• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

Movielife

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
1,340
Location
North West, UK
Hey

I've finally decided I need another Ernie Ball. Thing is, I can only order one. Can you guys help?!

1. Ray 5, H+S, White + Tort, rosewood

2.Sterling 5, H+S, White + Tort, rosewood

3. Classic Series Ray 4, powder blue, tort, maple board.

So, I know the classic will be great, but what are the overall opinions on option 1 vs 2. It'll be my first 5 string.

Also, should I get the h + s or h + h?! I am worried about how much space I will have to slap when I want to.

As per my sig, I have 2 Stingrays already.

Thanks
 
Last edited:

Powman

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
Messages
1,086
Location
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
You have 2 Rays already so you really don't need number 3. You do NEED a 5 string (so do I) so its between the Ray and Sterling.

Again, since you have 2 Rays already, the Sterling would be a more logical choice since you would not only be getting a 5 string, which is different, but also a a different sounding bass as well.

Have you played a Sterling? Do you like the sound? I personally love the sound and neck of my Sterling and I chose it over the Ray. But what about you? If you really like the sound of a Ray, then maybe getting a 5 string Sting Ray is enough of different beast for you to justify getting it.
 

rappa29

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
65
Location
Largo, FL USA
Since you asked...

Get a Classic Stingray 5! :D

I'm not a Sterling fan, so I have no useful opinion about them.

I was considering an SR5HH or SR5H, until the Classic Series was revealed. So now all my loot is going towards a Classic Series 5! :)
 

Movielife

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
1,340
Location
North West, UK
The only thing with the Classic on the 5 is that is like the options for tone the standard Ray 5 n Sterling 5 give.

Hmm
 

oli@bass

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
4,272
Location
Switzerland
You have 2 Rays already so you really don't need number 3.

You sound like a wife...

Get the one you like most.
Since I like the 'Ray 4 (and have plenty of them) I'd probably either go with the Classic, because it's a unique limited time offering, or with the StingRay 5 HH, which is the closest fifth string extension to a StingRay.

However, play all of them models, if you can!
 

Sheppardslegion

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
98
Location
Bay Robert's, NL
If you check out my recent thread, I just received my new Sterling 5 HS and it is great for slap. There is tons of room to move around - in fact, I had no issues with my HH Bongo as well.

Cheers,

Shepp
 

MSilvers

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 26, 2010
Messages
208
Location
Queens, NY
I have an HH StingRay and it's great for slapping. The different pickup settings give you some nice sounds. Having both pickups active you get an awesome tight funky sound for slap.
 

drTStingray

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 25, 2007
Messages
1,833
Location
Kent, United Kingdom
I have an HH StingRay and it's great for slapping. The different pickup settings give you some nice sounds. Having both pickups active you get an awesome tight funky sound for slap.

+1 also.

The StingRay 5 is the works as far as I'm concerned - however mine is a ceramic pole piece one so I'd sugest the Sterling 5 to get that sound.
 

shakinbacon

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 5, 2008
Messages
791
Hey

I've finally decided I need another Ernie Ball. Thing is, I can only order one. Can you guys help?!

1. Ray 5, H+S, White + Tort, rosewood

2.Sterling 5, H+S, White + Tort, rosewood

3. Classic Series Ray 4, powder blue, tort, maple board.

So, I know the classic will be great, but what are the overall opinions on option 1 vs 2. It'll be my first 5 string.

Also, should I get the h + s or h + h?! I am worried about how much space I will have to slap when I want to.

As per my sig, I have 2 Stingrays already.

Thanks

I may be wrong here, but it sounds like you haven't tried the exact configurations you're interested in. If possible I highly recommend you do so.

The Stingray and the Sterling are quite different in feel and tone (although they are pretty similar tone wise, but you will notice a difference).

I like the look of the smaller body on the Sterling myself, and it will match your other stingrays pretty well (the Stingray five looks different).
 

Movielife

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2003
Messages
1,340
Location
North West, UK
I may be wrong here, but it sounds like you haven't tried the exact configurations you're interested in. If possible I highly recommend you do so.

The Stingray and the Sterling are quite different in feel and tone (although they are pretty similar tone wise, but you will notice a difference).

I like the look of the smaller body on the Sterling myself, and it will match your other stingrays pretty well (the Stingray five looks different).

Unfortunately the UK stores don't have large stock so I can test.

However, I have definitely decided on H+H after seeing some Ed Friedland demos. Not only that, it's the same price as h+s which surprised me :)

So, I've decided Ray 5 hh or Sterling 5 hh. I know I like the normal Ray 4 tone anyway, so the new Ray 5 will be spot on, but perhaps I should investigate a Sterling.

Classic Series Ray later this year :)
 
Top Bottom