Weird Sterling HS pickup/switching question

[Thegrandwazoo]

Hello, all. This is maybe my second or third post (I don't have many questions about such an awesome instrument, which is for the time being my first and only EBMM), I hope it's in the right place.

As you've likely guessed by the title, I own a beautiful Sterling HS (I believe it's an '09, but I don't think that's especially relevant to this question), and it continues to be the best-playing bass I've ever owned by a pretty goodly margin. I've always loved the Sterling feel, and after watching a lot of video demos and such, decided that I had to have an HS for the available tones. Thing is, as it turns out, I didn't. The only switch position I ever find myself using is 1 (or 5, all the way toward the bridge), which as I understand it is the humbucker only, in series. All the other positions, though I'm quite sure are very useful to many, I just can completely do without.

My question is this: is there anything physically or electronically about my bass to prevent me from relegating the single-coil to thumbrest-only usage and operating my humbucker with a 3-position switch like a regular Sterling? If I understand properly, the phantom coil on the HS is a part of the single-coil and not the humbucker like the OG Sterling. Would it be as simple as laying hold of a regular Sterling humbucker (I'd probably go Nordstrand if I did it) and position switch and slamming them in there? I don't imagine there are a lot of guys clamoring to make their basses less versatile, but to me, I feel that series/parallel/single would be more versatile than the unused options my bass offers. Thanks in advance.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

No one? Anyone?

 

[Golem]

No one? Anyone?

You already have 2 out of 3 of the settings available on
the single humbucker Sterling:

1. Bridge-side single coil.
2. full HB in series mode.

It's rather subjective whether the full HB parallel mode
is significantly different from the series mode. If you
find it significant, then you need it. If you're real lucky
then you don't find it all that significant. Myself, I can
hear the difference, but I can't imagine any audience
hears it in a band mix, or that band mates would care.

On the flip side, even if you don't care for the sounds
that involve the neck PU on the HS that you own they
are useful sounds that are distinctly different from the
sounds of the single HB Sterling. It can be argued that
it matters little what YOU care for, but it matters much
more what serves the tunes. If you're the band leader
and you wrote all the tunes, then I retract that claim,
but otherwise, it's just the facts-on-the-ground.

 

[1954bassman]

I have a 5HS and a 5H. Before I would modify your HS, I would sell it and buy an H.

I do think the 5H parallel sounds a little different, but not enough to butcher a 5HS to get it.

My suggestion remains to simply buy a 5H. They are plentiful and not that expensive compared to modding your 5HS.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Yeah, I kinda figured that'd be the answer I'd get. You may very well be right, the parallel wiring may not be significantly different, tonally speaking. A Stingray certainly sounds quite different from a Sterling in series, but that could easily just be Alnico vs ceramic magnets, I suppose. I have no interest in 'butchering' anything, and if I couldn't perform the mod in such a way that it'd be very easily reversible, I wouldn't do it (though I can't imagine a scenario in which I'd sell or trade the bass, I try to buy things to keep for the rest of my/their lives).

Maybe the thing to do is look for a used Sterling H and put an aftermarket Alnico pickup in it (I've never liked the look/feel of the Stingray NEARLY as much as the Sterling), and wind up with almost every possible MM tone at my disposal with only two basses. Selling/trading mine off for a Sterling H briefly crossed my mind, but it's my first MM (one I've wanted for several years), in exactly the color/wood combo I wanted, and has the best MM neck I've ever fondled, and is therefore out of the question. Damn. A decision, it would seem, is to be made...

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

Maybe a Sterling H fretless should be in my future plan.

 

[five7]

I have had several of each HS an H. Right now I have a HS and do miss the single H tone and when I had only the H I missed the single coil tone. I would love to have another H and an HH to see what I am missing. They all have to have the neck feel you are talking about. My HS does, so it is a keeper.

 

[Thegrandwazoo]

I just wish they were easier to come by in my area. Every one I've ever played has been super well-constructed and felt like a million bucks, but some are a step above for whatever reason (I've never laid hands on a bad MM, even the imports or neglected old ones). I virtually never even pick up my Japanese Fender or beat-but-sweet old Gibson anymore unless I want their particular tone, my Sterling just feels too damn good. I'd just like to have different tonal options out of it. Not more, just different. I guess that just means I'll have to start seeking them out and fondling them til I find another one I really like. Sigh...