Questions before ordering a new Sterling

[jaxbassplayer]

I am getting ready to order a new Sterling (w/ Maple fingerboard), but I am not sure which pickup configuration will be better for me.

I am looking to get a powerful attack sound and I play fingerstyle hard rock.

I am torn between the single humbucker model (so I can use the series/parallel switch in series), or the HH model (so I can use the switch in position 3, which uses all 4 coils in parallel).

I am unable to do a direct comparison of these pickup configurations and would appreciate any and all help I can get before plunking down the cash to order my bass!

Thank you very much!!!

 

[phatduckk]

i have em all and like the HS the best. however, we're differnt people and u may not like what i like. so with that... here's my observations

both of the 2 PUP Sterlings are wired in series BTW. if you like the bridge bucker in the series setting on the H you can get that sound with the HH and HS as well. So if you prefer series over parallel on the single H then any of the Sterlings will do that for you.

 

[jaxbassplayer]

Thanks phatduckk,

I had heard that all of the 2 pickup configurations were wired in parallel.

I recently had an HS, but could not get the sound I was after so I am now looking at the HH.

What can you tell me about the sound of the HH model with the switch in position 3 (using all 4 coils)???

Thanks!

 

[phatduckk]

Thanks phatduckk,

I had heard that all of the 2 pickup configurations were wired in parallel.

I recently had an HS, but could not get the sound I was after so I am now looking at the HH.

What can you tell me about the sound of the HH model with the switch in position 3 (using all 4 coils)???

Thanks!

im pretty sure they're series dude. maybe someone else will chime in here.

as for the HH in pos 3... lemme go plug her in. one second

 

[phatduckk]

ok so the HH in position 3 is thicker tone than the bridge bucker in series by itself. its got bite to it for sure but the neck bucker evens out the plain a bit and on top of giving it a richer and thicker feel it refines the tone. its really nice...

lemme play it a bit more... brb

The tone IMO is more even in position 3. there's no big spikes in treble, mid or bass... its nice and round. The H sterling has a mid boosty thing going on... in pos 3 this boost/bite is mellowed out and refined.

i hope that makes sense

but honestly im pretty sure that the 2 PUP sterlings are in series.

 

[jaxbassplayer]

thanks again phatduckk,

Could you try to listen to the differences between series and parallel on one of your H models, and then compare it to the HS (or) HH in position 1.

Does the HS/HH sound more like series or parallel (in the H)???

 

[EBMM7181]

I'm also thinking of ordering a Sterling, but I am not sure what to get, HS or HH

Tough decision!

 

[jaxbassplayer]

phatduckk,

Just to let you know, I have confirmed that all 2 pickup Sterling basses have the bridge humbucker wired in Parallel (not Series)!!!

Click on the link below and watch this video about the Sterling -

Sterling Bass

 

[Kristopher]

This series/parallel question gets asked enough, it would be cool if was in the faq section. I too thought that the bridge humbucker in the HS was series. Oops.

 

[Jason Hebert]

Good to see you back David!

 

[phatduckk]

ok ive been searching the forum regarding the series or parallel question and found this post where jaxbassplayer quotes Drew (engineer at MM) and Drew says SR4 2Pup is parallel and Sterling 2PUP is series.

http://www.ernieball.com/forums/277680-post70.html

I'll call MM Monday and find out for sure. It sounds like the Sterlings are in series to me but honestly i suck at describing, comparing and tones so i could totally be wrong

 

[Alz®]

Phatty, you should be on CSI!

 

[phatduckk]

Phatty, you should be on CSI!

CSI:Internets

 

[Alz®]

CSI:Internets

CSI: Internets & SF Bay Area & Bass Playing

 

[fly]

Sterling Bass

that is the exact bass and pup configuration i would love to have.

 

[jaxbassplayer]

Hey Jason, how's the bass???

 

[Big Poppa]

I have my choice of what I play out of all of it and my current bass is an HS STerling...it is cherry burst but I never speicfy color as I like them all now that we dont offer syphillis green (heinz)

 

[fly]

any pics of said bass BP?

 

[Big Poppa]

ill take some today

 

[fly]

thank you kindly sir...............