Sterling or Stingray?

[jack_]

Hello everyone,

I've owned my Sterling for around 3 years now, but after just recently recieving an all tube Ampeg rig, I decided I wanted a more punchy sound, i've tryed ALOT of different combinations on the amp/EQ aswell as the EQ on the Sterling bass itself but it's just leacing me with a "tinny" sound with a tonal response that sounds like "tick tick tick".

I play in Drop B (yeah i know thats lowww) and i play with a pick.

If i changed to a Stingray would i get a more punchier sound?

I think i'm going to go test one at the local music store but i thought i'd ask for everyones very valued opinions on here first.

Hope someone can help me,

Thanks

Jack

 

[Musicfreak1988]

I don't know if your tone is going to be more punchy with a Stingray. I describe the difference in tone between Stingray en Sterling as : the Sterling is more 'civilized' than the Stingray, but I think that for a punchy sound, you should try strings for a 5-string bass on yours. Drop B is indeed very low, and strings tend to be a bit sloppy... Putting B E A D strings on it should sound a lot more punchy, because those strings are made for that tuning, and therefore, much more tension is on the strings. You might want to try that before selling your Sterling...

 

[screaminhugger]

I think it will. When I decided I wanted a Music Man, initially I played a stingray in the store and fell in love with the tone. I was looking for a fuller, punchier sound too, that I couldn't get with my fender j bass. So anyway, when I couldn't find the stingray I wanted, a sales guy tried to talk me into a sterling saying it was basically the same...WRONG! I heard a huge difference. the Sterling sounded more like my J bass. I think the Stingray will be just what your looking for. Good luck.

james

 

[bovinehost]

...with a tonal response that sounds like "tick tick tick".

I play in Drop B (yeah i know thats lowww) and i play with a pick.

You got a couple of things working against you there, which I'm guessing you already know, but just in case:

- drop B would be better served by buying a set of fiver strings and using the lowest four strings. You might have to alter your nut slots a little, but you're going to get much better response/action and less 'tick tick' outta your bass.

- nothing wrong with playing with a pick, but in combination with an E string detuned to B, you're adding insult to injury.

I'm not saying you won't be happier with a Stingray, but there might be things you can do short of buying a new bass.

(Not that I'm against buying new basses!)

Jack

 

[jack_]

thanks for the replies, i'm going to try out using the thickest 4 strings of a 5 pack and see how that helps,

i'll report back when i know more x

 

[roballanson]

Well I swapped ffrom a Sterling a few years ago and have not looked back.

Mind you if you can managed it I have a honeyburst Stringray for sale which would give you a nice matching pair (shameless plug )

 

[strummer]

All hte help you need...

Get a Bongo

 

[phatduckk]

i play my sterlings with a pick all the time.

i dont play drop B but i used to deal with the tick tick all the time. for me it was pretty much a setup thing. strings hitting the frets or even worse hitting the pickup poles caused the tick, tick that I hated.

the easy part of the solution was turning the horn on the cab down/off. the harder part was playing slowish and trying to watch the strings move and see what they're hitting to cause the tick sound.

one thing i did was just sit at home, plug in the bass, lay it on my lap and then with my hand move the E strings and make it hit frets or pole peices and try to duplicate the tick in a controlled situation. once I identified it i just messed with the action.

since u drop B this may not work for you as well as it worked for me but it can make it tick less

 

[spencer]

Sterling will probably be better for low tuneing hence the Stingray 5 is the same as the sterling.

 

[bovinehost]

Sterling will probably be better for low tuneing

Why? They're the same scale.

 

[spencer]

sterling uses similar electronics to the SR5

 

[82Daion]

sterling uses similar electronics to the SR5

That won't affect the string tension, though, which is likely the source of Jack's problems.

I'd try the BEAD setup and see how it works.

 

[spencer]

well I thought for sure he was useing the right strings. Since playing B with an downtuned E string really sucks on ANY bass. Since this was a sterling/Stingray for low tuneing I would say sterling.

 

[Alvabass]

Get a Bongo

Great advice, Magnus!

 

[bovinehost]

Bongo is always a very good answer.

But the electronics are not going to make any difference at all to this gentleman's problems. It's really a question of physics.

Jack

 

[KennethB]

A little story: I once played my 4 string Ray in ADGC-tuning ....that's right.... a fifth below standard. This was for one event/gig only and the music was heaaavyyy and looow!!!
This meant getting a "custom" nut and bridge-saddles for this one gig. Nut and saddles cut for string-gauges .075,.090,.110 and.135. (I couldn't find a .145-string for the A, which I originally wanted. Time was short.) After setting up with high action and intonating the thing off I went. The stage sound was pretty crap, as in waayy loud on a small stage, but the show was recorded. And let me tell you after listening to the tape, the bass sounded great. I couldn't believe how my poor abused 4-string, even with the modifications I made, could produce such a sound. Deep, roaring, monsterous tone with clarity and definition at those pitches. OK, I had a 1400 Watts monster amp to help me out, but still......I don't think this would have worked with a P-bass.

The point: You need heavy strings(physics), and a modified nut and bridge-saddles. For BEAD-tuning, go with at least .065,.080,.100,.130 strings. The bass can take it. I believe that EBMM-basses are the kings when it comes to tuning low. It worked with my SR that one time. Your Sterling will sound just as good.
One thing that might be in the Stingray's favour is it's wider neck.
(Tim Commerford plays J-basses in BEAD-tuning. He uses P-bass necks for their wider string-spacing especially for this tuning. Standard tuning-J-bass neck. Something to consider maybe?).