tunaman4u2
Well-known member
My Sterling HH ate the coverbands lunch yesterday... tone for days, WINNING !!!
Is that still in?
Is that still in?
- Thread starter melvin7822
- Start date
melvin7822
Well-known member
Yes, I'm still very much considering the Sterling 5 HS.
epitaph04
Well-known member
Bongo!!!1
strummer
Enormous Member
The Sterling 5 neck is indeed thinner than the Stingray 5 neck, but faster?
drTStingray
Well-known member
I find my SR5 ceramic (so the nearest equivalent is a Sterling 5H) to be incredibly versatile for this - or even a standard Ray H. Adding the HH config or HS will broaden flexibility, although I have to say just a 2 band Ray and variation of EQ between the amp and bass, and varying playing position would probably give me all I need.
These basses also have the advantage of looking fairly inocculous and 'safe' (dependent on the colour) - a shame that it is so, but some people think the Al (also in guitar form) looks a bit bizarre and whacky - and the Bongo also - so this could be a bit like turning up to your corporate/function gig in an orange suit perhaps? Just a thought (I love these bases as well but I doubt I'd get away with them in some corporate bands I know).
These basses also have the advantage of looking fairly inocculous and 'safe' (dependent on the colour) - a shame that it is so, but some people think the Al (also in guitar form) looks a bit bizarre and whacky - and the Bongo also - so this could be a bit like turning up to your corporate/function gig in an orange suit perhaps? Just a thought (I love these bases as well but I doubt I'd get away with them in some corporate bands I know).
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keko
Well-known member
My opinion, ...for a very modern cover/corporate band bass choice should match a modern design too!
So, ...any EBMM bass sounds killer and You can't go wrong with choice in a that way, but consider Bongo, reflex, or Big Al, 'cause of non-classic design!
I think You should try all three (Bongo, reflex, Big Al) and decide which neck shape fits You the best, ...than consider pickup configurations to match Your set list, ...and that's it!
Good luck!
So, ...any EBMM bass sounds killer and You can't go wrong with choice in a that way, but consider Bongo, reflex, or Big Al, 'cause of non-classic design!
I think You should try all three (Bongo, reflex, Big Al) and decide which neck shape fits You the best, ...than consider pickup configurations to match Your set list, ...and that's it!
Good luck!
five7
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2008
- Messages
- 4,296
cellkirk74
Well-known member
Since nobody recommended it, I would say the Big Al H can do that job just perfectly. According to BP, it bears the BEST pickup they have made so far. And it covers a lot of ground just with that one pickup and the active / passive and series / parallel switches.
Compared the the Sterlings I have played, my BA 5 has significantly more low end growl, which may have to do with the mahogany body. With the active EQ, you can go from very smooth and rich to very aggressive and hard sounds.
Having quite an arsenal of basses and some others alongside my EBMMs, I ended up using the BA 5 in passive mode for about everything from Stax to modern hardrock /metal tone to reggae or R'n'B.
And it liberates you from the pain of choice, because it only has one pickup.
So try a Sterling HS, but please also try the Big Al 5 H. I think it is highly underrated.
That said, I thing every MM bass will do it just fine. A friend of mine, member soul 24-7 uses his classic 5 in a Jamiroquai cover band and it does fine there.
Compared the the Sterlings I have played, my BA 5 has significantly more low end growl, which may have to do with the mahogany body. With the active EQ, you can go from very smooth and rich to very aggressive and hard sounds.
Having quite an arsenal of basses and some others alongside my EBMMs, I ended up using the BA 5 in passive mode for about everything from Stax to modern hardrock /metal tone to reggae or R'n'B.
And it liberates you from the pain of choice, because it only has one pickup.
So try a Sterling HS, but please also try the Big Al 5 H. I think it is highly underrated.
That said, I thing every MM bass will do it just fine. A friend of mine, member soul 24-7 uses his classic 5 in a Jamiroquai cover band and it does fine there.
melvin7822
Well-known member
I'm lucky that my corporate band is more about having fun, so the EBMM designs are all fair game. Along the same line, I gravitate towards colors that really stand out. So if I could get a Reflex 5 HH in tangerine pearl, this thread probably never would've been created.
My very first Music Man was an SR5 ceramic and oddly enough I always seemed to gravitate towards using it in series. Unfortunately, I learned very quickly that my left hand does not agree with the StingRay 5 neck profile, otherwise a StingRay 5 HH would be in the running. However, based on your comments it seems like the Sterling is still very much in the running.
melvin7822
Well-known member
Unfortunately, I tried the Bongo 5 HH in two flavors (roasted and with the piezo). So I'm a bit hesitant to retry another Bongo at the moment, but will definitely revisit the Bongo again in the future.
I was hoping you could offer me some input on the Sterling 5 HS you used to have. Your video demo was what I previously used for a reference as it seemed to be the only extensive one in existence, but sadly no longer exists.
melvin7822
Well-known member
I certainly haven't forgotten the Big Al 5 H as my decision seems to be between the Big Al 5 H and the Sterling 5 HS primarily. To me the Big Al 5 H seems to be the safest bet. Having one pickup means less to mess around with and when you're transitioning from one song to the next, you have little time to make changes on the instrument.
When I used the Big Al SSS while waiting for the Bongo 5 HHp, my biggest problem was differing volume levels between pickup selections. It makes for a tough time setting up your effects (and compressor). So typically, I usually like to find a tone and just vary EQ and hand position. That's why I originally chose the Bongo 5 HHp, because of there being many tones to use and very little volume variance.
I really appreciate finally having some comments on the Big Al 5 H. I just wish I could try either of these basses to make an informed decision. The Sterling 5 HS is still appealing as the 5 position switch is more friendly to tone changes than the pickup buttons and at the same time the 3 band EQ offers more simplicity over the 4 band EQ. However, it doesn't have passive. And while I can simulate that on the Markbass, I always prefer to make all the tone changes on the bass since I have very little time to walk back to the amp.
So as it stands, the Big Al 5 H would be the safest bet that I know would work without fail and the body shape is more my style. But the Sterling 5 has versatility to spare, I'm just not terribly familiar with the tonal profile in general.
keko
Well-known member
Sterling 5 HS was my first EBMM love, but unfortunately I sold it
, couldn't afford two basses at the moment, ...it's in a good hands now and in use (another wedding/party band), it's excellent bass anyway, so You can't miss with SL HS!!! I made that demo video private 'cause don't own that baby any more
, it's still on the YouTube server and only I can watch it, ...if You are really interested to watch it send me a PM, I'll unlock it for a few days and than I'll make it private again!
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melvin7822
Well-known member
I'd like to thank everyone for all the helpful comments. Prior to starting this thread, I really thought I was going to go for the Sterling 5 HS, but I decided that the Big Al 5 H will be my choice. It's plenty versatile and a lot more point and shoot so to speak, which is great since I have very little time to mess with tones between songs. However, I definitely do see a Sterling HS in my future as well.
Simple pattern going through pickup selections with a Sterling HS.
Lisa's DD Sterling H:SC by oldtoe on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Lisa's DD Sterling H:SC by oldtoe on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
tunaman4u2
Well-known member
Totally bad ass !
I love my HH but if a HS ever came up... I dunno man, thats awesome
I love my HH but if a HS ever came up... I dunno man, thats awesome
Movielife
Well-known member
Sounds great! I think this should go in a 'Musicman tone demo' section.
I have to go and play my Sterling 5 HS now...love that bass.
Movielife
Well-known member
stu42
Well-known member
Ben...totally love all those clips you recorded. Great playing and really nice recorded tones as well. Beautiful!! Thanks for posting.
five7
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2008
- Messages
- 4,296
Plus it looks way cooler!
keko
Well-known member
Nice work, great tone, ...but I like also this (down in a right corner) Bongo Hp fretless tone demo!
