Q: What are the differences between the StingRay and the Sterling?
A: The StingRay is more of a traditional bass with active electronics that gives players a great all-around feel and sound. It is great for any style of music.
The Sterling is a sleeker, lighter bass than the StingRay. It has a thinner neck and smaller body. The 3-way switch offers more tonal varieties, and the phantom coil offers a single-coil sound without noise.
Now both are available in dual-pickup versions. On those models, the 5-way switch functions are the same, but the main properties of each bass, including the electronics, remain different from each other.
IMO: I like the Sterling because of the smaller body - almost like a Strat bass! Lighter than a SR of course and the neck is super sleek!
even though i've played a few stingrays (& enjoyed them), i've never owned one, but i absolutely love the look, size, weight, and sounds that my sterling produces (even with my incompetent playing!!).
good luck if your going to choose which to buy.....tough call, but just have a play of as many as you can. one will feel 'right' for you.