I got a Sterling eventually but it soon became obvious the Ray was the better fit for me. Maybe you just get used to using what you've got. Have fun!

 

[boristhespider7]

Hey, I like Stingrays, but they are Cows next to the Sterling. While the neck is definitely wider, I'm really referring to the body size when calling it a Cow. The Sterling is a smaller, sleeker more comfortable body. That's part of the reason the Sterling was even developed. It's especially good for "smaller" players. If I were to get a new Stingray (or Sterling), I'd get an HS.

Moooo

 

[fogman]

I want a Sterling!

 

[Baird]

I bought a Stingray earlier this week after being out of the EBMM owners club for almost a year. I have been playing Sadowskys and Fenders.

I made the mistake on Wednesday of picking up a Sterling to try out for a minute while waiting for the sales guy to get my 2007 LE SR4.

Needless to say that my Geddy Lee Jazz (and a bit of cash) will be in the mail on Monday while I anxiously await delivery of a red/maple Stering 4 string. The Sterling H sounds just amazing to me.

As far as playability. the neck is very Jazz-like (thin).

 

[MrMusashi]

if you like thin necks the sterling will probably be your best shot, although the bongo4 neck is nice as well. i lub my sr4 necks (and sr5 20th for that matter. a phat neck is imnsho a wide neck. thickness really doesnt matter as much as string spacing, but that is my personal opinion. i like all the necks on the basses i own. the tobias is by far the most comfy one. assymetrical shape and its thin. always keeping my thumb where it should be
too bad the bass doesnt sound right
the sr4 30th is a mean machine! the neck is perfect!
and the 5 string 20th is also perfect. string spacing is a bit smaller and you have to be careful to not bend the string outside the fret ends.. a technique issue imnsho (again )
the sanded finish on the neck is absolutely perfect. just add a bit of wax and oil now n then and it should be like new as long as you take that extra effort!

/me proudly salutes eb basses!!!

MrM

 

[SeelsHH]

you really cant go wrong with any MM, but if you get a sterling i recommend the HS

 

[spychocyco]

if you like thin necks the sterling will probably be your best shot, although the bongo4 neck is nice as well.

I kind of ruled the Bongo out of the equation because I'm not a fan of painted necks. Maybe I'll give it a shot if I get a chance though. I'll be heading to a town with an EBMM dealer next week, I'm hoping they've got some basses in stock that I can try out.