le sterling neck..

[BOOST]

so i have pondered upon something, how thinner is the sterling neck to the stingray? my ATK has a beast of a neck and i hate it... so just curious if the sterling might be a better route even though i prefer the looks of the ray....thanks guys/gals

 

[LowDownDave]

Hello fellow Canadian BOOST! Not sure this post will help, but I moved from an Ibanez Soundgear (mods delete if required, ha-ha) to a Stingray4, without having played one (leap of faith, also couldn't find a store with one in stock in my area over here in the UK). I was somewhat worried I might find the neck too wide (small hands, no relation to other anatomical features, it's a myth...TMI) but I found the Ray VERY comfortable to play, and unsure if it was the "differently" finished neck or what it was, but I actually preferred it to the Ibanez neck I was used to.

I then joined a band who tune down to low C, and to prevent having to constantly tune my bass up and down (I'm lazy, and didn't want to be constantly putting strain on the neck and making numerous adjustments with string heights, etc) I decided I needed another bass. I thought I'd like to try something different than the Ray and found a "cheap" second hand Sterling, so I snapped it up. I've only had it for a few months, but I actually think I prefer the Ray neck to the Sterling. Yes, the Sterling neck seems considerably narrower than the Ray neck, and that might be why I'm not getting along with it as well as I'd like. I have a feeling I'll eventually be trading it in, perhaps for a Bongo?

So not sure having to read this post is providing you with any useful info, but I'd suggest (if possible) you try both and see what feels best to you. Both are great basses, but after getting the opportunity to live with both, I have found where my true allegiances lie. I definitely want to give the Bongo a whirl, but after realizing how much I love the feel of my Stingray over the Sterling, the dual humbucker models are also calling.

 

[BOOST]

hahah i have your same small hand (ONLU) syndrome lol....i like you had a SDGR loved the neck speed playing was great my ATK neck reminds me of a fender style and is horridly thick, it just hard to find a left sterling or stinger to play to try ....so i'm taking advice....but thankyou sir!

 

[Jazzbassman23]

I have big hands. And I have always preferred a 1.5" neck a la the Sterling. I've owned two Stingrays, and while they sounded great, maybe even better than the Sterling, the Sterling is, hands down, the most comfortable bass I've ever played. And let's be honest, it too sounds amazing. If I were you, i'd also try a Bongo before you leap in. It's neck is sort of in between a Sterling and a Bongo, and if you're like a lot of us here, eventually, you'll own all three.

 

[BOOST]

what part of the neck do you measure? if i might ask?

 

[Figjam]

1.5" is the width at the nut.

 

[BOOST]

so, the bottom of the fret board figgy?

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Measure at the end of the neck nearest the tuning keys. The nut is the little plastic thingie with slots for the strings.

 

[BOOST]

thanks

 

[LowDownDave]

Ooops, forgot you were a lefty BOOST. They might be even harder to find (for try-out purposes) than it was for me to find right-handed floor stock Musicman basses to have a go on in my 'hood here in the UK. Good luck with that one!

You must also have a left-handed keyboard/signature. "Coming" soon: SR4

 

[BOOST]

i say pyscho ward, mails me one sterling and his bonger when it comes so i can try them for a week and then send back.... lol


i wish..

 

[Dr Stankface]

If you like a tiny neck profile, you'll love the Sterling. I'd own one if it wasn't for that.... and if they had 5 strings.

Love the tone but too small of a neck.

Andrew

 

[Figjam]

Neck works for me, I dont mind larger necks, but the sterling neck does me wonderfully.