Sterling Woes...

[sjhiker]

So I play a Sterling 4HH w/flats, selector switch set to "all four barrels". It's very comfortable to play with the neck pickup in the perfect place to rest my thumb. I love this sound, to me it sings motown, Jamerson and smooth fingerstyle.

Here's the problem:

It sucks for slapping. Two problems, the neck H is in the way of most popping, and with the flats the aggressiveness/punch isn't quite there. So here is my dilemma, to keep with the comfortable playing weight and neckshape, is it worth it to go for a sterling 4H or 4HS for slap play? Does the HS have the same sounds as the H?

I'm not interesting in going to a SR as I don't want to deal with different neck/body/weight when switching instruments.

 

[Bass Control]

Just adjust your technique. It'll take some time, but after a while you won't ever know that you once had a problem!

For example, I used to pick with my thumb resting on the neck. Now I play back near the bridge. Took me a while to get used to, but it's comfortable now.

 

[phatduckk]

The Sterling HH is pretty awesome. I have at least one of each pup configuration and am constantly changing my mind regarding which one I like the most...

So tones: the HS and HH do sound different. At a minimum the switching is pretty different...

in position 2: HS = single coil from bridge whereas HH is 1 coil from each pickup.
position 3: all coils... well, the HS has a total of 3 so your favorite "all 4 barrels" aint there (3 barrels on the HS)
Also in position 5 its a solo'd single coil vs a solo'd humbucker.

They're both great. The HH is smoother and rounder IMO.

Regarding the slapping thing. I assuming its the popping that's the problem right? This comes up every once in a while. The HS does have more room to get your finger in between the neck pickup and the neck pocket... but you will get used to it on the HH.

I'm mostly a pick player yet even I can pop away on the HH after I took a little bit of time to adjust. It really is a technique thing... not a "wrong" or "right" technique issue... its different, you have less room to play with so you just gotta get more precise.

IMO keep it and focus on getting more precise with the pop. It's doable & from my experience it wont take much time to adjust

So those 2 positions are very different

 

[the unrepentant]

There's nothing wrong with the pickup positioning on any of the EBMM basses, if i can slap on an HH bass, you can too. Adjust your technique. You didn't give up when you were learning to play because it was too hard did you?

As for the strings, if you want it to sound better for slap then put roundwounds on. You can always keep the old flats and change them round whenever.

 

[Kirby]

Although I have never done it, you could try half rounds to see if they help give you any better pop.