Musicman Sterling Bass Club - Page 45

Sten · #**881** 10-29-2012, 12:36 AM

Sterling is more expensive due to more complicated body shape as far as I know.

Many people say that Sterling is more comfortable to play and that may be true. But Stingray does have a larger body which makes it sound different - and here it comes down to everybodys personal choice. I doubt people can actually tell the sound difference in a band mix, especially of some overdrive or other effects are used. The strings and playing technique probably has much larger influence.

I own both (Sterling 4 and Stingray 5, both H) and while Sterling has hotter output, the sound is very-very similar and I choose which one to play according to the amount of strings I need

Regarding the "Sterling by Musicman" brand - what can you do if the owner of the company wants to write his name in the history in any way he can.

pringlw · #**882** 10-29-2012, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slap5string

I have both a Musicman Sterling and a Sterling Ray35 - can I play too?

#177. The Ray35 is a bonus.

pringlw · #**883** 10-29-2012, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FellowBass

Here's mine -- a '97 trans red 4H.

#178!

pringlw · #**884** 10-29-2012, 04:32 AM

Wow, what a collection. #179!

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwoodman

Recent GAS:

Traded my Sterling 4H for the Tobacco Burst 5H last month - only because I'm mainly a 5 stringer and the 4 didn't get much play time.

Saw this PDN 5H on Bass Central's site and had to have it - got it this week!

Long story short: I really like the Sterling body shape/size and had emailed EB/MM several times prior to the relase of the 5 - asking when they were going to do a 5 string version. I orderd up a 5HS in Honeyburst when they came out, then a 5H in Blue Burst, and finally a 5HH in Sterling Silver. They were all in the 10+ lbs range - and my goal weight is always about 8 lbs. I ended up selling all 3 of those 5s, while keeping my eyes open for a lighter weight 5H (I ended up liking the single H better than the HH or HS). I picked up a real light 5H at NAMM last year at the MM booth, but no way to buy that one, so it became a wish list item. These 2 that I just scored are both only 9 lbs., which is light IMO for a Sterling. I wish they would chamber these things, but oh well. I didn't even know about the PDN Roasted Maple / Mahog / Honeyburst until a few weeks ago - what a beautiful bass!

I think I need a number to join the club - thanks!

pringlw · #**885** 10-29-2012, 04:33 AM

#180 for you!

Quote:

Originally Posted by speak2planets

Here is my beautiful EBMM Sterling natural w/maple neck and DR Blacks. Her birthdate is 2006/03/17. Greatest instrument I have ever owned. I can't figure how to just put the pic in the post so I had to put 2 attachments. Can I get a number, please?

boristhespider9 · #**886** 10-29-2012, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

Sterling is more expensive due to more complicated body shape as far as I know.

Many people say that Sterling is more comfortable to play and that may be true. But Stingray does have a larger body which makes it sound different - and here it comes down to everybodys personal choice. I doubt people can actually tell the sound difference in a band mix, especially of some overdrive or other effects are used. The strings and playing technique probably has much larger influence.

I own both (Sterling 4 and Stingray 5, both H) and while Sterling has hotter output, the sound is very-very similar and I choose which one to play according to the amount of strings I need

Regarding the "Sterling by Musicman" brand - what can you do if the owner of the company wants to write his name in the history in any way he can.

The difference in sound between the basses is a result of the different pickups and preamp used in the Sterling and Stingray as well as how the pickups are wired (series/parallel). It's not the body size that is changing the tone.

**speak2planets** · #**887** 10-29-2012, 10:07 AM

Does EBMM still make regular old Sterling basses? I just looked around at some guitar sales websites and all they carry are the Ray series, SB series, and S.U.B. series. I know the headstock of my bass (which is a 2006) says EBMM Sterling with the made in San Luis Obispo, USA on the back. It seems that all the Sterlings made now say Sterling by MM with Sterling in cursive lettering.

boristhespider9 · #**888** 10-29-2012, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speak2planets

Does EBMM still make regular old Sterling basses? I just looked around at some guitar sales websites and all they carry are the Ray series, SB series, and S.U.B. series. I know the headstock of my bass (which is a 2006) says EBMM Sterling with the made in San Luis Obispo, USA on the back. It seems that all the Sterlings made now say Sterling by MM with Sterling in cursive lettering.

Ugh...Sterling by Music Man is the budget import line. Music Man Sterling is the US made original Ernie Ball Music Man bass model. YES, it is still made. Go to www.music-man.com

Ernie Ball created all sorts of confusion by naming the budget import line "Sterling by Music Man" while still having the Music Man Sterling model. It makes no sense, but supposedly GC/MF forced Sterling Ball's hand. Ford Mustang or Mustang by Ford? I can't blame people who don't follow this closely for being confused. There were all sorts of threads on the Ernie Ball forum about this until Sterling Ball got fed-up hearing about it.

Music Man Sterling = US Made "high-end" Ernie Ball Music Man Model

Sterling by Music Man = Import brand with budget models of the Sterling (SB14) and the Stingray (Ray 34). Made in Indonesia I believe. http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/

**speak2planets** · #**889** 10-29-2012, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Ugh...Sterling by Music Man is the budget import line. Music Man Sterling is the US made original Ernie Ball Music Man bass model. YES, it is still made. Go to www.music-man.com

Ernie Ball created all sorts of confusion by naming the budget import line "Sterling by Music Man" while still having the Music Man Sterling model. It makes no sense, but supposedly GC/MF forced Sterling Ball's hand. Ford Mustang or Mustang by Ford? I can't blame people who don't follow this closely for being confused. There were all sorts of threads on the Ernie Ball forum about this until Sterling Ball got fed-up hearing about it.

Music Man Sterling = US Made "high-end" Ernie Ball Music Man Model

Sterling by Music Man = Import brand with budget models of the Sterling (SB14) and the Stingray (Ray 34). Made in Indonesia I believe. http://www.sterlingbymusicman.com/

Thank you sir. Exactly what I thought but was not 100%.

boristhespider9 · #**890** 10-29-2012, 05:46 PM

Unfortunately, there are plenty of others like you who will never get the correct explanation. We Sterling USA owners have to go into a long explanation these days why a Ford Mustang is not the same as a Mustang by Ford.

pringlw · #**891** 10-29-2012, 06:47 PM

Don't even get me started with SUB by Sterling by Musicman by Ernie Ball. Marketing department should be fired. Happily though, the product is good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boristhespider9

Unfortunately, there are plenty of others like you who will never get the correct explanation. We Sterling USA owners have to go into a long explanation these days why a Ford Mustang is not the same as a Mustang by Ford.

Calaverasgrande · #**892** 10-30-2012, 02:36 PM

As a Musicman SUB and Musicman Sterling owner I am doubly offended!
What next? Bongo by Sub by Sterling by Musicman?

Kooldac · #**893** 11-09-2012, 06:42 PM

Wow, somehow I missed this. Bought mine about 4 years ago brand new. Sterling 2007 LE Blue Dawn with matching headstock

boristhespider9 · #**894** 11-09-2012, 10:42 PM

Sterling 4HS Vintage Sunburst/Tort PG/Rosewood/Matching Headstock

On the wall with a Lakland USA Glaub (with Joe Osborn neck).

One of three Sterlings.

georgestrings · #**895** 11-10-2012, 05:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Calaverasgrande

As a Musicman SUB and Musicman Sterling owner I am doubly offended!
What next? Bongo by Sub by Sterling by Musicman?

For the ultimate in abusing names, I present the SUB Sterling:

- georgestrings

Calaverasgrande · #**896** 11-11-2012, 01:13 AM

Nice bass!
I would kill for a white one of those.

Tunaman · #**897** 11-13-2012, 02:50 PM

WTB: Sterling HH5 maple, not black!

boristhespider9 · #**898** 11-13-2012, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tunaman

WTB: Sterling HH5 maple, not black!

I've got one in vintage sunburst/tort/maple that I'll sell. PM me.

68Goldfish · #**899** 11-17-2012, 08:05 PM

I picked this up from a fellow TB'er a few months back. It's actually my third sterling. I just slapped on a new set of sunbeams and now it sounds awesome!

Where are you guys getting your pickguards at? I'd like to find a clear, black or white pickguard for this one. Also I do have a black pearl Sterling HH pickguard that I'd like to trade for a H pickguard if anybody is interested.

boristhespider9 · #**900** 11-18-2012, 11:18 AM

Ernie Ball sells pickguards directly and The Perfect Bass also sells genuine MM pickguards.