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

[stuartv]

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,

I know! If it weren't for liking the general looks of the ST5 better, I would just keep it. As I have learned here, now, it has the same electronics at the ST5. And the ST5 is the same weight.

Hopefully, that means the SR5 won't be hard to sell, if I get the ST5 and prefer to keep it.

 

[jlepre]

What year is your SR5, and what color is it?

 

[stuartv]

I forget the exact year, and I don't have it here with me to refer to the S/N. It's some time in the 2000s, pre-2008, so it has the ceramic pickups.

It's Black Sparkle with matching headstock and maple board. I love the way it looks, plays and sounds. I wish I had had it with me when I tried out the Sterling 5 at GC a couple of weeks ago. It could have short-circuited this Sterling 5 GAS I have now. Unfortunately, finding out now that my SR5 has the same electronics as the Sterling 5 cannot dispel my new love for the looks of the Sterling - especially the LE2008 that I'm going to look at.

 

[Datta]

For reasons I don't understand, there are many subtle differences between the Sterlings and the Stingrays. More people prefer the SRs, but I'm not one of them. Sterlings kill (in my highly subjective opinion) and are lighter as an added bonus. To me the Sterlings feel better, play better, and sound better.

 

[Gravesend Black]

For reasons I don't understand, there are many subtle differences between the Sterlings and the Stingrays. More people prefer the SRs, but I'm not one of them. Sterlings kill (in my highly subjective opinion) and are lighter as an added bonus. To me the Sterlings feel better, play better, and sound better.

The main reason is that people are different. Everybody has their personal feel and taste.

 

[stuartv]

For reasons I don't understand, there are many subtle differences between the Sterlings and the Stingrays. More people prefer the SRs, but I'm not one of them. Sterlings kill (in my highly subjective opinion) and are lighter as an added bonus. To me the Sterlings feel better, play better, and sound better.

Are you talking about Stingray 5s made since the beginning of 2008? The well known difference there is not subtle. It's that the Sterling has a ceramic magnet pickup and the StingRay pickup has alnico magnets.

 

[Gravesend Black]

Are you talking about Stingray 5s made since the beginning of 2008? The well known difference there is not subtle. It's that the Sterling has a ceramic magnet pickup and the StingRay pickup has alnico magnets.

Don't forget about the wiring and switch lever positions. Each H, HH or HS modification of SR5 or ST5 offers different options.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Don't forget about the wiring and switch lever positions. Each H, HH or HS modification of SR5 or ST5 offers different options.

or the fact that in multi-pickup versions, the Stingray has primarily parallel wiring of the pickups and coils. The sterling uses all series wiring. That produces a different basic sound, even if the magnet composition was the same. The single H models are the only ones that can do both series and parallel humbucker modes.

 

[Oldtoe]

For what it's worth, I "believe" I was correct.

That's a VERY nice color SR5 you have, by the way. I have a Luke in that color, and it is the cat's PJs.

 

[stuartv]

For what it's worth, I "believe" I was correct.

That's a VERY nice color SR5 you have, by the way. I have a Luke in that color, and it is the cat's PJs.

Ha ha! Indeed! I believe you were!

And thanks! I loves me some black and maple and the black sparkle just puts it over the top. However, if the deal I'm working for a Sterling 5 2008 LE comes through, I will have no trouble letting the black sparkle go, to preserve bank account harmony. That Sequoia Gold looks really sweet, too!

 

[Gravesend Black]

or the fact that in multi-pickup versions, the Stingray has primarily parallel wiring of the pickups and coils. The sterling uses all series wiring. That produces a different basic sound, even if the magnet composition was the same. The single H models are the only ones that can do both series and parallel humbucker modes.

Ty I know. That is what I'm talking about. Somebody above this thread wondered why ppl playing SR5 cuz ST5 is so biig) So I was writing about personal tastes and options that every model and PU config may offer.

 

[tbonesullivan]

Ty I know. That is what I'm talking about. Somebody above this thread wondered why ppl playing SR5 cuz ST5 is so biig) So I was writing about personal tastes and options that every model and PU config may offer.

ahh! I gotcha. sometimes I wish they would bring out a stingray with the reflex-style switching setup. Being able to choose just about any configuration is awesome. I wonder if the humbucking pickups in the Reflex are the same as the ones in the Sterling series.

 

[stuartv]

I have a G&L L-2500, with the Single Coil option. It will do about a million different tones. It's a great bass that has some great sounds. But, anymore, I don't care about having a bunch of different sounds. Or even a bunch of different really good sounds. I just want a bass with The One good sound.

Fingers crossed that the deal works out for me on this Sterling 5 H 2008LE that I'm going to check out on Saturday!

 

[Datta]

I don't care about having a bunch of different sounds. Or even a bunch of different really good sounds. I just want a bass with The One good sound.

Amen to that!

Fingers crossed that the deal works out for me on this Sterling 5 H 2008LE that I'm going to check out on Saturday!

Good luck!

 

[Datta]

The main reason is that people are different. Everybody has their personal feel and taste.

Of course. I'm just curious as to why, not that it matters much. Same with rigs. Some people (including players I respect) LOVE equipment I don't even like.

 

[Datta]

Of course. I'm just curious as to why, not that it matters much. Same with rigs. Some people (including players I respect) LOVE equipment I don't even like.

I won't even mention that Will Lee and Victor Wooten both use (or used) Hartke, and I'm sure it's more than just the endorsement deal . . .

 

[Freddels]

Are there any sound samples comparing the different versions of the SR5 and Sterling 5?

Also, Stuart, what did you find out regarding your inquiry to CS?

 

[stuartv]

Are there any sound samples comparing the different versions of the SR5 and Sterling 5?

Also, Stuart, what did you find out regarding your inquiry to CS?

I posted my CS results earlier in the thread. They said the pre-2008 SR5 and the Sterling 5 have the same pickup and preamp. Is that what you were asking about?

I do not have any sound clips comparing the SR5 (any flavor) and the Sterling 5.

But, I did get the 2008 LE Sterling 5. I had it Pleked (yes, it did need it). I put some Circle K Balanced Tension strings on it. I put a Baltic Amber pickguard on it. And now it has the best sound, best feel, best playability, and best looks of any bass I've had or even seen.

Oh, and while my favorite tone is the Series mode, a friend of mine came over who is good a playing slap bass and we verified that the Single H in Parallel mode produces the BEST slap tone ever! (All, in my opinion, of course.) He liked it so much, he went straight out and bought a SBMM SB-14.

I think it's a real shame that the HS and HH versions of the Sterling don't have the same Parallel mode that the H does. That Coil 1, 2, Parallel mode is awesome, and only the H has it.

 

[Freddels]

I like that guard.