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Kristopher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
751
Location
Tempe, AZ
Oh boy! My black/maple Sterling 5 HH is on a UPS truck in Tempe, AZ trying to find it's way to me. Luckily, my girlfriend doesn't work on Fridays, so she'll be keeping an eye out for me most of the day. woooooooooooooooooo!

I think this makes me the first forumite to get one? hehehe

I've also got an EB wah on that truck.
 

Kristopher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
751
Location
Tempe, AZ
The bass has been delivered! My girlfriend opened it up and sent me a phone picture of the headstock. Still one more hour before I can go home and see it for myself....
 

Kristopher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
751
Location
Tempe, AZ
Took these photos in a bit of a rush....

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I've only spent a little time playing it, so this won't be a review or anything but so far I'm extremely happy. It feels like it weighs just as much (if not a tad less) than my HS 4-string. The neck and string spacing are really comfortable to me. When I started playing it the first thing to come to mind was "wow this is fun". I'm really looking forward to playing it more after I get back from dinner.

Oh, and check this out, I guess the cases have a new feature for 2008?

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I've never seen that on any Musicman cases before. Very nice!
 

Kristopher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
751
Location
Tempe, AZ
Sweet! You're making me want to order a Sterling 5! How do you like it comparatively?

Okay, so I just ran it through the GK head and cab....

I'm picky about my 5-strings - if the B string sounds too muddy or too different from the rest of the bass, I'm not into it. Lots of 5-strings sound to me like a 4-string with the B string added on as an afterthought. With that in mind, I think this B string sounds great. My Sterling 5 has a B string that sounds like a natural part of the bass, you know? It's tight, and it sounds right. It's one fluid animal from B to G - very consistant and even.

Comparatively, it's definitely got the Sterling sound nailed (of course). I wouldn't be surprised if the body is the same dimentions as 4-string, it feels very close. The neck is, of course, wider and has more mass than the 4-string, but mine has no neck dive and stays angled up when my hands are off it. The string spacing is tighter, of course, and I dig it. For me and my small hands, it's easily the easiest bass to play out of the eight that I own. I don't slap or play with a pick, so I can't speak about that stuff. Fingerstyle is comfortable.

It's my first HH Sterling, so I'm still getting used to the pickup positions, which all sound usable and musical. I was afraid position two and four (two inner coils vs. two outer coils) were going to sound too simililar, but they're both actually pretty different and have their own thing going on. Cool!

I'd like to thank Mr. Pete DuBaldo for being a great dealer and taking care of me! And thanks to EB for giving me an awesome bass! Now I gotta go try this new EB wah....
 

Kristopher

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 18, 2007
Messages
751
Location
Tempe, AZ
Its official, the Kingdom will worship this bass and shall forever hope there will be a lefty. Gaw-Jus! :D

I'm sure EB will take care of you once orders start rolling. I'm actually left handed but I decided early on to learn to play right handed to avoid instrument availability issues.

i think if i ever got a 5 string sterling it would be HH.

i like the family pic. you have really cool finishes dude!

Thanks man! I still can't get over how awesome the pacific blue burst looks. Best finish on any bass IMO. And I've always wanted a black and maple bass, it's such a classic look. I think I first got the idea from Jason Newsted.

The only finishes I'm still lusting after are trans teal and tobacco sunburst. I also really liked that new light blue on the bongo 6, I might eventually get a bongo in that color.
 

bigvissch

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
186
Location
Melbourne, AU
Congrats Kristopher! Nice family snaps.

I'd be interested to know how different a Sterling 5 might sound to a Stingray 5. Saying that though I expect the major difference would be the feel of the instrument. If you are a Sterling player this would feel much like home. Whereas a Stingray 5 might feel more solid and bigger all round (including right and left hand)!?

I know you don't have a Sr5 to compare but I wonder what others might say.

P.S. Nice touch with the case B.P. and team.
 
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