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Deciding on a bass. Musicman or...

R

rage941

Sep 11, 2011
87
7
#1
I need some insight from people who have played a lot of different basses.
I tried a Musicman Sterling classic and I absolutely love the neck. After feeling it though I know I can never go back to fender because they just feel like **** to me now. Only problem is it's $1800. And finding a used sterling classic is hard. So I've been looking for other used, higher-than-fender-quality basses, but I can't try any of them since no one around here sells them.

I've been looking at G&Ls and lakland skylines. So I'm asking the people that have played and enjoyed the neck of a sterling, do you think I'll be satisfied with a G&L or skyline (of the same nut width of course)? Or is the sterling not comparable?
Also I'm afraid of the skyline being made over seas vs the G&L and Musicmans being made in the US. I feel weird spending the same amount of money for overseas and US made instruments...

Also a side question, I've always thought I should play a p bass since my band plays 100% in your face rock and roll; do you think the sterling will be up for that? I don't know if I get that impression, it seems more funky.
 
#2
G&L makes an excellent bass, and many people (myself included) think they do everything a Stingray/Sterling can do and more. They also have neck options, so you can get something that feels like a satin J neck (like a Sterling) if that's what you want.

I've never played one myself, but I've heard very good things about all Laklands...the Skyline stuff included. If you like what they make, I would have no qualms about getting one.

The Sterling or G&L would be great for 100% in you face rock & roll. They are a very up front sounding bass. I love my G&L in a band environment. It always sounds killer.
 
#4
You can't go wrong either way, both are very high quality. I own a EBMM Sterling and an old G&L L-1000. That said, I'm definitely more Musicman guy. I like the sound and feel better of Musicman basses. As for questioning the Sterlings rock aptitude, those things can get some very raunchy and growly tones. No need to worry about it being too mellow.
 
#5
rage941 said:
I tried a Musicman Sterling classic and I absolutely love the neck. After feeling it though I know I can never go back to fender because they just feel like **** to me now.
Click to expand...
+1. Fender is the most over-rated brand in the world of bass. Original? Yes. Best? Not even close.
 
#7
rage941 said:
I need some insight from people who have played a lot of different basses.
I tried a Musicman Sterling classic and I absolutely love the neck. After feeling it though I know I can never go back to fender because they just feel like **** to me now. Only problem is it's $1800. And finding a used sterling classic is hard. So I've been looking for other used, higher-than-fender-quality basses, but I can't try any of them since no one around here sells them.

I've been looking at G&Ls and lakland skylines. So I'm asking the people that have played and enjoyed the neck of a sterling, do you think I'll be satisfied with a G&L or skyline (of the same nut width of course)? Or is the sterling not comparable?
Also I'm afraid of the skyline being made over seas vs the G&L and Musicmans being made in the US. I feel weird spending the same amount of money for overseas and US made instruments...

Also a side question, I've always thought I should play a p bass since my band plays 100% in your face rock and roll; do you think the sterling will be up for that? I don't know if I get that impression, it seems more funky.
Click to expand...

Take a look at the Sterling by MusicMan basses. I had been wanting a EBMM Stingray 5, but just couldn't swing the price. I discovered the SBMM basses and to me, they look, feel, and sound like the U.S. made MusicMan basses...without the higher price. Yes, they are made overseas (like the G&L Tribute and the Lakland Skyline), but the quality is outstanding. You should be able to find used SB14's or Ray34's for around 400.

In regards to how the MM fits in the mix, my band plays a lot of rock and blues, and the MM sounds awesome in the mix in comparison to my p-bass pickup'd 5 string.
 
#10
A US G&L will be a step up from either the Sterling or the Skyline IMO. I have played some Sterlings and I would put them at the bottom when compared to G&L and Skyline. Of course those basses are also twice as much. If you are going to compromise down from a Musicman Classic then just get a regular US Musicman. They are found all the time on the used market and are an absolute steal.

There are tons of great G&L deals as well. Here is one on TB right now. A bargain at the listed price.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1994-g-l-sb-1-gandl-817314/
 
#11
Johnny Alien, sounds like your talking about the Sterling by Music man basses, not the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling basses that the OP is talking about?

OP, if the like the thinner necks of the EBMM Sterlings, have a look at the non-classic Sterlings or a Stingray SLO (has the thinner neck), or if they're still out f your price range, a Ray34 Classic Active also has the thinner neck an aren't too far away from the real thing.
 
#12
About a year ago I was debating between a G&L L-2000 Tribute and a Lakland Skyline 44-02. I tried a Stingray to get a feel for the sound of the HH setup since nobody had a G&L in-store. I took the Stingray home.

To me it had what the G&L does plus the active tone controls (not to mention great feel that just oozes quality). The MM might have stronger resale value than the G&L too.

I'd vote for the MM. If you buy new wait for a sale (or haggle). Not hard to find 15% off or better.
 
#16
mmbongo said:
Sorry I assumed we were talking 5ers. Who plays a 4 string anymore?? :)
Click to expand...

Ha! You know some people ain't on that level yet! :cool:

Seriously though. Musicman is just a top quality bass. If you want less aggressive get an HS configuration. I'd love to have a Sterling 5 HS. :)

EBMM and G&L are about equal in terms of quality. I prefer the sound of a MM over an L2000 though. Lakland makes good stuff, but you're right, it isn't on par with a US G&L or EBMM in my opinion. I've owned all three and I still own a Music Man.
 
#17
DerTeufel said:
Take a look at the Sterling by MusicMan basses. I had been wanting a EBMM Stingray 5, but just couldn't swing the price. I discovered the SBMM basses and to me, they look, feel, and sound like the U.S. made MusicMan basses...without the higher price. Yes, they are made overseas (like the G&L Tribute and the Lakland Skyline), but the quality is outstanding. You should be able to find used SB14's or Ray34's for around 400.

In regards to how the MM fits in the mix, my band plays a lot of rock and blues, and the MM sounds awesome in the mix in comparison to my p-bass pickup'd 5 string.
Click to expand...
88persuader said:
+1 Sterling by Musicman basses, so close to the US basses its sick. And they have a "Sterling" model that's just like the American. i think it's an SB14
Click to expand...

Really? I wanted to go american because I want the best of the best. I'm sick of always dealing with things crapping out and sounding like **** etc. I just want to get something nice and keep it forever. I'll research those but I think I'm going to stick with a US made MM.
Johnny Alien said:
A US G&L will be a step up from either the Sterling or the Skyline IMO. I have played some Sterlings and I would put them at the bottom when compared to G&L and Skyline. Of course those basses are also twice as much. If you are going to compromise down from a Musicman Classic then just get a regular US Musicman. They are found all the time on the used market and are an absolute steal.

There are tons of great G&L deals as well. Here is one on TB right now. A bargain at the listed price.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f126/1994-g-l-sb-1-gandl-817314/
Click to expand...

Why will a G&L be better than a MM? And I've been looking at the non classic models since that's all I can seem to find online, but I am not able to play one in person. I'm worried the neck will feel different..I read something about the edges being sharper which I DO NOT want. Anyone have experience with both?
When I opened that for sale thread I was thinking about jumping on it until I saw the 1.75 neck. I want 1.5.

Down_Low said:
Johnny Alien, sounds like your talking about the Sterling by Music man basses, not the Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling basses that the OP is talking about?

OP, if the like the thinner necks of the EBMM Sterlings, have a look at the non-classic Sterlings or a Stingray SLO (has the thinner neck), or if they're still out f your price range, a Ray34 Classic Active also has the thinner neck an aren't too far away from the real thing.
Click to expand...

Do the non classics have the same neck? Like I said I read somewhere they were different. And the SLO would be fine but they don't pop up for sale too often.

I realize that they are both quality instruments, it's just a matter of it feeling right. I know it seems stupid asking an entire forum if a bass is going to feel right for me haha.

I'm gonna stay away from the skylines. My gut won't let me pay that much for something made in indonesia or korea or wherever.

Basically I know how the Sterling neck feels, now I want someone to chime in about the G&L neck relative to the Sterling. I'm talking about any model G&L with a 1.5 neck.

And if I go G&L then have I to decide if I want to go with an L-XXXX or an SB-1 or SB-2 without playing any in person :hmm:
 
#18
If you really dig the Sterling Classic, find a way to get one. Save extra money, sell stuff, etc. A bass that really feels right in your hands is somewhat hard to find. If you've found it, just keep checking for a used one. Economy sucks and people always sell bass stuff.
 
#19
rage941 said:
Why will a G&L be better than a MM? And I've been looking at the non classic models since that's all I can seem to find online, but I am not able to play one in person. I'm worried the neck will feel different..I read something about the edges being sharper which I DO NOT want. Anyone have experience with both?
When I opened that for sale thread I was thinking about jumping on it until I saw the 1.75 neck. I want 1.5.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure he's referring to the Sterling by Music Man line which is made overseas and not the same as a US made Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling.
 
#20
Bochafish said:
If you really dig the Sterling Classic, find a way to get one. Save extra money, sell stuff, etc. A bass that really feels right in your hands is somewhat hard to find. If you've found it, just keep checking for a used one. Economy sucks and people always sell bass stuff.
Click to expand...

You're right, finding one that feels perfect is rare. I'm going to keep looking used but they don't pop up too often and even when they do they're still too expensive. This is referring to Classics only since I can't be sure a non classic would feel just right. I wanted to stay under $1000. I know I could get a non classic for about $1000. In my current situation it's quite literally impossible for me to save up money. My only way is like you said selling stuff, but I already sold off everything I could, so now I need to get a new rig too, so I can't blow it all on a bass. :(

If a G&L #8 neck felt good I'd be golden! I see and sb-2 with one right now for $700. It's just hard to find one to try in person...
 

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