New Sterling H

[Powman]

Hello Folks,

Just writing to happily announce that I am now a member of the Music Man Family. I just picked up a Sterling H 4 string.

I have been pining for a Music Man ever since I bought my son a John Petrucci Music Man guitar. I was so impressed at how well made this guitar was.

I have bought and sold an insane number of nasses over the past few years...never could seem to get all the things I wanted. First bass 6 years ago was a Squire...that was returned pretty fast. Next up was a Godin...not too bad for the price, but I didnt like the neck. Next up was an Ibanez...nice neck ( I have small hands). I was not crazy about the tone...I can't quite explain why. Next up was a Marcus Miller Fender Jazz. Loved the neck. Excellent tuners, but dd not have the tone I wanted...way to clicky. Added a second bass to that, a Squire Classic Vibe Jazz strung with flats. Again loved the necks, but still not nailing the tone I wanted. Finally the guy in the store said try a Sterling...jazz like neck, but a fat sound. (I only played a Sting Ray before...neck is too big for me).

Now I nailed it...the Sterling has the physical size AND the tone I was looking for...took me long enough.

 

[mynan]

Congratulations...welcome. Enjoy your Sterling. We would love to see pics.

 

[Sonnyonbass]

Congrats!
Yeah. No pics = no bass

 

[Big Poppa]

What a great dad! Thanks and welcome to this family of knuckleheads

 

[Psycho Ward]

Hey it took me a while to discover EBMM basses too, but once you find them they make you happy... mine do anyway. The Sterling is my personal fav, but I love them all. I sure would like a lefty Big Al too.

 

[five7]

Welcome and enjoy!

 

[bizmarckie]

Welcome! I'm a converted J player myself, and I love my Sterling!

 

[GGK]

I kind of had a similar journey, and ended up with the same result as you did. For me it truly is an exceptional instrument. Congrats and enjoy.

 

[Powman]

Sansamp + Sterling

Thanks gents! Pics are on the way! Got band rehearsal tonight, but will have some pics posted by the weekend...

Another question. I probably shoudl start a new thread, but whatever.

I use a Sansamp RBI. Anyone else out there using a Sansamp? I not 100% sure how to set the Sansamp now that I have active electronics. On the Marcus Jazz, I never used the active eq...

Should I turn down the bass a bit on the Sterling itself? Should I turn down the outputs of the Sansamp?

(I go Bass > Sansamp > Compressor > XLR Output to Ashdown via effects return. At the same time i also use the Level out to Wireless personal monitor).

 

[Psycho Ward]

The general rule of thumb around here is to set your Sterling eq flat, in the center indents first and tweak to taste. With the EBMM active eq a little goes a long way.

Turning everything up to the max can cause earthquakes, IBS, sterility and global warming.

 

[Powman]

The earthquakes, IBS, global warming I am ok with. But sterility...

Impressively, tech 21 got back to me real quick with a reply to the same query...

Here is what they suggested...makes sense. Similar to your advice

"You want to avoid "slamming" the RBI's input with the hot signal from your active bass's built-in preamp, so there are a few things you can do:

First, I'd use the RBI's rear input with the pad engaged (level switch pushed IN) to lower the signal. (You may find this forces you to turn the Level and XLR knobs UP, to return to "unity gain".) I'd also start with the bass's active EQ controls at their center detent positions, so you're not boosting the level of either the bass or treble frequencies. Do the lion's share of your tone-shaping with the RBI, and then fine-tune the tone on the instrument (if necessary). As a last resort, you can try lowering the bass's volume knob a bit."

 

[oli@bass]

I use an RBI, and never had any issues going directly from my StingRay 4 (3 band EQ) into it or via the back input from my MarkBass F1. I generally have the controls on the bass at center detent, and even only do slight adjustments on the RBI (mostly boost the middle a bit, and cut the treble big time, while adding a good deal of Presence -- and keeping that mixed about 50% with the dry bass signal)

 

[Basscake]

Congratulations!

4 string single H

Simplicity. Straigthforward! And it still works great...

 

[Powman]

I use an RBI, and never had any issues going directly from my StingRay 4 (3 band EQ) into it or via the back input from my MarkBass F1. I generally have the controls on the bass at center detent, and even only do slight adjustments on the RBI (mostly boost the middle a bit, and cut the treble big time, while adding a good deal of Presence -- and keeping that mixed about 50% with the dry bass signal)

Interesting advice Oli...I am going to play with the this some more. Using the back input on the RBI and pressing the -20 pad resulted in me having to turn up the XLR and Level Output on the RBI to fairly high levels... Interesting idea to mix with 50% dry bass signal. The Sterling seems to have so much character on its own that is lost a bit via the Sansamp. Id like to hear more of the Music Man sound so blending 50% might just be the trick. Thanks!!