Musicman Sterling

[Matt R.]

Any of you have experience with Sterling Basses? I mean the USA ones, not the import Stingray types. I have a used one on the way and I’m pretty psyched to check it out.

[jersey bluesdude]

Any of you have experience with Sterling Basses? I mean the USA ones, not the import Stingray types. I have a used one on the way and I’m pretty psyched to check it out.

I had a 2008 black/ rosewood Sterling. They really cut through the mix.
They can be on the medium heavy side (mine was 9 lbs 6 oz) but balance nicely.
Only beefs I had was like all MM basses no passive option. I also found it hard to eq some of the zing out for a more rounded tone.
Also living in Jersey with our humid summers and frigid winters I worried about the oiled only neck. But never experienced any problems.

All said they are very well constructed basses and the downsized bodies make them a comfortable gigging bass.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy it.

[Matt R.]

I’m guessing it’ll basically be a Stingray 4 with an electronic setup similar to a Stingray 5. I’m looking forward to it.

[pjmuck]

My 2001 Sterling was my main gigging bass for many years. I loved it. Punchy, fat, and, as stated clear, defined notes that won't get lost in the mix, with subtle tonal variations using the 3 way switch. (But it can still get very close to a 'Ray if needed). Super comfy to play and I much preferred it over a Stingray, since it's smaller and the neck is closer to a J profile than the wider, flatter necks one associates with a 'Ray.

In short, you're gonna love it.

[Matt R.]

Yeah man, I’m confident I’ll dig it. I like that it has the same selector switch as the SR5’s. Those were always my favorite sounding stingrays.

[bigevilrobot]

Great gigging basses, but I always found I defaulted back to a Jazz or Precision to record. I couldn't get the sizzle out of the tone enough to record happily with them.

I had two different ones between 2001 and 2006. I started with a black and maple that I miss dearly to this day, it cut through the mix like a chainsaw.
I replaced it with a rosewood board model in Rolls Royce Burgundy, easily one of the best looking instruments I've ever owned but the tone didn't suit me so I flipped it for more Jazz basses...

'cause you know, Jazz basses right?

I think my main issue is that a Sterling inherently doesn't sound like a Stingray fully, and that's the tone I thought I really wanted at the time.
But the Sterling for me played far more comfortably than any 'Ray I've ever tried out.

[Matt R.]

I just got it. Did some initial tweaks and it’s pretty badass. It was obviously not well cared for but that’s all cosmetic. It definitely sounds like an SR5, which I’m good with. The neck is pretty fucking wonderful. Definitely a cooler bass than any SR4 in my experience.

[tim]

Awesome!

I'm playing the snot out of my kilo and wondering how I made it so long without a stingray-style bass (meaning a humbucker in the sweetspot).

[Matt R.]

Yep the bucker in that spot is perfect sonically, and as a thumbrest.

[Matt R.]

Here it is

[tim]

Yep the bucker in that spot is perfect sonically, and as a thumbrest.

Exactly!

[NoXX]

Matt that’s killer! I’d play it until my fingers bled Congrats! Please channel Joe Lally and drop some Fugazi lines on it .....(I know he mainly played a regular Ray, but hey...)

[bbl]

It just dawned on me - Matt lives in a lefty bass shop.

[Matt R.]

Ha!

[fivebass52]

A great looking collection of basses... just curious - do you own any 5-stringers?

[Matt R.]

Not at the moment