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Question when did ernie ball sterlings get the compensated nut?

R

Richie G

Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2012
Messages
12
hi. newbie question. sorry i don't know if this is an old topic. I ordered a new old stock sterling. never saw it if it has the compensated nut. Don't know the serial number yet.

When did the compensated nut debut on the sterling basses? Thanks in advance.
 
If I remember correctly, I think around 2003 but am not sure? I have an 05' Sterling and it has it so I know at least that long.
 
My late 2003 SR5 doesn't have one.

IIRC it started around the time the two PU Rays and Sterlings started - which was right on the end of the 2005 LE bass run (buttercream colour).

I think the 30th Anniversary Rays have them, and my 2007 has one.
 
Didn't all of the Other bass models get them at about the same time? The compensated nut was first on the Bongo, and then made a move to the other basses. My '03 SR4 doesn't have one, but my 07 SR5 does. googling for photos shows stingrays didn't have them in 2004, but did in 2005.
 
@fly,

Your 2001 sterling has one?!?! Lucky you. My '01 doesn't. And it is from oct. '01. Hopefully the black sterling I ordered does come with one so I can compare.
 
fly said:
if someone could clarify my pic in my previous post......
Click to expand...

fly said:
my '01 Sterling has a compensated nut.........

View attachment 20764
Click to expand...

That looks more like a regular nut to me (but a little bit hard to tell from the picture). Anyway, this is a compensated nut:

musicman_bongo_compensated_nut_1.jpg
 
so the compensated nut has those slots cut away......I see.......mine does NOT have a compensated nut then.....

my apologies,and thank you for the clarification @Soulkeeper
 
I had a 2005 Sterling, and it didn't have the compensated nut...

And none of my Stingrays have it either ('97 & '02... I wouldn't expect my Classic to have one).
 
Last edited:
The classic doesn't come with a compensated nut.

Anyway, the compensated nut is a way of improving intonation on the bass. You adjust the bridge saddles to help with intonation, but it also helps to adjust from the other end due to the stretching of strings and such. It's not a HUGE difference mind you, but it is a difference. It helps make the instrument more in tune over the full range of the instrument.
 
Hey Guys,

Compensated nuts began with the Bongo in 2003, then in May/Jun of 2006 all instruments began shipping with the compensated nuts. Classic basses are the exception, we use non comps for those.
 
WillyD said:
Hey Guys,

Compensated nuts began with the Bongo in 2003, then in May/Jun of 2006 all instruments began shipping with the compensated nuts. Classic basses are the exception, we use non comps for those.
Click to expand...

Willy,

As you can see from my signature, I have a 2005 Sterling 4 H. It's completed build day is, "2005 Sterling 4H D.O.B. 10/11/05 Natural". With it, it has a compensated nut on it. Were some of the basses in 2005 being built with them? This bass was my first Music Man bass that I got used in a trade with a member on here but everything on this bass appears bone stock and to my knowledge, has never had anything done to it.
 
WillyD said:
Hey Guys,

Compensated nuts began with the Bongo in 2003, then in May/Jun of 2006 all instruments began shipping with the compensated nuts. Classic basses are the exception, we use non comps for those.
Click to expand...


My Black Cherry Burst 05 Albert has a compensated nut and I remember guys around that time posting pics of their guitars with compensated nuts?
 
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