• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

burgerdj

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
8
Location
Charleston, SC
Looking for some feedback on the Sterling HS and HH. I'm sure the tonal options are great, but there seems to be very little room between the neck and the neck pickup for funky slap excursions. Thoughts? Experience?
 

AnthonyD

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 23, 2005
Messages
3,683
Location
New Jersey
I'm no slapper (but I do like to pretend I am in private!).

I prefer the ease of the single pup in this area... Noodled the dual-pup models and can't get comfortable with a pop.

Just me - I'm sure you'll hear otherwise from folks who are better-versed with the technique.
 

SharonG

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
607
Location
PA
I only had a little taste of an HS Sterling once (thanks to Pete for getting that GAS going!!:p ), but I can tell you that with my very limited slap abilities, the HS was no problem popping wise. My HH Bongo I have a harder time with, but it's do-able once I'm warmed up.
 

phatduckk

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
i have both... the HS and HH Sterling. Obviously the HS has more room between the neck and the neck PUP for digging in and popping.

Its a easier on the HS... it didnt take me much to adjust at all. but, of course, YMMV. On the HH there's less room and the adjustment time is accordingly longer but again, you get used to it and it becomes a non-issue.

Personally I'd advize that you play them both for a little while if you have the chance. Not a quick 5 minutes, but a good 20 minutes or more. This is assuming that there's a local shop around that has em in stock.

If you're thinking about buying one and have to order online then Id recommend you get the HS... the adjustment time is quick (very quick) and IMO it sounds better (again, different people, different ears)
 

phatduckk

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
ps: i assume when people mention the "enough room" issue they're talking about room to pop, not slap. for slapping ive never had an issue on the HS or HH Music Man bases (no matter which model)... its the popping that takes a little bit of time to get used to but I swear its 100% doable.
 

burgerdj

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2006
Messages
8
Location
Charleston, SC
Indeed, I meant slap/pop. I've gotten very comfortable on my current bass (Warwick Thumb). I loved a single-H sterling I tried a couple of years ago, but haven't been able to try out a HS or HH in my area yet. I like the idea of the added versatility of the additional neck pup and had been inclined to go the HS route.

Thanks for the quick feedback. This is a nice forum!

Cheers,
Dan
 

phatduckk

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 25, 2004
Messages
8,145
Location
San Mateo, California, United States
burgerdj said:
Indeed, I meant slap/pop. I've gotten very comfortable on my current bass (Warwick Thumb). I loved a single-H sterling I tried a couple of years ago, but haven't been able to try out a HS or HH in my area yet. I like the idea of the added versatility of the additional neck pup and had been inclined to go the HS route.

Thanks for the quick feedback. This is a nice forum!

Cheers,
Dan

no problem dude. the HS rules. you will love it!
 

roburado

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 18, 2005
Messages
6,089
Location
Commerce, MI
burgerdj said:
Thanks for the quick feedback. This is a nice forum!

Cheers,
Dan

I don't know how long you had been lurking before posting, but, yeah, this is a great forum with lots of cool people. Welcome.
 

funky

Member
Joined
Mar 7, 2006
Messages
23
well i am a slapper in more ways than one ,and i found when i got my 5hh to be very awkward when popping as you keep on hiting the pick up. im now getting used to it . you just have to be a little more acurate in your style . but put it in position 3 and all the dificultys are compleatly worth it . best slap sound on any bass i have used ever.
 

Oldtoe

Intestinal Poltergeist
Joined
Sep 10, 2004
Messages
3,215
Location
Paris, TX
The SR4 HH is no sweat for slap in comparison to the Bongo and Sterling. Fewer fretses.

So I'm, err...told.
 
Top Bottom