• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan
Status
Not open for further replies.

Figjam

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
2,331
Location
Poughkeepsie, NY
Its basically what you would expect. Stingray = not very versatile at all (but hey, the tone is in the fingers , baby)

Sterling = more versatile. It always sounds like a Sterling, but it can get a stingray esque tone and a jazz ish growl as well.
 

bovinehost

Administrator
Joined
Jan 16, 2003
Messages
18,197
Location
Dall-Ass, TX
I try to stay away from these questions because it's so subjective, but I'm having coffee and trying to ignore the pain the dentist inflicted upon me this afternoon, so, why not?

It's clearly easier to change the tone with the Sterling's selector switch. Flick the switch, the tone changes! (Dang, it really is like magic.)

With the Stingray, any changes will come from right hand placement or tone controls.

I have a question for you: how many different tones do you look for on a gig? I ask because I tend to get one very good sound at the beginning and leave it alone, mostly. I guess if I played in a serious cover band in which we went from "Brick House" to "Respect" I might think more about changing my tone, but, well, knowing me, actually I might not.

Now at home, when I'm just tweaking or wanking and there's no one around to impress, I'll fool with different settings and nod my head, "Oh yes, I'll certainly use that!" and so on, but get me with my little rockabilly ensemble and it's pretty much one tone, never touch it again.

How versatile can a bass be?

As Steve Barr said, "It's a bass. It goes boom boom boom."
 

Psycho Ward

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 28, 2005
Messages
5,053
Location
Elk Creek, VA and Murrells Inlet, SC
I have both and have to agree with Jack, I'm a one good tone kind of guy. I mean I always leave the switch in the same position and on the SR4 I turn the knobs to the same place.

I mix things up by playing different notes in the wrong place.
 

shamus63

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 8, 2005
Messages
4,018
Location
San Mateo, CA
One main tone for me, as well, with the occasional on-board EQ tweaking for effect (depending on the song).
 

Rayan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 13, 2004
Messages
308
Location
Western Kanada
Who's The Bass ???

bovinehost said:
...
It's clearly easier to change the tone with the Sterling's selector switch ...
With the Stingray, any changes will come from right hand placement or tone controls.

I have a question for you: how many different tones do you look for on a gig?
How versatile can a bass be?

As Steve Barr said, "It's a bass. It goes boom boom boom."
~
Hmmmmm
- I also play with songwriters, often in low volume settings (old fashioned, I admit)
- an SR5 (=sorta sterling'5') is the *one* bass I can depend on for versatility
- and sometimes even, she goes 'doodleydoopie' as well as 'boomboom'
~
/R
 

BOOST

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
427
Location
In The Pickup of a Sterling!
well i think i'm gonna go stingray...tone wise Jack i like something with alot of low end.. and at the same time...i dunno how to describe it... but if you heard a song i was thinking of....hmm...it kind of has a TONG sound to it.. like literally sounds like a deep tong.. and no slapping strictly fingering...
 

MM Mike

Active member
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
34
Location
Ventura, CA
IMO, the tone switching isn't that drastic. in fact, it is very subtle. all the way down, gives a deep, almost pillowy thump, the middle gives you a bit more mid range bark, and all the way up gives you a bit more of a high mid/trebly tone. I use this position most of the time. I have never owned a Ray but have played many and have never noticed a drastic difference between it and the Sterling, with the exception of when the sterling is switched into one of the other positions. For me, it is all about the dimensions. I much prefer a smaller body bass and narrow neck profile. That's what i prefer and that is why i prefer Sterlings. However, if EB had never created this model I would play a Ray, (What other bass is there?:eek: ) but don't because I have a choice. Comfort and what you are comfortable with might be an option you consider as well. Either way, ya can't go wrong with an MM. :eek:
 

Figjam

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 19, 2005
Messages
2,331
Location
Poughkeepsie, NY
I use the series setting as well. Im not sure why but people always argue with me saying the parallel setting gives them more treble. I strongly disagree.
 

Rayan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 13, 2004
Messages
308
Location
Western Kanada
The Jury Has Reached A Verdict - You're On Her !

Figjam said:
I use the series setting as well. Im not sure why but people always argue with me saying the parallel setting gives them more treble. I strongly disagree.
~
I'm in *Strong Agreement* with your *Strong Disagreement*
~
/R
 

BigBallz

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
822
Location
Sacramento, CA
BOOST said:
well i think i'm gonna go stingray...tone wise Jack i like something with alot of low end.. and at the same time...i dunno how to describe it... but if you heard a song i was thinking of....hmm...it kind of has a TONG sound to it.. like literally sounds like a deep tong.. and no slapping strictly fingering...

You have made a wise choice........;)
 

MM Mike

Active member
Joined
Dec 26, 2005
Messages
34
Location
Ventura, CA
If anything, the parallel setting seems to muffle the highs. I agree with your disagreement also. Can't understand why anyone would think otherwise. Whatever...


Figjam said:
I use the series setting as well. Im not sure why but people always argue with me saying the parallel setting gives them more treble. I strongly disagree.
 

BigBallz

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
822
Location
Sacramento, CA
Figjam said:
Im trying to be polite as well, i just dont like TB bashing :) I took effort to make sure i dont even mention the forums name... I was talking about a specific experience. If you have a specific experience/argument id love to hear about it. But the generalizations...dont fly with me.


Well, if you look back on these few posts, you have complained and mentioned the name. Who's bashing? Dude you really need to chill, anything you don't aggree with, and you start these lil snippits. Please stop.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom