lefty bass thoughts

[SteveB]

My bass player, who plays lefty, is moving toward being assimilated...err.. ordering a MusicMan bass.

He is leaning toward the SR4, but I'd like to hear from Chuck and any other forumites who play lefty instruments, about the various differences between the SR4 and the Sterling. (Unfortunately, my bass player is not man enough to consider a Bongo.)

For example, I was telling him that I believe the Sterling neck is a little narrower (as measured across the fingerboard from edge to edge). He said "more like a jazz bass?" and I didn't know how to answer because I've never played a jazz bass. (I do own a P-bass.)

He's not a slap player, so that's not a factor.
Maybe some of you can tell me what you played before you got a MusicMan and whether the transition was easy or not?

Thanks for any input.

 

[Psycho Ward]

Good morning Steve.

I’ll do what I can to bring this lefty into the family!

In the most basic terms, a Jazz has a thinner neck than a P-bass. A Sterling has a thinner neck than a SR4. But the Sterling and SR4 are way different basses, a Sterling neck feels different than a Jazz, to me the Sterling neck is the best in the business. It’s thin, but not too thin and it feels solid.
My Dad was a gun collector/dealer and every now and then he would have a very expensive match rifle, some how those guns remind me of EBMM’s, very well made, high precision and you can feel it.

The big problem for a lefty is being able to try different basses; most music stores don’t even have one. Most of my basses have been bought sight unseen and I’ve been thru several in my brief bass life. But the majority of the keepers have been MusicMan. I’ve got two more coming and I’m sure that won’t be the last.

I would recommend a MusicMan bass to any bass player, but especially to a lefty. Many, if not most bass builders don’t even offer a lefty version. Even if they do it’s a very limited selection. EBMM supports lefty’s very well, with almost every option for us too. (Thanks BP). And the up charge for a lefty can be quite hefty, EBMM in very reasonable in this area too. If you own a MusicMan you own a great bass, left or right.

Steve I wish your bassist could come over to my house and play all of mine, hell, we might make a Bongo man out of him!

 

[strummer]

my bass player is not man enough to consider a Bongo.

Fire him, that's all you can do

 

[SteveB]

Haha.. thanks for the replies so far!

 

[Figjam]

I dont see why this question has to be exclusive to lefties. Arent the specs the same, just, reverse. The necks will be the same. (minus headstock)

 

[SteveB]

Figjam,

By all means, feel free to contribute to this thread (not like our threads around here stay focused for long, anyway...)

I just mentioned lefties because they might know what things are and aren't available in lefty (for example, piezo bridges). But all input is appreciated.

 

[Figjam]

Okay well in that case

Sterling has skinnier neck. Sterling is routed from behind whereas stingray is routed from the front. Sterling has a more contoured neck attachment. It is 5 bolts whereas the stingray is 6, and the sterlings is nicely rounded off for more comfort in the upper registers. Sterling has 22 frets whereas the stingray has 21. Sterling has the obvious coil switching options (parallel, single coil, series) whereas a stingray is always wired in parallel. The sterling has a smaller body, so in turn generally is lighter. The sterling is a bit more aggressive; its preamp is a little hotter and has more mid presence. Lastly, ceramic pickups vs alnico.