Question Toggle switch on a Sterling

[vmanmurph]

What does the toggle switch do on a single pickup Sterling? What are the differences between the Sterling and the Stingray (besides the body style?)
Thanks Frank

 

[Bobster]

Different magnets in the pickup, ceramic in the Sterling, alnico magnets in a Stingray

The switch is series toward the neck, series single coil + "Phantom Coil" center, parallel toward the bridge.

The Stingray 4H is always parallel.

Smaller profile neck and body on the Sterling

 

[Stoo]

Although I still forget which end is which, the switch is Series/ single/ Parallel-- or in my somewhat skewed brain: "ring" / "love" / "Pulverize."

Maybe that's partly what has me so swoony for a Big AL SSS, is trying to come up with a name for the pickup combos on that one...

...that and just how freakin' good the single coil setting on the Sterling is. I used to hastily bypass the middle position in my ignorance. It's got a great balance to the sound there--I thought I knew this bass, and there you go! lol. Thinking of having three singles gets me giddy.

I need to get some fresh strings on it (it's been a year and a half... ) and try and make a better demo video of what I like about it and what it does. The kids are almost grown to the point where I'll have time to start doing things like that again. One of these days....

 

[Powman]

The switch is series toward the neck, series single coil + "Phantom Coil" center, parallel toward the bridge.

Correct.

Switch in neck position is the most aggressive. Rock on Baby!

Middle is a nice position to use to get more highs. Eg I use this position for bass intro on Sweet Child of Mine.

Bridge position is less aggressive than neck. Nice and smooth sounding.

 

[Caca de Kick]

And last but not least....
Sterling neck is 22 fret
StingRay neck is 21 fret

 

[stu42]

The Stingray is always parallel.

Just to clarify. This is true for the 4-string model. However, the SR5 Single H model also has the 3-position switch and offers both Parallel and Series mode.

If you browse to the information page for each instrument you can find detailed info about the switch settings under the link "Diagrams and Schematics". Also, the main page for each instrument details the types of pickups etc.

More importantly, though, is what is the difference in sound between a Stingray and a Sterling. Generally speaking, the Sterling has a more pronounced midrange character than a Stingray in all of its pickup switch settings. The Stingray is more scooped and also, and maybe as a result of this, sounds brighter and more spanky (to my ears). Also, the Sterling's EQ is tuned differently and from my tests I believe it has more EQ boost available than the Stingray. For instance, when you crank the bass knob on the Sterling it will produce a more pronounced bass boost compared with the maximum setting on the Stingray. I don't know if that's technically correct but that's how it sounds to me.

One other thing I found...if you turn the mid knob down to about 2.5 on the Sterling and slightly boost the treble and bass I think it can closely approximate the sound of a Stingray (YMMV).

Also...particularly in Series mode the Sterling is exceptionally punchy and aggressive sounding.

Whether you like one or the other better only you can tell. They're both awesome. You owe it to yourself to test them both out as that is the only way you'll know which flavor you like better.

Oh yeah...the Sterling also has a narrower neck profile - though the SLO option on the Stingray will get you the same neck profile.

Hope this helps.