Stingray vs sterling in band context

[clmjlg]

This thread is not about how they sound different. I haved owned a sterling for a four years and now and love the tone and I have played on many Rays and love the tone of it. I am buying a turquoise pearl roasted Ray next week when I get a pay check. I was wondering if anyone out there has used both a ray and sterling in a band and how the difference in tones has effected the band's sound. I mean will people be like wow thats a whole nother sound and the song feels different. I cant imagine that anyone beyond real musicians will notice any difference but I am curious what anyone here thinks. I just want to see if I should stick with the sterling when doing shows in my band. I play other things too so my ray will get a lot of playing time still.

 

[jlepre]

I've had both SR5 and ST5 with HH config, and didn't notice a huge difference in a live setting. Maybe on a recording you might hear a slight difference, but it also depends on in you have CERAMIC or ANILCO pups.

 

[0DDJ0B]

I have one of each and there is a big difference at least through the amps I use. The Sterling seems to have more cut and the StingRay has a little more punch. So when I got my basses I went with the Sterling in a 4 to do more rock oriented music and the StingRay in a 5 to do more funk/jazz type music. But either one sounds great

 

[syciprider]

IMO the Sterling @ series has more mids but less thump than SR. Sterling @ parallel seems to be about the same as SR

 

[jlepre]

In a live setting, your average person in the crowd will not notice any difference. On a recording, you WILL hear a difference, but not a HUGE one.

 

[keko]

All depends about bass player, music genre, rig and PA support, loud crowd, or silent audience, space where playing...etc.

It's very difficult to answer on Your Question just like that over the net, I think we need some more informations!

 

[clmjlg]

More information huh. Well i play through a SVT-CL and a 6x10 ampeg cab. I play in a band that does a wide variety of styles, from rock to indie, to even a little blues style. I guess the best way to answer my question will be to use it when I get it and see what the band says and what I think. Thanks for all the answers you guys gave.

 

[keko]

I guess the best way to answer my question will be to use it when I get it and see what the band says and what I think.

Yeah, that's probably the best solution!

But You're the one who must make the final decision, ...You're the bass player, OK?

 

[b-unit]

Two different flavors of "Win"!!

 

[stingray96191]

it really has alot more to do with the way "you" are playing it. The neck shape on the ray vs. the sterling/big al forces me to play and hold the guitar in a different way... Nobody in the audience will know the difference. but you will feel it. Or maybe not..

 

[five7]

Just picked up a sterling and I am curious about the 5 way switch. What are the positions? I am liking the tighter sound and faster neck!

 

[mynan]

Just picked up a sterling and I am curious about the 5 way switch. What are the positions? I am liking the tighter sound and faster neck!

Go to this page and click under "diagram and schematics"
sterling | basses | instruments

 

[Basswave]

I have one of each and there is a big difference at least through the amps I use. The Sterling seems to have more cut and the StingRay has a little more punch. So when I got my basses I went with the Sterling in a 4 to do more rock oriented music and the StingRay in a 5 to do more funk/jazz type music. But either one sounds great

+1 to this...but we are talking not major differences but enough to tell the difference.