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(Soon to be) Sterling owner

B

bottle12am

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 13, 2005
Messages
55
Location
Cajun Country, LA
Guys--

Got my dream bass -- a lefty sterling -- on order right now, waiting for it to come in.

Just wondering if anyone had any advice or warnings unique to this instrument. (I've done a little searching myself, heard about the sharp pole pieces, heavenly neck, advice on thumb-rests, etc).

Anything I should look for? Particular settings, setup advice, nuances, intangibles, etc? Any advice/ suggestions will be appreciated!

So that you know where I'm coming from, I've been playing for 16 years, own a Carvin fretless and an Ibanez Soundgear fretted (which will be retired once my Sterling comes in). I play jazz and rock, using a GK800 head and Ampeg 15/10/horn cab. Only effect I use is a Boss Bass Chorus.

The Sterling beat out a Fender American Jazz Deluxe and a Carvin Bunny Brunel for my cold, hard cash. Ernie Ball fanboys, feel free to make me feel better by saying what a wise choice I made ;)
 
IMHO could not become any wiser!
And welcome, watch out for the flying objects; :D
 
A special welcome from one lefty to another! :D

You can't go wrong with any EBMM, if they made bowling balls I'd buy one... and take up bowling. Seems like a good sport to me, roll the ball and sit around and drink beer for a half an hour, then roll again.

A Sterling might be my next EBMM, but I'm going to wait for my Bongo to come first... maybe, :D
 
bottle12am said:
Anything I should look for? Particular settings, setup advice, nuances, intangibles, etc? Any advice/ suggestions will be appreciated!
Click to expand...

Set the controls flat and adjust from there.

Hope to see a photo soon! :)
 
Welcome!

I too went from a Soundgear to a Sterling. Haven't any deficiencies to warn you about - I find my Sterling perfect! :D

I play finger-style and find the top-front of the pick-up is the right spot. Puts my playing hand right over the pick-up.

When not actually resting my thumb there, it is right along side, actually leaning against it.

I am sure you will LOVE your Sterling - great choice!
 
Congratulations: You have made a wise choice!

bottle12am said:
Just wondering if anyone had any advice or warnings unique to this instrument. (I've done a little searching myself, heard about the sharp pole pieces, heavenly neck, advice on thumb-rests, etc).

Anything I should look for? Particular settings, setup advice, nuances, intangibles, etc? Any advice/ suggestions will be appreciated!

So that you know where I'm coming from, I've been playing for 16 years, own a Carvin fretless and an Ibanez Soundgear fretted (which will be retired once my Sterling comes in). I play jazz and rock, using a GK800 head and Ampeg 15/10/horn cab. Only effect I use is a Boss Bass Chorus.

The Sterling beat out a Fender American Jazz Deluxe and a Carvin Bunny Brunel for my cold, hard cash. Ernie Ball fanboys, feel free to make me feel better by saying what a wise choice I made ;)
Click to expand...

I'll make you feel better: I've been playing Fenders, Gibson and others for over 25 years. I just got my Sterling three months ago, and I cannot put it down when I am home and I cannot stop thinking about it when I am not!

The neck is heavenly. The pre-amp is powerful. I suggest you start flat on your eq on the bass and the amp and go from there. A good slap setting, as an example, would be Treble up to taste, mid lowered a bit and add bass to taste, but you can get all sorts of sounds!

Sharp pole pieces? that's new to me!

Your new Sterling should sound great through your GK. I hope you'll like looking at your other basses sitting in the corner collecting dust, because that's what mine are doing! Not to knock any other brand, but IMHO, the Sterling smokes any Carvin, Fender or Ibanez. Again, no offense, I've played and owned them all (except Carvin). You'll see.

(Plus, as an added bonus, this forum rocks. Friendly, funny and many (ahem) VERY IMPORTANT Ernie Ball personages post here regularly!)

Congrats again and welcome to the club! BTW, what color and neck did you go for? Also, you MUST post pictures when you get it! (Forum rules) :D
 
Congrats again and welcome to the club! BTW, what color and neck did you go for? Also, you MUST post pictures when you get it!
Click to expand...

Thanks guys for being so cool and friendly. Seems like I found another decent place to occupy my time (bassplayer.com's forum is pretty decent with friendly folks, too)

Insofar as my new toy, I went for the orange translucent with matching headstock, maple neck, and black pearloid pickguard.

My favorite colors are purple and orange -- blame it on my alma mater, Northwestern State University of LA (go Demons!). My Carvin fretless is quilted-top purple, so the orange translucent should be a perfect compliment.

Only problem is the anticipation -- ETA on mine is early-mid November, but I am sure it'll be worth the wait.

I can't wait to try that neck... seems to be a perfect fit for those of us with less-than-Sasquatchian hands.

Thanks again, guys, for the welcome. I'll send pictures of my baby when she arrives!
 
bottle12am said:
T
Insofar as my new toy, I went for the orange translucent with matching headstock, maple neck, and black pearloid pickguard.
Click to expand...


Cool I got Trans Orange with a Maple neck (no matching headstock, though), tort shell p/g.! Very classy choice my friend!

The waiting IS the hardest part!
 
Dr. Nick said:
Cool I got Trans Orange with a Maple neck (no matching headstock, though), tort shell p/g.! Very classy choice my friend!

The waiting IS the hardest part!
Click to expand...
Hey Nick - can you post a pic (again) of your TransO ST? That's one of the finishes I'm seriously considering (w/o matching HS).

Thanks!
shamus
 
shamus63 said:
Hey Nick - can you post a pic (again) of your TransO ST? That's one of the finishes I'm seriously considering (w/o matching HS).

Thanks!
shamus
Click to expand...

At your service:

sterling3.jpg


sterling1.jpg
 
Here's a few better ones... (any excuse to show off!) :D

should have polished her a little first :rolleyes:

SterlingonBed.jpg


000_0018.jpg


and this one is from the EB Instrument Builder, I think..

170-52-10-03.jpg


I think we need to form a Sterling 4 sub-commitee here on the board...we have to make sure the virtues of our EBMM choice don't get drowned out. :rolleyes:

"Disclaimer: Dr. Nick's attornies advise him to state that he has the utmost respect for the entire EB line of basses and the discerning musicians who choose them. Any of them. :eek:
 
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