It's a completely different beast, though a humbucking beast. The most important difference for me between the two was probably the neck. Neck profiles are very different between the two. If you like the feel of a jazz neck, the Sterling neck will be better for you. I owned a StingRay for about 30 minutes but took it back after realizing I was not going to bond with that neck, ever, as long as that Sterling was in my arsenal.
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1992 Sterling?
- Thread starter GrooveWarrior
- Start date
It's a completely different beast, though a humbucking beast. The most important difference for me between the two was probably the neck. Neck profiles are very different between the two. If you like the feel of a jazz neck, the Sterling neck will be better for you. I owned a StingRay for about 30 minutes but took it back after realizing I was not going to bond with that neck, ever, as long as that Sterling was in my arsenal.
Don't know about the earlier models, but I'm playing a Ray34 and Ray35 (now the StingRay 5) and I just love the tone, the playability and, yes, the neck is pretty off the charts. My other bass is a MIM Fender Jazz that I also love to play (not so much at first, but have grown to love it). I don't have particularly big hands, but the Sterlings are a real joy to play for me (and apparently others). I agree that, at that price, if you can, just add it to your collection. I will definitely give a full blown Stingray a go one of these days, but until then the Sterling really gets the job done and I always look forward to practicing with it!
You are talking about the Sterling by Music Man instruments, which is essentially a StingRay made in Indonesia or other non-US place. The EBMM Sterling is an EBMM US built alternative to the StingRay...
The Sterling is a wonderful instrument! So is a Jazz Bass.
As you already know, you have 3 pickup choices with the Sterling and they all 3 sound fairly similar, IMHO.
The Jazz Bass is more versatile and when the neck pickup is backed off a little bit with the bridge pickup full and with plucking right over the bridge pickup, you can come very close to that MusicMan/Stingray/Sterling "bark mid-range sound".
Those early 90s MM basses come with birds eye maple neck, I think. That's really nice. MusicMan's quality is fabulous since Sterling Ball took over way back in the 80s.
We are all different people but I'd stay with the Jazz Bass.
Audere make active eq for the J Bass with no mod required.
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As you already know, you have 3 pickup choices with the Sterling and they all 3 sound fairly similar, IMHO.
The Jazz Bass is more versatile and when the neck pickup is backed off a little bit with the bridge pickup full and with plucking right over the bridge pickup, you can come very close to that MusicMan/Stingray/Sterling "bark mid-range sound".
Those early 90s MM basses come with birds eye maple neck, I think. That's really nice. MusicMan's quality is fabulous since Sterling Ball took over way back in the 80s.
We are all different people but I'd stay with the Jazz Bass.
Audere make active eq for the J Bass with no mod required.
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Smooth_bass88
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MIA Sterling’s are one of the most underrated instruments out there as long as you like jazz spacing on your strings..
My main bass is a 92 Sterling. I have fenders, Alembic, Gibson, Lull and so many more. And for me the Sterling has the sound and feel I like the most.
Sterlings are the most comfortable basses out there. I’ve owned 9 of them in the past few years and have been playing them exclusively for a while now. You can’t go wrong with a Sterling and I envy you for getting an early one.
Don't get me started on the Sterling name confusion. There's a reason these things go used for far less than they are really worth. I feel bad for anyone trying to get top dollar for a used Sterling as it's very difficult. Great time to be a buyer, though.
The Ebmm Sterling is a great bass, it's definitely got some balls to it and even though the selector makes minimal changes it's pretty cool what it does do. What a horrible name though. Whenever it comes up here, reading the comments, makes me feel like I'm having a stroke! Sterling by musicman was the worst name they could have picked for their budget line. Because stringrays are Sterlings there's Sterling sterlings the ebmm sterlings. It's always confusing
I have a Sterling 4 from the 91-92 era. It is a jem for me. I played the thing abusively for the most part and it always took it. It actually fell off a stage one and was pretty much still in tune when I picked it up. The whole bar froze when it fell and everyone was amazed it was still alive. Built like a tank. It's around 9.5lbs. Zero electronic issues. All pots and pans are all original. Fret mutes are sick and add to the versatility of the bass. I personally love the tone and find the eq is very musical and flexible. FWIW I never use the neck pickup. I find I adjust the sound using the bridge pickup. It's on the never sell list for me. Paid $650 used in 99.
Here’s the one on the way out. I bought it on 6-11-01. I’ve gigged it maybe 5 times. Tomorrow it moves on in the trade for the Sterling.
What gauge strings do you guys use in your Sterlings? I picked up the bass tonight, and bought a set of EB Hybrid Slinky 45-105, and I hate them. String tension is high. Maybe I should go 40-100?
That's the one, would love to get my hands on the actual StingRay Special, but will have to wait for fundage availability. Still, love the Sterling and really, like you said, that Jazz sound is so special! Here is my 5-string Sterling and MIM Jazz. Have been looking very seriously at the American Performer Precision as well. The PJ combo probably deliver amazing sound.
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That's the one, would love to get my hands on the actual StingRay Special, but will have to wait for fundage availability. Still, love the Sterling and really, like you said, that Jazz sound is so special! Here is my 5-string Sterling and MIM Jazz. Have been looking very seriously at the American Performer Precision as well. The PJ combo probably deliver amazing sound.
