Proud owner of a new Sterling 5 stealth w/questions

[Glug]

I received my Sterling 5 a little while ago and its a great bass. I'm curious if anyone has tried powering it with 18v? I know i know... i'm already thinking of modding a brand new factory fresh bass but i have reasons.
I the only 18v HH MM i was able to try was the Bongo and i was blown away by the tone. I based my purchase on the Bongo but didn't know it was using an 18 volt system.
Guess i'll include a pic:

 

[steevo]

The sterling 5 HH is one epic bass, the neck blows everything else away. Im not sure of the 18 volt mod, im guessing unless you swapped the entire pre amp from a bongo then I don't know what you would gain just from an extra battery.

 

[Glug]

The sterling 5 HH is one epic bass, the neck blows everything else away. Im not sure of the 18 volt mod, im guessing unless you swapped the entire pre amp from a bongo then I don't know what you would gain just from an extra battery.

I honestly WOULD swap in a Bongo pre and route for the battery box but i'm really doubting they're available at all

 

[five7]

You are going to need the neo pickups out of the bongo to get the bongo sound. Buy my used one and strip the pre and pickups out.

 

[brash47]

Im so jealous. That's a beautiful bass!!!!

On the 18v....no opinion. But, if thou art dissatisfied, I would consider it my duty to take that off your hands....

Just sayin....lol

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[Edmang]

Just curious. Why did you go with the sterling instead of the Bongo which you said were blown away?

 

[Glug]

Just curious. Why did you go with the sterling instead of the Bongo which you said were blown away?

I really tried to like the bongo but I just couldn't get passed the styling

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[Edmang]

I really tried to like the bongo but I just couldn't get passed the styling

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You'll have to check out the new Stingrays when available after July 4. They will have the 18 volt preamp.

 

[Golem]

`

In *most* instances, jacking a 9v EQ-pre up to
18v supply simply offers a bit more headroom,
which for some players is beneficial. But OTOH,
there's NO reason to expect a change in voice,
such as a Sterling suddenly mimicking a Bongo.

Chances are, you could replace one of the 9v
batteries in a Bongo with a shunt, so it runs on
just 9v, and it would still have its characteristic
voice ... prolly minus a bit of headroom, which
might add a little grit to the otherwise smooth
sound of the Bongo.

 

[Glug]

Just an update to this:
I recently restrung the bass with the EB Cobalt set and it made this bass everything i wanted. Perhaps its just in my head but the mids seem a lot more tweekable with these strings.

 

[five7]

I have cobalts on my sterling 5 HS and I agree, they are wonderful.