- Thread starter Dan Louis
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shakinbacon
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The best advice I can give you is to try them all if you can with your rig. We can all try to describe the tone but it won't do it justice.
Having said that, the HH and HS will have more tone options than the H. This doesn't mean they are all usable tones for your situation though. The signal H is by no means inferior to either HH or HS. I for one don't think more is better. More is just more.
The single H will be lighter than either of the other options so if that matters to you it is something to consider.
The problem is that I don't have any access to the HS one. My main hesitation was between the HS and the HH... I used to play Fender Jazz5 and Spector Rebop DLX 5 with Duncan Basslines passive. I play rock but my bass parts are between nickelback and Geddy Lee...
DaddyFlip
Well-known member
If you base your decision on a forum popularity contest, I'll start the voting with HH; it's my favorite on all models. I like the thump a neck pickup provides; I'm not a fan of the traditional MM growl and I can't use it for the music I play. BUT, I like a blend of the two pickups to give that neck thump some weight; the neck by itself is too thin and airy (this is on my Bongo- can't wait to see what the 25th does!). That said, an H has the pickup moved slightly toward the neck relative to an HH to give you the fabled "sweet spot". I still think HH is the way to go, but it is oh-so subjective and you might not even choose based on sound (I like the look of an HH). I also liked where my thumb hit the edge of the pickup on the HH better. It's just personal preference.
This is what I like about sound PRODUCTION more than sound REPRODUCTION- there is not right or wrong; it's whatever you want to sound like. When I was into hi-fi, the goal was to match the original performance as closely as possible. Anyone who thinks GAS is a problem with guitar gear, hi-fi is worse because there is a theoretical standard that everyone is trying to pursue. (It really doesn't exist- too many variables). Sorry for the brief hijack!
This is what I like about sound PRODUCTION more than sound REPRODUCTION- there is not right or wrong; it's whatever you want to sound like. When I was into hi-fi, the goal was to match the original performance as closely as possible. Anyone who thinks GAS is a problem with guitar gear, hi-fi is worse because there is a theoretical standard that everyone is trying to pursue. (It really doesn't exist- too many variables). Sorry for the brief hijack!
DaddyFlip
Well-known member
Skip the Sterling and get a 25th HH. The bridge humbucker is in the exact same place as the H on a Sterling and you get a neck 'bucker, too. AND, you get passive mode (to remind you of your 7en*er and $pe**or sounds) and series/parallel coil switching. This is where you want to be, man!
bdgotoh
Well-known member
I prefer HH personally, trying them all is the only way to be sure.
A single H won't necessarily be lighter weight than an HS or HH, the wood varies more than the difference in component weight.
A single H won't necessarily be lighter weight than an HS or HH, the wood varies more than the difference in component weight.
Powman
Well-known member
Wow... With the 25th I guess you really only need one bass that does everything.
Powman
Well-known member
While there are more tonal variations with more pickups, the Sterling H is such a perfect bass for ROCK. Awesome growl.
But at the same time, if you roll off the highs, add a touch of lows, and move your plucking hand toward the neck, I find my Sterling H can sound quite smooth and thumpy as well. People seem to overlook this effect.
fly
Well-known member
if you're looking for a bit more outta the single H........toss in the single coil.
if you're looking for a lot more outta the single H........toss another H into the mix......
you gotta try 'em for yourself.......good luck
if you're looking for a lot more outta the single H........toss another H into the mix......
you gotta try 'em for yourself.......good luck
Grand Wazoo
Well-known member
Confucious said: man who plays single H is hot, man with HH twice as hot!
bizmarckie
Well-known member
I have HH and HS... they're, um, different. I've played a lot of single H's at GC... They're also different. If you can, try all of them. If not, search past threads. I've seen this topic discussed with a lot of good input from guys who've been aroubd the EBMM block for a while. Good luck in your search, though, I know how you feel 
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Mogee
Well-known member
I have an HH and you get 5 different configs, but always at least 2 coils going. The only way to get just a single coil sound at would be with the HS.
shakinbacon
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good point. I stand corrected
bovinehost
Administrator
I've been through a metric boatload of basses and when it comes to the Sterling 5, you need to listen to bdgotoh.
"When bdgotoh talks, bassists listen."
I did and I'm ever so glad.
I am, at heart, a single H kind of guy. But there is something very special about the Sterling 5 HH.
And, jeez, I'm Lord Bongo and stuff!
Jack
2ndBassGuitar
Well-known member
The HH configuration gets my vote. I just like the sound a bit better and have a nice place to rest my thumb (on the neck pickup).
boristhespider7
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- Feb 13, 2007
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Everyone is talking about the sounds, but to me the most important issue is where do you plant your thumb when you play? I put mine on the neck pickup (I grew up playing Jazz basses). A single H can be uncomfortable for someone like me because having to rest the thumb so far back causes strain on my wrist. With the HH and HS, you have much more versatility regarding where to plant your thumb. The HS is my favorite because the S pickup gives you a little more room between the PU and the neck for slapping and popping and still gives you a comfortable place to rest your thumb.
Spanky(Andy)
Well-known member
Hey Jack,
If you ever get the urge to flip that Medallion Gold Sterling 5, give me a look in? I bought a Sabre from Brad and consider him king of the Sabres too.
Cheers
Andy
S
sitonmybass
For "the most possibilities and versatility" from a Sterling 5 I would have to say either double pickup configuration (HH or HS) and this comes from someone who owns and prefers the Sterling 5 single H.
My only double pickup EBMM is my Bongo 5 HH because I prefer a blend knob rather than the 5-way switch.
Only you will know which of these two double pickup configurations is best for you and hopefully you'll have the opportunity to try them both.
Don't rule out the Sterling 5 single H, it's killer!
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aBoMoFo
Member
I'm a huge fan of HH, but I certainly do respect the tones that comes out of a single H. Have not had too much experience with HS or a Piezo but for me the HH just is so solid.
keko
Well-known member
I'll tell You my story, so maybe it helps a bit!
I was badly wanted Sterling 5 with piezo and with standard ceramic split coil single H pickup including hidden phantom coil, so in 4 string option that was possible, bit in 5 string not!
Than I start research Streling 5 string models and I chose HS version!
Why?
In fact single H is everything you need on Sterling, but it's not exactly the rule, with HS you keep some important switch options from single H model and getting a few more wonderful options, S neck alone, mix of all coils (very useful) and coils 2+3 in serial etc.
On the HH model you can't split bridge H pickup, or any other single coil mode option!!!
This bolded is reason why I didn't bought HH model!
I use very often Single coil 1+phantom from bridge pickup, but full H mostly, and very often all coils too(H in series and S in series with phantom together in parallel = coils 1+2 in parallel with 3+phantom)
Visit official EBMM site and download schematic diagrams of all Sterlings 5 basses, maybe it helps!
Note: I prefer more good old Jazz Bass feel and tonal spectrum, so that's why I can't have bass without bridge and neck singles!
