Question New Sterling 5 H vs StingRay 5 H w/ceramic: Same preamp?

[stuartv]

[Disclaimer: I did do a Search and did not find the answer to this]

I have an older StingRay 5 H. It has the ceramic pickups, 3-way selector switch, and 3 band EQ.

A couple of weeks ago, I was at a GC and tried out a new Sterling 5 H and a new SR 5 H.

Outward appearances suggest that they are all almost exactly the same, except for the new SR5 having an alnico pickup, and, of course, the SRs having a different body than the Sterling. Both the new basses also had the 3-way selector switch and a 3-band EQ.

Playing the new SR5 first, then switching to the Sterling, the Sterling immediately blew me away. I LOVED the tone way more than the tone from the SR5. It was way more punch-you-in-the-face aggressive sounding than the StingRay. It sounded like it would cut through a band mix like a chainsaw through a pile of fresh, dead chickens. Blood and feathers flying everywhere.

I looked up the wiring diagrams for all 3 basses on Music-Man.com and it says that the SR5 Ceramic 3-way switch has exactly the same settings as the Sterling 5. I.e. Series, Bridge plus phantom, Parallel.

Whereas, the new SR5 has Series, Series + Filter, Parallel.

Unfortunately, I did not have my ceramic SR5 with me, to compare it to the other two.

So, my question is, does the Sterling 5 (3-band) have a different preamp than the current StingRay 5 (3-band)?

And, does the new Sterling 5 have a different preamp than my older SR5, which also has ceramic magnet pickups?

And, of course, is the ceramic pickup in my SR5 the same as the pickup in the Sterling?

I'm going to try and take my SR5 back to the same GC and compare it to that Sterling. But, it will be another week or two, and, of course, the Sterling could be gone by then.

So, I'm wondering what to expect. If the preamps and pickups are all the same, then I would expect my SR5 to sound the same as the current Sterling 5. But, if the preamp between SRs and Sterlings is different, then I would expect my SR5 to sound different than either of the basses I tried at GC. In which case, I will have to figure out some way to turn my SR5 into a new Sterling 5 (without applying TOO many $100 bills).

Thanks for any help.

 

[Gravesend Black]

I'm not sure but I thought that ceramics SR5= Sterling 5. At least their official website schematics are identical.

 

[Oldtoe]

The older, ceramic pickup SR5 and the newer Sterling 5 have the same preamp and pickup, I believe.

Make sure your pickup height on your SR5 is set at factory spec, that your preamp EQ knobs are all set to the same position, and that you have a fresh battery. Also, Music Man basses come with Ernie Ball Regular Slinkys from the factory. In my experience, you must also play both basses through the same amplifier during the same session to get a true sense of the tonal differences between basses. There are few basses more wonderful than an older Stingray 5 with a single ceramic humbucker, IMHO.

 

[stuartv]

I'm not sure but I thought that ceramics SR5= Sterling 5. At least their official website schematics are identical.

Do you have a link to the schematics you're talking about? The only schematic I could find is from the link directly off the Sterling 5 and StingRay 5 pages, and those don't actually show any wiring. They just explain what the 3-way selector switch positions mean.

As far as i know, all 3 basses (ST5, new SR5, old SR5) could have the same preamp and just the 3-way switch is wired differently.

I guess, really, I'm hoping somebody official will respond to this thread with the Final Answer, OR somebody will find some MM part numbers for the ST5 and the ceramic SR5 that will confirm that the preamp and pickup are the same (or different).

 

[stuartv]

The older, ceramic pickup SR5 and the newer Sterling 5 have the same preamp and pickup, I believe.

Is there any way to confirm this? I mean no offense. I just don't know you and I don't know how to take your "I believe". Different people use that phrase for different degrees of certain knowledge. For some, it's no better than "I read it somewhere on the Internet". For others, "I believe" is short for "I independently verified it for myself."

 

[laneline]

Have you called CS at 866 823 2255 ?

 

[stuartv]

Nope. I did send them an email, though.

 

[tbonesullivan]

well, the electronics should be mostly the same. There have been several different revisions of the electronics in the 5H. They originally had AlNico pickups, then ceramic, and then back to Alnico. The preamps might be the same on all of them, though as with all electronics they were probably revised multiple times over the years.

One thing to remember though is that the sterling has a thinner neck, and smaller body. Being lighter will change the sound. Also the body woods might be different, which again can affect the sound somewhat.

 

[stuartv]

Well, first, I specifically said I'm talking about the SR5 H with ceramic pickups.

I'm trying to determine if the electronics are exactly the same as a current Sterling 5 H.

According to the published specs, the necks are the same dimensions. I've read reports that "my Sterling 5 neck is thinner than an SR5 neck." But, I've also read "my new SR5 neck is thinner than any Sterling 5 neck I've had."

Finally, my SR5 is around 9.5 pounds. I've seen reports of them being 11. I've also seen Sterling 5s that weigh over 10. So, I don't think you can make any generalizations about Sterling 5s being lighter than StingRay 5s. Clearly, each individual bass is different.

But, if my SR5 (an H, with ceramic pickup) has the same pickup as preamp as current Sterling 5s, then I can at least expect it to sound generally like a Sterling 5, versus a new StingRay 5 (with alnico pickup).

 

[Gravesend Black]

Well, first, I specifically said I'm talking about the SR5 H with ceramic pickups.

I'm trying to determine if the electronics are exactly the same as a current Sterling 5 H.

According to the published specs, the necks are the same dimensions. I've read reports that "my Sterling 5 neck is thinner than an SR5 neck." But, I've also read "my new SR5 neck is thinner than any Sterling 5 neck I've had."

Finally, my SR5 is around 9.5 pounds. I've seen reports of them being 11. I've also seen Sterling 5s that weigh over 10. So, I don't think you can make any generalizations about Sterling 5s being lighter than StingRay 5s. Clearly, each individual bass is different.

But, if my SR5 (an H, with ceramic pickup) has the same pickup as preamp as current Sterling 5s, then I can at least expect it to sound generally like a Sterling 5, versus a new StingRay 5 (with alnico pickup).

I have both SR5 versions - ceramics and alnico and I never had a Sterling. But from what I heard (I mean videos, music etc) I'd say that ceramics SR5 is very keen to the Sterling. The reason why EBMM created Sterling back inthe 1993 is that a lot of ppl liked the new sound of ceramic PUs but wanted a 4 string version. Years later it was considered to make a Sterking 5. but in that case we could have 2 very similar basses with different appearance. So they switched back to alnico for SR5 and changed lever position variations.

 

[stuartv]

Thanks again, Gravesend. That all makes sense.

I guess really just going to have to go back to that GC and take my ceramic SR5 and compare it to the new ST5 and SR5 they have there. I just hope they still have them when I get there. It will have been a month between visits.

 

[jlepre]

...the sterling has a thinner neck, and smaller body. Being lighter will change the sound. Also the body woods might be different, which again can affect the sound somewhat.

The body is smaller, but the SR5 & ST5 necks are identical. This was per BP himself when the ST5 was first introduced.

 

[stuartv]

Hey John! Fancy seeing you here!

I've seen enough posts saying one neck or the other is thinner that - since the specs on the web page are identical - I already concluded any differences that people report are, either, one, variances in manufacturing, or two, a failure of perception of the person who reported a difference. Either way, I'm not worried about that.

I really would just like to see an official statement on the preamp and pickup. Are the current ST5 and ceramic SR5 really exactly the same (preamp and pickup)?

 

[Gravesend Black]

Stuartv, just call CS and they will answer your Qs I guess. Please let me know if you will find this out. I was interested in this too when I've bought my ceramics one)

 

[stuartv]

Well, though I emailed them yesterday, I broke down and called - and now I feel like a jacka$$. Jacob (whom I spoke to), had already received my email from yesterday and forwarded it to one of their techs for a definitive answer. He just had not responded yet because he didn't get an answer back yet.

Oh, well. I got a line on a Sterling 5 LE2008 that I might go for, so I took advantage to ask him a couple of questions about that while I had him on the phone.

I'll update this when I get an official answer.

 

[stuartv]

Just got this response back in email from EBMM CS:

According to our tech, the two pickups are identical, and the preamps are the same other than the distances between components.

So, that's that. No overt reason to dump my SR5 for a Sterling 5.... except that I just got a line on a Sterling 5 H 2008 LE and it looks SO SWEET! If it's no heavier than my SR5 and there's nothing wrong it, I think I'm going to have to pull all available strings to acquire it.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Just got this response back in email from EBMM CS:



So, that's that. No overt reason to dump my SR5 for a Sterling 5.... except that I just got a line on a Sterling 5 H 2008 LE and it looks SO SWEET! If it's no heavier than my SR5 and there's nothing wrong it, I think I'm going to have to pull all available strings to acquire it.

Thx for the info =) Are you going to let go your SR5 for ST5 or you want to own both?)

 

[stuartv]

If I get the ST5, I will A/B the two basses and keep whichever one sounds better to me. According to the seller, the ST5 is 9.5 pounds, which is just what my SR5 weighs, if I recall correctly. And that is good. If it were 10 pounds or more, I wouldn't even go look at it. 9.5 or over is even iffy, for me. I have jacked up both my shoulders racing motorcycles for years and I just will not buy a heavy bass. There's too many great basses out there that are 9 or less.

Unfortunately, my SR5 is in VA at the moment and the LE and I are both in CA right now. Otherwise, I would A/B them before buying the LE.

 

[jlepre]

Hey John! Fancy seeing you here!

HA! Not so unusual since I sent you here.

 

[jlepre]

9.5 pounds is a light weight for an SR5. I once owned an ST5 that was 9 pounds even. Wish I'd never let that Trans Orange baby go,