Question Popularity: Sterling 4 or SR4

[jerimy77]

I have Both, and like them both... With me it just depends on what kind of sound and feel i am looking for in a song. I like the sterling for the smoother more melodic stuff and the ray for the heavy low punchy type sound. Until recently all i had ever played was a ray until I got my first sterling about a month ago it is a lot lighter and lightning fast, but the ray just has an un-matchable tone.

 

[drTStingray]

I love the Stingray tone, neck and whole package - but the Sterling EQ has great options (especially series - really cuts through a mix in a subtle way).

 

[Hellboy]

Stingray here. Love them.

//J

 

[Kirby]

I have both and like them both for different purposes. However, I am very excited to get the SLO I have on order. It simply killed when I played it at NAMM. A great idea for sure.

 

[MrMusashi]

im surprised the bongo fanatics isnt all over this one.. hehehe

i like the stingray neck.. period
i like the bongo neck.. exclamation
i wonder what the sterling neck is like.. question mark

that said, the rosewood necks must be the bomb! nah.. make that DA bomb

MrM

 

[TheAntMan]

This is such a funny topic.

When I am playing my Stingray it is like wow this is such a sweet bass, I love this. Then when I start using my Bongo, I'm like wow this is such a sweet bass, I love this. So when I grab my 25th Anniversary which has what feels like a faster neck I am like wow this is such a sweet bass, I love this.

I then tried a Sterling 4HS at Basscentral and I was like wow this is such a sweet bass, I love this.

Hmmmm....

There seems to be a trend here

Maybe I am too into playing the instrument at the time to care that it is not the other one. Pick one, you will not be sorry. Good luck.

-- Ant

 

[Eggman]

I'm thinking of adding another EBMM, this time a 4 string. Around here in particular, the Sterling 5 seems to be much more popular than the SR5. But regarding 4 strings, which is the better seller, Sterling or SR. Popularity isn't going to effect my decision but if one 4 stringer is more popular, I would be interested in knowing why.

Jeff - didn't I sell you a Sterling 4? Could have been a Bongo or an SR5 - I forget.

I preferred the Sterling over the Stingray 4. Felt more like the Jazzes I used to play. Tone-wise - it sounded like a MM bass - but not like the classic single H Ray though.

As you know - you can't go wrong with any EBMM.

 

[RaginRog]

I've owned both, and unless you're playing music with several fills and runs, the Stingray neck happens to be quite comfortable. I have Jazz bass with a thin neck, but enjoy playing the thicker SR neck just as much. You get accustomed to your basses.

I wouldn't mind owning a Sterling, as I've owned a couple in the past. I suppose it would be best for my personal sound since both basses sound somewhat similar in comparison to an SR HS & a Jazz bass.

 

[RaginRog]

Love the SR neck. Perfect IMHO. Had to break out the backup 78 P bass after my stingray's output kept cutting in and out on a gig last night.

Man what a difference. That P bass neck is like a ball bat compared to the Stingray neck. Don't understand why anyone would prefer anything else. Jazz bass necks are too thin. P bass necks are too fat. The Stingray neck is perfectly right in the middle.

Having one of each of the 3 basses you've mention, I agree. The SR neck is right in the middle. I start every practice on a P bass, and then when I end up on the SR4, I'm flying up and down the neck. Gotta Love it!!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

Stingray

 

[jefft54]

I think all 3 . It was the SR5

Jeff - didn't I sell you a Sterling 4? Could have been a Bongo or an SR5 - I forget.

I preferred the Sterling over the Stingray 4. Felt more like the Jazzes I used to play. Tone-wise - it sounded like a MM bass - but not like the classic single H Ray though.

As you know - you can't go wrong with any EBMM.