Help w/ 1st EB Sterling Purchase!

[x-ray]

How's it going out there?

This is my first post. I have a couple questions that hopefully some of you can respond to somewhat soon (i.e. by the weekend)...

I've been playing 2-3 years, and I've always wanted a MM bass, but never had the cash to spring for it, so I purchased an early version Ibanez ATK (ducking for cover) about a year or two ago. A GC recently opened up next to me, and after playing around w/ a SR & Sterling, I've fallen in love with the Sterling (the neck/profile is perfect in my hands). I played it through a Markbass 2x10 combo, A/B'd it next to an ATK, and as you may expect, the ATK wilted in shame. So I instantly decided I NEED a Sterling - Now!

That being said, I'm going to have to sell a couple basses to fund this (including the ATK), and I have some money saved, but I'm committed to doing this. This is what I need help deciding:

I have a chance to buy an older version ('93) for around $800 in decent shape. This has the single H, and rosewood fingerboard. At GC, the ones I played were single H & HS. Both those I tried are maple fingerboard. I A/B'd the single H & the HS, but was too excited to carefully listen to the subtle differences they may have, they both just felt so great. I will go back there for a more careful comparison.

My questions are:

1. is there any difference b/w the early Sterlings ('93) and the current ones, assuming you're comparing the single H only? Is the pickup the same? Body shape/design, pickup controls, etc.? General quality/QC? Were there any significant improvements made over the last 15 years, that make it worth spending an extra $400-600, other than having a new bass?

2. what's the 'main' difference tone wise b/w the H & the HS? More tonal variety? I'm not much of a slapper, more dub and finger picking...

If I do buy one at GC, it will be by far the most I've paid for an instrument, but I'll probably keep it the rest of my life (famous last words). OTOH, I don't mind buying used, if all else is equal...

Sorry for the long post. Any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

X-Ray

 

[Psycho Ward]

Welcome to the forum!

I vote for the H/S, just because I really like the EBMM single coil. If you can, go play them both again and see which one speaks to you. I have 4 Sterlings and I love them all, but the H/S is my favorite.

Stick around and have fun here.

 

[koogie2k]

Welcome to the Addiction!

X-ray...you have chosen a great bass and a great company. The basses are wonderful tools for what we do!

Just a reminder, pricing is not something that should be listed in a thread. You may want to edit out what the pricing is at GC. Used pricing is fine.

Another avenue you may want to explore is Pete DuBaldo. He is a dealer here on the forum and a great guy at that. He might be able to help you out as well. It doesn't hurt to check around.

I am a fan of the single H...but, that is me. Any configuration bass by EBMM is great...so, my advice, try them both if you can. Let your ears do the talking for you.

Stick around....have fun....and enjoy the ride.

 

[Moondog]

IMO, I would opt for the '93. All years are great but I just happen to
enjoy the early to mid 90's MM; perhaps just luck of the draw but
these years have been good to me.

The '93 probably has mutes which you might decide to use given
your preferred styles. Birdseye maple neck might be an added
cosmetic bonus. I had a '96 Sterling and loved it; in my limited A/B'ing,
I hear a subtle difference in the single H 3-way tones vs. the dual pup 5-ways.
I like the single pup. Just my opinion, I'm all Ray now so hopefully more Sterling
owners will help you out.

 

[Frankie5Angels]

I've got a used 1995 Sterling 4H with a maple board and MM case for sale here for $750 shipped. PM me if interested.

I love the H models. There's just something about the simplicity of them. The tone is amazing and you don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out all the knobs.

Not that there's anything wrong with the HH or HS models. But the simplicity of the H models is very attractive to me.

 

[Aragorn35016]

The only other cosmetic differences I can add too other than the ones already mentioned is that it should have the older metal plate battery cover verses the new fliptop one, that and the neck plate should be recessed into the body. Oh and the serial# will be on the bridge. Ive owned both a 95 single H sterling and one of the new H/S models. Different strokes for different folks but I love the Single H version!!

John

 

[Kristopher]

One of the main differences is that with a single H you can switch the pickup into parallel wiring mode, which is how Stingrays are wired. If you like this sound a lot, you may want it, although it doesn't sound exactly like a Stingray, it sounds like its own animal. Personally, I dig the Sterling in series sound the most, and I don't slap, but that's just me.

I own both a Sterling H rosewood and a Sterling HS maple. The HS has quite a lot of tonal options to choose from, and for the most part, you can make it sound like the single H if you want to. To my ears, when you select the single coil neck pickup on the HS the bass sounds unlike the normal compressed tone one may be used to when playing EBMM basses. To my ears it has dynamics more akin to a p-bass.

And then there's all the other pickup configurations - you're getting a lot of bang for the buck with an HS. I know you're really itching to buy one now, and that buying the more expensive model might delay the purchase a bit, but make sure you won't regret a quick decision.

You may ask why I keep my single H around if I've got a HS. Well, I have to say, my single H just kills. It's such a great playing and sounding bass, I just can't let it go. Yeah, it's got a rosewood board so it sounds a bit different than the maple HS, and yeah it sounds a teeny bit warmer.

So if that used bass you're looking at is just killer and marked at a super deal (yes, $800 is a super deal, you can easily resell it at the same price on the internet), you may not want to pass it up. It's been around 15 or so years, it's solid and has stood the test of time, plus in a few years it may even be considered 'vintage' and be more valuable to some(or maybe not).

Yeah, I guess I'm not helping by playing both sides of the fence. It's really up to you. Either way, you win, cause you're getting (IMHO) one of the best basses out there.

Good luck!

 

[Moondog]

. . . the neck plate should be recessed into the body.

yes, the recessed neck plate was a nice touch:

 

[x-ray]

Hey,

thanks for all the quick replies!

Moondog, the info about the mutes on the bridge is interesting, that may be a nice bonus (although I can always add mutes if I wanted to w/ the new ones - I probably wouldn't). Also, the seller told me it has a birdseye maple neck, even though the board is rosewood.

I did remember that the ones at GC had the newer microadjust truss rod, and I doubt they had that on the earlier models. No biggie, I have no problem adjusting a truss rod, and hopefully won't have to do it too often...

I'll keep you all updated re/ my decision after I check out the basses again.

thanks,

x-ray

 

[JimmyO]

Just to chime in here, as a recent EBMM purchaser but longtime "joneser..." Keep an eye on classified listings here, and on large 4-letter auction sites as well. I got my 2002 white sparkle Sterling for $750 shipped from the 'bay. There's some great deals to be had if you don't mind used and can be patient to wait for the right opportunity.

 

[Dr. Nick]

x-ray,

Welcome to the board...always good to meet someone with an appreciation of the Sterling! All EBMMs are quality instruments, but, to me, the Sterling is just perfect in every detail!

Either way you go, you'll be very happy! Enjoy!

 

[RitchieDarling]

Welcome aboard! Whichever option you choose, you can't go wrong with a Sterling/MarkBass combination!

Ritchie

 

[Moondog]

the seller told me it has a birdseye maple neck, even though the board is rosewood.
I did remember that the ones at GC had the newer microadjust truss rod, and I doubt they had that on the earlier models. No biggie, I have no problem adjusting a truss rod, and hopefully won't have to do it too often...

birdseye? excellent! rosewood? bonus!
Don't worry about the trussrod, the '93 has the same system -
I think they changed in the late 80's

 

[shamus63]

Love my '96 (Rosewood FB)!

I'm going to add an HS to the mix as soon as I have the cash...Black Cherry w/Rosewood is looking pretty good to me at the moment.

 

[boristhespider7]

A big thing you should consider is whether you're used to playing on the neck pickup. If so, having a single H is a difficult adjustment because it is a whole different feel playing on the bridge pickup. It can hurt your wrist since the strings are more taut there and it's a different angle of attack. Also, the screw holders on the single H traditional pickup get in the way for my thumb. The HH and HS have the new flush screw mounts that allow a smooth area to rest your thumb. They also give you the ability to rest on the neck pickup instead of the bridge. Look at ebay as there are often great Sterling deals there.

 

[x-ray]

Boris,

That is very interesting, I never thought of the right hand attack/finger rest issue... I don't slap much, but actually I do play closer to the neck than the bridge, so if anything, the neck pickp up may be of good use as a a thumbrest... I'll go back to GC and compare again with that in mind. I also gotta remember to play them w/ a strap on standing up, I always sit down...

 

[fly]

dude........the single H just kicks in the Sterling.

i'm on the hunt for an H/S Sterling w/ a maple board to go w/ this beauty.


good luck man,and you won't be disapointed with the Sterling either.

 

[boristhespider7]

Glad to help. It was a big factor for me. I don't think whether you slap or not makes a difference for this. I play both fingerstyle (more often) and slap. However, when I play fingerstyle, I only rest my thumb on the neck pickup, not the bridge. The location of the pickup and the screw mounts caused me to get rid of a single H Stingray. I now play HH Sterlings and it makes all the difference. I highly reccomend the HH or HS Sterling or Stingray for this reason. The Sterling has the most comfortable neck in the world in my opinion. Good luck!

 

[x-ray]

Boris,

What about sound difference w/ HS & HH? Seems like a hefty price to pay to get the additional pup mostly for a thumbrest... I could always install one (not that I would...). Anyways, I couldn't get to the GC today, I'll try to sneak out of work a little early this week and try the two out w/ the finger position issue in mind...

Take it easy.

 

[boristhespider7]

I don't think it's that much more money if you look for instance at Musicians Friend for the HH. I mean you're already spending serious dollars (unless you're getting the used $800 one). The sound difference is that you get more versatility with the extra pickups and phasing. You're going to be able to dial in most sounds with any Sterling and the single PU was never a problem for me on that front. Don't get me wrong, I love the single PU, but for me, in the long term, it was uncomfortable for me the play on the bridge PU. Others have no issue with it. I tried for a long period of time and found it uncomfortable. I was used to playing Fender Jazz basses and resting the thumb on the neck PU. The screw mounts also drove me crazy (and I wasn't the only one, which is the reason for the updated screw mount design). For me, it made the difference between an unplayable bass with a sound I loved and a playable bass with a sound I loved. I just was giving you some input as to something to conisder - it's something which may not draw your attention in the store, but after a gig or long practice, you may say, " it hurts, why didn't I think of that"? Everything else about the Sterling is perfect in my opinion.

By the way, look on ebay right now for a Sterling in Vintage Sunburst that actually does have a nice thumb rest (brass, not plastic) installed professionally. There's no shame in it.