Stingray Sterling - I'm so confused

[jerseydrew]

I'm so confused my head's gonna pop off. I went down to my local GC to try some MM basses. I had never played a Sterling before and I wanted to check them out. The Sterling's seemed like a good idea because I'm only 5'7" with small hands.

So I walked into the store and they had a couple of Sterling's and SR's. The salesman took one of each down for me and they were placed on stands. I turned on one of the amps and was allowed to played them.

When I picked up the Sterling, it was much lighter than the SR. The neck was MUCH thinner and the body was slimmer. Exactly the way I thought it was gonna be. I plugged it in and it sounded good.

I then picked up the SR, which happened to be a 2 humbucker, and it was much heavier. Probably close to 2 lbs. more. The neck was obviously a bit thicker too.

Now here's the problem. When I plugged in the SR, it sounded better. I kept swithing back and forth between the two. The Sterling felt better but the SR sounded better (IMO).

Now my head's about to explode. I was all set thinking I was gonna get a Sterling and I don't know what to do. I imagine I could get the Sterling and still get a great sound when I mess with the amp. Or will I get used to the Stingray's size?

help

 

[Dr Stankface]

Why not get a dual humbucker Sterling?

 

[RitchieDarling]

[/QUOTE]Now my head's about to explode. I was all set thinking I was gonna get a Sterling and I don't know what to do. I imagine I could get the Sterling and still get a great sound when I mess with the amp. Or will I get used to the Stingray's size?

help[/QUOTE]


I really don't see your dilemma. The Sterling is the obvious answer!

Or maybe grab yourself an HH Sterling?

All the best,

Ritchie

 

[RitchieDarling]

Why not get a dual humbucker Sterling?

Beat me to the draw!

Ritchie

 

[Dr Stankface]

Beat me to the draw!

Ritchie

I'm a pretty quick southerner.

I'm a rare breed.

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Me likey my HH Sterling

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

This could be the answer if getting 2 hummers doesn't do it for you

 

[Mobay45]

Me likey my HH Sterling

And you don't really have to wear a skirt when you play it.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Me likey my HH Sterling

Arggghh!

MY EYES! MY EYES!

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

And you don't really have to wear a skirt when you play it.

Although this pic doesn't really knock down the "Sterlings are for girls" statement from the other thread now, does it?

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

Arggghh!

MY EYES! MY EYES!

I know! I think the same thing every time I see that f#nder headstock peeking in the side of the pic

 

[GassieBall]

Drew,

I think I went through what you went through when I made my decision. I have a Schecter Custom 4 with a bigger neck and a Fender Zone with a J neck and I liked the active Schecter but the Jazz neck, so I thought I was going to go with an American Fender Jazz (perhaps deluxe) but then I tried an SR and I loved the tone, but I couldn't get over not having a small neck.

So my friend asks me, if you had to play this for a long gig or day in and day out, what would you be happier with? And bigger necks (like P-basses or SRs) seem make my hand tired. When I tried the HS Sterling and the HH Sterlings I was able to coax a SR-ish tone out of them, AND it felt great. On the other hand, I played the SR and said, this sounds so cool and classic, but I don't feel right.

So in my case, I went with an Sterling HS. So I guess it depends on what is more important to you - the SR tone or comfort. (Mind you, I think the Sterling has a great tone all to itself.)

OK, enough blabbing. Back to listening to Bluegrass Van Halen.

Ed

 

[phatduckk]

you should try a 2 PUP Sterling too.

Personally I'm all about the Sterlings. They suit me for sound as well as comfort. Good luck deciding

 

[jerseydrew]

Although this pic doesn't really knock down the "Sterlings are for girls" statement from the other thread now, does it?

 

[phatduckk]

get a Sterling.

and enough of this for girls thing. dont forget who its named after ... yup, Mr Chick Magnet. So the Sterling isn't for girls its for chick magnets dammit

 

[jerseydrew]

Drew,

I think I went through what you went through when I made my decision. I have a Schecter Custom 4 with a bigger neck and a Fender Zone with a J neck and I liked the active Schecter but the Jazz neck, so I thought I was going to go with an American Fender Jazz (perhaps deluxe) but then I tried an SR and I loved the tone, but I couldn't get over not having a small neck.

So my friend asks me, if you had to play this for a long gig or day in and day out, what would you be happier with? And bigger necks (like P-basses or SRs) seem make my hand tired. When I tried the HS Sterling and the HH Sterlings I was able to coax a SR-ish tone out of them, AND it felt great. On the other hand, I played the SR and said, this sounds so cool and classic, but I don't feel right.

So in my case, I went with an Sterling HS. So I guess it depends on what is more important to you - the SR tone or comfort. (Mind you, I think the Sterling has a great tone all to itself.)

OK, enough blabbing. Back to listening to Bluegrass Van Halen.

Ed

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. My dilemma is that I like the feel of the Sterling but the SR sounds better to me. Will I get used to the feel of the SR or will I coax SR sounds out of the Sterling? That is the question. I realize I'm the only one that can really answer that question.

To make matters worse, I may be getting a 20th anniversary SR instead. A friend of a friend has one that he wants to sell. He wants $1700 and I don't have that kind of money, plus I think it's a bit too high. I'm trying to get him down to $1500. If so, I think I would be better off getting a used 20th anniversary for $1500 than a new SR or Sterling for $xxxx. (new w/tax)

what do you guys think? New bass or used 20th anniversary?

 

[phatduckk]

This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. My dilemma is that I like the feel of the Sterling but the SR sounds better to me. Will I get used to the feel of the SR or will I coax SR sounds out of the Sterling? That is the question. I realize I'm the only one that can really answer that question.

To make matters worse, I may be getting a 20th anniversary SR instead. A friend of a friend has one that he wants to sell. He wants $1700 and I don't have that kind of money, plus I think it's a bit too high. I'm trying to get him down to $1500. If so, I think I would be better off getting a used 20th anniversary for $1500 than a new SR or Sterling for $xxxxx. (new w/tax)

what do you guys think? New bass or used 20th anniversary?

first off - could u quickly edit your post to take the new Sterling's price out. That's out 1 rule here - no "new" prices. Used prices are ok tho.

Anywho ... Personally I'd get the new Sterling but I'm biased. IF i was getting the 20th anniv. I would get it and hang it on a wall. Probably play it carefully at home etc but never gig with it or take it to reherssal. Its "collectable". By all means if you dont "care" that its gonna get some dings etc then play the hell out of it - it is yours to do with as you wish but personally I'd try my best to keep it in best possible shape and as such I wouldnt use it as a "player" too much.

If I was looking for a daily player id go with whichever feels the best. Whether thats a Sterling or a Stingray or new or used. Feel is something that cannot be easily adjusted. That's why I like the Sterling - the neck. It feels like home. Im a small dude so the smaller body works for me too.

For a while I preferred the Stingray tone ... but that changed. Maybe cuz I got so used to the Sterling or maybe cuz my taste changed. I dunno ... so i was in your boat many years ago so i understand.

But really - u just cant deny comfort. so, id personally go with whatever feels good. The tone of both is somehwere in the same camp - at the very least they have the MM flavor going on. With a single H Sterling you can try to con a SR4 sound out of it and you'll get close ... thats what I think.

 

[Musicman Nut]

I'm so confused my head's gonna pop off. I went down to my local GC to try some MM basses. I had never played a Sterling before and I wanted to check them out. The Sterling's seemed like a good idea because I'm only 5'7" with small hands.

So I walked into the store and they had a couple of Sterling's and SR's. The salesman took one of each down for me and they were placed on stands. I turned on one of the amps and was allowed to played them.

When I picked up the Sterling, it was much lighter than the SR. The neck was MUCH thinner and the body was slimmer. Exactly the way I thought it was gonna be. I plugged it in and it sounded good.

I then picked up the SR, which happened to be a 2 humbucker, and it was much heavier. Probably close to 2 lbs. more. The neck was obviously a bit thicker too.

Now here's the problem. When I plugged in the SR, it sounded better. I kept swithing back and forth between the two. The Sterling felt better but the SR sounded better (IMO).

Now my head's about to explode. I was all set thinking I was gonna get a Sterling and I don't know what to do. I imagine I could get the Sterling and still get a great sound when I mess with the amp. Or will I get used to the Stingray's size?

help

Very, very easy, buy 10 of each, you'll never feel left out tone wise. DJ

 

[hankSRay]

Very, very easy, buy 10 of each, you'll never feel left out tone wise. DJ

Truer words have never been spoken. Now how bout you sell me one of your sparkles!

 

[Freddels]

I'm so confused my head's gonna pop off.

Now my head's about to explode. I was all set thinking I was gonna get a Sterling and I don't know what to do. I imagine I could get the Sterling and still get a great sound when I mess with the amp. Or will I get used to the Stingray's size?

help

Easy. Get a Bongo! You get the nice neck and the killer sound.