Please Help...SR or Sterling

[JeffreyB]

I've been playing guitar for well over 25 years, and have been playing professionally for about 13....I've played a little bit of bass over the years, but now am joining a new band as the bass player. I just got my Genz Benz Shuttle rig, and need to know if I should go with a Sting Ray or Sterling....I prefer the smaller proportions of the body and neck on the Sterling, but will it sound as full as the Stingray...also, is there any reason to avoid a model with an HH or HS set up as opposed to just a single bridge pickup? (other than the neck pickup getting in the way of some players' techniques?)

In other words, do you gain a lot more versatility with the 2nd pickup, or is the single pickup plenty? We will be playing a lot of Motown, Funk, and dance music.

Thanks so much guys!!!!

-Jeff

 

[b-unit]

Do you need versatility or could you be happy with one really great tone?

I have an SR4 and an SR5 which is tonally similar to a Sterling as it has the same ceramic pickup. In comparing the two, I have found that the ceramic pup seems to be a bit brighter and snappier, where the alinco of the SR4 is a bit thumpier with a deeper growl. The differences are subtle and both are clearly from the same tonal family.

Hope that helps a bit

 

[Road Pop]

That's a tough question. I love my HH Sterling because of all the sounds I can get. Some people may be able to get the same sounds with a different amp using a single H. I have really good amps and speakers, and I'm used to them.

I would say play a few EBMM's and choose. But if you like the Sterling neck.....

Our old guitar player borrowed my HH Sterling and was freaked out by it. He's played for around 35 years or so. Really capable player. He loved the way the HH had different tones from pup to pup. To this date, he's the only person I've lent it to. I mentioned that you could get the same bass with H/S and he freaked again.

I've played music with him in three bands, and he's seen and heard a lot of my basses. The Sterling HH is the only one that stands out to him. I had a single H Stingray and Sterling that he'd heard, but the HH was it for HIM. A lot of other basses in between.

I'd check them all out. You can't go wrong with any of them. Just saying our guitar player loved the tonal options. He also said the Sterling neck was the easiest transition he'd felt from guitar to bass.

Good luck and keep everyone informed!

 

[Colin]

I'm also a guitar player and my choice would be a Sterling. The reasons are first the sounds are great and second the neck is more suited to me (smaller).

 

[Rano Bass]

Sterling H or HS IMO

 

[kayneex]

You know what? Just get a BONGO

 

[LowMoJo]

The Stingray has more of that classic vibe/tone you may be used too and I prefer it's proportions. However, the dual pickup Sterlings are simply amazing. The preamp is far more useful for fattening up the tone IMO and the additional pickups and series wiring bring so much goodness. And since you like the shape and neck already, I think it's a no-brainer. The Sterling HH or HS is for you.

BTW, I even have a mint white Sterling HH for sale. I'm doing the Bongo these days and have too many basses.

 

[Duarte]

For motowny stuff you mentioned a Sterling HS in the S position would work wonders. The extra versatility in the dual pickup models is just incredible but if you really want that to another level...bongo my friend.

Sterlings sound just as full, if not more so than the stingray, as they have more complex and pronounced midranges in there.

 

[oli@bass]

In other words, do you gain a lot more versatility with the 2nd pickup

Yes

or is the single pickup plenty?

Yes

 

[JeffreyB]

Okay, sterling it is....I'm thinking of just picking up a regular H model for now, and then putting a BFR HS model with Rosewood neck and fingerboard option on order.

All 3 sterlings we have in stock are blue...I like white ones, and then I like the transparent finishes on the BFRs, too....do you guys think the BFR with rosewood neck and mahogany tone block would be a HUGE change in overall tone for the style of music we're doing? I'm thinking the Sterling would sound a little warmer in the BFR model (as the guitars do)

someone here mentioned they had a white Sterling in great shape....is it H or HH?
please PM or email me with details...keep in mind, I'm a dealer....so I can get them at our cost for like 200 bucks

Thanks everyone for your help...I would LOVE more input!!!!

 

[ekb16b]

I like rays and single H's because the pup switching causes great confusion.

 

[MrMusashi]

dual pickups gives you more sounds to choose from... flick the switch and you have a new voicing

if you want motown there is only one thing to say: bongo with flats!
it will eat any presicion for breakfast.. and then you can do all the other goodies with it.. hehe

MrM

 

[JeffreyB]

Okay...i went with the....

Sterling HS....Blue Pearl w/ white perloid pickguard....maple neck.

I compared them all with my GB Shuttle rig....and I liked the single coil neck pickup more than the additional Humbucker...but they all sounded great.

pics to come soon.

thanks for everyone's help

 

[oli@bass]

Great choice. It's BP's favorite on the Sterling.

 

[AnthonyD]

Great choice - really no wrong choice to be had... The sound you're looking for is in there. Enjoy!

 

[Rano Bass]

Good choice, it was a win win situation anyway