Sterling HS position 3 - help me understand the control function diagram

[SugarMaple]

I might be overthinking this, and likely am misunderstanding something... but I tried a Search for a similar question and didn't find anything, so I'll ask.

I have a Sterling 4 HS that I absolutely love. Best bass I've ever had. I don't understand how the pickups combine for sound in position #3, though. (I also have a few Stingrays, but the question is this one Sterling setting). I know what the bass sounds like, obviously, I'm just trying to wrap my head around how the thing is working.

The Sterling HS Bass Control Diagram lists the position #3 as:

1+3&2
where + is series and & is parallel

I'm trying to think of this in terms of the normal H pickups, ie. (1+2) for Sterling, and (1&2) for Stingray.

Does the position #3 notation mean:

a. (1+3) & (2)

or

b. (1) + (3&2)

???

Which would give a little stronger "emphasis" to 2 (scenario a) or 1 (scenario b) by my logic.

Or... am I overthinking it and all 3 pickups have equal emphasis.

Sorry for any confusion I may be causing, just trying to understand my bass better!! Extra apologies if this has been asked before and/or better, and I just couldn't find it.

 

[Meypelnek]

Funny, a couple of years ago I asked exactly the same question. Never received any response. Thus I can only guess that Option (b) applies.

I play an HH Sterling nowadays and have looked into the wiring in the electronic cavity for quite a while (once had the intention to rewire Position 1 to 1&2 as opposed to 1+2 - it won't work!). In case of the HH Position 3 is certainly (1&3) + (2&4).
Hope that helps.

Edit: +/& !!!

 

[SugarMaple]

Yes, that helps. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who's wondered that, too.

In my previous band, I used position #1 exclusively and just loved the aggressive growl. In my new band, position #1 doesn't sit as well in the mix. I've switched to position #4, which has worked pretty well. I hadn't ever spent much time playing position #3 until last night, but I might give that a go for a set at our next gig and see how it goes. You never know until you do it for real, I guess. Just trying to understand #3's function better. It sounds closer to my Stingrays than the other settings, which might be good for the new band. The neck is paradise, just trying to adjust the sound...

 

[Meypelnek]

I have to admit it took me two years to find the courage and play Position #1 with the Mids cut 90% (I still don't dare to cut them 100%) This comes close to what I consider "more Stingrayish" while playing in a band context.

I agree that Position 4 (very similar on HS and HH) is a great and go-for-it sound. It is my favorite besides #1. All coils enganged can sound a "little too much" if you have played #1 or any #4 instantly before it. But if you grab the bass with "naive" ears (i.e. having not played/heard another bass for a while) it is a killer sound. (Does that make sense?) Always reminds a bit of boutique basses ...

 

[SugarMaple]

Yes, you are absolutely right about the "naïve ears" phenomenon. I just finished playing for a couple of hours. I started with Position #3, and it was good... very smooth, very balanced.

After about an hour, I tried Position #1 again... and immediately realized why it is my favorite and I love it so much. The bass came alive and was snarling again.

What works in the practice room isn't always best with the band going full-tilt-boogie, though. Position #4 works better than #1 in my new band. I'll give #3 a go and see if it can knock out #4, but I doubt it.

If anybody has any other insights on the function of the pickups in Position #3, I'd love to hear them. Thanks!

 

[bvdrummer]

I think you've asked the question backwards. It's 1&3+2, where + is series and & is parallel.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure the answer is (1&3) + 2. I've done some work on my Sterling HS and the leads from coils 1 and 3 join at the same input to the circuit board (thus they are in parallel before going into the board). Coil 2 plugs into a different spot on the PCB. Now, I have not figured out how the board takes two signals and combines them in series. But I have deduced that whatever signal goes into the yellow input on the PCB is wired in series with whatever goes into the white input. Check out my old thread:

http://forums.ernieball.com/music-man-basses/60413-sterling-hs-wiring-mod-coils-1-3-parallel.html

Edit: I also pretty much just use positions 1, 3 and 4. 1 for my agressive tone, 3 is the most full, and 4 for a P-esque tone. Even after my mod, I still don't use position 2

 

[SugarMaple]

Thanks, bvdrummer, that was an interesting read. I've never been under the hood of my Sterling HS, just string changes and occasional slight tweak of the trussrod wheel, but that was interesting. I pulled the 1+3&2 from the MusicMan website (the Sterling HS Bass Control Function Diagram).

Yeah, my favorites are similar... mostly. 1 is my aggressive tone, 4 is my deeper voice (I like your description P-esque). I actually do use Position #2 - the thinner tone is perfect for when I'm playing on headphones learning a song along with a recording, to help zero in on the recording's bassline with a minimum of overtones/fatness of tone. Position #3 I have not used much, partly (as weird as it seems) because I wasn't sure how the pickups worked together. Position #5 might come into play for an Acoustic Night or something, but I haven't used it much either.

Thanks for the info, I love my Sterling HS. Perfect neck, perfect bass, even my favorite MM finish ever - Trans Gold. Fun to discuss and learn a little, too.

 

[Meypelnek]

Hi Sugar Maple,

My apologies: I confused + and &! I have edited my initial response.

Thanks bvdrummer! Great input!