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  • Sterling by MusicMan

basseroni

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Jul 15, 2007
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2
I own a HH 5-string Stingray. I played my bass at a show recently along with a 4-string H 4-string Sterling and the Sterling was HOTTER than my bass. In order to be able to effectively hear myself in the mix I have to turn the volume on my bass all the way up with the eq settings being around flat with the bass being around 70%. The Sterling, on the other hand, started making the clip indicator flash with the same settings. I had to turn the volume down on that one to around flat and I was STILL able to hear myself and be heard in the mix while doing a bass lead solo.

My question is are the Sterling preamps made to be hotter than the Stingrays?
 

phatduckk

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Jul 25, 2004
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San Mateo, California, United States
I'm not sure but from what ive heard the Sterling is a HOT bass and puts out quite a lot of signal.

Now i havent played too many SR5s and none right after a sterling so i can't compare those specifcally - but i think the Sterling is a pretty loud bass as compared to most other basses ive played and owned.

is this on purpose? i dunno for sure. but also... im using my sterlings as my point of reference and my setup can definately contribute to the impression of my sterlings being loud (pickup height, string choice, action)
 

MingusBASS

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Apr 17, 2004
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Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
I've found the complete opposite to be true. I like the Sterling, I think they play and sound great(what EBMM doesn't?) but when it comes to punch, the Stingray takes the cake. Some might say the Sterling is hotter, but for me that's not always what I'm looking for. Whenever I play a Sterling, I always feel like I'm trying to tame it. If I was playing tons of hard rock, punk, or metal I'd probably love the raw, aggressive, tone. I also think as a bigger guy, I look ridiculous with a Sterling strapped on. But that's a whole 'nother thread. :)
 

bovinehost

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I think it's the body size of the Sterling (not you, BP) that keeps me going back to Stingrays and Bongos. On me, it looks like a ukelele bass.
 

basseroni

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Jul 15, 2007
Messages
2
the Sterling is an awesome bass, looking forward to the 5 string version

I played a HS Sterling at GC the other day. It appeared to be just as hot as the H I played but I really can't give it a fair assessment being that it was at GC and not in a band setting. I would love to try out a 5-string Sterling HS when they come out. Any idea of when that will be?
 
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