Sterling or Stingray?

[Terry_R]

Hey,

I'm a long time lurker and I hate starting off my days as an actual member by asking questions, I hope you don't mind.
This year the school band I'm in is going to be going to a huge Nation-wide Concert with camps of you instrument of choice, mine obviousely being bass. So my mom and dad agreed to let me get a new bass for the trip and I've always been a fan of MM basses, so I decided to go there in style.
I need to know which would be the most versitile bass, I will be playing classical, blues, funk, metal and rock. Basically I need one for almost every genre except punk. Could someone tell me what they think would be the best MM bass for me?

Thanks for your help,

Terry

 

[Figjam]

The sterling will be more versatile than the stingray, but to be honest the stingray tone works for a lot of stuff. Versatility , in my opinion, is more in how you play the instrument than what instrument you are playing. The Bongo will be the most versatile, but it is completely different than the stingray/sterling, so you dont know if you'll like it before you play one. I dont suggest buying a Bongo sight unseen. They arent everyones cup of tea.

 

[RitchieDarling]

Bass of choice.....

Hmmmmmmmm............For lots of travel, I recommend a SUB Sterling. A great bass all around, and if it gets damaged or stolen ( it happens ) you're not out too much money.

Ritchie

 

[Terry_R]

Yeah I'm not a huge fan of the S.U.B line, well atleast the paint job. I suppose it is somthing that I would have to get used too. I've played Bongos, they are gear, the look and sound is awesome. But for my first MM I wanted to get either a Ray or a Sterling.
I have only played a S.U.B, not a S.U.B Sterling. How does these sticks sound?

 

[Figjam]

The SUBS are okay, but I would just go for a Sterling. Its a better bass on every level.

 

[nicolasd]

not actually owning a MM yet, just here doing lots of research...

if you're on a budget, a SUB bass will be a tremendous value.

if money is no object, it seems that a Bongo with Humbucker, Single Coil and Piezo would be the most versatile in terms of tone.

based on what i've been reading from everyone here, you'll probably be keeping the bass for life unless selling it for another MM, so you pretty much can't go wrong.

-n.

 

[RitchieDarling]

The SUBS are okay, but I would just go for a Sterling. Its a better bass on every level.

I agree. If you're not too worried about it meeting a horrible fate, then the Sterling is the way to go.

Ritchie

 

[shamus63]

I'm going to throw in for the HH Ray over the Sterling (equally versatile), mainly because I like the bigger body and wider neck feel.

 

[Dr Stankface]

The StingRay has made its mark on near every genre you can think of. Like Figgy says, it's more how you play than what you play. So you know where my vote goes.

 

[phatduckk]

I think you cant go wrong with either the Sterling or the Stringray. I would lean towards the sterling b/c you mentioned Heavy Metal. Not that the Stingray cant do metal... but i think the extra agressiveness the Sterling brings to the table makes it more suited for Metal IMHO.

Also there's the neck size issue. Doesnt matter how the bass sounds if you're not comfotable on the neck and cant play it to the best of your ability. THe sterling has a slimmer neck which i love so keep that in mind.

The HH series (both ray and Sterling) are amazing. You shoudl definately try n get you hads on those. I love the Sterling... its my fav bass ever - but I also think I like the HH Ray better than the H Sterling. so keep in mind that the multiple pup basses bring a bazillion new options and sounds to the table.

Id say to not get a SUB if can afford the standard series. and personally i wouldnt care of my bass got beat up... its not an antique, its a tool for your trade. so play it & let it get beat to hell - thats how u get your money'd worth.

 

[LisaIs]

If you are a small person then you want a Sterling so you don't look a kid playing his daddy's Ray.

 

[Brim]

sterling for the neck (jazz style taper) - super comfortable for me.

 

[Terry_R]

If you are a small person then you want a Sterling so you don't look a kid playing his daddy's Ray.

Nah I'm equally as big as "Daddy" haha. I'm 6'2, 200lbs. I'm gonna be going on halves with my mom and dad, so my original thought was Sterling no Piezo, but the S.U.B Sterling would be easier for me to get, even though I'd rather the Sterling.
Boarding a new MM is going to worry me even with the tanks of cases they come in. I'm gonna be worried all the way up.

 

[Dr Stankface]

My God. I'm 18 and you're bigger than i'll ever be at 15!

 

[Randracula]

You can't go wrong with a Stingray. That being said my Sterling gets a pretty convincing Stingray tone plus it has single coil/ series which the Stingray doesn't have. Like others have already said, it comes down to which one is more comfortable for you to play...........Believe me, either one will sound great. I have both and I really can't decide which one I like better.

 

[Terry_R]

My God. I'm 18 and you're bigger than i'll ever be at 15!

Hahaha

Yeah thats what I've heard from the guys at the local music store. The only problem is they NEVER have any Rays or Sterlings in for you to play before you take an order. So I might have a look on the used market.

 

[davidwh2]

dude do you live anywhere near a guitar center, thats where i got my sterling. ill be honest though, the ray is definately nice and so is the bongo, i hope to own them both in a few years but the first time i played a sterling it was a perfect fit for me. the best bass ive played to date and when its through an ampeg its like they were made for each other. again though try to find a guitar center they usually stock all 3.

 

[DKWilkins]

Sterling HS... mine came today and it's da bomb!

 

[phatduckk]

Sterling HS... mine came today and it's da bomb!

isnt it? they sterling HS is my favorite of the sterling variety

glad u like it!

enjoy!!!!

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Rather than a SUB Sterling I would advise looking at a used Sterling - that's what I did and I was able to get my baby for the same price as a new SUB Sterling - and this way I still get the tone and super duper quality that I was after

Either way you won't go wrong, but I would also echo the comments about not worrying if it gets dinged - basses have so much more personality that way