Got a Sterling!!

[Squawk]

My first EB bass! And it's a Sterling!

The original owner bought it several years back and hardly used it - still had original strings. Being an old-timer, I put a set of flats on it and am amazed at the vintage sound produced by playing with the EQ.

Can someone out there tell me when it was made? The Serial # is 47171. It's a darker sunburst than my Silhouette Special and comes in a vintage hardshell case (a dead ringer for my '68 Precision case - without the Fender nameplate).

Thanks!

 

[midopa]

Welcome to the board, Squawk! I like your handle. Whenever I need info from you or such, I'll just start a new thread with the title, "SQUAWK!" and hopefully you'll reply.

Teh 2000 Juan (jonguitarz) or any other EB staff member on the board can help you out. Teh 2000 Juan frequents this page most. If you're impatient (shame on you! ), check out Rod's MusicMan Serial Database website! Click on "Serials Pre-EB and EB." Mind you, the serials aren't entirely in chronological order, but you can estimate a good DOB for your ruvery Sterling.

Oh, by the way, WE DEMAND PICTURES. Sorry. Without pics, we're going to eat you. I warned you.

Havb phun phun & ssankyouu!!!

 

[Squawk]

Thanks - actually, I saw that link and checked first - only 2 Sterlings are listed there, so I thought I'd write & ask.

I've been registered on this board for a while, but have been inactive for a few months - spend any free time I get playing my guitars and basses - including my wonderful Sil Special - which I believe jonguitarz looked up for me last time.

While I don't frequent this board, I am informed of relevant posts by e-mail, so I will definitely answer any directed to me.

Regarding pictures, here's two from the seller I just uploaded. I'll take my own (with the new strings) when I get a chance This is my first time uploading pictures - hope they show up correctly!

Welcome to the board, Squawk! I like your handle. Whenever I need info from you or such, I'll just start a new thread with the title, "SQUAWK!" and hopefully you'll reply.

Teh 2000 Juan (jonguitarz) or any other EB staff member on the board can help you out. Teh 2000 Juan frequents this page most. If you're impatient (shame on you! ), check out Rod's MusicMan Serial Database website! Click on "Serials Pre-EB and EB." Mind you, the serials aren't entirely in chronological order, but you can estimate a good DOB for your ruvery Sterling.

Oh, by the way, WE DEMAND PICTURES. Sorry. Without pics, we're going to eat you. I warned you.

Havb phun phun & ssankyouu!!!

 

[tkarter]

Good looking Sterling. Enjoy. With flats it is just time to go gig it and not worry about the email or Internet. IMHO

tk

 

[MrDigory]

Looks great! I LOVE that finish.

 

[TheAntMan]

Congrats!

Love that finish...thinking of same finish for my next fretless

 

[oldbluebassman]

I don't think you could have gone to the right part of his site. There are loads of Sterlings there. Anyway mine is 49246 which is 1996. Looking at the other numbers there I would say probably Nov/Dec 1995.

 

[Squawk]

I don't think you could have gone to the right part of his site. There are loads of Sterlings there. Anyway mine is 49246 which is 1996. Looking at the other numbers there I would say probably Nov/Dec 1995.

I went back to the site - what apparently happened is the full site didn't load as the page ended with the first two pix. I never daw the data on Bongos, subs, etc.

Now that I've seen the whole thing, I agree. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[Squawk]

Congrats!

Love that finish...thinking of same finish for my next fretless

It's amazing how many different flavors of sunburst are out there. This one is perfect for this style of guitar.

Do you play a fretless now? I have a Fender American Jazz fretless - I really like it, but don't use it for everything. I could only imagine how great an EBMM fretless would be!

 

[TheAntMan]

It's amazing how many different flavors of sunburst are out there. This one is perfect for this style of guitar.

Do you play a fretless now? I have a Fender American Jazz fretless - I really like it, but don't use it for everything. I could only imagine how great an EBMM fretless would be!

I have been using a Carlos Robelli Fretless (very inexpensive..ok..cheap). It sounds really nice once EQed correctly. I played a whole gig with it and had a great time. I have been looking for a "Real" fretless. I went to my local guitar store and tried an EBMM SR5 fretless. Very nice. I am still looking for an Ebony necked fretless SR4 or even better would be an Ebony necked BONGO!!! I still don't understand why EB does not make necks with Ebony fretboards. They made the Onyx with Ebony fretboards to keep the whole thing black.

I am now looking into the Hot Wire Double Bass.

http://www.hotwire-bass.com/basses/...lebass_eng.html

Sound clips are really cool and the design is very interesting and original. Only problem is that they are in the Netherlands and there are not any dealers locally. I hate buying anything sight unseen.

Does your Fretless Jazz Bass have an Ebony fretboard?

 

[Squawk]

I am now looking into the Hot Wire Double Bass.

http://www.hotwire-bass.com/basses/...lebass_eng.html

Sound clips are really cool and the design is very interesting and original. Only problem is that they are in the Netherlands and there are not any dealers locally. I hate buying anything sight unseen.

Does your Fretless Jazz Bass have an Ebony fretboard?

The hotwire looks interesting, though I imagine you could get a good acoustic sound on a fretless EBMM w/Piezo. The fingerboard on my Jazz fretless is pao ferro - sort of a cross between rosewood and striped ebony. It's very good, but the first thing I did was replace the Fender strings with Rotosound TruBass 88s (same strings I just put on my Sterling). I get a decent fretless sound - quite good for the standard Jazz PU (no EQ). The Sterling has much more tonal latitude, and I'm sure a fretless version would make the Fender bite the dust.

 

[TheAntMan]

The hotwire looks interesting, though I imagine you could get a good acoustic sound on a fretless EBMM w/Piezo. The fingerboard on my Jazz fretless is pao ferro - sort of a cross between rosewood and striped ebony. It's very good, but the first thing I did was replace the Fender strings with Rotosound TruBass 88s (same strings I just put on my Sterling). I get a decent fretless sound - quite good for the standard Jazz PU (no EQ). The Sterling has much more tonal latitude, and I'm sure a fretless version would make the Fender bite the dust.

The SR5 I tried on Saturday was also had a Pau ferro fingerboard. It sounded very good. I also picked up the BONGO - can't go in there and not do the Bongo - If I go with EBMM then I am leaning towards a Bongo 4HHP (my Fretted Bongo will have a brother) with the Pau Ferro Fingerboard. This will give me a nice fingerboard and great EQ to get me closer to any fretless tone I hear in my head.

I have been using Fender Nylon Filament Roundwounds on my fretless...Great strings!!!..IMHO

 

[Squawk]

I have been using Fender Nylon Filament Roundwounds on my fretless...Great strings!!!..IMHO

If you like standard rounds, the Fender nylons are a good choice for the fretless. If you're looking for more of an upright sound, try the Rotosound 88s. More expensive, but they last quite a while.

 

[TheAntMan]

If you like standard rounds, the Fender nylons are a good choice for the fretless. If you're looking for more of an upright sound, try the Rotosound 88s. More expensive, but they last quite a while.

Hmmm...ok...I will look into these strings...Thx for the info

 

[rulyøngo]

Congratulations... Now I gotta try my Sterling with flats...!!!!