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  • Sterling by MusicMan

sheepdog

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2006
Messages
18
I tried out a Sterling yesterday at GC. It was a close call between the Sterling and Stingray, but one thing that impressed me was the Series/Parallel/Single coil option. I didn't see enough of a difference between parallel and single coil to have an issue, but series/parallel is a nice option. Do you not miss out on having that option on the HS or HH Sterlings? I had thought that a Series/Parallel/Single coil switch with a blend (instead of volume) would be a good option (for my use) vs. the 5 way switch, but far be it from me to 2nd guess a company like MM. They have a tad more experience at this than I do.

Am I being picky about missing the series/parallel on the Sterlings? I haven't had a chance to play a HH or HS Sterling yet, so this is all based on playing the regular H version.
 

Psychicpet

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Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
3,933
Location
Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada
I have an HH Sterling and used to have a SR5 H, with the new HH..... nope, not missing the coil tap, am enjoying the 5way coil splitting though :D

now if my Bongo could coil tap........... :p
 

sheepdog

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2006
Messages
18
I have an HH Sterling and used to have a SR5 H, with the new HH..... nope, not missing the coil tap, am enjoying the 5way coil splitting though :D

now if my Bongo could coil tap........... :p


is it possible to use the eq to match most of the sounds in the coil tap? If they are in parallel, what about running a bit of tube overdrive to darken the sound a bit?

Would I really be missing out on anything if I used those options?
 

DR. Cheese

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Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Messages
55
Location
Lower Midwest
I play a SR5 HH, and not a Sterling, but I really miss the series parallel option. Last week, I played a single pickup SR5 for the first time in a long time, and I could really hear the difference when I put that bass through its paces. That said, the SR5 HH is a great bass, and it sounds wonderful. My single complain is that it is a heavy son of a gun, but I guess its great tone may well be connected to its weight.
 

phatduckk

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Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
honestly i forgot about the 'no bridge pup in series' tradeoff.

so i guess i dont miss it. personally i think that the fact that I now have so many more options makes up for the tradeoff. but that's just me.
 

bdgotoh

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Joined
Feb 2, 2005
Messages
970
Location
Pacific NW
I'd miss it, that's why I kept my Sterling H. If I could only have one it would be the Sterling HH most likely - too many awesome tones in that 5 way switch.
 

sheepdog

Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2006
Messages
18
ok, ok...I'll be a big enough idiot to ask this




what are the chances of EB/MM (or a reputable aftermarket tech) wiring the SR5 HS with a 3 way series/split/parallel (like the SR5 H) and a blend (instead of volume)? Or if I must, stacked volume control (1 for each pickup)

Seems like a fairly simple modification


let the flaming begin....



:cool:
 
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