Should I buy a sterling 5?

[l4st.ninja]

hi all, I'm in the market for a new MM bass and I stumbled across a as-new sterling 5 string in black cherry, maple w cherry headstock. The only issue I have is that I am used to the siza of rays cause I'm 6'1, will the sterling look a little tiny in comparison? I've owned a warwick streamer in the past and that was small bodied but I got used to it, I figure the sterling is about the same. Oh and one other q, is it just me or are the sterling 5 necks the same as ray 5's? Do they carry over the taper and thinness of the sterling 4 at all? well any help would be good.. and considering the seller is offering this bass for less than 1k US (I'm in nz so that's a rough conversion) I think I should bite the bullet and get it anyway.. what do you guys think?

 

[jlepre]

My experience is that the bodies on the ST5 is smaller, and on a big guy it could look small. As far as the necks, they are pretty much identical. Not a bad price, so if you decide it's not for you, sell it for pretty much what you paid.

 

[MrMusashi]

welcome to the forums

since you are outside us the price asked is more than fair. black cherry burst is also a very nice color!

if it was me i would do it, but i might be a bit biased..
hehe.. i think most of us around here would end up in that category

MrM

 

[Kirby]

I have both and I have to say I like the Stingray 5 better. Maybe it is just what I am used to. I think you would do great with either.

 

[J Romano]

The 5 will definitely look better on a larger person, than the 4. With the wider neck I think you will pull it off just fine. I like my Sterling 5 a lot, for my small fat hands it is perfect, as is my 4. My Bongo is kind of at the limits of comfortable for me with the thicker neck. I am not a big guy, so I can only give you my perspective. I would go for it, you will love the sound. I enjoy the 5HH a little better than the 4H. What is the PU config?

 

[MadMatt]

I'm 6'3 and have both an SR5 and Sterling 5. I find the Sterling to be slightly more comfortable than the SR5. My wife also prefers the looks of the Sterling, I'm ok with both.

 

[strummer]

matching size of bass to size of player?

Weird.

Anyway, just get the Sterling 5, it's a great bass!

 

[jlepre]

Not weird really...I have owned both, and the ST5 does look small on my rather large frame. The SR5 looks more in proportion on us big guys. I wouldn't NOT buy the ST5 for that reason, but that's just me.

 

[five7]

Sterling 5 is my favorite bass and I'm 6-3. My sterling plays better than any sr5 I have owned and is lighter. Easy to find a used sr5, not so easy to find a used sterling 5. Why? Because people hang on to them, they are that good.

 

[strummer]

Not weird really...I have owned both, and the ST5 does look small on my rather large frame. The SR5 looks more in proportion on us big guys. I wouldn't NOT buy the ST5 for that reason, but that's just me.

yeah, I understand a proportions thing, but as you stated yourself, you wouldn't base a buy on that fact.

 

[drTStingray]

Sounds like a great buy to me - great colour as well - I have a 2003 SR5 which has the same electronics and pick up spec as the ST5H. I used it last weekend for a function band set and it really is a perfect bass to cover all genres - for example we did Mama Mia by Abba and I was v impressed how the bass gave such an accurate rendition of the sound on the record - the single coil setting is also a very usable sound.

I'm pretty sure you will be pleased with an ST5 but if not, as has been said, you can sell it for probably no financial loss. Remember to post some pics here if you buy it - we like to see pics around here.

 

[keko]

Welcome Bro, Black Cherry Burst mh with maple board, it seems familiar to me!

Go on, get it, You can't miss!

What pickup config You decided for?

 

[Freddels]

Sounds like a great buy to me - great colour as well - I have a 2003 SR5 which has the same electronics and pick up spec as the ST5H. I used it last weekend for a function band set and it really is a perfect bass to cover all genres - for example we did Mama Mia by Abba and I was v impressed how the bass gave such an accurate rendition of the sound on the record - the single coil setting is also a very usable sound.

I'm pretty sure you will be pleased with an ST5 but if not, as has been said, you can sell it for probably no financial loss. Remember to post some pics here if you buy it - we like to see pics around here.

I used to have it straight in my head but after the pickup changes I got a bit confused. So, if I want the sound of the old SR5 I would either have to buy an old SR5 or a new Sterling 5. Is this correct?