Stingray/Sterling...Do they sound the similar?

[Sweetpea]

Hey everyone this is my first post on here. I am over from harmony central's bass forum. I am very interested in a EB bass and I have tried an awesome Stingray, But I have never tried the Sterling. The Sterling was suggested to me beacuse I am a small female, But is there really alot of differance in the weight/neck/ sound? Any comment would be appreciated.

 

[UncleBungle]

Greetings,

The Sterling is slightly smaller than the Stingray which might help you out if you have small fingers. The Sterling also weighs on average a couple of ounces less and also has 22 frets instead of 21. I've played on both but never through the same amp so I never had the chance to compare the sound between the two. What I can say is that both of them are awesome instruments and have high quality sound & craftsmanship.

Later days,
Kenneth

www.mp3.com/dopamine

 

[basscat]

I haven't A/B'd them either but I think the sound of the SR4 and the Sterling in parallel mode is pretty similar. The Sterling does have two more modes, single coil and series mode. I think this coil tap switch makes the Sterling a bit more versatile. My main bass is a Stingray 5 which also features the same coil tap switch as the Sterling and I use that switch quite much.

Good luck with your choice

Basscat

 

[Sweetpea]

Thanks for the replies. I am still grieving over the Stingray I lost on E-Bay a few weeks ago. It was Autumn Burst (it had glitter) I checked the website on them and it shows that the Stingray weighs 9.5 lbs and the Sterling is 9 lbs. I play a 4003 Rickenbacker and it weighs 9lbs so I don't think weight is a big issue. I guess there probably isn't that big of a differance in the neck size of either bass. Someone just told me the body of the Sterling may be just a bit smaller. Thanks for the info.

 

[sschneck]

I used to own a Sterling, and currently own a Stingray 5. This comment refers to Stingrays with the three-way coil selector. Both are fantastic basses.

The Sterling's SOUND differs in a couple of ways. As pointed out, it is a lighter weight body. Second, the pick-up is hotter and more "active sounding" than the Stingray. Therefore the sound is little more clear, edgy and aggresive than the Stingray. The three coil selections sound very distinct.

I find the Stingray 5 to have more warmth and roundness to the tone. The coil switching selections are less distinct, but the electronics are effective enough get aggresive when needed.

I initially went with the Sterling because of the Jazz neck. I sold it because of the lack of warmth and low end that I was looking for. The bass control seems to be voiced too low, just essentially adding rumble to the tone. The midrange was fantasic, however.

If I were to do a four string again it would be the Stingray because of the tone and pickup. I prefer the slimmer neck of the Sterling, but the Stingray seems to fit me better.

 

[matski]

Maybe this image is helpful? The Sterling just looks a little more slimline than the StingRay...

 

[krich]

I pretty much a gree with sschneck about the difference in sound. It's interesting to find that the Sterling is "hotter," giving it a brighter tone. I had expected the StingRay and the Sterling (in parallel mode) to be really similar, but the Sterling does have a brighter quality to it.
I didn't notice the 'rumble' in the bass of the Sterling, but maybe I just need to turn it up a bit more. I originally bought a SR4, but then needed a smaller neck size, so I got a Sterling. I love the pickup selector, but now I'll be looking for a way to make the bass sound a bit warmer. Still, the thing is a beauty--quality in and out. A very fine instrument.
:- k