Questions before ordering a new Sterling

[jaxbassplayer]

OK, I know that these are not Sterling diagrams, but I believe it is the same type of wiring that is used on all 2 pickup Music Man basses. Check out the links below, and look right underneath the position descriptions - it reads "all coils combined parallel".

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_2eq_lever.gif

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_2eq_lever.pdf

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_3eq_lever.gif

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_3eq_lever.pdf

 

[phatduckk]

OK, I know that these are not Sterling diagrams, but I believe it is the same type of wiring that is used on all 2 pickup Music Man basses. Check out the links below, and look right underneath the position descriptions - it reads "all coils combined parallel".

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_2eq_lever.gif

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_2eq_lever.pdf

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_3eq_lever.gif

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sabre_3eq_lever.pdf

This is kinda fun. we both have good reason to beleive what we beleive. i think i remember hearing that the sr5 and sterling were in series because the series sound was their "thing"

 

[jaxbassplayer]

You may be right, but I think that's only on the single pickup SR5 and Sterling. If you call them tomorrow maybe you can find out for sure, but you will most likely need to speak with an engineer, not just a customer service rep. as they probably won't know either.

 

[Randracula]

Hey Jax, didn't you already get an answer from Drebixcubed about this? I found this in the 2PU bass functions thread........

Originally Posted by jaxbassplayer

UPDATE:
Is there anyway we can get an official answer about the pickups in position 1 (coils 1 and 2 together) - if they are in series or parallel?

Jax-

SR=Parellel
STERLING=Series

FROM:
drewbixcubed
Ernie Ball, Inc.
Ernie Ball Customer Service

 

[phatduckk]

You may be right, but I think that's only on the single pickup SR5 and Sterling. If you call them tomorrow maybe you can find out for sure, but you will most likely need to speak with an engineer, not just a customer service rep. as they probably won't know either.

i emailed one of the engineers asking about this once. i said i was a series wiring fan and asked how i could mod the sterling hs so that position 2 is the bucker in series since i dont use the single coil sound much. the answer was something like "position 1 is series"

 

[jaxbassplayer]

I believe that any information I received in the past (about series/parallel) was not directed towards the 2 pickup model basses.

Recently I have spoken with an electronics expert (who has no connection with EBMM whatsoever) and he has told me that it appears to him that all coils would have to be wired in parallel because of the way the 5 position switch works, but he would have to open one up to be 100% sure.

Although, I think it will be a lot easier to find out from an EBMM engineer.

 

[jaxbassplayer]

I am still interested in finding out for sure if position 1 on an HH (or) HS is series or parallel, however at this point it doesn't really matter to me as I have decided to order the original single pickup Sterling with the switch.

Thanks for all the help!!!



And phatduckk if you make that call please post the answer!!!

 

[phatduckk]

I am still interested in finding out for sure if position 1 on an HH (or) HS is series or parallel, however at this point it doesn't really matter to me as I have decided to order the original single pickup Sterling with the switch.

Thanks for all the help!!!



And phatduckk if you make that call please post the answer!!!

i will. ill email someone and call someone now too. hold off on the order till were sure dude

 

[jaxbassplayer]

ok, sounds good.

Thanks for the help!!!

 

[roburado]

On the wiring diagrams for the guitars, & = parallel, and + = series. Hope that helps. It seems the bass diagrams are the same.

Assuming that the bass diagrams are the same, on the Sterling H, position 1 (bridge position) has the coils in parallel. Position 2 (the middle position) has coil 1 and phantom coil. Position 3 has the coils in series.

 

[roburado]

Okay, wait. What is the question that we're trying to answer? I'm a little confused, but I think I get it now. Are we trying to find out if the "all 4 coils" position = series or parallel?

 

[jaxbassplayer]

roburado,

THANKS!!! You are exactly right about the "&" and "+" symbols. I never noticed that.

The exact question is this:
On a Sterling HS or HH, in position 1 (both coils in the bridge humbucker together) are they series or parallel?

If you look at the HS and HH diagrams, you will see the "&" symbol for position 1, which means they are parallel.

Thanks for seeing what others (including myself) have missed.

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_Sterling_HS.gif
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_Sterling_HS.pdf

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_Sterling_HH.gif
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_Sterling_HH.pdf

http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sterling.gif
http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/techinfo/controls/cfd_sterling.pdf

 

[jaxbassplayer]

In fact, in every position on the 5 way switch if 2 or more coils are being used at the same time they are all in parallel.

 

[roburado]

No problem.

 

[fly]

this is a great diagram.........thanks

 

[5Stringer]

OK Here is the scoop:

Two-pickup Sterlings and StingRay 5s are wired in series in all of the positions.

Two-pickup StingRays are wired in parallel in all of the positions.

'Nuff said!

Hopefully that clears this up.

Dan

 

[jaxbassplayer]

OK, so much for the "+" and "&" theory.




Thank you Dan.

phatduckk you were right all along.

 

[phatduckk]

Thanks Dan.

yay i win

 

[slucas]

phatduckk you were right all along

And well he should be. I mean after all he is Sterling, um Bongo, ok Sterling guy

 

[5Stringer]

OK, so much for the "+" and "&" theory.




Thank you Dan.

phatduckk you were right all along.

Normally you'd be right on those symbols - (& = parallel, + = series) but in this case there was some indecision on the wiring in the beginning, so the original symbols were a little off and the correction wasn't made. That's pretty good heads-up on your part to notice that though!

Dan